IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

Arun has over 15 years’ experience covering the Technology sector. During this time, he has worked with technology start-ups and as an equity analyst in investment banks and independent research firms. He was formerly a Technology Analyst for Canaccord Genuity, Altium Securities, Espirito Santo Investment Bank, Noble Group and Clear Capital. He has a dual Master’s degree in Financial Engineering and Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He is also a CFA charterholder.

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Woolworths' API Bid Likely to Kick off a Bidding War with Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers’ Revised Bid for API Gains Due Diligence Access

API in Role Reversal as Its Receives a Bid from Sigma

API/Sigma Merger: Sigma Shareholders Need a Better Offer

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Event-Driven

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries / Event-Driven

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU)

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/australian-pharmaceutical-industries-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19399:1" rel="noopener">Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU)</a> is a vertically integrated wholesaler, franchise owner and retailer. API has received a binding proposal and entered a scheme implementation deed (SID) with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wesfarmers-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1104:1" rel="noopener">Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU)</a>. The offer price of A$1.55 per share (unchanged from the 16 September revised indicative offer) is a 35.4% premium to the unaffected price of A$1.145 (9 July).In its full-year results announced on 28 October, API declared a fully franked final dividend of A$0.02 per share to be paid out on 15 December. API will also pay a fully franked special dividend of A$0.03 per share as part of the scheme. The offer price will be reduced by these dividend payouts. As a reminder, API was subject to a contested bid between Wesfarmers and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sigma-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15966:1" rel="noopener">Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU)</a>. On 27 September, API revealed a non-binding indicative offer from Sigma comprising A$0.35 cash and 2.05 Sigma shares per API share. However, on 7 October, Wesfarmers exercised a call option over Washington H Soul Pattinson’s 19.3% stake in API. Subsequently, Sigma withdrew its offer on 5 November “after further assessment and in the context of the competitive bid process with its changing transaction and economic considerations.”The scheme is conditional on API shareholder approval and ACCC approval. The scheme meeting and completion are targeted for the first quarter of 2022.  <div class="content-highlight">We think that Wesfarmers’ offer is reasonable in the context of historical multiples and share prices. Wesfarmers aims to make API the foundation of its new Healthcare division, which will be used as the springboard to grow its presence in the health, wealth and beauty sectors. At the last close price of A$1.54, the gross spread is 0.6% and the annualised spread to the implementation date (end of 1Q) is 1.6%.</div>

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU) is a vertically integrated wholesaler, franchise owner and retailer. API has received a binding proposal and entered a scheme implementation deed (SID) with Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU). The offer price of A$1.55 per share (unchanged from the 16 September revised indicative offer) is a 35.4% premium to the unaffected price of A$1.145 (9 July).In its full-year results announced on 28 October, API declared a fully franked final dividend of A$0.02 per share to be paid out on 15 December. API will also pay a fully franked special dividend of A$0.03 per share as part of the scheme. The offer price will be reduced by these dividend payouts. As a reminder, API was subject to a contested bid between Wesfarmers and Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU). On 27 September, API revealed a non-binding indicative offer from Sigma comprising A$0.35 cash and 2.05 Sigma shares per API share. However, on 7 October, Wesfarmers exercised a call option over Washington H Soul Pattinson’s 19.3% stake in API. Subsequently, Sigma withdrew its offer on 5 November “after further assessment and in the context of the competitive bid process with its changing transaction and economic considerations.”The scheme is conditional on API shareholder approval and ACCC approval. The scheme meeting and completion are targeted for the first quarter of 2022.  We think that Wesfarmers’ offer is reasonable in the context of historical multiples and share prices. Wesfarmers aims to make API the foundation of its new Healthcare division, which will be used as the springboard to grow its presence in the health, wealth and beauty sectors. At the last close price of A$1.54, the gross spread is 0.6% and the annualised spread to the implementation date (end of 1Q) is 1.6%.

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries

API Enters a SID with Wesfarmers