In this briefing:
- Hitachi (6501 JP): A Bold but Risky Acquisition of ABB’s Power Grids
- Satellite Companies Securing Agreements to Sell C-Band Spectrum
- SoftBank Corp IPO Valuation: Bull/Bear Case DCF Scenarios
- Start Your Engines: SoftBank Corp (9434 JP) Is Off to the Races
- Last Week’s GER IPO Research: Tencent Music, IPO Trading Strategy Deep Dive, WuXi, Junshi & Xinyi
1. Hitachi (6501 JP): A Bold but Risky Acquisition of ABB’s Power Grids
Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP) announced the acquisition of an 80.1% stake in ABB Ltd (ABBN VX)’s power grids business for $6.4 billion. ABB will retain the remaining stake in the divested unit, which is valued at an EV of $11 billion. ABB’s power grids is a global #1 player and makes transformers, long distance electricity-transmission systems and energy storage units.
Setting aside the huge cultural and integration challenges, we believe that Hitachi’s acquisition of ABB’s power grids is a bold but a risky move.
2. Satellite Companies Securing Agreements to Sell C-Band Spectrum
Satellite companies attempting to convince the Federal Communications Commission to allow them to sell C-band spectrum they license from the U.S. have begun talks to secure customers, sources told CTFN.
3. SoftBank Corp IPO Valuation: Bull/Bear Case DCF Scenarios
Softbank Group (9984 JP) is set to raise JPY2.65 trillion ($23.5 billion) through the Softbank Corp (9434 JP) IPO, Japan’s biggest-ever IPO. However, SoftBank Corp’s IPO which is set for 19 December is oversubscribed by less than double, according to press reports. This level of oversubscription is well below blockbuster Japanese stock debuts such as Mercari Inc (4385 JP) and Recruit Holdings (6098 JP).
Based on client discussion on SoftBank Corp’s intrinsic value, we have put together a DCF-based valuation along with scenario analysis. Our conclusion remains the same that SoftBank Corp is overvalued at the proposed IPO price of JPY1,500 per share.
4. Start Your Engines: SoftBank Corp (9434 JP) Is Off to the Races
The price has been set. The book building is done. Like watching a sleek race car aligned on the starting grid, the world eagerly awaits the start of trading for Softbank Corp (9434 JP) on Wednesday, 19 December.
We are also eager to see the stock go live. It’s not only nostalgia for the stock code “9434” to be brought back into the race, but it will be helpful to be able to compare the stock and to gain better insights into the domestic Japanese telecom industry.
That said, the past few weeks have been full of drama, and some of the drama has longer-term implications. In this insight, we take a more detailed look at some of the challenges facing SoftBank Corp. and some of the concerns that may give investors pause, or at least some things to keep in mind, over the months ahead.
Specifically, we look at issues related to:
- Network outages
- Huawei network equipment
- Corporate governance
- Regulatory headwinds
- Competitive threats
5. Last Week’s GER IPO Research: Tencent Music, IPO Trading Strategy Deep Dive, WuXi, Junshi & Xinyi
Another busy week for IPO research from the GER team. This week, we recap the Tencent Music Entertainment (TME US) IPO which we noted is more fairly valued post its day one rally. Secondly, we dig into Chinese domiciled IPOs that are listed in the States and find some interesting trends on maximizing the ‘pop’, knowing when to get out and an assessment of longer-term performance. Arun nails his DCF valuation on WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd. (2359 HK) which closed at his base-case valuation while he recommends getting involved at the low-end for Shanghai Junshi Bioscience Co. Ltd. (1387344D CH) . Finally, Xinyi Energy Holdings Ltd (1671746D HK) spares further wrath as it postpones its IPO – Venkat digs into the reasons why he is cautious on the company.
Quote of the week:
Please note the post-apocalyptical fiction section has been moved to current affairs
– Sign in front of a UK bookstore
Video of the week: Santas hit the slopes in Maine
This is our last wrap of 2018 – we wish you a safe and happy festive period – and we will back in 2019!
Best wishes – Rickin, Venkat and Arun
