IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/topcon-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:738:1" rel="noopener">Topcon Corp (7732 JP)</a> shares rose 51% over two days, confirming a Bloomberg report that is conducting a privatisation auction. The process is in the second round of bids.</li>
<li>Exploring the privatisation process is unsurprising, as Topcon has materially underperformed the Nikkei 225 since its last medium-term management term plan was announced on 12 May 2023.</li>
<li>Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median peer multiples.</li>
</ul>



Topcon Corp (7732 JP) shares rose 51% over two days, confirming a Bloomberg report that is conducting a privatisation auction. The process is in the second round of bids.
Exploring the privatisation process is unsurprising, as Topcon has materially underperformed the Nikkei 225 since its last medium-term management term plan was announced on 12 May 2023.
Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median peer multiples.


Topcon (7732 JP): Privatisation Auction Underscores Underlying Value

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>A Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-10/topcon-gets-buyout-offers-from-kkr-eqt-as-japan-m-a-heats-up" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article</a> today said <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/topcon-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:738:1" rel="noopener">Topcon Corp (7732 JP)</a> is weighing takeover bids received from KKR and EQT. ValueAct has been pressuring the company for 18mos (5+% in May23)</li>
<li>ValueAct has apparently been pushing the company to divest assets and concentrate on core ops, or go private (and have someone else do it). </li>
<li>This is further evidence of the METI-enabled "Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine" which could expand M&amp;A and governance activity dramatically. </li>
</ul>


A Bloomberg article today said Topcon Corp (7732 JP) is weighing takeover bids received from KKR and EQT. ValueAct has been pressuring the company for 18mos (5+% in May23)
ValueAct has apparently been pushing the company to divest assets and concentrate on core ops, or go private (and have someone else do it). 
This is further evidence of the METI-enabled "Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine" which could expand M&amp;A and governance activity dramatically. 


Thinking About Topcon (7732) And the New METI-Enabled Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine

<ul>
<li>A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>ECM developments: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kioxia-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29243:1" rel="noopener">Kioxia Holdings (285A JP)</a> priced its IPO at JPY1,455, the midpoint of the IPO price range.</li>
<li>Event-Driven developments: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fosun-tourism-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27439:1" rel="noopener">Fosun Tourism (1992 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cpmc-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10427:1" rel="noopener">CPMC Holdings (906 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-soft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17504:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nec-networks-system-integr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16396:1" rel="noopener">Nec Networks &amp; System Integr (1973 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/topcon-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:738:1" rel="noopener">Topcon Corp (7732 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/insignia-financial-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12349:1" rel="noopener">Insignia Financial (IFL AU)</a>. 
</li>
</ul>


A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.
ECM developments: Kioxia Holdings (285A JP) priced its IPO at JPY1,455, the midpoint of the IPO price range.
Event-Driven developments: Fosun Tourism (1992 HK), CPMC Holdings (906 HK), Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP), Nec Networks &amp; System Integr (1973 JP), Topcon Corp (7732 JP), Insignia Financial (IFL AU). 



Weekly Deals Digest (15 Dec) - Fosun Tourism, CPMC, ESR, Fuji Soft, NEC Networks, Topcon, Kioxia

David Blennerhassett

Nec Networks & System Integr / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nec-networks-system-integr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16396:1" rel="noopener">Nec Networks (1973 JP)</a>'s own FA didn't include any measure of transaction synergies to be created about which NEC and NESIC were so sure. This is not being done right.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-post-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:150:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Post (SPOST SP)</a>'s muted price action after announcing the ~S$900mn FMH sale is illustrative. But expect more value to be unlocked from divesting non-core ops going forward. </li>
<li>The FTC' blocking the giant grocery merger of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kroger-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20824:1" rel="noopener">Kroger Co (KR US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/albertsons-cos-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33026:1" rel="noopener">Albertsons Cos (ACI US)</a> spells trouble for ACT and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a>.</li>
</ul>



Nec Networks (1973 JP)'s own FA didn't include any measure of transaction synergies to be created about which NEC and NESIC were so sure. This is not being done right.

Singapore Post (SPOST SP)'s muted price action after announcing the ~S$900mn FMH sale is illustrative. But expect more value to be unlocked from divesting non-core ops going forward. 
The FTC' blocking the giant grocery merger of Kroger Co (KR US) and Albertsons Cos (ACI US) spells trouble for ACT and Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP).


Last Week in Event SPACE: NEC Network, SingPost, Seven & I, CPMC, Exedy

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The Japanese stock market posted a modest gain of 1% for the week, with the Nikkei closing at 39,470 on Friday</li>
<li>Looking ahead, the market remains sensitive to external catalysts such as U.S. monetary policy decisions (FOMC on 17/18th), the BOJ (18/19th), and developments in China’s economic policies.</li>
<li>Topcon's stock skyrocketed 63% this week, fueled by speculation that the eyecare leader may go private.</li>
</ul>


The Japanese stock market posted a modest gain of 1% for the week, with the Nikkei closing at 39,470 on Friday
Looking ahead, the market remains sensitive to external catalysts such as U.S. monetary policy decisions (FOMC on 17/18th), the BOJ (18/19th), and developments in China’s economic policies.
Topcon's stock skyrocketed 63% this week, fueled by speculation that the eyecare leader may go private.


Japan Weekly | Nikkei Edges Up; Topcon, Rakuten, Oji, Bandai

Japan

Topcorn Corporation manufactures and sells measuring equipment and medical equipment primarily for ophthalmologist use. The Company also manufactures industrial products including projectors and optical devices.

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Topcon Corp (7732 JP)

Topcon (7732 JP): Privatisation Auction Underscores Underlying Value

Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median...

Arun George

Thinking About Topcon (7732) And the New METI-Enabled Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine

The METI Guideline on Corporate Takeovers has enabled a BadCop-GoodCop routine to be played out by activists and PE funds. Topcon may be a victim....

Travis Lundy

Weekly Deals Digest (15 Dec) - Fosun Tourism, CPMC, ESR, Fuji Soft, NEC Networks, Topcon, Kioxia

Last week, notable developments occurred in Event-Driven (CNBM, CPMC, ESR, Fosun Tourism, Vesync, Fuji Soft, NEC Networks, Topcon, Insignia...

Arun George

Last Week in Event SPACE: NEC Network, SingPost, Seven & I, CPMC, Exedy

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

Japan Weekly | Nikkei Edges Up; Topcon, Rakuten, Oji, Bandai

Japanese stock market sees 1% gain, Topcon's stock soars 63%, market remains sensitive to external factors like U.S. monetary policy and China's...

Mark Chadwick

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Topcon (7732 JP): Privatisation Auction Underscores Underlying Value

Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median...

Arun George

Thinking About Topcon (7732) And the New METI-Enabled Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine

The METI Guideline on Corporate Takeovers has enabled a BadCop-GoodCop routine to be played out by activists and PE funds. Topcon may be a victim....

Travis Lundy

Weekly Deals Digest (15 Dec) - Fosun Tourism, CPMC, ESR, Fuji Soft, NEC Networks, Topcon, Kioxia

Last week, notable developments occurred in Event-Driven (CNBM, CPMC, ESR, Fosun Tourism, Vesync, Fuji Soft, NEC Networks, Topcon, Insignia...

Arun George

Last Week in Event SPACE: NEC Network, SingPost, Seven & I, CPMC, Exedy

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

Japan Weekly | Nikkei Edges Up; Topcon, Rakuten, Oji, Bandai

​Japanese stock market sees 1% gain, Topcon's stock soars 63%, market remains sensitive to external factors like U.S. monetary policy and China's...

Mark Chadwick

Japanese stock market sees 1% gain, Topcon's stock soars 63%, market remains sensitive to external factors like U.S. monetary policy and China's...