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

Dingdong IPO Initiation: An Arms Race Is Brewing

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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.

Equity Capital Markets

WM Tech Corporation / Equity Capital Markets

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wm-tech-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32976:1" rel="noopener">WM Tech Corporation (WMT HK)</a> is a leading fresh food and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) retailer in China through the Wumart and Metro China brands. It is the largest premium store-based fresh food and FMCG retailer in China with a 19.5% market share as measured by sales in 2020, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. WM Tech counts <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lenovo-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13359:1" rel="noopener">Lenovo (992 HK)</a> as shareholders. WM Tech has filed for an HKEx IPO to raise potentially $1 billion, according to press reports.  </p><p>The confusing “WM Tech” holdco name is to emphasise that the proprietary technology platform (WDOS) is a key differentiation from other players in an increasingly competitive market. The technology platform is claimed to provide a unified data loop between the online and offline channels to maximize operational efficiency and greatly improve the shopping experience. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>The full adoption of this technology platform is viewed as the key to delivering synergies from the April 2020 acquisition of Metro China from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/metro-ag" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21673:1" rel="noopener">METRO AG (MEO GR)</a>. While WM Tech is not the only store-based retailer with a complete technology platform, Wumart’s performance suggests that there is some merit in the claim of technology differentiation. Overall, we believe that WM Tech’s fundamentals offer more positives than negatives.</p></div>

WM Tech Corporation (WMT HK) is a leading fresh food and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) retailer in China through the Wumart and Metro China brands. It is the largest premium store-based fresh food and FMCG retailer in China with a 19.5% market share as measured by sales in 2020, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. WM Tech counts Tencent Holdings (700 HK) and Lenovo (992 HK) as shareholders. WM Tech has filed for an HKEx IPO to raise potentially $1 billion, according to press reports.  The confusing “WM Tech” holdco name is to emphasise that the proprietary technology platform (WDOS) is a key differentiation from other players in an increasingly competitive market. The technology platform is claimed to provide a unified data loop between the online and offline channels to maximize operational efficiency and greatly improve the shopping experience. The full adoption of this technology platform is viewed as the key to delivering synergies from the April 2020 acquisition of Metro China from METRO AG (MEO GR). While WM Tech is not the only store-based retailer with a complete technology platform, Wumart’s performance suggests that there is some merit in the claim of technology differentiation. Overall, we believe that WM Tech’s fundamentals offer more positives than negatives.

WM Tech Corporation

WM Tech IPO Initiation: Food for Thought