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

iClick Interactive Asia Group / Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iclick-interactive-asia-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27314:1" rel="noopener">iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US)</a> is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement. iClick was listed on Nasdaq in December 2017 at $8.00 per ADS and raised net proceeds of $23.3 million.  On 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management. The bid of $6.75 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 19.5% to the undisturbed price (on 23 September). As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. PAG and Oasis have not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baozun-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24184:1" rel="noopener">Baozun Inc. (BZUN US)</a>. Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. PAG and Oasis’ letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “shares held by the members of management and other strategic shareholders of the Company that may be rolled over in connection with the proposed transaction.” The wording suggests that PAG and Oasis are in advanced stages of discussions with the co-founders and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baozun" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29712:1" rel="noopener">Baozun (9991 HK)</a>. iClick’s shares reached an all-time high of $18.30 per ADS on 18 February 2021 on the back of the announcement that Baozun acquired 4% of outstanding shares and 10% voting interest at $13.262 per ADS. In part due to China’s regulatory clampdown on tech names, the shares have since headed downwards to reach a YTD low of $4.16 per ADS on 20 August. <div class="content-highlight">The offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples, in our view. The offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities. The timing of the offer announcement points to PAG and Oasis’ confidence in gaining the co-founders and/or Bazoun’s support as rollover shareholders. We think that there is a decent chance that privatisation succeeds. At the last close of $5.91 per ADS, the gross spread to the offer price is 14.2%.  </div>

iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US) is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to Tencent (700 HK) in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement. iClick was listed on Nasdaq in December 2017 at $8.00 per ADS and raised net proceeds of $23.3 million.  On 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management. The bid of $6.75 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 19.5% to the undisturbed price (on 23 September). As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. PAG and Oasis have not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and Baozun Inc. (BZUN US). Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. PAG and Oasis’ letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “shares held by the members of management and other strategic shareholders of the Company that may be rolled over in connection with the proposed transaction.” The wording suggests that PAG and Oasis are in advanced stages of discussions with the co-founders and Baozun (9991 HK). iClick’s shares reached an all-time high of $18.30 per ADS on 18 February 2021 on the back of the announcement that Baozun acquired 4% of outstanding shares and 10% voting interest at $13.262 per ADS. In part due to China’s regulatory clampdown on tech names, the shares have since headed downwards to reach a YTD low of $4.16 per ADS on 20 August. The offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples, in our view. The offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities. The timing of the offer announcement points to PAG and Oasis’ confidence in gaining the co-founders and/or Bazoun’s support as rollover shareholders. We think that there is a decent chance that privatisation succeeds. At the last close of $5.91 per ADS, the gross spread to the offer price is 14.2%.  

IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

In this weeks recap, we look at:<ul>
<li>the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/santos-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:711:1" rel="noopener">Santos Ltd (STO AU)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oil-search-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:773:1" rel="noopener">Oil Search Ltd (OSH AU)</a> merger and the impact on the S&amp;P/ASX 100 and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> </li>
<li>the spread on the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keppel-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12:1" rel="noopener">Keppel Corp (KEP SP)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-press-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9952:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Press Holdings (SPH SP)</a> deal and potential index flows</li>
<li>the listing of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-heavy-industries-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33808:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Heavy Industries (329180 KS)</a> and the potential Fast Entry into the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX)</a> </li>
<li>the potential changes to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/stock-exchange-of-thailand-set-50-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31493:1" rel="noopener">Stock Exchange of Thailand SET 50 Index (SET50 INDEX)</a> at the December rebalance</li>
<li>the potential changes to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-tech-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31367:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX)</a> at the December rebalance</li>
<li>the potential changes to the Hang Seng Composite Index (HSCI) at the December and March rebalances</li>
</ul>There are no major index events in the coming week - there were enough in the last week!There were substantial inflows to onshore China ETFs in the last week, while there was finally an outflow (albeit a small one) from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kraneshares-csi-china-internet-fund" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28208:1" rel="noopener">KraneShares CSI China Internet Fund (KWEB US)</a>.

In this weeks recap, we look at:
the Santos Ltd (STO AU) / Oil Search Ltd (OSH AU) merger and the impact on the S&amp;P/ASX 100 and S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) 
the spread on the Keppel Corp (KEP SP) / Singapore Press Holdings (SPH SP) deal and potential index flows
the listing of Hyundai Heavy Industries (329180 KS) and the potential Fast Entry into the Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX) 
the potential changes to the Stock Exchange of Thailand SET 50 Index (SET50 INDEX) at the December rebalance
the potential changes to the Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX) at the December rebalance
the potential changes to the Hang Seng Composite Index (HSCI) at the December and March rebalances
There are no major index events in the coming week - there were enough in the last week!There were substantial inflows to onshore China ETFs in the last week, while there was finally an outflow (albeit a small one) from KraneShares CSI China Internet Fund (KWEB US). 

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: STO/OSH, KEP/SPH, HHI, SET50, HSTECH, HSCI

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) should announce the results of the December 2021 review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes on 12 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 3 December.The review period for the December rebalance ends on 30 September and stocks that are listed by the review cut-off date are eligible for inclusion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-tech-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31367:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX)</a>.Along with the announcement of the changes at the September rebalance, the index universe was expanded to cover a new theme - 'Autonomous' and examples include self-driving, autonomous robots, internet of things, smart lifestyle etc.The expansion to the universe could see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> added to the index while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/weimob-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27394:1" rel="noopener">Weimob Inc. (2013 HK)</a> could be deleted from the index.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xpeng-inc-4cc65854-d10c-4d20-bf7e-ca0e016715ff" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33772:1" rel="noopener">XPeng (9868 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-auto-inc-3dbe6187-544f-40dd-b9f9-72fba9c0110e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33811:1" rel="noopener">Li Auto (2015 HK)</a> fail the velocity test for tradable indices and should not be included in the index.Estimated one-way turnover is 9.23% and will result in a one-way turnover of HK$3.65bn. There will be a lot of selling on the smaller index constituents due to the funding trade.

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) should announce the results of the December 2021 review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes on 12 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 3 December.The review period for the December rebalance ends on 30 September and stocks that are listed by the review cut-off date are eligible for inclusion in the Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX).Along with the announcement of the changes at the September rebalance, the index universe was expanded to cover a new theme - 'Autonomous' and examples include self-driving, autonomous robots, internet of things, smart lifestyle etc.The expansion to the universe could see BYD (1211 HK) added to the index while Weimob Inc. (2013 HK) could be deleted from the index.XPeng (9868 HK) and Li Auto (2015 HK) fail the velocity test for tradable indices and should not be included in the index.Estimated one-way turnover is 9.23% and will result in a one-way turnover of HK$3.65bn. There will be a lot of selling on the smaller index constituents due to the funding trade.

Hang Seng TECH Index Rebalance Preview: Autonomous Driving Change

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bairong" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31486:1" rel="noopener">Bairong (6608 HK)</a> is a leading independent AI-powered technology platform in China serving the financial services industry. It is the largest independent financial big data analytics solutions provider in China with a 9.0% revenue market share in 2020, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan.Bairong was listed on the HKEx on 31 March 2021 and raised net proceeds of HK$3,759.0 million at HK$31.80 per share. The shares currently trade 62% below their IPO price. Bairong priced its IPO at the market peak and the shares have collapsed in part due to China’s regulatory reset. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a> fell 15% on 5 August after a lockup expiry, as early backers headed for the exit amid fears of China’s widening online crackdown. The ongoing regulatory crackdown has alerted investors to the risk of upcoming expiring lockups.  <div class="content-highlight">Bairong’s pre-IPO investors’ lock-up period expires on 20 September. The cornerstones investors lock-up period expires on 30 September. In this note, we look at the returns of the pre-IPO investors and potential share sales post-lockup expiry.</div>

Bairong (6608 HK) is a leading independent AI-powered technology platform in China serving the financial services industry. It is the largest independent financial big data analytics solutions provider in China with a 9.0% revenue market share in 2020, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan.Bairong was listed on the HKEx on 31 March 2021 and raised net proceeds of HK$3,759.0 million at HK$31.80 per share. The shares currently trade 62% below their IPO price. Bairong priced its IPO at the market peak and the shares have collapsed in part due to China’s regulatory reset. Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK) fell 15% on 5 August after a lockup expiry, as early backers headed for the exit amid fears of China’s widening online crackdown. The ongoing regulatory crackdown has alerted investors to the risk of upcoming expiring lockups.  Bairong’s pre-IPO investors’ lock-up period expires on 20 September. The cornerstones investors lock-up period expires on 30 September. In this note, we look at the returns of the pre-IPO investors and potential share sales post-lockup expiry.

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<div>
Back on the 28 February this year, SaaS provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-youzan-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11467:1" rel="noopener">China Youzan Limited (8083 HK)</a> <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/gem/2021/0228/2021022800069.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a pre-conditional Offer by way of a Scheme to take its GEM-listed shares private, then list 51.7%-held Youzan Technology on Hong Kong's mainboard by "way of introduction". Shareholders were to be offered HK$0.1352/share in cash plus an in-specie distribution of 0.05077265 Youzan Technology shares for every China Youzan share held. The total indicative Offer price was HK$2.3088/share, a 30.2% discount to last close. The scrip portion was based on a fair value of RMB35.73/share for Youzan Tech.
</div>
<div>
In <a href="https://skr.ma/qgiJ9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China Youzan (8083 HK): Proposal Towards Relisting Youzan Tech</a>, I recommended avoiding the stock -  China Youzan was up 283% in the past year, and 44% YTD prior to the Offer announcement. 
</div>
<div>
Disinterested Scheme Shareholders <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/gem/2021/0506/2021050602278.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> at the First SGM on the 6 May, a rollover arrangement and other side-agreements - not the take-private proposal as was incorrectly reported by some media sources.
At the time, shares were trading at $2.09/share, down 37% since the delisting proposal. 
And shares continued to fall, with double-digit declines on multiple days including 19.5% on the 11 May on significant volume. 
The Scheme Document was expected to be posted on or before the 15 June, but was <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/gem/2021/0715/2021071500984.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">delayed</a> on that day to at least the 19 October. 
Reportedly Youzan Tech's listing application had been rejected, however, the wording in the monthly update on the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/gem/2021/0813/2021081300886.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">13 August</a> said "Youzan Technology has been revising features of its application", a slightly varied statement to "Youzan Technology has continued to progress its application with the Stock Exchange" seen in previous monthly <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/gem/2021/0715/2021071500984.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">updates</a>. 
Shares touched a low of HK$0.71/share on the 23 August. 
<h3>The New News</h3>
China Youzan <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/gem/2021/0830/2021083000295.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> yesterday Youzan Tech has re-filed its application for the listing of shares, which will now be done by way of an offering of new shares, not a listing by introduction. 
Both the scrip ratio and cash portion remain unchanged under China Youzan's delisting transaction, by way of Scheme.
The estimated value per Youzan Tech shares by an independent valuer is now RMB21.76 (~HK$26.20/share), down 39% from the previous indicative price. 
Therefore the proposed consideration for China Youan shareholders is HK$1.4654/share (HK$0.1352 +(HK$0.05077265 x HK$26.20)), a 100.7% premium to last close, but a 55.7% discount to last close ahead of the initial announcement in February this year. 
Shares are up ~16% in the last two trading days, but down 74% since the delisting proposal and 37% adrift of the indicative Offer price in February. Those are pretty grim performance numbers.
There's probably value to be had here at the current level, but there are a multitude of factors at work in arriving at a "fair value." Further delays in the dispatch of the Scheme Doc are feasible. And will the Exchange grant this listing application, when it clearly had issues with the prior submission?
More below the fold.
</div>


Back on the 28 February this year, SaaS provider China Youzan Limited (8083 HK) announced a pre-conditional Offer by way of a Scheme to take its GEM-listed shares private, then list 51.7%-held Youzan Technology on Hong Kong's mainboard by "way of introduction". Shareholders were to be offered HK$0.1352/share in cash plus an in-specie distribution of 0.05077265 Youzan Technology shares for every China Youzan share held. The total indicative Offer price was HK$2.3088/share, a 30.2% discount to last close. The scrip portion was based on a fair value of RMB35.73/share for Youzan Tech.


In China Youzan (8083 HK): Proposal Towards Relisting Youzan Tech, I recommended avoiding the stock -  China Youzan was up 283% in the past year, and 44% YTD prior to the Offer announcement. 


Disinterested Scheme Shareholders approved at the First SGM on the 6 May, a rollover arrangement and other side-agreements - not the take-private proposal as was incorrectly reported by some media sources.
At the time, shares were trading at $2.09/share, down 37% since the delisting proposal. 
And shares continued to fall, with double-digit declines on multiple days including 19.5% on the 11 May on significant volume. 
The Scheme Document was expected to be posted on or before the 15 June, but was delayed on that day to at least the 19 October. 
Reportedly Youzan Tech's listing application had been rejected, however, the wording in the monthly update on the 13 August said "Youzan Technology has been revising features of its application", a slightly varied statement to "Youzan Technology has continued to progress its application with the Stock Exchange" seen in previous monthly updates. 
Shares touched a low of HK$0.71/share on the 23 August. 
The New News
China Youzan announced yesterday Youzan Tech has re-filed its application for the listing of shares, which will now be done by way of an offering of new shares, not a listing by introduction. 
Both the scrip ratio and cash portion remain unchanged under China Youzan's delisting transaction, by way of Scheme.
The estimated value per Youzan Tech shares by an independent valuer is now RMB21.76 (~HK$26.20/share), down 39% from the previous indicative price. 
Therefore the proposed consideration for China Youan shareholders is HK$1.4654/share (HK$0.1352 +(HK$0.05077265 x HK$26.20)), a 100.7% premium to last close, but a 55.7% discount to last close ahead of the initial announcement in February this year. 
Shares are up ~16% in the last two trading days, but down 74% since the delisting proposal and 37% adrift of the indicative Offer price in February. Those are pretty grim performance numbers.
There's probably value to be had here at the current level, but there are a multitude of factors at work in arriving at a "fair value." Further delays in the dispatch of the Scheme Doc are feasible. And will the Exchange grant this listing application, when it clearly had issues with the prior submission?
More below the fold.


China

Weimob Inc. provides targetedmarketing services. The Company offers product display, orderintake and payment processing, customer relationship management, and social media marketing services. Weimob provides services in China.

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Weimob Inc. (2013 HK)

IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis

The $6.75 per ADS offer is designed to take advantage of the market sell-off by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities. If the co-founders...

Arun George

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: STO/OSH, KEP/SPH, HHI, SET50, HSTECH, HSCI

This recap highlights Insights covering the index rebalance space in Asia as well as announcements that could result in index changes. We also look...

Brian Freitas

Hang Seng TECH Index Rebalance Preview: Autonomous Driving Change

Following the addition of the 'Autonomous' theme, BYD could be added to the HSTECH Index replacing Weimob. There will be a large impact of the...

Brian Freitas

Bairong: Upcoming Lock-Up Expiry

Bairong’s pre-IPO investors’ lock-up period expires on 20 September. In this note, we look at the returns of the pre-IPO investors and potential...

Arun George

China Youzan (8083 HK): Once Bitten ...

But I would avoid this stock and extremely volatile. Plus there is a question mark over timing, and whether the listing gets Exchange approval. I...

David Blennerhassett

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