The Uniti Group Ltd (UWL AU) Scheme Meeting was held Friday, approving both General Scheme Resolution and Rollover Shares Scheme unanimously. The MBD Bidco deal is done.
Friday after the close, the S&P DJI Global Index team announced that Uniti would be deleted from the ASX200 21 July at the close.
Gold miner West African Resources (WAF AU) was chosen as the replacement. It’s a decent-sized inclusion and should have been well-flagged last week but may have been ignored.
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The FTSE TWSE Taiwan Dividend+ Index is interesting since there are multiple moving parts and is not widely tracked. We take an early look at potential changes in December.
Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and also showcase a list of the most-read reports.
We estimate passive trackers will need to sell 45.3m shares (A$226m; 10.2 days of ADV) on Uniti Group Ltd (UWL AU) at the close on 21 July.
With over 10 days of ADV to buy from passive trackers and only 4 days to implementation, West African Resources (WAF AU) could outperform its peers till 21 July.
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Fortescue Metals (FMG AU) has corrected due to the iron ore price dropping. China’s massive stimulus could provide an impetus to demand in 6-8 months and revive pricing.
Substantial correction of steel margins is halted. Iron ore the inventory at the mills and ports has now stabilized. We believe this provides support to pricing at these levels.
Fortescue Metals (FMG AU) yields at the spot have dropped to 12% FCF and 9% dividend yields, but we believe there is an upside to this.
Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.
Today is the rebalancing trading day of WISE’s three major theme indexes. The ETF operator (TIGER) is expected to start rebalancing trading after 2 pm.
The prediction accuracy of the top market cap stocks is relatively high. So, we should target these big boys with a flow at 0.2x or higher relative to ADTV.
Growatt Technology (1833969D CH) is looking to raise about US$500m in its upcoming Hong Kong IPO. The deal will be run by Credit Suisse and CICC.
Growatt Technology is a global distributed energy solution provider, specializing in sustainable energy generation, storage and consumption and energy digitalization.
As of the Latest Practicable Date (20 Jun 2022), they had shipped over 2.7m PV Inverters, 268,000 energy storage inverters.
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Tianqi Lithium (002466 CH) priced its H Share at HK$82.00 per share to raise net proceeds of HK$13,062 million (US$1.7 billion). The H Share will start trading tomorrow.
The H Share listing (HK$82.00) and grey market price (HK$76.50) imply an AH discount of 45% and 49%, respectively. This compares to Ganfeng Lithium (1772 HK)’s current 35.3% AH discount.
The relative valuation is attractive. At the H Share listing price, Tianqi Lithium (9696 HK)’s H Share trades at a -6% discount to the median peers’ CY2022 P/B multiple.
Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.
Tianqi Lithium (TL) raised around US$2bn via its H-shares listing. It undertakes mining of lithium ore and manufacturing of lithium concentrate, lithium compounds and derivatives.
TL was the largest producer of mined lithium globally in terms of output in 2020 and ranked third in terms of revenue generated from lithium in 2020.
In this note, we talk about the updates since our last note, along with the trading dynamics.
Able Global Berhad (AGB)’s 1QFY22 net profit fell by 56.6% YoY to RM4.1m, as the F&B segment slipped into the red due to higher cost of goods sold.
Stripping out non-operating items, AGB’s core net profit of RM4.4m was down 54% YoY. Results were below our and consensus expectations, accounting for 10% of our full-year estimates.
While we are wary over potential near-term margin compression, we remain optimistic on the group’s long-term outlook, premised by the strong demand for dairy products and higher contribution from its Mexico JV.
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Initiate coverage on Deleum with BUY recommendation and a TP of RM0.96 per share
Deleum specialises in upstream O&G services primarily in gas turbines, slicklines and well services, and corrosion solutions
Resilient orderbook at RM2b, tenderbook at RM116m. Positive earnings since FY07 despite CAGR at 7.4%
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Sapura Energy (SapE) announced that it has been classified as a PN17 listed issuer due to going concerns on its shareholders’ equity position of RM85.0m as of 31 January 2022, which is less than 50% of its share capital of RM10.9bn.
The Group appears to be a high-profile casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic with operational challenges resulting in impairment losses on goodwill in its drilling segment (RM1.7bn) and Engineering segment (RM1.6bn), and impairment on its fixed assets (RM2.3bn).
The Group has since acted to resolve liquidity challenges and improve its financial health, including negotiations with clients on existing contracts, with the aim of amicable solutions to recover or limit losses.
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Market leadership in products with INR 37.5bn opportunity size in CY25 – In the eight major products that contributed ~75% to the revenue in FY22, Aether is a market leader globally for four products and the second-largest producer globally for two products.
The company has achieved these market positions by developing differentiated processes with the use of its core competencies of chemistry and technology.
The market opportunity for eight of their major products is INR 37.5bn in CY25.
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Crude scored successive new five-month highs last week, with Brent closing above the key $70/barrel psychological mark on Friday.
Tight supply fundamentals remain supportive of crude prices. OPEC reduced its supply further in March, its 11 members that are bound by quotas swinging way beyond 100% compliance with their pledged cuts.
Meanwhile, signs of the US and China inching close to a trade deal and a strong US jobs report on Friday spurred a rush of funds into risk assets and crude went up with the rising tide.
But how far can it rise? Not much from its current levels, we say. It’s important to not forget the Trump factor. The US president loathes high oil prices. His tweets against OPEC may be proving the law of diminishing returns, but he has some other important and effective levers, and he won’t hesitate to use them.
In my initial insight on China Power New Energy Development Co (735 HK, “CPNED”)‘s privatisation by China Power New Energy Limited (the Offeror) by way of a Scheme, I concluded China Three Gorges, CPNED’s largest shareholder with 27.10%, will likely be required to abstain at the Court Meeting as it is presumed to be a connected party to the Offeror as per the Takeovers Code.
But the announcement states that CTG has given an irrevocable undertaking to vote for the Scheme and to elect the share alternative.
It seems illogical to mention in the irrevocable CTG will vote for the Scheme when in actuality it cannot vote. So, which one is it?
The short answer is: CTG cannot currently vote.
But understanding this requires diving into the minutiae of Hong Kong’s Takeovers Code. So I do.
A conditional debt conversion agreement to capitalise all of the “relevant debt” of US$916mn via the allotment and issue of up to approximately 22,573,570,909 new ordinary shares of Ezion at an issue price of S$0.055/share (27.9% premium to last close).
A conditional option agreement for the proposed grant by Ezion of 3,360,495,867 non-listed and transferable share options to Yinson at the exercise price of S$0.0605 per option Share.
This shareholder structure will take the following shape, with Yinson holding 85.9% of shares out after the conversion and 87.5% after both the conversion and the exercise of the share options.
Current Holding
After Conversion
After Conversion & Options
Current shares out
3,728
100%
3,728
14%
3,728
13%
Debt conversion
0%
22,574
86%
22,574
76%
Option shares
0%
0%
3,360
11%
Total shares (mn)
3,728
26,302
29,662
However … as per the more detailed Bursa announcement:
It is the intention of YEPL (wholly-owned sub of Yinson) to acquire up to US$916mn of the Relevant Debts for a consideration to be agreed with the Designated Lenders. Tentatively, YHB (Yinson) expected its cash outlay shall be in the region of USD200mn and some EHL (Ezion) Shares that will give YEPL a shareholding of not less than 70% in EHL at the point of the completion of the Proposed Debt conversion and Subscription. In any event, assuming all convertible securities of EHL are converted, YHB expects its eventual shareholding in EHL shall be a controlling stake of at least 51%.
Ezion is also in negotiation with the major secured lenders to restructure its existing debts which would result in the conversion of certain debts to redeemable convertible preferences shares to be issued by Ezion.
As this is effectively a hybrid takeover, there exist a number of conditions required to complete this proposal. Of importance is the waiver from the Securities Industry Council of Singapore for Yinson not to make a mandatory general offer for Ezion under Rule 14.1 of the Takeover Code, as the share subscription takes Yinson’s stake >30%.
Conditions of the Debt Conversion/Proposed Subscription and Share Options
For the Debt Conversion & Subscription
Conditions
Satisfactory due diligence by Yinson.
Waiver from SIC not to make a MGO.
Independent shareholders of Ezion approving the whitewash waiver. Simple majority vote.
The approval by Ezion shareholders for the allotment and issue of the subscription shares. Simple majority vote.
Other
The long stop date is 6 months from the conditional debt conversion agreement (31 March 2019).
For the Share Options
Conditions
The approval by Ezion shareholders for the option shares. Simple majority vote.
Other
The long stop date is 6 months from the conditional option agreement (31 March 2019).
The exercise period is five years from the issuance of the options.
Gross proceeds will be S$203mn assuming full exercise. To be applied to business expansion or new business opportunities
Inter-conditionality
The grant of options is conditional upon and shall take place simultaneously with the debt conversion and subscription
On Ezion
Ezion develops, owns, and charters offshore assets to support offshore energy markets, via three key segments:
Lifeboats/liftboats – these are self-propelled rigs involved in the production and maintenance of the O&G and windfarm industry. This segment accounted for 57.9% of revenue in FY18.
Jack-up rigs – engaged in non-self propelled rigs involved in the production and maintenance of the O&G and windfarm industry. The segment accounted for 34.1% of revenue in FY18.
And offshore support logistic services, accounting for 7.5% of revenue in FYT18.
Ezion is primarily Asian focused with revenue split between Singapore, India, and the rest of Asia as to 8%, 5.3% and 54%. The Middle East and Africa account for 15.6% and 15.2% respectively.
Fundamentals
US$mn
FY16
FY17
FY18
Revenues
Liftboats
127
96
69
Jack-Up Rigs
158
76
41
Offshore Support Logistic Services
33
20
9
Others
1
1
1
Total Revenue
318
193
119
EBITDA
Liftboats
77
68
21
Jack-Up Rigs
112
60
16
Offshore Support Logistic Services
22
16
(1)
Others
1
1
1
Total EBITDA
212
144
37
NPBT
Liftboats
62
(16)
(54)
Jack-Up Rigs
(54)
(745)
(297)
Offshore Support Logistic Services
(13)
(156)
(53)
Others
1
1
7
Unallocated Expenses
(24)
(82)
94
Total NPBT
(29)
(999)
(303)
Assets
Liftboats
811
772
807
Jack-Up Rigs
1,382
556
226
Offshore Support Logistic Services
415
315
119
Others
79
81
32
Unallocated Assets
165
70
108
Total assets
2,851
1,794
1,291
Total equity
1,315
305
(255)
Net debt
1,282
1,358
1,358
Source: CapIQ
Revenue declined by US$125mn in FY17 due to a reduction in charter rates and delays in re-deployment of the Ezion’s liftboats due to working capital constraints. The loss before tax was exacerbated by impairment losses totalling US$897mn.
Revenue declined by US$74mn in FY17 due to a drop in the utilisation rates of liftboats and jack-up rigs. FY18 also saw an increase in impairments loses of US$84.5mn, while loses in associate and jointly controlled entities increased to US$39mn in FY18 from US$16mn in FY17.
Effect on NTA from the conversion/options
Assuming the subscription and options were completed on 31 December 2018, the effects of the Ezion’s NTL/NTA per share would be as follows:
After a lacklustre week of range-bound trading, crude ended higher on Friday, though well off its session highs.
Crude was buoyed by strong investor cheer, which prompted an across-the-globe rally in the stock markets. The burst of euphoria was prompted by promising signs from the just-concluded high-level trade negotiations between the US and China in Beijing, though arguably throwing caution to the winds.
The American president fired his second tweet of the year at OPEC on Thursday. It was “very important that OPEC increase the flow of oil,” he said, because the price of oil was “getting too high.” The producers as well as market participants decided not to heed this time.
However, the pressure from Donald Trump is bound to intensify if Brent sustains a rally above $70, and OPEC and its Saudi leadership will not be able to continue ignoring it.
Aramco agreeing with the Public Investment Fund to buy 70% of petrochemicals giant Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC AB) for $69.1 billion marks a new era for the companies. However, it does not mean that the Aramco IPO would be shelved, and directly or indirectly, we don’t expect it to derail Saudi Arabia’s strategy of actively managing oil supply through OPEC.
Our chart of the week shows that speculative bets on a price rally continue to return to Brent and WTI futures, but cautiously.
SOE State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) is seeking to privatise China Power New Energy Development Co (735 HK) by way of a Scheme at $5.45/share, a 41.9% premium to last close and a 78.1% premium to the 30-day average.
A scrip alternative (6 New shares for one Scheme shares) into an unlisted vehicle under SPIC is also available.
China Three Gorges, CPNED’s largest shareholder with 27.10%, have given an irrevocable undertaking to vote for the Scheme and to elect the share alternative.
However, China Three Gorges is presumably required to abstain from voting at the court meeting, as it is deemed to be acting in concert with the SPIC under class (1) of the definition of the acting in concert in the Takeovers Code. The announcement does not make this clear.
Assuming China Three Gorges does abstain, a 10% blocking stake at the court meeting is equivalent to 4.48% of shares out or 53mn shares.
This looks like a pretty clean deal. It is priced above the highest close since its listing by way of introduction on the 18 July 2017, while the excitement over the potential injection of all nuclear power assets and businesses from State Nuclear Power Technology Company has been removed after the restructuring was cancelled in July last year.
The stock is currently trading at an attractive gross/annualised spread of 8.3%/28.9% conservatively assuming a late July completion, and inclusive of the final dividend.
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It was reported in numerous local Korean media yesterday that POSCO (005490 KS) and SK Group are leading contenders to acquire a Korean company called KCFT (KCF Technology) for about 1 trillion won. KCFT specializes in making copper foil and thin film products, especially for the lithium ion batteries sector. KCFT’s major customers include Samsung SDI, LG Chem, NEC, and Panasonic.
The KKR private equity firm is the seller of KCFT. In February 2018, KKR acquired a 100% stake of LS Mtron’s copper foil and thin film business for 300 billion won and after this acquisition, renamed it KCFT. It has been reported that should these groups (POSCO or SK) low bid for KCFT, KKR may opt for an IPO of KCFT instead.
If POSCO is able to acquire KCFT, this should help to accelerate the POSCO Group’s expansion of the rechargeable battery related materials business and enhance its vertical integration of this business. If the deal gets completed at about 1 trillion won, this would represent a P/S of about 3.3x and P/E of about 25x, using 2018 figures.
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It was reported in numerous local Korean media yesterday that POSCO (005490 KS) and SK Group are leading contenders to acquire a Korean company called KCFT (KCF Technology) for about 1 trillion won. KCFT specializes in making copper foil and thin film products, especially for the lithium ion batteries sector. KCFT’s major customers include Samsung SDI, LG Chem, NEC, and Panasonic.
The KKR private equity firm is the seller of KCFT. In February 2018, KKR acquired a 100% stake of LS Mtron’s copper foil and thin film business for 300 billion won and after this acquisition, renamed it KCFT. It has been reported that should these groups (POSCO or SK) low bid for KCFT, KKR may opt for an IPO of KCFT instead.
If POSCO is able to acquire KCFT, this should help to accelerate the POSCO Group’s expansion of the rechargeable battery related materials business and enhance its vertical integration of this business. If the deal gets completed at about 1 trillion won, this would represent a P/S of about 3.3x and P/E of about 25x, using 2018 figures.
As stock-market watchers begin to pick “resistance levels” for benchmark equity indexes that have been steadily heading north amid optimism over a US-China trade deal, we wonder if Trump and his tweets are the barrier point for crude’s rally.
And if they are, what might the US president’s “pain threshold” be? For his latest shot across OPEC’s bow, it appeared to be Brent touching a three-month high just above $67/barrel.
OPEC shrugged off Trump’s gentle warning. Saudi Energy Minister and de facto leader of the oil exporters’ group, Khalid al-Falih, appeared smiling and relaxed when asked about Trump’s tweet in a CNBC interview. OPEC was indeed “taking it easy,” he said. The group and its non-OPEC collaborators were determined to rebalance the markets, but with a “very slow and measured approach,” Al-Falih said.
We believe OPEC will be careful not to over-tighten the market this time around. Perhaps Trump was being over-cautious. If a US-China trade deal is signed in the next few weeks (that may happen on March 27, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday), global stock markets could rally further. But they will not take crude along for the entire ride.
Our Chart of the Week shows that the rebound of the past two months in global equities has already left crude’s recovery far behind. The divergence should not come as a surprise. Crude may have already priced in most of the economic impetus of a US-China trade rapprochement. Unlike the MSCI global stock market index, which is closing in on its early-October levels (before the start of the financial markets turmoil), crude is highly unlikely to get within sight of the four-year highs it touched on October 3, shortly before it hit the skids.
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