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

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qilu-expressway-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27431:1" rel="noopener">Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK)</a> is an expressway operator with the concession rights to construct and operate the Jihe Expressway, the Deshang Expressway and the Shennan Expressway. Revenue is derived primarily from tolls collected from users of the expressways. Qilu listed its H-shares on 19 July 2018 at HK$2.50 per H-share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,172.12 million ($151 million). </p><p>Due to the completion of the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group on 16 November 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group and Shandong Hi-Speed Investment owned 38.93% and 5.19% of the outstanding shares. Subsequently, public shareholders accounted for 19.81% of the outstanding shares, which falls below the minimum public float requirement. To date, Shandong Hi-Speed Group has failed to address the minimum public float requirement by its fulfilling its plan to dispose of its H-shares to independent third parties.</p><p>Today, Qilu entered a trading halt pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Subsequently, Qilu disclosed that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shandong-hi-speed-co-ltd-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7178:1" rel="noopener">Shandong Hi Speed Co Ltd A (600350 CH)</a> intends to acquire the 778.5 million domestic shares (86.50% of domestic shares, 38.93% of outstanding shares) held by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. Post-completion, Qilu’s direct controlling shareholder will be changed from Shandong Hi-Speed Group to Shandong Hi-Speed which may trigger a mandatory general offer for all the shares under Rule 26.1 of the Takeovers code, unless it is granted a waiver from the Executive. Notably, Shandong Hi-Speed and Shandong Hi-Speed Group will jointly seek a waiver from the Executive.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>We note that on 20 August 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group was granted a waiver from a mandatory general offer by the Executive in relation to the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. In combination with ongoing challenges to satisfy the minimum public float requirement, we would not chase the shares. </p></div>

Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK) is an expressway operator with the concession rights to construct and operate the Jihe Expressway, the Deshang Expressway and the Shennan Expressway. Revenue is derived primarily from tolls collected from users of the expressways. Qilu listed its H-shares on 19 July 2018 at HK$2.50 per H-share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,172.12 million ($151 million). Due to the completion of the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group on 16 November 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group and Shandong Hi-Speed Investment owned 38.93% and 5.19% of the outstanding shares. Subsequently, public shareholders accounted for 19.81% of the outstanding shares, which falls below the minimum public float requirement. To date, Shandong Hi-Speed Group has failed to address the minimum public float requirement by its fulfilling its plan to dispose of its H-shares to independent third parties.Today, Qilu entered a trading halt pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Subsequently, Qilu disclosed that Shandong Hi Speed Co Ltd A (600350 CH) intends to acquire the 778.5 million domestic shares (86.50% of domestic shares, 38.93% of outstanding shares) held by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. Post-completion, Qilu’s direct controlling shareholder will be changed from Shandong Hi-Speed Group to Shandong Hi-Speed which may trigger a mandatory general offer for all the shares under Rule 26.1 of the Takeovers code, unless it is granted a waiver from the Executive. Notably, Shandong Hi-Speed and Shandong Hi-Speed Group will jointly seek a waiver from the Executive.We note that on 20 August 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group was granted a waiver from a mandatory general offer by the Executive in relation to the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. In combination with ongoing challenges to satisfy the minimum public float requirement, we would not chase the shares. 

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure (1052 HK)

Qilu Expressway’s Largest Shareholder Seeks Another MGO Waiver