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

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/australian-pharmaceutical-industries-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19399:1" rel="noopener">Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU)</a> announced a non-binding indicative offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/woolworths-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:500:1" rel="noopener">Woolworths Ltd (WOW AU)</a> for A$1.75 per share, a 12.9% premium to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wesfarmers-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1104:1" rel="noopener">Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU)</a>’ offer of A$1.55. </li>
<li>Woolworths notes that there is the potential to improve the offer price with the benefit of due diligence, which has been granted. </li>
<li>Wesfarmers has matching rights. We think that the presence of two deep-pocketed suitors, suggests at least another round of bidding.  </li>
</ul>



Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU) announced a non-binding indicative offer from Woolworths Ltd (WOW AU) for A$1.75 per share, a 12.9% premium to Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU)’ offer of A$1.55. 
Woolworths notes that there is the potential to improve the offer price with the benefit of due diligence, which has been granted. 
Wesfarmers has matching rights. We think that the presence of two deep-pocketed suitors, suggests at least another round of bidding.  


Woolworths' API Bid Likely to Kick off a Bidding War with Wesfarmers

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<p>On 2 September at 7pm Australia time, the Marvelous Milton Merger Arb ratio was fixed, and just now it was <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20210903/pdf/4504qbggnhgyc0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a>. </p><p>The ratio of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/milton-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29090:1" rel="noopener">Milton Corp Ltd (MLT AU)</a> shares to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/washington-h-soul-pattinson-and-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6054:1" rel="noopener">Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU)</a> shares has been decided at 0.1863. Entitlements will be rounded up or down to the nearest share.</p><p>Those who have been following on my model would have the NAV at A$5.622 on 2 Sep at the close, or A$5.702/share including the A$0.08 of dividend which went ex- on August 31. That delivered me a number of 0.1864 but they started with A$5.70 rather than A$5.702.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/227/647/original/Screenshot+2021-09-03+at+12.18.13+PM.png?1630642709" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="227647"></figure></section><p>As reported in the <a href="https://www.afr.com/street-talk/milton-corp-s-4b-takeover-finds-proxy-firm-support-20210901-p58ntx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AFR</a>, both major proxy services came out in favor of the deal saying advantages outweighed disadvantages, and noting the IE's "fair value" range said pricing was appropriate; in a good quote from the article, "there were no stones thrown", which usually results in an approval at the Scheme Meeting.</p><p>The schedule reported in the filing is unchanged from the schedule in the Scheme Booklet.</p><div>
<p>Today's announcement means the merger trade is "fixed" rather than floating and now the remaining "risks" are...</p>
<ul>
<li>a small and eminently arb-able risk arb spread (which is 3.56% less comms and borrow fees as I type (excluding any franking credit benefit)</li>
<li>the risk of whether this gets voted through at the Scheme Meeting on the 13th, and</li>
<li>the index impacts</li>
</ul>
<p>There is, as always, more below the fold.</p>
</div><hr><div><table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="width: 539pt;"><h2>History of Insights on the Situation</h2></td></tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Date</strong></td>
<td><strong>Title</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22 Jun 21</td>
<td><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/milton-merger-is-a-most-marvelous-arb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milton Merger Is A Most Marvelous Arb</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24 Jun 21</td>
<td><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/milton-whsp-merger-index-implications-and-the-marvelous-arb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milton-WHSP Merger Index Implications and the Marvelous Arb</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21 Jul 21</td>
<td><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/milton-s-marvelous-arm-meanders-along-marvelously" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milton’s Marvelous Arb Meanders Along... Marvelously</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5 Aug 21</td>
<td><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/the-still-marvelous-milton-arb-confirms-its-schedule-much-marvelousness-to-come" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The STILL MARVELOUS Milton Arb Confirms Its Schedule - Much Marvelousness to Come</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12 Aug 21</td>
<td><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/the-magnality-of-the-marvelous-milton-merger-makes-a-moribund-march-to-metaphysis-it-s-mirific" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Magnality of the Marvelous Milton Merger Makes a Moribund March To Metaphysis (It’s Mirific!)</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25 Aug 21</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/marvelous-milton-making-its-move-new-30yr-highs-on-both-stocks" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:56651" rel="noopener">Marvelous Milton Making Its Move - New 30yr Highs On Both Stocks</a> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div><div><p></p></div>

On 2 September at 7pm Australia time, the Marvelous Milton Merger Arb ratio was fixed, and just now it was announced. The ratio of Milton Corp Ltd (MLT AU) shares to Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU) shares has been decided at 0.1863. Entitlements will be rounded up or down to the nearest share.Those who have been following on my model would have the NAV at A$5.622 on 2 Sep at the close, or A$5.702/share including the A$0.08 of dividend which went ex- on August 31. That delivered me a number of 0.1864 but they started with A$5.70 rather than A$5.702.As reported in the AFR, both major proxy services came out in favor of the deal saying advantages outweighed disadvantages, and noting the IE's "fair value" range said pricing was appropriate; in a good quote from the article, "there were no stones thrown", which usually results in an approval at the Scheme Meeting.The schedule reported in the filing is unchanged from the schedule in the Scheme Booklet.
Today's announcement means the merger trade is "fixed" rather than floating and now the remaining "risks" are...

a small and eminently arb-able risk arb spread (which is 3.56% less comms and borrow fees as I type (excluding any franking credit benefit)
the risk of whether this gets voted through at the Scheme Meeting on the 13th, and
the index impacts

There is, as always, more below the fold.






History of Insights on the Situation

Date
Title


22 Jun 21
Milton Merger Is A Most Marvelous Arb


24 Jun 21
Milton-WHSP Merger Index Implications and the Marvelous Arb


21 Jul 21
Milton’s Marvelous Arb Meanders Along... Marvelously


5 Aug 21
The STILL MARVELOUS Milton Arb Confirms Its Schedule - Much Marvelousness to Come


12 Aug 21
The Magnality of the Marvelous Milton Merger Makes a Moribund March To Metaphysis (It’s Mirific!)


25 Aug 21

Marvelous Milton Making Its Move - New 30yr Highs On Both Stocks 




Marvelous Milton Merger Mapping Mabbled: Ratio Done, Now For The Hard Part

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/woolworths-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:500:1" rel="noopener">Woolworths Ltd (WOW AU)</a> yesterday <a href="https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/content/Document/ASX%20announcements/2021/F21%20Profit%20Announcement.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> earnings to June 2021 with revenues up 5.7%yoy (e-commerce now at 8.3% of the total and up 58% on the year), EBIT +13.7%, and NPAT +22.9% to A$1.972bn for the year. </p><p>The final dividend was announced at 55 cents, up 14.6% on the year for a full-year dividend of 108cts (+14.9%) after EPS from continuing operations was 119.1cts (+20.7%yoy) and EPS from continuing operations after one-offs was 127.1cts (+73%). </p><p>In addition to a high payout ratio, the company also <a href="https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/content/Document/ASX%20announcements/2021/210826%20Woolworths%20Group%20Buy-Back%20-%20Announcement_Booklet_Flyer.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a A$2bn Off-Market Buyback (OMB). This was not unexpected. </p><p>Like the previous off-market buyback executed in May 2019, this OMB has a two-tier approach, <em>significantly</em> favouring small investors. </p>

Woolworths Ltd (WOW AU) yesterday announced earnings to June 2021 with revenues up 5.7%yoy (e-commerce now at 8.3% of the total and up 58% on the year), EBIT +13.7%, and NPAT +22.9% to A$1.972bn for the year. The final dividend was announced at 55 cents, up 14.6% on the year for a full-year dividend of 108cts (+14.9%) after EPS from continuing operations was 119.1cts (+20.7%yoy) and EPS from continuing operations after one-offs was 127.1cts (+73%). In addition to a high payout ratio, the company also announced a A$2bn Off-Market Buyback (OMB). This was not unexpected. Like the previous off-market buyback executed in May 2019, this OMB has a two-tier approach, significantly favouring small investors. 

Woolies (WOW AU) Announces ~4.4% Off-Market Buyback

Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

<p>Our neutral and cautious outlook continues to be reinforced by market dynamics that have generally deteriorated over the past week. RS improvement for defensives (Utilities, Staples, Real Estate, and Health Care) continues to make these Sectors attractive. Meanwhile, not one MSCI ACWI Sector is breaking down, and important price support levels are holding in the US, Europe, and Japan. Until supports start to break we cannot be bearish, though we would not be surprised to see ~5% downside with potential for more.</p>

Our neutral and cautious outlook continues to be reinforced by market dynamics that have generally deteriorated over the past week. RS improvement for defensives (Utilities, Staples, Real Estate, and Health Care) continues to make these Sectors attractive. Meanwhile, not one MSCI ACWI Sector is breaking down, and important price support levels are holding in the US, Europe, and Japan. Until supports start to break we cannot be bearish, though we would not be surprised to see ~5% downside with potential for more.

Crude Oil and Copper Breakdowns Reinforce Our Concerns; Defensive Sectors Remain Attractive

David Blennerhassett

Last Week in Event SPACE: SOHO China, Toshiba, Boral Ltd, Yageo/Chilisin, Microstrategy

Australia

Coles Group Limited owns and operates a chain of supermarkets and department stores. The Company offers apparels, liquor, office supplies, groceries, and household products. Coles Group serves customers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Wesfarmers Ltd. owns retail chains, operates mines, writes insurance, manufactures and distributes industrial products, manufactures fertilizers and chemicals, and distributes liquefied petroleum gas and medical and industrial gases.

Metcash Limited is a marketing and distribution company operating in the food and other consumer goods sectors.  The Company operates distribution centers serving grocery products for independent retail grocery stores, liquor distribution centers and cash and carry warehouses which serve retailers and businesses in the grocery, liquor, food services and convenience stores.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Southbank, Victoria, Australia. The Company's line of business includes vineyard operations and international marketing and distribution of wine.

Blackmores Limited manufactures and markets vitamin, herbal, mineral supplements and natural skin and hair treatment products in Australia and New Zealand. These products are supplied to the over the counter retail market and to health care professionals. The Company also has a line of natural beauty and aromatherapy products and its products are distributed in South East Asia.

GrainCorp Limited operates as a food ingredients and agribusiness company. The Company processes and distributes wheat, barley, and canola, as well as offers a range of malt products and service to brewers and distillers. GrainCorp also supplies and refines edible oils. GrainCorp serves customers worldwide.*Dummy ticker for index membership mapping

Bega Cheese Ltd. provides dairy food products. The Company offers a variety of cheese products including can, stringers, fingers, slice, whey powder, processed, natural, and reduced fat cheddar cheeses. Bega Cheese's exports its whey powder to Asian countries. Bega Cheese's also distributes its cheese products to international commodity markets.

Elders Limited owns and operates rural services businesses. The Company brokers and processes wool, buys and sells grain, and retails seed, fertilizer, and animal health and other farm products. Elders operates in Australia.

Costa Group Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, grows and markets fruits and vegetables. Costa Group Holdings supplies its products to supermarket chains and independent grocers worldwide.

Bubs Australia Limited produces packaged food products. The Company supplies organic baby food, milk formulas, cereals, and other nutritional products for children. Bubs Australia serves customers in Australia.

AEON CO., LTD. operates general merchandise stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores throughout Japan. The Company is also engaged in women's and casual clothing store business, development business of commercial property, and financing service through the subsidiaries.

Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company which was established through the merger of Ito-Yokado Co., Seven Eleven Japan Co., and Denny's Japan. The Company plans, manages, and operates mainly convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores.

CP ALL PCL operates convenience store chains in Thailand and China.  The Company also owns and operates the a department store chain located primarily in Shanghai city and Chonqing city of China.

Sysco Corporation distributes food and related products primarily to the foodservice industry.  The Company also distributes personal care guest amenities, housekeeping supplies, room accessories, and textiles to the lodging industry.

The Kroger Co. operates supermarkets and convenience stores in the United States.  The Company also manufactures and processes some of the foods that its supermarkets sell.

George Weston Limited operates as a super market. The Company processes and distributes food and pharmacy products to grocer wholesalers, warehouses, and independent accounts, as well as provides real estate services. George Weston serves customers in Canada.

Loblaw Companies Limited is a retail and wholesale food distributor with operations across Canada.  The Company's operations include both company and franchisee operated stores, warehouses, and cash and carry outlets.

Tesco PLC, through its subsidiaries, operates as a food retailer. The Company offers online retailing, brick and mortar supermarkets, and a private-label brand of products. Tesco provides its services primarily throughout Europe, with additional activities in Asia.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., operates retail drugstores that offer a wide variety of prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as general goods. Walgreens' also offers health services, including primary and acute care, wellness, pharmacy and disease management services and health and fitness.

CP Axtra Public Company Limited operates a retail discount store chain. The Company sells food and consumer products to its registered customers including wholesalers, retailers, small businesses, caterers, and private individuals who hold its member cards. CP Axtra serves customers in Thailand.

Woolworths Limited operates supermarkets, specialty and discount department stores, liquor and electronics stores throughout Australia.  Woolworths also manufactures processed foods, exports and wholesales food and offers petrol retailing.  The Company also operates hotels which includes pubs, food, accommodation, and gaming operations.

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Woolworths Ltd (WOW AU)

Woolworths' API Bid Likely to Kick off a Bidding War with Wesfarmers

API announced an offer from Woolworths for A$1.75 per share, a 12.9% premium to Wesfarmers offer of A$1.55. The presence of two deep-pocketed...

Arun George

Marvelous Milton Merger Mapping Mabbled: Ratio Done, Now For The Hard Part

Marvelous Milton Merger Mapping Mabbled. The ratio is settled at 0.1863 shares of WHSP for every share of Milton. Next is the index trade... But...

Travis Lundy

Woolies (WOW AU) Announces ~4.4% Off-Market Buyback

Woolworths announced results. NPAT came in slightly ahead and EBIT slightly behind consensus. The big news is a A$2.0bn (4.4% as of now) off-market...

Travis Lundy

Crude Oil and Copper Breakdowns Reinforce Our Concerns; Defensive Sectors Remain Attractive

Our cautious outlook is reinforced by ongoing developments. Relative strength improvement for defensives (Utilities, Staples, Real Estate, Health...

Vermilion Research

Last Week in Event SPACE: SOHO China, Toshiba, Boral Ltd, Yageo/Chilisin, Microstrategy

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

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