Event-Driven

The June rebalance of the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB US) will take place at the close of trading today.
There are a couple of deletions and one inclusion. Plus there will be capping changes on the other stocks, but the impact of those changes is not large.
The stocks have already been moving in the right direction during the day and the pre-positions could be flipped to the ETF at the close.

Trading Plays for the Unexpected Tender Offer to Lutronic Corp Shareholders

Retail investors hold the majority of shares at 60%, and they may be interested in participating in the second tender offer based on their accumulated learning effect.
Based on the observed behavior of Hahn & Co, it’s unlikely that they will walk away from the delisting plan.
We need to consider going long on the potential upward adjustment of the second tendering price. This play can be viewed as a call option with a floor at ₩36,700.

StubWorld: Tian An In AGL’s Crosshairs

Allied (373 HK) took Allied Properties (H.K.) (56 HK) private in 2020, followed by SHK Hong Kong Industries (666 HK) in 2021. Now it’s Tian An China (28 HK)‘s turn.
Preceding my comments on Tian An and AGL are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.
These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation >20%.

Details of the Lutronic Tender Offer M&A by Hahn & Company

In this insight, we provide details of the Lutronic tender offer M&A by Hahn & Company.
We believe that Hahn & Co is likely to successfully complete this M&A tender offer of Lutronic.
In our view, most of the shareholders of Lutronic are likely to tender their shares, given the sharp share price appreciation and reasonable tender offer premium.

Concordia/Rothschild: Simplified Offer Filing

Concordia has filed the draft offer memorandum and started acquiring Rothschild & Co (ROTH FP) shares in the market (limit c.8.2 million) to ensure success. All regulatory approvals have been obtained.
The adjusted offer price is €46.6/share, or €38.6/share (ex-extraordinary distribution, 7.6x NTM Fwd P/E, rather cheap, in my view), which will enable the concert to partly finance the offer.
For comparison, Greenhill is being taken at 18.5x Fwd P/E. Nevertheless, I believe the offer will be accepted. Spread is 0.75%/2.78% (gross/annualised).

Grupo Gilinski – Grupo Sura; The End of the BanColombia (CIB US) Affair

By Victor Galliano

The agreement between Grupo Gilinski and the Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño (GEA) grants Gilinski control of food company Nutresa, whilst Gilinski exits from stakes in Grupo Sura and affiliate Grupo Argos
This deal implies the end of Grupo Gilinski’s ambition to control BanColombia and even marks the end of Gilinski exerting activist shareholder influence over the bank’s management
BanColombia’s fundamental outlook, having improved to 1Q23, now looks tougher, not least due to the heightened political risk of the populist Petro administration; use the share price bounce to sell

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
✓ Personalised Alerts
✓ Custom Watchlists
✓ Company Data and News
✓ Events & Webinars

Jun 09

Daily Brief Event-Driven: Toshiba – Tendering Now Recommended and more

By Smartkarma Daily Briefs | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

Toshiba – Tendering Now Recommended
Toshiba (6502 JP): Risk/Reward as Board Unconvincingly Recommends JIP’s Offer
Toshiba’s Board Buckles Under – As Things Stand, Board Supports and Recommends JIP Offer
Amman Mineral IPO: Offering Details & Index Inclusion
Tian An China Investments (28 HK): Trading Halt, Privatisation by Allied Group?
Merger of PGA Tour, DP World Tour, & LIV Golf – Impact on Fila Holdings and Acushnet
Liberty/Telenet: Opening of Acceptance Period

Toshiba – Tendering Now Recommended

By Mio Kato

Toshiba announced today that its board had shifted stance on JIP’s upcoming tender and would recommend shareholders tender.
The special committee will review its opinion on the tender offer and based on that the company will offer another opinion when the tender commences.
Despite peers rising 13-30% since April an offer price increase still looks unlikely.

Toshiba (6502 JP): Risk/Reward as Board Unconvincingly Recommends JIP’s Offer

Toshiba Corp (6502 JP) Board now recommends shareholders accept Japan Industrial Partners (JIP)’s pre-conditional tender offer of JPY4,620 per share. The Board also effectively rules out a bump.
The Board unconvincingly recommends the offer in part on the premise that the IFA’s DCF valuation is unrealistic due to punchy forecasts and positive feedback from stakeholders.
The Board fails to consider that the peers have materially re-rated, the offer’s price ratio remains unattractive and the declining premium of the offer’s implied multiple vs peers’ multiples.

Toshiba’s Board Buckles Under – As Things Stand, Board Supports and Recommends JIP Offer

In March, when the JIP Offer for Toshiba Corp (6502 JP) was announced, the Toshiba Board supported the Offer but declined, at the time, to recommend it to shareholders.
“[The price] has clearly not reached the level at which it is possible to recommend to general shareholders that they tender their shares at this time.” That was then.
10 weeks later and the Board has a Revised Opinion. It has recommended the Offer for reasons which smack of resignation rather than appropriate deliberation. Investors beware.

Amman Mineral IPO: Offering Details & Index Inclusion

Amman Mineral Internasional (1416286D IJ) is offering 7.288bn shares in its IPO at a price range of IDR 1650-1775/share to raise between US$808-870m and valuing the company between US$8.08-8.7bn.
The stock will not get fast entry to global indices or local Indonesia indices (IDX30 Index/ LQ45 Index/ IDX80 Index).
With listing planned for 5 July, the earliest index inclusion will be in December and there are no near-term passive flows expected for the stock.

Tian An China Investments (28 HK): Trading Halt, Privatisation by Allied Group?

Tian An China Investment (28 HK) and Allied (373 HK) entered a trading halt “pursuant to The Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers.” Allied owns 55.72% of Tian An.
It is likely that Allied Group is seeking to privatise its subsidiary Tian An. Tian An’s other substantial shareholders have a history of sell-downs which facilitate an offer.
Allied Properties (H.K.) (56 HK)/APL’s partial offer for Tian An in 2011 and Allied’s privatisation of APL in 2020 point to a 20.8%-34.3% premium or HK$5.01-5.57 per share offer.

Merger of PGA Tour, DP World Tour, & LIV Golf – Impact on Fila Holdings and Acushnet

In the past several days, one of the biggest news in the global sports industry has been the merger of PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf.
We believe that this merger is likely to have a positive impact on the global golf industry, including on Fila Holdings (081660 KS) and Acushnet Holdings (GOLF US).
If this merger successfully completed this year, there is a good possibility of a pick-up in golf related equipment sales and profits for Acushnet and Fila Holdings starting 2024.

Liberty/Telenet: Opening of Acceptance Period

Telenet has announced the publication of the prospectus. The Board of Directors of Telenet has prepared a response memorandum in which it sets out its recommendation of the Offer.
The offer is opportunistic and optically generous, with neither interloper risk nor sweetening to be expected. I believe most investors will cash out. Liberty could eventually drop the acceptance threshold.
Given the ambiguity surrounding both the company and the sector in Belgium, I still think Liberty might acquire Telenet for almost a bargain. Spread is 2.38%/19.8% (gross/annualised).

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
✓ Personalised Alerts
✓ Custom Watchlists
✓ Company Data and News
✓ Events & Webinars

Jun 08

Daily Brief Event-Driven: Chindata (CD US): Bain Capital’s Low-Balled Privatisation Offer and more

By Smartkarma Daily Briefs | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

Chindata (CD US): Bain Capital’s Low-Balled Privatisation Offer
AMFI Stock Reclassification Preview (June 2023): Significant Outperformance
Estia Health (EHE AU): Bain Capital’s Revised A$3.20 Offer
Estia Health: Bain Capital Ups Its NBIO
KRX New Deal Index Rebalance Preview: A Change for Each Index
Is Bain Permitted To Take Over Chindata?

Chindata (CD US): Bain Capital’s Low-Balled Privatisation Offer

Chindata Group (CD US) disclosed a preliminary non-binding proposal from Bain Capital at US$8.00 per ADS, a 27.4% premium to the undisturbed price of US$6.28 per ADS.
For privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares present and voting need to approve the deal. The offeror represents 87.39% of the total voting power.
While the offer is unattractive, Bain Capital’s voting rights ensure that the vote will pass. The key risks are regulatory approvals and timing.

AMFI Stock Reclassification Preview (June 2023): Significant Outperformance

We see 8 stocks moving from MidCap to LargeCap, 9 stocks moving from LargeCap to MidCap, 9 stocks from SmallCap to MidCap, and 10 stocks from MidCap to SmallCap.
Following a strong listing, Mankind Pharma (6596876Z IN) should be added to the Large Cap segment of the market in July.
The expected migrations from SmallCap to MidCap have outperformed the other migrations by a huge margin over the last couple of months and there could be profit taking ahead.

Estia Health (EHE AU): Bain Capital’s Revised A$3.20 Offer

Estia Health (EHE AU) has received a revised non-binding indicative proposal from Bain Capital at A$3.20 per share, a 6.7% premium to the previously rejected offer of A$3.00 per share.
The revised offer is attractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples. The offer is also attractive in comparison to the Japara Healthcare (JHC AU) precedent transaction.
Bain has been granted exclusive due diligence. Bain’s reengagement suggests a committed bidder. Expect a binding offer. At the last close, the gross spread is 10.3%.

Estia Health: Bain Capital Ups Its NBIO

On the 23 March, aged care provider Estia Health (EHE AU) announced Bain Capital’s $3.00/share non-binding proposal. 12 days later, Estia rejected this indicative Offer.
Bain has returned with a A$3.20/share proposal, inclusive of a fully franked dividend up to A$0.12/share. A process deed has been entered into, and exclusive due diligence has been granted.
Trading at a gross spread of 10.7% with an indicative completion in early 4Q23.

KRX New Deal Index Rebalance Preview: A Change for Each Index

The review period for the September rebalance ends on 31 July, the changes will be announced towards end August and implemented at the close of trading on 7 September.
There is one change currently for each of the Secondary Battery, Bio, Internet and Game indices. Large stock price moves mean no changes for the BBIG Index currently.
Douzone Bizon (012510 KS) has flipped from a passive sell to a passive buy over the last month and the stock could move higher from here.

Is Bain Permitted To Take Over Chindata?

Chinese data centre outfit Chindata (CD US) has no end of alleged suitors, rumoured to include SOE-backed China Merchants, GDS (GDS US), PE outfit PAG, and EQT (EQT SS)-backed EdgeConneX.
Now Bain Capital, Chindata’s largest shareholder with 42.17% (and 87.39% of the voting power) has made a non-binding proposal of $8/share per ADS, a 33% premium to last close.
Chindata’s board has made no decision on the proposal. It’s hardly a knockout Offer. But the key question is whether Bain will get regular approval to take Chindata private.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
✓ Personalised Alerts
✓ Custom Watchlists
✓ Company Data and News
✓ Events & Webinars

Jun 07

Daily Brief Event-Driven: No Foreigner ID/Trade Report Obligation Starting Dec 14: Impact on Event Trading in Korea and more

By Smartkarma Daily Briefs | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

No Foreigner ID/Trade Report Obligation Starting Dec 14: Impact on Event Trading in Korea
Alibaba Potential IPOs – The Final Part – Quick Look at Investees and Eventual Holdco
Infratil (IFT NZ): NZ$850m Placement & Index Implications
CR Power (836 HK): Upside From Clean Energy Spin-Off
Lifedrink Company (2585 JP) Ascends to TSE Prime and TOPIX But An Offering Produces Overhang
Higher Private Market Valuation of SK On: Positive Impact on SK Innovation
Challenger Technologies (CHLG SP): Unconditional and Final Offer at S$0.60
Quiddity Flow Expectations for DAX Jun 23 Rebal: Evotec Is the Main Surprise
Challenger Tech: Offer Bumped & Declared Final
Tencent Investee Selldown – JD.com Done, Meituan Done, Two More Still Left

No Foreigner ID/Trade Report Obligation Starting Dec 14: Impact on Event Trading in Korea

The abolition of the foreign investor registration system was approved in a Cabinet meeting. They will be promulgated on June 13th and implemented starting December 14th of this year.
This change is not just about reducing administrative tasks, as it also eliminates the reporting obligations of foreign investors, thereby reducing their position exposure risk.
This could improve event outcome and price prediction accuracy. Therefore, it is crucial to keep a close eye on event trading when this measure takes effect in December.

Alibaba Potential IPOs – The Final Part – Quick Look at Investees and Eventual Holdco

By Sumeet Singh

On 28th Mar 2023, Alibaba (ADR) (BABA US) announced that it would adopt a new organizational and governance structure, splitting into six major business groups and other investments.
Alibaba also stated that each of the business groups would be set up as an independent entity with its own board and the groups will eventually seek to list.
In this note, we will talk about some of the company’s investments and how the overall Holdco would look post restructuring.

Infratil (IFT NZ): NZ$850m Placement & Index Implications

Infratil Ltd (IFT NZ) is acquiring Brookfield Asset Management Lt (BAM US)‘s 49.95% stake in One NZ for NZ$1.8bn. This will be partly funded through a NZ$850m placement.
There will be a NZ$750m underwritten placement at NZ$9.2/share (an 8.9% discount to the last close) and a retail offering of NZ$100m.
There will be passive buying from index trackers post the completion of the placement and the settlement of the shares and that will remove some of the overhang.

CR Power (836 HK): Upside From Clean Energy Spin-Off

Late March, SOE-backed power play China Resources Power Holdings Co Ltd. (836 HK) announced it intends to spin off its energy unit via an A-share listing.
Shares gained 4.9% on the news – gains which were promptly given back over the ensuing fortnight.
Renewable energy profits have been the driving force behind CRP’s bottom line strength the last two years. But how best to assign a value to the remaining loss-making thermal ops?

Lifedrink Company (2585 JP) Ascends to TSE Prime and TOPIX But An Offering Produces Overhang

On 1 June, Lifedrink (2585 JP), which listed in early 2022, announced it would move to TSE Prime in late June, leading to a TOPIX inclusion in late July.
The offset to that was an announcement of an offering, whereby the PE Fund which brought the company to market would sell up to 3.87mm shares, effectively doubling float.
The offering is larger than the TOPIX inclusion. The stock fell the next day, rebounded, then rebounded 11% Monday. Now it’s up more and hit a lifetime closing high.

Higher Private Market Valuation of SK On: Positive Impact on SK Innovation

It has been reported that SK On received 1.2 trillion won investment from a consortium led by MBK Partners and SNB Capital, valuing SK On at about 25 trillion won.
Our SoTP valuation of SK Innovation suggests a target price of 274,738 won per share, which represents a 38% higher levels than current price.
SK Innovation’s 96.5% stake in SK On (24.1 trillion won in value) is 130% higher than SK Innovation’s current market cap.

Challenger Technologies (CHLG SP): Unconditional and Final Offer at S$0.60

Challenger Technologies (CHLG SP) has disclosed a final voluntary unconditional offer from Dymon Asia and the Loo Family at S$0.60 per share, a 7.1% premium to the previous S$0.56 offer.
As predicted, the offer followed the recent SGX unconditional offer playbook – a lowball offer followed by declaring the offer final after a cursory bump.
The modest offer premium will still leave minorities aggrieved. Hitting the 90% compulsory threshold implies a minority acceptance rate of 31.3%. At the last close, the gross spread is 3.4%.

Quiddity Flow Expectations for DAX Jun 23 Rebal: Evotec Is the Main Surprise

The June 2023 index changes for the DAX index family were confirmed after the close yesterday.
As expected, there were no changes announced for the DAX index.
There will be four changes for MDAX, one change for SDAX, and one change for TecDAX.

Challenger Tech: Offer Bumped & Declared Final

After consumer electronics retailer Challenger Technologies (CHLG SP) announced a voluntary unconditional cash offer of S$0.56/share on the 30 May, it has closed through terms every day.
At a 3.1% and 4.3% to undisturbed and one-month VWAP, the Offer was low-balled. The Offeror (Dymon Asia and Challenger’s CEO Loo Leong Thye) have now bumped to S$0.60/share.
The price has been declared final. It is still only a 9.1% premium to undisturbed. But it is a lifetime high.

Tencent Investee Selldown – JD.com Done, Meituan Done, Two More Still Left

By Sumeet Singh

Tencent has been busy distributing shares in some of its investments over the past two years, with JD.com’s distribution announced in 2021 and Meituan’s in 2022.
In our earlier note in 2022, Tencent Investee Selldown – The US$120bn Global Overhang, we had looked at its overall investment portfolio.
With two of its large investments spun-out, we now re-look at Tencent’s shareholding in various companies to try and gauge which ones it could sell out of and how.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
✓ Personalised Alerts
✓ Custom Watchlists
✓ Company Data and News
✓ Events & Webinars

Jun 06

Daily Brief Event-Driven: ENM (128 HK): Chinachem Takeover and more

By Smartkarma Daily Briefs | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

ENM (128 HK): Chinachem Takeover
TOPIX Inclusions: Who Is Ready (Jun 2023)
Yitai Coal (3948 HK): Offer Open with H Share Class Meeting on 30 June
EOFLOW/Medtronic Tender: Risk/Reward Profile
Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Review – Still Fastie, Nitori, Zozo, and Lasertec as Interesting Names
Austal (ASB AU): Privatisation on the Cards?
Yitai Coal (3948 HK): H-Shareholders To Vote on 30th June

ENM (128 HK): Chinachem Takeover

Fashion wear retailer ENM Holdings (128 HK) has received a delisting Offer from major shareholder, Chinachem.
The Scheme consideration of HK$0.58 is a 24.7% premium to last close, although shares popped 24% prior to suspension.
The Offer price is final. There is probably enough here for the Offer to get up. But there is potentially significant value to be unlocked from recent land rezoning.

TOPIX Inclusions: Who Is Ready (Jun 2023)

Quiddity’s “Who is Ready” series of insights aims to objectively identify names listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange that are potential additions to the TOPIX Index in future.
Zuiko Corp (6279 JP), Anycolor (5032 JP), and Lifedrink (2585 JP) will have TOPIX Inclusion events at the end of June (Zuiko) or July 2023 (the other two).
One of our pre-event TOPIX Inclusion candidates CELSYS (3663 JP) has experienced sharp price moves over the last few weeks.

Yitai Coal (3948 HK): Offer Open with H Share Class Meeting on 30 June

Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal Company Ltd (3948 HK)‘s H Share buyback offer at HK$17.50 per H Share is open. The H class meeting is on 30 June.
The key conditions are approval by at least 75% of independent H Shareholders (<10% of all independent H Shareholders rejection). There is a 90% minimum acceptance condition.
The de-rating of the peers, likely supportive substantial H Shareholders and no major retail opposition should help hit the 90% threshold. At the last close, the gross/annualised spread is 4.7%/23.9%.

EOFLOW/Medtronic Tender: Risk/Reward Profile

Medtronic Plc (MDT US) aims to acquire Eoflow (294090 KS) through share purchase agreements (SPA), a share subscription agreement (SSA) and a public tender offer at KRW30,000.
The shares are trading wide to terms due to key risks – regulatory approvals and the minimum acceptance condition (Medtronic owns 53.02% of the post-SSA outstanding shares).
The regulatory approvals should be forthcoming due to minimum competition issues. The minimum acceptance condition requires a minority acceptance rate of 15.7%, which is achievable due to an attractive offer.

Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Review – Still Fastie, Nitori, Zozo, and Lasertec as Interesting Names

The Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 review has 2 months left of data collection. That means the rankings are quasi-fixed. So then the question is what to do with them.
There is a consultation in progress. You still have one week to respond, but that doesn’t change the names.
The top inclusion is the big one in dollar terms but low in liquidity. The next two are likely to be consumer names, and much more impactful.

Austal (ASB AU): Privatisation on the Cards?

Media reports indicate that Austal Ltd (ASB AU) is in the crosshairs of investors looking to take the company private.
In an announcement, Austal Ltd (ASB AU) said it is regularly involved in discussion with strategic parties to create value for shareholders.
The recent large contract from the US Navy, potentially more contracts in the pipeline and a weak AUD could result in investors paying up to take the company private.

Yitai Coal (3948 HK): H-Shareholders To Vote on 30th June

Back on the 9 May, Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal Company Ltd (3948 HK) announced an H-share buyback at HK$17.50/share.
With no pre-conditions attached to this hybrid Scheme/Tender Offer, my expectation was this could be wrapped up by mid-August.
The dispatch of the Offer Document yesterday evening indicates even this timeline was conservative, with payment potentially occurring in the third week of July.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
✓ Personalised Alerts
✓ Custom Watchlists
✓ Company Data and News
✓ Events & Webinars

Jun 05

Daily Brief Event-Driven: HSCI Index Rebalance Preview and Stock Connect: Potential Changes in September and more

By Smartkarma Daily Briefs | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

HSCI Index Rebalance Preview and Stock Connect: Potential Changes in September
Quiddity TDIV/50/100 Jun 23 Rebal: 15/18 as Expected; Some Surprises, US$1.1bn+ One Way
Nexon Founder Family Hands Over 4.7 Trillion Won Worth of NXC to Korean Government
ENM Holdings (128 HK): Privatisation Bid at HK$0.58 Per Share
Merger Arb Mondays (05 Jun) – Golden Eagle Retail, ENM, AAG, Yashili, Golden Energy, Challenger Tech
Weekly Deals Digest (04 Jun) – Golden Energy, Challenger, ENM, Golden Eagle Retail, Amman Mineral

HSCI Index Rebalance Preview and Stock Connect: Potential Changes in September

Fenbi Ltd (2469 HK) was added to the Hang Seng Composite Index (HSCI) at the close Friday and will be added to Southbound Stock Connect from open of trading today.
We see 22 potential adds, 19 potential deletes, couple of close deletes, 5 deletes on prolonged suspension and 4 close liquidity deletes for the HSCI in September.
There are 11 potential deletions where holdings via Stock Connect are more than 20% of shares outstanding. There could be some unwinding of positions over the next couple of months.

Quiddity TDIV/50/100 Jun 23 Rebal: 15/18 as Expected; Some Surprises, US$1.1bn+ One Way

In this insight, we take a look at the final ADDs/DELs for the TDIV, T50, and T100 Indices for the June 2023 Rebalance.
Across these three indices there will be 18 changes and 15 of them were in line with expectations.
Our updated flow expectations show that there could be US$1.1bn one-way flow in the June 2023 rebalance.

Nexon Founder Family Hands Over 4.7 Trillion Won Worth of NXC to Korean Government

The late Nexon founder Kim Jung-Ju’s family recently paid nearly 4.7 trillion won worth of inheritance taxes to the Korean government by handing over 29.3% stake (paid-in-kind) in NXC Corp.
We view this handing over the 29.3% stake to the Korean government to be positive overall on Nexon in the near term.
However, we do not expect this could bring about change in controlling ownership of the Nexon Group in the near term to result in re-rating of the Nexon Group shares.

ENM Holdings (128 HK): Privatisation Bid at HK$0.58 Per Share

Enm Holdings (128 HK) announced a privatisation offer from Chime Corporation at HK$0.58 per scheme share, a 54.7% premium to the undisturbed price of HK$0.375 per share (24 May).
The key condition is the scheme be approved by at least 75% disinterested shareholders (<10% disinterested shareholders rejection). No shareholder holds a blocking stake. The offer price is final.
Detractors will argue the offer is low due to ENM’s net cash (75% of the market cap). However, the offer is reasonable compared to historical multiples and share prices.

Merger Arb Mondays (05 Jun) – Golden Eagle Retail, ENM, AAG, Yashili, Golden Energy, Challenger Tech

We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations covered by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.
Highest spreads – 111 Inc (YI US), Enm Holdings (128 HK), United Malt Group Ltd (UMG AU), Estia Health (EHE AU), HKBN Ltd (1310 HK), Hailan Holdings (2278 HK).
Lowest spreads – Healius (HLS AU), Liontown Resources (LTR AU), Challenger Technologies (CHLG SP), Lian Beng (LBG SP), SBI Shinsei Bank (8303 JP), Newcrest Mining (NCM AU).

Weekly Deals Digest (04 Jun) – Golden Energy, Challenger, ENM, Golden Eagle Retail, Amman Mineral

A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.
ECM developments – Amman Mineral Internasional (1416286D IJ), Tata Technologies (TATATECH IN), JD Industrials (2231713D CH) IPOs.
Event-Driven developments – Golden Energy & Resources (GER SP), Challenger Technologies (CHLG SP), Enm Holdings (128 HK), Golden Eagle Retail (3308 HK), Metro Pacific Investments Co (MPI PM), Yashili.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
✓ Personalised Alerts
✓ Custom Watchlists
✓ Company Data and News
✓ Events & Webinars

Jun 04

Daily Brief Event-Driven: Heads Up: Selling Event of a 30% Stake in NXC (Nexon Parent Company) Is Coming Soon and more

By Smartkarma Daily Briefs | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

Heads Up: Selling Event of a 30% Stake in NXC (Nexon Parent Company) Is Coming Soon
Last Week in Event SPACE:Tax-Loss Selling In Australia, China Conch/Anhui Conch, Canon, Rakuten
Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: CSI300/500, Chinext, China Semi Chips, Nifty Next50, SET50, REMX
EQD | Volatility Update: Weekly Review of Vol Changes and Best Trades- Debt Ceiling Relief
(Mostly) Asia-Pac Weekly Risk Arb Wrap: Golden Eagle, Challenger Tech, Yashili, Yitai Coal, MPI

Heads Up: Selling Event of a 30% Stake in NXC (Nexon Parent Company) Is Coming Soon

As reported by a local news outlet (YTN), the Korean government will soon list the NXC stake on Onbid, the government’s online auction system (www.onbid.co.kr).
If the right buyer acquires the 30% stake in NXC, the family members may also sell their stake, leading to an unexpected price impact for Nexon (3659 JP).
Timing is critical, and the Korean government must aim to list the stake on Onbid as soon as possible, given its current revenue shortfall issue.

Last Week in Event SPACE:Tax-Loss Selling In Australia, China Conch/Anhui Conch, Canon, Rakuten

Australian tax-loss selling is a thing. Retail investors will take gains on things that run up in price, or get taken over, then look for losses.
The China Conch Venture Holdings (586 HK) / Anhui Conch Cement (600585 CH) ratio is at an all-time low. The implied stub is re-testing its all-time low.
Historically, Canon (7751 JP)‘s buybacks are aggressive. It may pay to observe market data to see when they are done. It may also pay to look at peer outperformance cycles.

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: CSI300/500, Chinext, China Semi Chips, Nifty Next50, SET50, REMX

It was a busy week with index rebalance implementations and announcements of index changes.
The coming week has the KOSPI200 and KOSDAQ150 rebalancing on Thursday and a bunch of onshore China indices rebalancing on Friday.
There were big inflows to China ETFs during the week while the largest inflows went to the Tracker Fund of Hong Kong Ltd (2800 HK) ETF.

EQD | Volatility Update: Weekly Review of Vol Changes and Best Trades- Debt Ceiling Relief

By Simon Harris

Weekly summary of vol changes and moves across Global Markets
Analysing ATM volatility and skew changes over the last 5 days
We suggest a few trades to take advantage of the implied vol surfaces

(Mostly) Asia-Pac Weekly Risk Arb Wrap: Golden Eagle, Challenger Tech, Yashili, Yitai Coal, MPI

There are 38 – mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac – transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Inside is a timetable of upcoming key events for each deal.
Two new deals were discussed on Smartkarma this week: Golden Eagle Retail (3308 HK)‘s Scheme; and Challenger Technologies (CHLG SP)‘s voluntary unconditional cash offer
Key updates took place for Yashili International Holdings (1230 HK), Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal B (900948 CH), and Metro Pacific Investments Co (MPI PM).

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
✓ Personalised Alerts
✓ Custom Watchlists
✓ Company Data and News
✓ Events & Webinars

Jun 03

Daily Brief Event-Driven: SE600 Jun 23 Rebal: Past Trades Successful and more

By Smartkarma Daily Briefs | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

SE600 Jun 23 Rebal: Past Trades Successful, DELs Could Underperform Index over the Next ~2 Weeks
Seven & I: ValueAct’s Proposals Unlikely to Be Considered, Investor Activism Effectively Over
FEMSA’s Exit from Heineken/Heineken Holding and Share Price Spread
EQT/Dechra Pharmaceuticals: Recommended Offer

SE600 Jun 23 Rebal: Past Trades Successful, DELs Could Underperform Index over the Next ~2 Weeks

The June 2023 regular rebalance index changes for the SE600 index and the EURSTX index were announced after the close yesterday.
There are 8 ADDs/DELs for the SE600 index and 3 ADDs and 2 DELs for the EURSTX index.
In this insight, we take a closer look at our final index flow expectations for June 2023.

Seven & I: ValueAct’s Proposals Unlikely to Be Considered, Investor Activism Effectively Over

By Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Last week, shareholders of Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP) rejected all four of the board nominees proposed by ValueAct.
ValueAct, seeing their higher vote count as a modest success, sent a letter to Seven & I, requesting a resumption of discussions despite the failed attempt to remove senior leadership.
We think the company is unlikely to seriously consider Value Act’s proposals any longer, indicating the end of the investor activism campaign.

FEMSA’s Exit from Heineken/Heineken Holding and Share Price Spread

FEMSA has placed c.€3.3 billion of Heineken NV (HEIA NA) and Heineken Holding NV (HEIO NA) shares and tap €250 million of existing 2026 Exchangeable bonds. The placement removes a major overhang.
The holding structure (equivalence 1 HEIO NA ~ 1 HEIA NO) allows the Heineken family to control the second largest brewer worldwide, with just a 27.3% economic interest (post-FEMSA’s placement).
The discount has tightened to 15.8%, still above the 10.4% average of the last ten years, and rather large considering such a simple structure.

EQT/Dechra Pharmaceuticals: Recommended Offer

At the end of PUSU deadline, EQT and Dechra have agreed a 3,875p/share offer (44% premium, 21.4x EV/Fwd EBITDA, 30.2x Fwd P/E, vs. market leader Zoetis at 20.5x and 28.9x respectively).
Other private equity companies may not be able to match the deal’s disintermediation benefits. Considering the short-term issues, I believe investors will accept the offer.
My base-case DCF fair-value estimate is 3,568p/share, 7.9% below the offer price. Therefore I set my TP at 3,875p. Spread is 5.8%/8.8% (gross/annualised), I feel the risk/reward is balanced. Long.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
✓ Personalised Alerts
✓ Custom Watchlists
✓ Company Data and News
✓ Events & Webinars

Jun 02

Daily Brief Event-Driven: Anycolor (5032 JP) – Moving to Prime Next Week and more

By Smartkarma Daily Briefs | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

Anycolor (5032 JP) – Moving to Prime Next Week, TOPIX Inclusion Next Month
Tax-Loss Selling in Australia – Brief Historical Analysis And A Trade Basket
Medtronic’s Delisting Offer For EOFlow

Anycolor (5032 JP) – Moving to Prime Next Week, TOPIX Inclusion Next Month

Anycolor (5032 JP) IPOed a year ago, rose several-fold, saw the underwriting broker offer a huge target price, then it fell. There was an offering. And then the murders began.*
The offering in January, discussed here, created overhang, and the stock fell sharply in the next 6 weeks. Blowout earnings came in mid-March. Along with a TSE Prime transfer application.
Now we have the Prime promotion on 8 June, which leads to a TOPIX inclusion on 28 July.

Tax-Loss Selling in Australia – Brief Historical Analysis And A Trade Basket

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 last year shows.
The general gist of the idea is that retail investors in Australia will take gains on things which run up in price, or get taken over, then look for losses.
Below I present a study using data from 2012-2022 of how a basket portfolio trade might work.

Medtronic’s Delisting Offer For EOFlow

Back on the 25 May, healthcare company Medtronic Plc (MDT US) announced it had entered into a set of definitive agreements to acquire EOFlow (294090 KS).
Via a three-step process – SPAs, issuance of new shares, and a Tender Offer – Medtronic will seek majority control, together with a view to delisting EOFlow.
Completion is expected in 4Q23. Regulatory approvals – domestic and foreign – form part of the conditions. Trading wide to terms.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
✓ Personalised Alerts
✓ Custom Watchlists
✓ Company Data and News
✓ Events & Webinars

Jun 01

Daily Brief Event-Driven: MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index Rebalance Preview: Changes Afoot and more

By Smartkarma Daily Briefs | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index Rebalance Preview: Changes Afoot
Yashili (1230 HK): Scheme Doc Out. 23 June Court Meeting
Yashili (1230 HK): Scheme Vote on 23 June
Flow Trading Opportunities Brought by the AI Rally: KRX Semicon Rebalancing in September
End of Mandatory Lock-Up Periods for 45 Companies in Korea in June 2023
Quiddity Final Thoughts for F100/250 June 23: Multiple High-Impact Changes Likely
Mason Group (273 HK): Halted Pursuant To Takeover’s Code
SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Should Be Two Changes in June
(Mostly) Asia M&A, May 2023: Allkem / Livent, InvoCare, Golden Eagle, Yita Coal, Shinsei Bank
Hanjin Kal: Fight For Control Amid FTC Regulatory Concerns of Korean Air & Asiana Airlines Merger

MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index Rebalance Preview: Changes Afoot

The review period for the June rebalance ended on 31 May. Announcement of the changes will be made on 9 June with implementation at the close on 16 June.
There could be 3 or 4 A-share additions due to their inclusion in Northbound Stock Connect. That in turn expands the index universe and could result in 2-3 deletions.
If there are 4 adds and 2 deletes at the June rebalance, estimated one-way turnover at the rebalance will be 13.4% and will result in a one-way trade of US$81m.

Yashili (1230 HK): Scheme Doc Out. 23 June Court Meeting

At long last, Yashili International Holdings (1230 HK) has dispatched the Scheme Document.
The Court Meeting and EGM will be held on the 23 June. The IFA says the Offer is fair. At a ~160% premium to undisturbed, it certainly is.
Assuming the transaction gets up, payment will occur on or before the 13 July.

Yashili (1230 HK): Scheme Vote on 23 June

The Yashili International Holdings (1230 HK) scheme document is out with the court meeting scheduled for 23 June. The IFA considers the HK$1.20 per share offer to be fair and reasonable.
Key conditions include approval by at least 75% disinterested shareholders (<10% disinterested shareholders rejection). The shareholder with a blocking stake should be supportive.
This is a done deal. At the last close and for the 13 July payment, the gross and annualised spread is 1.7% and 15.3%, respectively.

Flow Trading Opportunities Brought by the AI Rally: KRX Semicon Rebalancing in September

KRX Semicon has experienced a considerable increase in AUM due to the recent AI rally. Two ETFs tracking SEMICON have a combined AUM of ₩0.6T.
The following five stocks are screened as potential additions: ITM Semiconductor, Hyundai Energy Solutions, TEMC, Fine Semitech, and AT Technology.
While it may not be a major flow event, it still presents a trading opportunity worth considering, especially in September, which is relatively less eventful in terms of flows.

End of Mandatory Lock-Up Periods for 45 Companies in Korea in June 2023

We discuss the end of the mandatory lock-up periods for 45 stocks in Korea in June 2023, among which 6 are in KOSPI and 39 are in KOSDAQ.
These 45 stocks on average could be subject to further selling pressures in June and could underperform relative to the market.
Among these 45 stocks, the top five market cap stocks include Won Tech, Voronoi, Zinus, Bionote, and NanoTIM.

Quiddity Final Thoughts for F100/250 June 23: Multiple High-Impact Changes Likely

In this insight, we take a look at Quiddity’s final predictions for index changes for the F100 and F250 indices for the June 2023 Rebalance.
The index changes are likely to be confirmed after market close today.
We expect one change for the F100 index and six changes for the F250 index.

Mason Group (273 HK): Halted Pursuant To Takeover’s Code

Broker Mason Financial Holdings (273 HK) is suspended pursuant to the Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers.
Shares are down 95% from its June 2015 peak, and 54% since the onset of Covid. The company last turned a profit in 2018.
The largest shareholder is the chairman of Shimao Group (813 HK).

SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Should Be Two Changes in June

With the review period complete, we see Thai Life Insurance (TLI TB) and WHA Corp Pcl (WHA TB) being added to the SET 50 Index in June.
Jaymart PCL (JMART TB) is a certain deletion from the index while the second deletion will be determined on the criteria used for liquidity or on market cap.
JMT Network Services (JMT TB) was deleted from the MSCI Thailand index yesterday and could be deleted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand SET 50 Index (SET50 INDEX) next.

(Mostly) Asia M&A, May 2023: Allkem / Livent, InvoCare, Golden Eagle, Yita Coal, Shinsei Bank

For the month of May, 8 new deals (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$15bn.
The average premium for the new deals announced (or first discussed) in May was 32%.
This compares to the average premium for all deals in 2022 (106 deals), 2021 (165 deals), 2020 (158 deals), and 2019 (145 deals) of 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31% respectively.

Hanjin Kal: Fight For Control Amid FTC Regulatory Concerns of Korean Air & Asiana Airlines Merger