IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

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.

Equity Capital Markets

Taimee, Inc. develops software products. The Company produces internet media softwares, application programs, and other products. Taimee also provides marketing, brand promotion, and other services.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/timee-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43690:1" rel="noopener">Timee Inc (215A JP)</a>, a leading part-time job platform in Japan, is seeking to raise up to US$286 million. Book-building runs from 9 to 23 July.   </li>
<li>Timee's app allows users to work shifts as short as one hour at restaurants, convenience stores, and hotels, with quick payment for their work.   </li>
<li>The bull case rests on favourable market trends, best-in-class revenue growth, good retention rates, credible growth drivers, and top-quartile EBITDA margins.</li>
</ul>



Timee Inc (215A JP), a leading part-time job platform in Japan, is seeking to raise up to US$286 million. Book-building runs from 9 to 23 July.   
Timee's app allows users to work shifts as short as one hour at restaurants, convenience stores, and hotels, with quick payment for their work.   
The bull case rests on favourable market trends, best-in-class revenue growth, good retention rates, credible growth drivers, and top-quartile EBITDA margins.


Event-Driven

L'Occitane International S.A. is a global, natural and organic ingredient based cosmetics and well-being products enterprise.  The Company designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of cosmetics and well-being products based on natural and organic ingredients sourced principally from or near Provence.

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> IFA opines that Reinold Geiger’s conditional voluntary cash (HK$34.00) or scrip offer (10 rollover shares for each share, subject to a cap) is fair and reasonable.</li>
<li>Irrevocable/Letters of support have nudged lower from 49.83% (17 June) to 47.66% of disinterested shares due to Southeastern Asset Management selling its shares. </li>
<li>Nevertheless, the scrip option, an attractive offer and no vocal opposition should facilitate achieving the minimum acceptance condition. At the last close, the gross spread was 2.4%.</li>
</ul>


The L'Occitane (973 HK) IFA opines that Reinold Geiger’s conditional voluntary cash (HK$34.00) or scrip offer (10 rollover shares for each share, subject to a cap) is fair and reasonable.
Irrevocable/Letters of support have nudged lower from 49.83% (17 June) to 47.66% of disinterested shares due to Southeastern Asset Management selling its shares. 
Nevertheless, the scrip option, an attractive offer and no vocal opposition should facilitate achieving the minimum acceptance condition. At the last close, the gross spread was 2.4%.


L’Occitane (973 HK): Conditional Offer Opens

Hollysys Automation Technologies / Event-Driven

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. manufactures automation and control systems.  The Company produces process, industrial, rail and subway, and nuclear power plant automation equipment.

Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)

<ul>
<li>Six months after announcing a binding proposal, Ascendent has <a href="https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=101533&amp;ref=318426662&amp;type=PDF&amp;symbol=HOLI&amp;cdn=3467fa76f096a159d60e77540b09d977&amp;companyName=Hollysys+Automation+Technologies+Ltd.&amp;formType=SC+13D%2FA&amp;dateFiled=2024-07-01" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obtained</a> all the Chinese regulatory approvals for its US$26.50 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> offer. </li>
<li>The gross spread was wide due to the information vacuum, which has resulted in various conspiracy theories and rumours circulating.</li>
<li>The two remaining conditions required for close are the maximum dissenting cap (should be waived) and minimum net cash condition (satisfied). At the last close, the gross spread was 22.5%.</li>
</ul>


Six months after announcing a binding proposal, Ascendent has obtained all the Chinese regulatory approvals for its US$26.50 Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) offer. 
The gross spread was wide due to the information vacuum, which has resulted in various conspiracy theories and rumours circulating.
The two remaining conditions required for close are the maximum dissenting cap (should be waived) and minimum net cash condition (satisfied). At the last close, the gross spread was 22.5%.


Hollysys (HOLI US): Ascendent Finally Obtains Regulatory Approvals

Sanil Electric Co., Ltd. operates electrical equipment manufacturing businesses. The Company produces oil-immersed transformers, cast resin transformers, dry-type transformers, reactors, and other products. Sanil Electric conducts businesses in South Korea.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sanil-electric-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43687:1" rel="noopener">Sanil Electric (062040 KS)</a>, a Korean industrial transformer manufacturer, is seeking to raise up to US$165 million.</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sanil-electric-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:150440" rel="noopener">Sanil Electric IPO: The Bull Case</a>, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.</li>
<li>The bear case rests on rapidly slowing growth, high customer concentration, mid-tier revenue growth and mid-tier FCF margin compared to peers.</li>
</ul>



Sanil Electric (062040 KS), a Korean industrial transformer manufacturer, is seeking to raise up to US$165 million.
In Sanil Electric IPO: The Bull Case, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.
The bear case rests on rapidly slowing growth, high customer concentration, mid-tier revenue growth and mid-tier FCF margin compared to peers.


Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc develops and produces drugs. The Company develops and produces monoclonal antibody biosimilar drugs, bio betters, novel monoclonal antibodys, and other drugs. Shanghai Henlius Biotech throughout China.

<ul>
<li>We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>Highest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yichang-hec-changjiang-pharmaceutical" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21040:1" rel="noopener">Yichang HEC Changjiang Pharma (1558 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-traditional-chinese-medicine" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:351:1" rel="noopener">China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ansarada-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30718:1" rel="noopener">Ansarada Group Ltd (AND AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asia-cement-china-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3374:1" rel="noopener">Asia Cement China (743 HK)</a>. 
</li>
<li>Lowest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/great-eastern-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13993:1" rel="noopener">Great Eastern Holdings (GE SP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tatsuta-electric-wire-cable-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12509:1" rel="noopener">Tatsuta Electric Wire &amp; Cable (5809 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/infocom-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8412:1" rel="noopener">Infocom Corp (4348 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kfc-holdings-japan-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12358:1" rel="noopener">Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP)</a>.
</li>
</ul>


We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.
Highest spreads: Yichang HEC Changjiang Pharma (1558 HK), China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK), Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US), Ansarada Group Ltd (AND AU), Asia Cement China (743 HK). 

Lowest spreads: Fancl Corp (4921 JP), Great Eastern Holdings (GE SP), Tatsuta Electric Wire &amp; Cable (5809 JP), Infocom Corp (4348 JP), Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP).



Merger Arb Mondays (01 Jul) - Henlius, China TCM, GA Pack, CPMC, Asia Cement, Great Eastern

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.