In this briefing:
- Weimob IPO Valuation: Optically Cheap
- Tencent: A Brief Statistical Review of Game Approvals
- Weimob IPO Quick Take – Less SaaS, More Ads -> Lower Valuation
1. Weimob IPO Valuation: Optically Cheap
Weimob.com (1260480D CH) is a combination of a SaaS software and an adtech (targeted marketing) business which has started book building to raise gross proceeds of $108-135 million. According to press reports, Weimob is being viewed favourably by investors as it is being offered at a “cheap” valuation of 18-23x 2019 P/E.
However, the valuation of 18-23x 2019 P/E is optically cheap. Our analysis suggests that including capitalised R&D, Weimob is being offered at a material premium to a peer group of major Chinese internet companies. Notably, our forecasts do not adjust for the capitalised contract acquisition costs which would further increase Weimob’s P/E multiple. Consequently, we believe that the proposed IPO price range is unattractive and would sit out this IPO.
2. Tencent: A Brief Statistical Review of Game Approvals
Paused for eight months, China’s authority resumed the domestic game approval in December. The first batch of 80 games was approved recently.
Since the last round of game application approval, the stock price of Tencent Holdings (700 HK) has fallen by 26%. Stock price reacted positively to the recent progress of game approval.
In this insight, we try to assess the significance of recent progress with a statistical approach.
3. Weimob IPO Quick Take – Less SaaS, More Ads -> Lower Valuation
Weimob.com (1260480D CH), a Tencent Holdings (700 HK) and GIC investee company, plans to raise up to US$135m in its Hong Kong IPO.
I’ve covered most aspects of the deal in my earlier insight, Weimob Pre-IPO – Can Be Steamrolled by Tencent, Anytime, where I spoke about the over-reliance on Tencent, high attrition rates and acquisition costs for SMBs, and the increasing contribution of its ads business.
In this insight, I’ll provide an update from the latest filings, comment on valuations and run the deal through our IPO framework.
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