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.

Event-Driven

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a> is a diversified Australian energy infrastructure business with over $11 billion of electricity and gas network and connection assets. AusNet has received a non-binding indicative offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apa-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18658:1" rel="noopener">APA Group (APA AU)</a>. APA is offering cash and scrip comprising A$1.820 cash and 0.0878 stapled securities in Australian Pipeline Trust and APT Investment Trust per AusNet share. APA’s offer has an implied value of A$2.60 per share (based on APA’s share price on 20 September) and A$2.56 per share (APA’s last close price). </p><p>APA expressed frustration that AusNet had offered Brookfield due diligence access as it lobbed its first A$2.32 cash and scrip offer on 1 September, a day after Brookfield’s first offer of A$2.35 per share and made AusNet aware on 16 September it would return with a revised higher offer. </p><p>As a reminder, AusNet revealed yesterday a conditional, non-binding indicative offer from Brookfield Asset Management for A$2.50 cash per share. The Board announced that it will provide Brookfield exclusive due diligence access. If Brookfield puts forward a binding offer, the Board will also unanimously recommend the offer in the absence of a superior proposal.  </p><p>APA argues that its offer is superior as it is not conditional on FIRB approval, result in synergies (that AusNet shareholders can benefit through the scrip component) and would be only subject to four weeks of due diligence (vs eight weeks for Brookfield). AusNet responded that it offered Brookfield exclusive due diligence as APA’s original offer was inferior (consideration, structure and certainty) and Brookfield’s improved all-cash offer was conditional on exclusive due diligence. AusNet can only engage with APA following the completion of Brookfield’s eight weeks of due diligence. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>AusNet is this year’s first large Australian M&amp;A deal to be contested. Both offers are attractive in terms of historical multiples and share prices. Clearly, the implied value of APA’s offer is less certain and will fluctuate based on APA’s share price. We think that there is another round to this contested takeover battle. At the last close price of A$2.59, AusNet’s shares are trading at a 3.6% premium to Brookfield’s cash offer of A$2.50 and a 1.1% premium to APA’s offer of A$2.56 (based on APA’s last close price).</p></div>

Ausnet Services (AST AU) is a diversified Australian energy infrastructure business with over $11 billion of electricity and gas network and connection assets. AusNet has received a non-binding indicative offer from APA Group (APA AU). APA is offering cash and scrip comprising A$1.820 cash and 0.0878 stapled securities in Australian Pipeline Trust and APT Investment Trust per AusNet share. APA’s offer has an implied value of A$2.60 per share (based on APA’s share price on 20 September) and A$2.56 per share (APA’s last close price). APA expressed frustration that AusNet had offered Brookfield due diligence access as it lobbed its first A$2.32 cash and scrip offer on 1 September, a day after Brookfield’s first offer of A$2.35 per share and made AusNet aware on 16 September it would return with a revised higher offer. As a reminder, AusNet revealed yesterday a conditional, non-binding indicative offer from Brookfield Asset Management for A$2.50 cash per share. The Board announced that it will provide Brookfield exclusive due diligence access. If Brookfield puts forward a binding offer, the Board will also unanimously recommend the offer in the absence of a superior proposal.  APA argues that its offer is superior as it is not conditional on FIRB approval, result in synergies (that AusNet shareholders can benefit through the scrip component) and would be only subject to four weeks of due diligence (vs eight weeks for Brookfield). AusNet responded that it offered Brookfield exclusive due diligence as APA’s original offer was inferior (consideration, structure and certainty) and Brookfield’s improved all-cash offer was conditional on exclusive due diligence. AusNet can only engage with APA following the completion of Brookfield’s eight weeks of due diligence. AusNet is this year’s first large Australian M&amp;A deal to be contested. Both offers are attractive in terms of historical multiples and share prices. Clearly, the implied value of APA’s offer is less certain and will fluctuate based on APA’s share price. We think that there is another round to this contested takeover battle. At the last close price of A$2.59, AusNet’s shares are trading at a 3.6% premium to Brookfield’s cash offer of A$2.50 and a 1.1% premium to APA’s offer of A$2.56 (based on APA’s last close price).

AusNet’s in a Contested Takeover Battle Between Brookfield and APA

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

<p>On 20 September, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a> announced that it had received an unsolicited, indicative, non-binding and conditional proposal from the infrastructure affiliate of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/brookfield-asset-manage-cl-a-0483cfb5-71a5-4931-af80-901e5f30aace" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23741:1" rel="noopener">Brookfield Asset Management (BAM US)</a> to acquire all the shares in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a> via a Scheme of Arrangement at an indicative price of A$2.50/share in cash.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a> finished the day 19.2% higher at A$2.36 on volumes that were nearly 3 times the ADV.</p><p>In a surprising development, earlier today, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apa-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18658:1" rel="noopener">APA Group (APA AU)</a> announced that it has made a non-binding indicative proposal to acquire all the shares in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a> via a Scheme of Arrangement at an indicative price of A$2.60/share in cash and scrip.</p><p>What makes this even more surprising is that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apa-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18658:1" rel="noopener">APA Group (APA AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a> were in discussions earlier. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a> knew that a revised offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apa-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18658:1" rel="noopener">APA Group (APA AU)</a> was forthcoming, yet went ahead and gave Brookfield an 8 week period of exclusivity for due diligence.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apa-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18658:1" rel="noopener">APA Group (APA AU)</a> has clearly laid out why its proposal is superior to the proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/brookfield-asset-manage-cl-a-0483cfb5-71a5-4931-af80-901e5f30aace" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23741:1" rel="noopener">Brookfield Asset Management (BAM US)</a> and this could get interesting with a possibility of even higher bids coming in for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a> is a member of the S&amp;P/ASX 100, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> and S&amp;P/ASX 300 Indices. Once the stock is delisted, it will be replaced in the indices with the highest ranking stocks that are not part of the index. With the wave of ongoing M&amp;A activity, there will be a lot of additions to the indices in the next few months.</p>

On 20 September, Ausnet Services (AST AU) announced that it had received an unsolicited, indicative, non-binding and conditional proposal from the infrastructure affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management (BAM US) to acquire all the shares in Ausnet Services (AST AU) via a Scheme of Arrangement at an indicative price of A$2.50/share in cash.Ausnet Services (AST AU) finished the day 19.2% higher at A$2.36 on volumes that were nearly 3 times the ADV.In a surprising development, earlier today, APA Group (APA AU) announced that it has made a non-binding indicative proposal to acquire all the shares in Ausnet Services (AST AU) via a Scheme of Arrangement at an indicative price of A$2.60/share in cash and scrip.What makes this even more surprising is that APA Group (APA AU) and Ausnet Services (AST AU) were in discussions earlier. Ausnet Services (AST AU) knew that a revised offer from APA Group (APA AU) was forthcoming, yet went ahead and gave Brookfield an 8 week period of exclusivity for due diligence.APA Group (APA AU) has clearly laid out why its proposal is superior to the proposal from Brookfield Asset Management (BAM US) and this could get interesting with a possibility of even higher bids coming in for Ausnet Services (AST AU).Ausnet Services (AST AU) is a member of the S&amp;P/ASX 100, S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) and S&amp;P/ASX 300 Indices. Once the stock is delisted, it will be replaced in the indices with the highest ranking stocks that are not part of the index. With the wave of ongoing M&amp;A activity, there will be a lot of additions to the indices in the next few months.

AusNet (AST AU): Bidding War Between Brookfield & APA Brewing?

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<div>
<p>Yesterday Victorian electricity operator <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">AusNet Services (AST AU)</a>  <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02423286-3A576179?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it would open its books to Brookfield after receiving a revised non-binding Offer of A$2.50/share. It is understood Brookfield made a A$2.35/share Offer on the 30 August, followed by $2.45/share, before all parties settled on $2.50/share.</p>
<p>As it turns out, according to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apa-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18658:1" rel="noopener">APA Group (APA AU)</a>, APA had approached AusNet with a non-binding proposal of A$2.32 on the 1 September, and that APA had made AusNet aware last Thursday (16 September) it intended to make a revised proposal.</p>
<p>APA sounded out AusNet’s major shareholders prior to its initial approach, and that APA understood Singapore Power was supportive of APA and AusNet engaging in discussions. APA had also discussed the initial proposal directly with State Grid. </p>
<p>Seems someone didn't get the memo.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>APA is disappointed that AusNet has purported to enter into a period of exclusivity with Brookfield for effectively eight weeks, notwithstanding AusNet’s knowledge of the pending revised, and potentially superior proposal, from APA.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<p>The "superior proposal", <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02423895-2A1324638?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> this morning, is a non-binding indicative Offer by way of a Scheme for A$2.60/share in cash and scrip.</p>
<p>Apart from the higher price, APA's Offer enables AusNet shareholders to participate in the back-end via APA scrip, plus there is no FIRB conditionality.</p>
<p>In addition, APA would only require 4 weeks of due diligence, compared to seven to eight weeks for Brookfield.</p>
<p>For now, APA will have to sit tight until the completion of Brookfield's exclusive due diligence. APA's proposal is conditional on AusNet granting due diligence access by the 28 September. </p>
</div>
<div>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
</div>


Yesterday Victorian electricity operator AusNet Services (AST AU)  announced it would open its books to Brookfield after receiving a revised non-binding Offer of A$2.50/share. It is understood Brookfield made a A$2.35/share Offer on the 30 August, followed by $2.45/share, before all parties settled on $2.50/share.
As it turns out, according to APA Group (APA AU), APA had approached AusNet with a non-binding proposal of A$2.32 on the 1 September, and that APA had made AusNet aware last Thursday (16 September) it intended to make a revised proposal.
APA sounded out AusNet’s major shareholders prior to its initial approach, and that APA understood Singapore Power was supportive of APA and AusNet engaging in discussions. APA had also discussed the initial proposal directly with State Grid. 
Seems someone didn't get the memo.

APA is disappointed that AusNet has purported to enter into a period of exclusivity with Brookfield for effectively eight weeks, notwithstanding AusNet’s knowledge of the pending revised, and potentially superior proposal, from APA.



The "superior proposal", announced this morning, is a non-binding indicative Offer by way of a Scheme for A$2.60/share in cash and scrip.
Apart from the higher price, APA's Offer enables AusNet shareholders to participate in the back-end via APA scrip, plus there is no FIRB conditionality.
In addition, APA would only require 4 weeks of due diligence, compared to seven to eight weeks for Brookfield.
For now, APA will have to sit tight until the completion of Brookfield's exclusive due diligence. APA's proposal is conditional on AusNet granting due diligence access by the 28 September. 


More below the fold.


AusNet Services (AST AU): Spurned APA Trumps Brookfield's Proposal

<p>Victorian electricity operator <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">AusNet Services (AST AU)</a> has <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02423286-3A576179?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it will open its books to Brookfield after receiving a revised non-binding Offer of A$2.50/share, up from A$2.35 initially. The cash consideration will be reduced to the extent of any dividends paid. </p>
<p>The due diligence is on an exclusive basis. If a firm Offer is tabled, AusNet's board will unanimously recommend the proposal to its shareholders.</p>
<p>A firm bid will be subject to FIRB and shareholder approval. Neither Singapore Power nor China's State Grid  - AusNet's two largest shareholders - have made their intentions known as to the proposal.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Following careful consideration, and consultation with its advisers, the board of AusNet considers that it is in the best interests of AusNet’s shareholders to engage further with Brookfield on the indicative proposal.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Offer price is full. Assuming Singapore Power and the State Grid are supportive, this is a done deal.</p>
<p>More below the fold.</p>

Victorian electricity operator AusNet Services (AST AU) has announced it will open its books to Brookfield after receiving a revised non-binding Offer of A$2.50/share, up from A$2.35 initially. The cash consideration will be reduced to the extent of any dividends paid. 
The due diligence is on an exclusive basis. If a firm Offer is tabled, AusNet's board will unanimously recommend the proposal to its shareholders.
A firm bid will be subject to FIRB and shareholder approval. Neither Singapore Power nor China's State Grid  - AusNet's two largest shareholders - have made their intentions known as to the proposal.

Following careful consideration, and consultation with its advisers, the board of AusNet considers that it is in the best interests of AusNet’s shareholders to engage further with Brookfield on the indicative proposal.

The Offer price is full. Assuming Singapore Power and the State Grid are supportive, this is a done deal.
More below the fold.

AusNet Services (AST AU) Opens Its Books to Brookfield

<div>
<p>Just under two weeks after <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02395702-2A1310049?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejecting</a> two take-private proposals from KKR and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTPPB), Aussie poles and wires company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/spark-infrastructure-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:595:1" rel="noopener">Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU)</a> announced <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02399952-2A1312120?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support</a> for the Consortium's improved proposal of $2.95/share. The Offer was up from the initial Offer of $2.70/share. Due diligence was subsequently afforded.</p>
<p>On the 10 August, Spark <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02405270-2A1314740?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received</a> a request from the Consortium to engage with Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), Canada's largest pension investment managers.  OTTPB and KKR said their interest in Spark is not contingent on PSP receiving all internal and external approvals to participate in the Consortium's revised Offer.</p>
<p>A firm Offer has now been <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02409984-2A1317108?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tabled</a> and a SID entered into with KKR, OTTPB, and PSP. The terms remain the same. Spark's board unanimously recommends the Offer. The Scheme Meeting is expected to be held by the end of 2021.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>As discussed in <em><a href="https://skr.ma/LdjsX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU): KKR &amp; OTPPB Pay Up</a></em>, $2.95/share appeared a full price. This looks done to me.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
</div>


Just under two weeks after rejecting two take-private proposals from KKR and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTPPB), Aussie poles and wires company Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU) announced support for the Consortium's improved proposal of $2.95/share. The Offer was up from the initial Offer of $2.70/share. Due diligence was subsequently afforded.
On the 10 August, Spark received a request from the Consortium to engage with Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), Canada's largest pension investment managers.  OTTPB and KKR said their interest in Spark is not contingent on PSP receiving all internal and external approvals to participate in the Consortium's revised Offer.
A firm Offer has now been tabled and a SID entered into with KKR, OTTPB, and PSP. The terms remain the same. Spark's board unanimously recommends the Offer. The Scheme Meeting is expected to be held by the end of 2021.


As discussed in Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU): KKR &amp; OTPPB Pay Up, $2.95/share appeared a full price. This looks done to me.


More below the fold.


Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU): KKR/OTPPB/PSP's Firm Offer

Australia

APA Group is a natural gas infrastructure company. The Company owns and or operates gas transmission and distribution assets whose pipelines span every state and territory in mainland Australia. APA Group also holds minority interests in energy infrastructure enterprises.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

APA Group (APA AU)

AusNet’s in a Contested Takeover Battle Between Brookfield and APA

AusNet is this year’s first large Australian M&A deal to be contested. We think that there is another round to this contested takeover battle...

Arun George

AusNet (AST AU): Bidding War Between Brookfield & APA Brewing?

Yesterday, Brookfield made an offer for AusNet at A$2.5/share in cash. Today, APA Group made an offer at A$2.6/share in cash + scrip. This could go...

Brian Freitas

AusNet Services (AST AU): Spurned APA Trumps Brookfield's Proposal

Assuming APA is granted DD - after the completion of Brookfield's - this transaction may drag into 2Q22. You have two large players in the mix. I...

David Blennerhassett

AusNet Services (AST AU) Opens Its Books to Brookfield

Assuming an estimated effective date towards the end of March 2022 - today's close is around a gross/annualised return of 5.9%/11.6%. Not bad....

David Blennerhassett

Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU): KKR/OTPPB/PSP's Firm Offer

Trading tight at a 2.0%/6.6% gross/annualised spread. Franking credits may add up to an additional A$0.05/share to those shareholders who can take...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)