In this briefing:
- CanSino Biologics (康希诺) IPO: Valuation Attractive, Lilly Asia Doubling Up (Part 4)
- Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU): Rejecting the API Bid Is the Difficult but Right Choice
- CanSino Biologics (康希诺) IPO: Valuation Update (Part 3)
- Opportunities in U.S. Technology Sector
- Hitachi High Tech’s Ace in the Hole
1. CanSino Biologics (康希诺) IPO: Valuation Attractive, Lilly Asia Doubling Up (Part 4)
CanSino Biologics started its book building today to raise up to USD 160 million to list in Hong Kong. In our previous insights (links provided below), we provided a detailed analysis of the company’s core drug candidates, its shareholders and our thoughts on valuation. In this insight, we will cover the following topics:
- Recap of our valuation
- Highlight of cornerstone investors
- Our thoughts on the deal
Our coverage on Cansino IPO
- CanSino Biologics (康希诺) IPO: Promising Pre-Clinical Results but Vaccine Scandal Weighs (Part 1)
- CanSino Biologics (康希诺) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation (Part 2)
- CanSino Biologics (康希诺) IPO: Valuation Update (Part 3)
2. Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU): Rejecting the API Bid Is the Difficult but Right Choice
On Wednesday, Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) rejected an indicative takeover offer from rival Australian Pharma Industries (API AU). Shareholders were disappointed with the news, with Sigma’s shares closing 12.3% lower at A$0.54 per share. API shares fared better and fell 3.6% to A$1.35 each.
We believe Sigma’s board were left with the tough choice of accepting a lowball offer or improving the existing business and riding out the inevitable share price fall. By rejecting the API bid, the Sigma board made the difficult but right choice, in our view. While further downside risk to the share price is limited, we caution that shareholders require patience as the road to share price recovery will be long.
3. CanSino Biologics (康希诺) IPO: Valuation Update (Part 3)
CanSino is a China-based biotechnology company with a focus on vaccine development. In our previous insight (link to Part 1 and Part 2), we have discussed CanSino’s drug pipeline, the competitive landscape, and the valuation.
As the company is starting pre-marketing, we will provide an updated valuation based on new information obtained from the approved application document. Our base case valuation for CanSino is USD 856 million on a pre-money basis. Majority of the rNPV based SOTP valuation still comes from its meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV2 and MCV4). Over the past few months, the company has completed Phase III for MCV4 and submitted NDA (new drug application) for MCV2 candidates.
4. Opportunities in U.S. Technology Sector
Technology is our favorite Sector within the U.S. equity landscape, and remains leadership – 73% of our Tech Groups are in the top 33% in terms of our Relative Strength Rankings (RSRs). Internally, semis and semi-suppliers continue to outperform and many names have pulled back to offer attractive entry points. In this report we highlight our favorite setups within the U.S. Technology Sector.
5. Hitachi High Tech’s Ace in the Hole
Last Friday, Hitachi (6501) was reported to be considering selling Hitachi Chemical (4217), according to media sources over the weekend. This has sent Hitachi Chemical and its parent into a frenzy with Hitachi Chemical ADR up 13% last Friday. We believe this news is relevant for Hitachi High Tech because both subsidiaries are 51-52% consolidated by the parent Hitachi, and both have arguably businesses with little synergy with the parent. We believe that Hitachi High Tech is also rumored to be on the block for sale or spin-off. Media sources say that Hitachi is considering a sale of Hitachi Chemical and would reap Y300bn. The current value of their 51% ownership in Hitachi Chemical is Y211bn, and thus there is 42% implied upside if the Y300bn figure is achieved.
To recap Q3 results for Hitachi High Tech from January 31, 2019, the numbers were decent with earnings above consensus forecasts by 33% for Q3 (Y15.8bn OP versus Y13.8bn forecast). The profit rise was due to improved margins in medical and continued strength in process semiconductor equipment. The shares are up 20% year-to-date, outperforming the Nikkei by 15%. Some of the fears of a sharp slowdown in semiconductor have been nullified by the continued strength in logic chip investments as well as the improved profitability in medical clinical analyzers. Medical profits soared 46% YoY in Q3 to Y7.6bn on a 13% YoY increase in revenues. OP margin improved from 12.3% to 15.8% YoY.
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