Category

Event-Driven

Daily Brief Event-Driven: L’Occitane (973 HK): The Rollover Option and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • L’Occitane (973 HK): The Rollover Option, And Alternate Listing Valuations
  • Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU): ASX200 Inclusion Now, MUCH More Squeezy Fun Later. Maybe…
  • SSE50 Index Rebalance Preview: Financials Continue to Outperform
  • L’Occitane (973.HK) Privatization – The Offer Price Is Good Enough
  • CPMC Holdings (906 HK): ORG Nearing the Cut-Off Point for Its Competing Offer
  • Adbri (ABC AU): Scheme Vote on 12 June
  • Hankook Tire & Technology to Become the Controlling Shareholder of Hanon Systems
  • ASMedia GDR Early Look – Momentum Has Been Strong, and Raising Would Grow Its Cash Base Almost 6x
  • STAR50 Index Rebalance Preview: Adds Steamroll Deletes
  • Quiddity Leaderboard SSE50/180 Jun 24: US$2bn One-Way; LONGs up +9.8% Vs SHORTs in ~2 Months


L’Occitane (973 HK): The Rollover Option, And Alternate Listing Valuations

By David Blennerhassett

  • Concurrent with its HK$34/share VGO, L’Occitane (973 HK)‘s disinterested shareholders may be entitled to a share scrip alternative. IF afforded, up to 5% of shares out can participate.
  • The big unknown is whether you receive shares of the levered-up Bidco, at some as yet undetermined scrip ratio; or keep shares of L’Occitane as-is.
  • To trigger the rollover option, 10% of disinterested shareholders need to express interest by the 15th May (a Hong Kong holiday btw). A deadline without details. 

Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU): ASX200 Inclusion Now, MUCH More Squeezy Fun Later. Maybe…

By Travis Lundy

  • In early December, pharmacy distributor Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) arranged a “transformational merger” with mega chain Chemist Warehouse (CWG). Effectively a reverse takeover designed to get CWG listed.
  • SIG issued shares, raising cash, enabling it so NEWCO had high enough minimum float upon merging. Financial engineering for the win. SIG popped – a kind of IPO premium trade.
  • But plenty of people are against the deal, and ACCC hasn’t yet opined (13 June is the provisional date), but on Thursday, S&P announced SIG would join ASX200 despite risks.

SSE50 Index Rebalance Preview: Financials Continue to Outperform

By Brian Freitas

  • With the review period nearing completion, 6 stocks are in inclusion zone and 9 are in deletion zone. However, there can be a maximum of 5 changes at a review.
  • We estimate a one-way turnover of 7.1% at the June rebalance leading to a one-way trade of CNY 9.9bn (US$1.37bn). Index arb balances should increase the impact on the stocks.
  • The potential inclusions (of which four are Financials) have continued to outperform the mixed bag of potential deletions. With pretty big impact on the deletes, expect further divergence.

L’Occitane (973.HK) Privatization – The Offer Price Is Good Enough

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • The HK$34/share offer price is final, which exceeds all-time high closing price of HK$33.60/share since IPO in 2010. EUR6 billion is equivalent to a PE of 52.17x, higher than peers.
  • Deploying China’s sinking market is “a good story full of imagination”. However, it may fail to bring expected profits considering increasing competition/potential price war, leading to uncertain future performance growth.
  • For minority shareholders, this privatization provides an attractive opportunity to monetise their investments at a premium over market price. We don’t think the current “technical bull market” to be lasting. 

CPMC Holdings (906 HK): ORG Nearing the Cut-Off Point for Its Competing Offer

By Arun George

  • CPMC Holdings (906 HK) has a pre-conditional voluntary offer from Changping Industrial at HK$6.87 and potentially a competing offer from ORG Technology Co., Ltd. A (002701 CH)
  • Five months after announcing its offer, Changping Industrial obtained regulatory approvals from all except SAMR, SAFE, and the Vietnam Competition Commission. 
  • An ORG offer seems unlikely due to a lack of progress in May and timing risk, as the Changping Industrial offer could be unconditional before the ORG obtains regulatory approvals.

Adbri (ABC AU): Scheme Vote on 12 June

By Arun George

  • The Adbri (ABC AU) IE considers CRH (CRH US) and Barro’s A$3.20 offer fair and reasonable as it is within its A$ A$3.09-3.53 per share valuation range. 
  • The scheme is conditional on FIRB approval, which should be forthcoming as CRH, the offeror, is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Ireland.
  • The offer is attractive, and this is a done deal. At the last close and for the 1 July payment, the gross/annualised spread was 1.3%/8.4%.

Hankook Tire & Technology to Become the Controlling Shareholder of Hanon Systems

By Douglas Kim

  • On 3 May, it was reported that Hankook Tire & Technology agreed to purchase a 25% in Hanon Systems for 1.37 trillion won from Hahn & Co private equity firm. 
  • After this deal, Hankook Tire & Technology will own a controlling 50.5% stake in Hanon Systems.
  • We have a negative view on Hankook Tire & Technology’s additional purchase of Hanon Systems, which has experienced a declining profit margins in the past several years.

ASMedia GDR Early Look – Momentum Has Been Strong, and Raising Would Grow Its Cash Base Almost 6x

By Clarence Chu

  • Asmedia Technology (5269 TT) is looking to raise up to US$333m in its upcoming global depository receipts (GDRs) offering.
  • ASMedia recently announced its board’s resolution to offer between 4.3-5.3m shares in the form of GDRs, with the proceeds geared towards purchasing raw materials and machinery, R&D and working capital.
  • Similar to previous GDR listings, the deal is a long drawn out process with the firm required to jump through a number of board/shareholder/regulatory approval loops.

STAR50 Index Rebalance Preview: Adds Steamroll Deletes

By Brian Freitas

  • With the review period complete, we forecast 3 changes for the SSE STAR50 (STAR50 INDEX) in June. All changes are migrations from/to the STAR 100 Index.
  • One way turnover is estimated at 3.4% resulting in a one-way trade of CNY 4.5bn (US$630m). There is a lot to trade from passive trackers, especially on the inclusions.
  • The potential adds have outperformed the potential deletions by ~18% over the last month with Hangzhou EZVIZ Network (688475 CH) and APT Medical (688617 CH) moving higher.

Quiddity Leaderboard SSE50/180 Jun 24: US$2bn One-Way; LONGs up +9.8% Vs SHORTs in ~2 Months

By Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

  • SSE 50 and SSE 180, respectively, aim to represent the performance of the 50 and 180 largest and most liquid A-share stocks listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
  • The 12-month reference period used for the June 2024 review is now complete. The SSE 180 expected ADDs/DELs list has changed slightly since I published my last insight (link).
  • In this insight, we take a look at our final expectations for index changes during the June 2024 index rebal event.

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: Shinko Electric (6967) – Break/Gap Risk Early May 2024 Update and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • Shinko Electric (6967) – Break/Gap Risk Early May 2024 Update
  • CSI300 Index Rebalance Preview: Bounce in the Potential Deletes Could Be Short Lived
  • Merger Arb Mondays (06 May) – China TCM, L’Occitane, Hollysys, Shinko, QV Equities, Qantm IP, Adbri
  • Addressing Areas of Confusion Surrounding the KOSPI 200 June Rebalancing
  • HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 30-Apr/3-May 2024); Banks/SOEs Bought, Meituan, Tencent, Mobile Sold
  • HSCEI Dividend Futures: Sell the 2024/25 Steepener
  • Hollysys (HOLI US): Further Thoughts on the Widening Spread
  • CSI500 Index Rebalance Preview: Potential Adds Rally and Outperform the Potential Deletes
  • China TCM (570.HK) Update – Despite Doubts, This Privatization Seems “Mandatory”
  • A/H Premium Tracker (To 3 May 2024):  Minimal Moves in 2-Day Week


Shinko Electric (6967) – Break/Gap Risk Early May 2024 Update

By Travis Lundy

  • When this deal was announced, it was light. But the timing, JSR influence, large-ish float, ensured FUD would make this trade wide. It traded wider.
  • 15wks ago, Shinko had much-underperformed peer Ibiden, meaning downside gap risk from undisturbed was negative as spreads were wide. I reco’d a buy. Then 8wks ago, recommended taking profits.
  • Shinko had outperformed Ibiden, gross spreads had narrowed 5+% on JSR approval. Spreads are now 3.6% wider than at narrowest, but gap risk has widened as Shinko outperforms, Ibiden.

CSI300 Index Rebalance Preview: Bounce in the Potential Deletes Could Be Short Lived

By Brian Freitas

  • The review period for the June rebalance is complete and we expect 11 changes to the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Inde (SHSZ300 INDEX)
  • We estimate one-way turnover of 1.4% at the rebalance leading to a one-way trade of CNY 8.82bn (US$1.22bn). There are a lot of stocks with multiple days ADV to trade.
  • The potential deletes have bounced off their lows as the market has recovered. But the potential passive selling could see them underperform over the next month.


Addressing Areas of Confusion Surrounding the KOSPI 200 June Rebalancing

By Sanghyun Park

  • Ssangyong C&E will be excluded in June pre-delisting due to the float rate rule. Replacement will be chosen from the highest market cap existing constituents excluded in the June review.
  • Likely owing to the recent expansion of macro variables in the local market, a clear correlation between results and price impact is not observed even at the screening period’s conclusion.
  • There’s a chance of price impact closer to the effective date, suggesting potentially more effective basket trading. However, short instrument absence necessitates using market indices as hedges.

HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 30-Apr/3-May 2024); Banks/SOEs Bought, Meituan, Tencent, Mobile Sold

By Travis Lundy

  • A-Shares only two days of the week and were up small Monday and Tuesday. H-shares took a breather Wednesday after trailing A-shares, then rallied hard on Thursday and Friday. 
  • Net SOUTHBOUND buying was +HK6.0bn. Net buys every day and now 22 days straight, but buying still appears foreign-led price-taking action. 
  • The only big news this week in China/HK was probably the Politburo’s new stance of trying to do more for the mainland property market, concentrating on unsold homes. 

HSCEI Dividend Futures: Sell the 2024/25 Steepener

By Brian Freitas

  • The HSCEI 2024 dividend futures have moved higher following mainland China banks announcing that they will pay out interim dividends starting this year.
  • The HSCEI 2025 dividend futures have moved higher too, though they have lagged the HSCEI 2024 dividend futures.
  • Even though the HSCEI 2024/25 dividend steepener has dropped by around 10 points in the last few weeks, we see further downside in the near-term.

Hollysys (HOLI US): Further Thoughts on the Widening Spread

By Arun George

  • I have received several questions from readers on Ascendent’s binding proposal for Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) in the context of the current gross spread of 12.1%. 
  • The questions primarily concerned the Capital Forum article, NSR approvals, timelines, auditor resignation and deal break risks. 
  • Most of the questions concerned regulatory approval risk. The delay in closing is mainly procedural (government red tape) rather than an indication that regulators will block the deal. 

CSI500 Index Rebalance Preview: Potential Adds Rally and Outperform the Potential Deletes

By Brian Freitas

  • With the review period now complete, we forecast 50 changes (the maximum permitted) for the CSI Smallcap 500 Index – Shang (SH000905 INDEX) at the close on 14 June.
  • We estimate a one-way turnover of 9.3% at the rebalance resulting in a one-way trade of CNY10.88bn (US$1.5bn). The Industrials and Information Technology sectors gain at the expense of Materials.
  • The potential adds have outperformed the potential deletes by 8% over the last 3 months. There could be further outperformance over the next few weeks.

China TCM (570.HK) Update – Despite Doubts, This Privatization Seems “Mandatory”

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • Some investors have concerns that the privatization may fail. We also noticed that Morgan Stanley raised China TCM’s target price to HK$5.4. However, the privatization of China TCM seems “mandatory”.
  • At this stage, some background information is worth the attention, which will help investors better understand the logic behind this privatization and thus resolve the “confusion”.
  • According to regulatory requirements, it’s expected that both CNPGC and Taiji will integrate resources in pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution sectors, so as to solve horizontal competition issue between the two.

A/H Premium Tracker (To 3 May 2024):  Minimal Moves in 2-Day Week

By Travis Lundy

  • The New/Better A-H Premium Tracker has tables, charts, measures galore to track A/H premium positioning, southbound and northbound positioning/volatility in pairs over time, etc.
  • SOUTHBOUND’s consecutive buying streak ended on Monday 25-March, then started again. 20 days straight net buying. NORTHBOUND saw big inflows Friday. A record day I believe.
  • HK stocks bounced VERY hard. Seemed like big allocation trade. HSCEI +8.7% vs CSI300 +1.2%. In H/A Pairs, liquid pairs saw Hs outperform their A by 4+% on average.

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: Weekly Deals Digest (05 May) – L’Occitane and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • Weekly Deals Digest (05 May) – L’Occitane, C&F Logistics, KFC Japan, Austal, Hyundai Marine, ZEEKR
  • (Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: L’Occitane, KFC Holdings Japan, CSR, Azure Minerals, CIMC, Chilled & Frozen
  • Quiddity Leaderboard CSI 300/​​500 Jun 24: Final Expectations; US$3.4bn One-Way; New Trade Idea
  • S&P500 Index Rebalance: Bitcoin Miner Is a SPCY Add
  • Adbri (ABC AU): 12th June Shareholder Vote
  • Last Week in Event SPACE: Aussie Tax-Loss Selling, Austal, West Japan Railway, PICC/PICC P&C


Weekly Deals Digest (05 May) – L’Occitane, C&F Logistics, KFC Japan, Austal, Hyundai Marine, ZEEKR

By Arun George


(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: L’Occitane, KFC Holdings Japan, CSR, Azure Minerals, CIMC, Chilled & Frozen

By David Blennerhassett


Quiddity Leaderboard CSI 300/​​500 Jun 24: Final Expectations; US$3.4bn One-Way; New Trade Idea

By Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

  • CSI 300 represents the 300 largest stocks by market cap and liquidity from the Shanghai and Shenzhen Exchanges. CSI 500 is the next 500.
  • The reference period for the June 2024 review is now complete. There are some changes to the expected ADDs/DELs list since I published my last insight (link) ~3 weeks ago.
  • In this insight, we take a look at our final expectations for index changes in June 2024.

S&P500 Index Rebalance: Bitcoin Miner Is a SPCY Add

By Brian Freitas


Adbri (ABC AU): 12th June Shareholder Vote

By David Blennerhassett

  • On the 27 Feb 2024, construction play Adbri (ABC AU) entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed with CRH (CRH US) and 42.7%-shareholder Raymond Barro (Chairman) at $5.20/share.
  • Conditions include Adbri’s shareholder approval and FIRB signing off. Optically, it doesn’t appear to be a knockout price. However, Adbri’s share price has laboured since the onset of Covid.
  • The Scheme Booklet is now out, with a Scheme Meeting to be held on the 12th June. Expected implementation on the 1 July. IE says fair & reasonable.

Last Week in Event SPACE: Aussie Tax-Loss Selling, Austal, West Japan Railway, PICC/PICC P&C

By David Blennerhassett

  • Tax-Loss Selling‘s a subject of interest in Australia. Retail investors will take gains on stocks which run up in price, or get taken over, then look for losses to offset.
  • Investors are caught out as the Aussie government “approves” Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS) buyng Austal Ltd (ASB AU). There is evidently a lot more going on in the background. 
  • West Japan Railway Co (9021 JP) announces a biggish buyback. One could buy dips, but one should probably not chase. For that, suggest this acts as a range trade.

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: Updated Tool (30Apr24) & “Diff File Generator” For TSE “Mgmt Conscious of Capital Cost/Stock Price” and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • Updated Tool (30Apr24) & “Diff File Generator” For TSE “Mgmt Conscious of Capital Cost/Stock Price”
  • Local Institutions’ Value-Up Momentum Moves: Watch the July Tax Reform Bill
  • EQD | The NIFTY May Be About to Start A Come Down


Updated Tool (30Apr24) & “Diff File Generator” For TSE “Mgmt Conscious of Capital Cost/Stock Price”

By Travis Lundy

  • In mid-January, the TSE announced a “name-and-shame” list where they listed all the companies which had put forth a disclosure about 【資本コストや株価を意識した経営の実現に向けた対応】. But they did not actually shame.
  • The list shows which companies have disclosed a policy/consideration. But no data/links. We are weeks ahead of the TSE and we have all the links.
  • We created a tool to name everyone, show their reports, provide links to every document, and now a new tool. Put in a name, see the difference between the Old/New Reports.

Local Institutions’ Value-Up Momentum Moves: Watch the July Tax Reform Bill

By Sanghyun Park

  • MMAS prioritizes dividends over low-PBR, key to government’s Value-up momentum. Despite initial market disappointment, dividend stocks rebounded, underscoring continued investor interest.
  • Government officials are collecting historic dividend data to simulate separate taxation impact of dividend income, likely to be included in July’s tax reform bill for National Assembly approval.
  • Local institutions focus on dividend-centric Value-up trading, targeting stocks with high cash reserves and dividends. Strategy needed to manage market impact pre-tax reform bill in July.

EQD | The NIFTY May Be About to Start A Come Down

By Nico Rosti

  • The NIFTY Index kept rising for the past few months but has stalled its advance since March. It may be about to pullback and lose some gains, in May.
  • The index is currently up 2 weeks in a row, not yet strongly overbought but our model say that from a time perspective it could start to pullback next week.
  • If the index does not start to pullback soon, it could rally for another 2-3 weeks.

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: NPS Confirms Reference Portfolio & Risky Assets Upweight: Implications for Value-Up Stocks and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • NPS Confirms Reference Portfolio & Risky Assets Upweight: Implications for Value-Up Stocks
  • Austal (ASB AU): Spurned Suitor, Hanwha Ocean, Gets a Vote of Confidence
  • Honasa Consumer IPO Lock-Up Expiry – US$500m+ Lockup Expiry with Everyone Well in the Money
  • ASX200 Index Adhoc Rebalance: Sigma Healthcare (SIG) Replaces Boral (BLD)
  • Jusung Engineering: Announces Equity Spin Off + Physical Division Split


NPS Confirms Reference Portfolio & Risky Assets Upweight: Implications for Value-Up Stocks

By Sanghyun Park

  • Today, NPS made the final decision to introduce a reference portfolio. The critical point is the increase in risky assets from 56% to 65%, also decided at today’s meeting.
  • Initially, overseas equity was prioritized, but recent forecasts suggest significant potential in increasing local equity, aligning with the value-up policy.
  • Monitoring NPS’s execution plan, including allocation and timing by asset class, is vital to gauge inflow size, especially for Value-up beneficiaries.

Austal (ASB AU): Spurned Suitor, Hanwha Ocean, Gets a Vote of Confidence

By Arun George

  • On 2 April, Austal Ltd (ASB AU) rejected a non-binding proposal from Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS) at A$2.825 due to concerns about obtaining Australian and US regulatory approvals. 
  • The Board’s claims are on shaky grounds. On 1 May, the AFR reported that Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles had no concerns with Hanwha’s privatisation bid. 
  • The Board’s rejection is a clumsy attempt to negotiate better terms, such as a bump, ticking fees, or significant break fees. At the last close, the gross spread was 21.8%. 

Honasa Consumer IPO Lock-Up Expiry – US$500m+ Lockup Expiry with Everyone Well in the Money

By Sumeet Singh

  • Honasa Consumer (HONASA IN) raised about US$200m in its India IPO. Its pre-IPO investors will be released from its IPO linked lockup soon.
  • HC’s product portfolio includes products in the baby care, face care, body care, hair care, color cosmetics and fragrances segments.
  • In this note, we talk about the upcoming lock-up expiry and possible deal dynamics.

ASX200 Index Adhoc Rebalance: Sigma Healthcare (SIG) Replaces Boral (BLD)

By Brian Freitas


Jusung Engineering: Announces Equity Spin Off + Physical Division Split

By Douglas Kim

  • On 2 May, Jusung Engineering (036930 KS) announced an equity spin-off as well as a physical division split.
  • We are negative on this combination of equity spin-off and physical division split of Jusung Engineering. 
  • After the two units are listed on 6 December 2024, it is likely that the semiconductor unit (Jusung Engineering Co) will rise while Jusung Holdings Co is likely to decline.

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: JR West (9021 JP) – Shareholder Structure Means Large-Ish Buyback Could Have Impact and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • JR West (9021 JP) – Shareholder Structure Means Large-Ish Buyback Could Have Impact
  • Selected European HoldCos and DLC: April’24 Report
  • AZ-Com Maruwa Launches Hostile TOB on Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099) – Expect More Fun To Come
  • Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099 JP): AZ-COM Maruwa Calls the Board’s Bluff, Launches the Offer
  • KOSDAQ150 Index Rebalance Preview: 15 Changes Possible as Review Period Ends
  • KOSPI200 Index Rebalance Preview: 5-6 Changes Possible from Now to June
  • The Bigger Picture As Aussie Government “Approves’ Hanwha Ocean’s Austal Bid


JR West (9021 JP) – Shareholder Structure Means Large-Ish Buyback Could Have Impact

By Travis Lundy


Selected European HoldCos and DLC: April’24 Report

By Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

  • The Discounts to NAV of covered holdcos mainly widened during April. Discounts to NAV: C.F.Alba, 49.1% (vs. 47.3%); GBL, 39% (vs. 38.1%); Heineken Holding, 17.3% (vs 16.7%); 
  • Industrivärden C, 4.7% (vs. 1.4%); Investor B, 8.3% (vs. 6.1%); Porsche Automobile Holding, 41.1% (vs. 45.4%). Rio DLC spread tightened to 22.5% (vs. to 24.9%).
  • What seems interesting: Porsche SE vs. listed assets and the Rio DLC (long RIO LN/short RIO AU).

AZ-Com Maruwa Launches Hostile TOB on Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099) – Expect More Fun To Come

By Travis Lundy

  • Chilled & Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP) had been sending out questions, and trying to get AZ-Com Maruwa Holdings (9090 JP) to delay the start until at least late-May.
  • AZ-Com Maruwa answered questions (first and second set) and on the 24th, C&F asked AZ-Com to extend. They did not extend. AZ-Com announced the Tender Offer at ¥3,000 today.
  • C&F responded today saying the TOB is launched without C&F Board approval. Then they said some other things that might be disclosed when C&F’s Board presents its Target Opinion.

Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099 JP): AZ-COM Maruwa Calls the Board’s Bluff, Launches the Offer

By Arun George

  • AZ-Com Maruwa Holdings (9090 JP) has satisfied the precondition for its hostile Chilled & Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP) JPY3,000 offer. The offer closes on 17 June (31 business days).
  • AZ-COM Maruwa has called the Board’s bluff by providing sufficient time (extending the offer period from 20 to 31 business days) for a white knight to lob a competing bidder.
  • While a bump is probable, the shares already factor in a significant bumpitrage premium. A potential bump has a good chance of being lower than the last close.

KOSDAQ150 Index Rebalance Preview: 15 Changes Possible as Review Period Ends

By Brian Freitas

  • With the review period complete, there could be up to 15 changes for the KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX) at the June rebalance.
  • Even with 15 changes, there is some sector balance among the potential adds and deletes with big churn in the Information Technology sector.
  • The potential adds have outperformed the potential deletes and the KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX) since the start of the review period but performance has flattened over the last month.

KOSPI200 Index Rebalance Preview: 5-6 Changes Possible from Now to June

By Brian Freitas


The Bigger Picture As Aussie Government “Approves’ Hanwha Ocean’s Austal Bid

By David Blennerhassett

  • Recently, I surmised FIRB would approve Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM US)/Hancock’s bid for Azure (AZS AU); but ding Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS)s Austal (ASB AU) tilt. I’m batting 50%. 
  • Whereas FIRB gave the green light for Azure this week; reportedly (no official ASX announcement as yet), the Aussie government is “not concerned” with Hanwha’s acquisition. Austal gained 3% yesterday.
  • Even Austal didn’t high hopes of securing Aussie approval. Presumably the US government is similarly onboard. This development also signals an expanding AUKUS security pact. 

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: Tax-Loss Selling in Australia 2024 – Historical Analysis and A Trade Basket and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • Tax-Loss Selling in Australia 2024 – Historical Analysis and A Trade Basket
  • Leading Candidates for the First Value-Up Disclosure
  • Listing of a Beauty Giant
  • End of Mandatory Lock-Up Periods for 54 Companies in Korea in May 2024
  • Alpha Generation Through Share Buybacks in Korea: Bi-Monthly (Mar and Apr 2024)
  • (Mostly) Asia M&A, April 2024: Austal, L’Occitane, Langham Hosp., Jastec, Mimasu, Best World, Isetan
  • Ono Pharmaceutical (4528 JP): Deciphera Acquisition Will Not Bring Immediate Respite


Tax-Loss Selling in Australia 2024 – Historical Analysis and A Trade Basket

By Travis Lundy

  • I am not a tax advisor and I do not play one on TV but it is a subject of interest in Australia, as an AFR article from June 2022 shows.
  • The general gist: retail investors in Australia will take gains on stocks which run up in price, or get taken over, then look for losses to offset.
  • Below I present a study using data from 2012-2023 and this year’s portfolio.

Leading Candidates for the First Value-Up Disclosure

By Sanghyun Park

  • Of utmost importance in these guidelines will be the framework for Value-up disclosure. Local authorities aim to encourage proactive disclosure, starting with companies that are well-prepared.
  • Two companies are being closely watched as potential candidates for the first Value-up disclosure: CJ Cheiljedang (097950 KS) and Koh Young Technology (098460 KS).
  • The rationale for us to actively engage in alpha trading with these two names stems from the strong probability that they will emerge as cornerstone constituents of the Value-up index

Listing of a Beauty Giant

By Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

  • Puig Brands (PUIG SM) will start trading next Friday 3 May at 12:00. The placement price was €24.5/share at the top of the range (which was increased due to investors’ demand).
  • Puig, valued at €13,900 million, has placed 32% of its capital among qualified investors. The Puig family will retain over 90% of the voting rights through their Class A shares.
  • Puig will foreseeably enter the Ibex 35 after the ordinary meeting of the Ibex Technical Advisory Committee corresponding to the month of December.

End of Mandatory Lock-Up Periods for 54 Companies in Korea in May 2024

By Douglas Kim

  • We discuss the end of the mandatory lock-up periods for 54 stocks in Korea in May 2024, among which 4 are in KOSPI and 50 are in KOSDAQ.
  • These 54 stocks on average could be subject to further selling pressures in May and could underperform relative to the market.
  • The top three market cap stocks including those of which at least 1% of outstanding shares could be sold in May include EcoPro Materials, Enchem, and Gaonchips. 

Alpha Generation Through Share Buybacks in Korea: Bi-Monthly (Mar and Apr 2024)

By Douglas Kim

  • In this insight, we discuss the alpha generation through companies that announced share buybacks in Korea in March and April 2024.
  • We provide a list of 30 stocks in the Korean stock market that have announced share buyback programs in the past two months.
  • Major companies that have announced share buybacks in Korea in the past two months include Krafton (259960 KS), Celltrion Inc (068270 KS), and Woori Financial Group (316140 KS).

(Mostly) Asia M&A, April 2024: Austal, L’Occitane, Langham Hosp., Jastec, Mimasu, Best World, Isetan

By David Blennerhassett

  • For the month of April 2024, 7 new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$4bn
  • The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in April was ~55%. The average premium YTD is ~42%
  • This compares to the average premium for transactions in 2023 (117 transactions), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) of 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31% respectively.

Ono Pharmaceutical (4528 JP): Deciphera Acquisition Will Not Bring Immediate Respite

By Tina Banerjee

  • Ono Pharmaceutical (4528 JP) is acquiring Deciphera Pharmaceuticals (DCPH US) for $25.60/share in cash through a tender offer. The total equity value of the acquisition is approximately $2.4B.
  • Ono is expected to reap the benefit of Deciphera acquisition earliest from FY27. In the short-run, the company’s major problem of loss of revenue will not be addressed.
  • Ono needs to stretch its balance sheet to fund Deciphera acquisition. The acquisition will be earnings dilutive for Ono. Pricey valuation of the deal is another deterrent.

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: L’Occitane (973 HK): Conditional VGO at HK$34 and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • L’Occitane (973 HK): Conditional VGO at HK$34
  • Carlyle Reportedly To Buy KFC Japan (9873) From MitCorp (8058) – Deal Likely Imminent
  • KFC Holdings Japan (9873 JP): Carlyle Edging Towards a Tender Offer
  • Worley (WOR): Impact of Dar Group’s A$1.4bn Sale
  • Pacific Smiles (PSQ AU): A Brace Of Offers
  • L’Occitane (973 HK): Geiger’s $34/Share Offer
  • Mimasu Semiconductor (8155 JP): Shin-Etsu (4063 JP)’s Pre-Conditional Tender Offer
  • Toyo Suisan: Activist Advocates For Legacy Divestiture & More Capital for Global Expansion
  • NPN X PRX Discount Update Post Tencent Early Game Release News Flow
  • ASX200 Index Rebalance Preview: Potential Changes Prior to the June Rebalance


L’Occitane (973 HK): Conditional VGO at HK$34

By Arun George

  • L’Occitane (973 HK) disclosed a conditional voluntary offer from Reinold Geiger at HK$34.00, a 15.3% premium to the last close and a 30.8% premium to the undisturbed price (5 February).
  • The minimum acceptance condition is that the offeror holds at least 90% of the shares held by disinterested shareholders, which enables the offeror to exercise compulsory acquisition rights.
  • Irrevocable and letters of support to accept represent 37.96% of disinterested shares. An attractive offer (representing an all-time high) should facilitate the offer being declared unconditional.

Carlyle Reportedly To Buy KFC Japan (9873) From MitCorp (8058) – Deal Likely Imminent

By Travis Lundy

  • On 28 Feb, the Nikkei reported (an article I missed) Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP) would seek to unload its 35% stake in Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP) 
  • The stock popped, then continued to rise further. After the close Friday, the Nikkei reported MitCorp was close to a deal with Carlyle. A deal is apparently expected imminently.
  • I expect this could be a “Split Price Deal” (like Hitachi Transport and Pasona).

KFC Holdings Japan (9873 JP): Carlyle Edging Towards a Tender Offer

By Arun George

  • The Nikkei reports that Carlyle is in the final stages of buying Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)’s 35% stake in Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP), which will result in a tender offer. 
  • The structure will likely be similar to the KDDI Corp (9433 JP)/ Lawson Inc (2651 JP) tender, where MitCorp provides an irrevocable NOT to accept but vote for share consolidation.
  • The shares have been up 33.6% since Nikkei flagged the sale on 28 February. KFC Japan will trade in line with peers’ multiples at a JPY5,700 offer.  

Worley (WOR): Impact of Dar Group’s A$1.4bn Sale

By Brian Freitas

  • Dar Al-Handasah has sold 19% of WorleyParsons Ltd (WOR AU) overnight at A$14.35/share, a 12% discount to the last close, to raise A$1.44bn (US$943m).
  • This reduces Dar’s stake in WorleyParsons Ltd (WOR AU) to 4.5% and will trigger upweights from index providers in the next few days.
  • The stake sale could also lead to a re-rating of the stock with a large blocking stake off the share register.

Pacific Smiles (PSQ AU): A Brace Of Offers

By David Blennerhassett

  • On the 18th December 2023, Pacific Smiles (PSQ AU), an operator of dental centers, announced and rejected a A$1.40/share non-binding proposal from Genesis Capital. Genesis subsequently increased its stake to 19.90%.
  • Genesis then bumped its NBIO to A$1.75/share on the 19 March and was granted due diligence on a non-exclusive basis. PSQ said it would support the revised terms if firmed. 
  • PSQ has now entered a Scheme with National Dental Care at A$1.90/share. The Offer also requires FIRB signing-off. But the proposal is a non-starter if Genesis rejects terms. 

L’Occitane (973 HK): Geiger’s $34/Share Offer

By David Blennerhassett

  • After nearly six years of conjecture, rumour – plus the key shareholder (holding 72.63% of shares out) contemplating a takeover – we finally have an Offer for L’Occitane (973 HK).
  • The price? $34/share, a 30.77% premium to undisturbed, and a figure a shade below the  HK$35/share flagged by Reuters last August deemed “false and without basis“. The price is final. 
  • This takeover is a Voluntary General Offer. The key condition is securing 90% of disinterested shareholders holding 27.36%. 9.6% of that number have provided irrevocable undertakings or letters of support.  

Mimasu Semiconductor (8155 JP): Shin-Etsu (4063 JP)’s Pre-Conditional Tender Offer

By Arun George

  • Mimasu Semiconductor Industry (8155 JP) recommended a pre-conditional tender offer from Shin Etsu Chemical (4063 JP) at JPY3,700, a 14.4% and 35.4% premium to the last close and undisturbed price, respectively. 
  • The pre-condition, which cannot be waived, is approval under the competition laws of Japan and Taiwan. The tender offer is expected to start in late July.
  • While the offer is below the mid-point of the IFA DCF valuation range and the requested price, it is 7.7% higher than the all-time high of JPY3,435. This is done. 

Toyo Suisan: Activist Advocates For Legacy Divestiture & More Capital for Global Expansion

By Oshadhi Kumarasiri

  • Japanese instant noodle manufacturer Toyo Suisan Kaisha (2875 JP) has become the newest target for activist investors in Japan.
  • Nihon Global Growth Partners Management, Inc argues that Toyo Suisan’s investments are overly concentrated in its legacy businesses, despite these ventures yielding low returns.
  • Therefore, they are recommending that Toyo Suisan exit its legacy businesses, increase the payout ratio to 40%, and use some of its excess cash for a share buyback of ¥20bn.

NPN X PRX Discount Update Post Tencent Early Game Release News Flow

By Charlotte van Tiddens, CFA

  • Last week Monday, Tencent confirmed the early release of Dungeon and Fighter Mobile, a highly anticipated mobile adaptation of the computer game developed by Nexon.
  • The game is expected to be released in China on the 21st of May following positive test results.
  • Tencent was the 11th best performing constituent in the HSTECH index for the week (out of 30), returning 14.7%. The index ended the week up 13.4%.

ASX200 Index Rebalance Preview: Potential Changes Prior to the June Rebalance

By Brian Freitas


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Daily Brief Event-Driven: HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS) IPO: No Passive Buying Near-Term and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS) IPO: No Passive Buying Near-Term
  • Merger Arb Mondays (29 Apr) – Azure, Silver Lake, Roland DG, CF Logistics, China TCM, Hollysys
  • India: Potential Free Float Changes & Passive Flows in May
  • MBK’s ConnectWave Tender Offer: Details & Trading Angles
  • Connect Wave: Tender Offer of 30% of Shares by MBK Partners
  • SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Market Consultation & More Changes in June
  • EQD / NSE Volatility Update / 22-Apr-24 to 26-Apr-24
  • BHP to Consider Sweetened Proposal for Anglo


HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS) IPO: No Passive Buying Near-Term

By Brian Freitas

  • HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS) is looking to raise KRW 742bn (US$540m) in its IPO, valuing the company at KRW 3,707bn (US$2.69bn). Listing is expected to be in early-May.
  • Competition for the shares has been fierce with institutional investors indicating demand for 201x the number of shares on offer at prices higher than the top end of the range.
  • Barring a doubling of the stock price, the earliest that the stock will be added to major indices is December 2024. So, no passive buying in the short-term.


India: Potential Free Float Changes & Passive Flows in May

By Brian Freitas

  • Companies in India have disclosed their shareholding pattern as of end-March in April. There are companies with significant float changes from end-September and/or end-December.
  • The changes in free float could be reflected in domestic and global indices over the next few weeks and months resulting in action from passive trackers.
  • Depending on the date that the shareholding was published, there could be 14 stocks with passive inflows from global trackers while 7 could see passive outflows in May.

MBK’s ConnectWave Tender Offer: Details & Trading Angles

By Sanghyun Park

  • MBK Partners will launch a tender offer for ConnectWave from today to May 24th. The target volume is 16.6M shares (40% of SO) at ₩18,000 per share, a 15.6% premium.
  • MBK commits to acquiring all tendered shares, regardless of subscription rates, in order to expedite the delisting process. So, there is no cancellation or allocation risk.
  • ConnectWave’s retail investor base, with high entry prices, may hinder reaching 70% of the target volume. Absence of risks suggests considering buy positions for potential secondary tender offer.

Connect Wave: Tender Offer of 30% of Shares by MBK Partners

By Douglas Kim

  • After the market close on 26 April, it was reported that MBK Partners has launched a tender offer of a 29.61% stake of Connectwave (119860 KS).
  • The tender offer price is 18,000 won, which is 15.6% higher than the closing price (15,570 won) of the company on 26 April.
  • The tender offer period is from 29 April to 24 May. The amount of the tender offer is about 300 billion won. 

SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Market Consultation & More Changes in June

By Brian Freitas

  • The SET has run a market consultation on relaxing liquidity thresholds for inclusion of stocks in the Stock Exchange of Thailand SET 50 Index (SET50 INDEX) universe.
  • The consultation is the result of an increase in Average Daily Trading Values and lower turnover ratios, especially for large cap stocks.
  • Berli Jucker (BJC TB) is now a potential index inclusion in June and that could result in four constituent changes at the next rebalance.

EQD / NSE Volatility Update / 22-Apr-24 to 26-Apr-24

By Sankalp Singh

  • SEBI extends cross-margining discounts to correlated assets with different maturities – Dispersion trading & vol arb strategies to benefit. 
  • In spite of upcoming tier-1 event risks the vol surface has flattened  dramatically. Current IV levels are supportive of a continued “High & Down” vol state.
  • Curve steepening seen in Nifty50 IVs. Unusual kinked-shaped in BankNifty term structure has normalized – vol curve now has a uniform orientation.

BHP to Consider Sweetened Proposal for Anglo

By Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

  • On 27 April, Reuters reported that BHP is considering making an improved offer for Anglo American after its initial proposal was rejected. Anglo’s shares trade at 0.3% discount to proposal.
  • BHP is not paying any control premium. Despite its robust portfolio and recent share price appreciation, Anglo trades at a 18% discount compared to the sum of its parts (3018p). 
  • Interloper risk is high. Antitrust risk seems low. As a defence, Anglo may conduct some portfolio simplification to unlock value. I would be long at current prices.

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Bumps as Brother (6448 JP) Now Faces a Dilemma and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Bumps as Brother (6448 JP) Now Faces a Dilemma
  • HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 26 Apr 2024); Strong Net Buying on Banks/Energy Telco SOEs. Again.
  • (Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Mimasu Semi, Tietto Minerals, CSR, CPMC, Roland DG, IClick Interactive
  • A/H Premium Tracker (To 26 Apr 2024):  Best Week in a LONG Time for Hs Vs As – Time To Get Long H/A
  • Mainland Connect NORTHBOUND Flows (To 26 Apr 2024): Big NB Buy Friday
  • EQD | Nikkei’s Downtrend Could Continue in May (But the Bottom Is Near)
  • Last Week in Event SPACE: HK Southbound, Jardine Cycle, Keisei/Oriental Land, BHP/Anglo American
  • CSR (CSR AU): 13th June Shareholder Vote


Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Bumps as Brother (6448 JP) Now Faces a Dilemma

By Arun George

  • Roland DG Corp (6789 JP) has re-recommended Taiyo’s revised offer of JPY5,370, which is 6.7% higher than its previous JPY5,035 offer and 3.3% higher than Brother Industries (6448 JP)’s JPY5,200 offer.
  • The Board articulates a compelling case on Brother’s offer dis-synergies, which will help swing some shareholder opinion towards Taiyo (irrespective of the price). 
  • Brother could bump, but it would not address the issue of satisfying the condition precedent (non-completion of Taiyo offer) and securing the Board’s recommendation.  

HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 26 Apr 2024); Strong Net Buying on Banks/Energy Telco SOEs. Again.

By Travis Lundy

  • A shares were up small on the week, largely due to a big rally on Friday (led by record Northbound buying). HK Stocks had a HUGE week. 
  • Net SOUTHBOUND buying was +HK10.3bn. Net buys every day and now 20 days straight, but buying was foreign-led.
  • Little market news. More geopolitical news. Big SOE bank H-shares see relentless buying. HSTECH +13.4%, HSI +8.8%, HSCEI +9.1%.

(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Mimasu Semi, Tietto Minerals, CSR, CPMC, Roland DG, IClick Interactive

By David Blennerhassett


A/H Premium Tracker (To 26 Apr 2024):  Best Week in a LONG Time for Hs Vs As – Time To Get Long H/A

By Travis Lundy

  • The New/Better A-H Premium Tracker has tables, charts, measures galore to track A/H premium positioning, southbound and northbound positioning/volatility in pairs over time, etc.
  • SOUTHBOUND’s consecutive buying streak ended on Monday 25-March, then started again. 20 days straight net buying. NORTHBOUND saw big inflows Friday. A record day I believe.
  • HK stocks bounced VERY hard. Seemed like big allocation trade. HSCEI +8.7% vs CSI300 +1.2%. In H/A Pairs, liquid pairs saw Hs outperform their A by 4+% on average.

Mainland Connect NORTHBOUND Flows (To 26 Apr 2024): Big NB Buy Friday

By Travis Lundy

  • The Quiddity Mainland Connect NORTHBOUND Monitor. Like the A/H Premium Monitor and HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Monitor. Lots of Flows/Position Tables and Charts with which to play.
  • Last week saw NORTHBOUND net BUY RMB 25+bn of A-shares on low gross volume but a huge Friday playing catchup to a massive up-week in HK shares. 
  • H outperformed As and it feels like the massive day Friday was just to play reversion on underperformance vs HK shares.

EQD | Nikkei’s Downtrend Could Continue in May (But the Bottom Is Near)

By Nico Rosti

  • The Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) is closing the month of April in negative territory, first month down after 3 months up.
  • Our seasonal model indicates that May could also close down, but the index should find strong support in the 37770-36750 price area.
  • The month of May is a coin flip: the index could close up or down, caution is advised.

Last Week in Event SPACE: HK Southbound, Jardine Cycle, Keisei/Oriental Land, BHP/Anglo American

By David Blennerhassett


CSR (CSR AU): 13th June Shareholder Vote

By David Blennerhassett

  • After pitching an indicative Offer to CSR (CSR AU) shareholders of A$9/share by way of a Scheme on the 21st Feb, Saint-Gobain (SGO FP) firmed terms on the 26th Feb.  
  • $9.00 is a knockout Offer. The business combination has been unanimously approved by the boards of both companies. Conditions include CSR’s shareholder approval and FIRB signing off. 
  • The Scheme Booklet is now out, with a Scheme Meeting to be held on the 13th June. Expected implementation on the 9 July. IE says fair & reasonable. 

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