Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>This insight is part of a series of M&amp;A guides our Quiddity* team are publishing to aid investors in understanding the rules, parameters, possibilities, and processes when companies conduct M&amp;A.</li>
<li>The initial guide - <a href="https://skr.ma/iRcDn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quiddity Singapore M&amp;A Guide 2019</a> - was published in April 2019. Since that time, there have been various new developments. </li>
<li>This is an update.These insights are designed to be used as a reference. They are not actionable. For a list of Quiddity M&amp;A Guides, click <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/search?q=%22quiddity%20M%26A%20Guide%22" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</li>
</ul>


This insight is part of a series of M&amp;A guides our Quiddity* team are publishing to aid investors in understanding the rules, parameters, possibilities, and processes when companies conduct M&amp;A.
The initial guide - Quiddity Singapore M&amp;A Guide 2019 - was published in April 2019. Since that time, there have been various new developments. 
This is an update.These insights are designed to be used as a reference. They are not actionable. For a list of Quiddity M&amp;A Guides, click here.


Mandarin Oriental International / Event-Driven

Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP)

<ul>
<li>A sale - partial or otherwise - of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mandarin-oriental-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4773:1" rel="noopener">Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP)</a>'s One Causeway Bay (OCB) was always on the cards. But I didn't see an Offer coming. </li>
<li>Concurrent with the sale of 13 floors of OCB to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd-d7b798e2-202d-4e01-9a1e-799e2ae8f0c7" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson (JM SP)</a> is seeking to take out MAND's minorities at US$3.35/share by way of a Scheme.</li>
<li>That's a 52.3% premium to undisturbed, and a 53.7% premium to NAV. Unlike the 2021 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-strategic-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15081:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Strategic (JS SP)</a> Offer, Matheson is required to abstain from voting on this takeover. </li>
</ul>


A sale - partial or otherwise - of Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP)'s One Causeway Bay (OCB) was always on the cards. But I didn't see an Offer coming. 
Concurrent with the sale of 13 floors of OCB to Alibaba (9988 HK), Jardine Matheson (JM SP) is seeking to take out MAND's minorities at US$3.35/share by way of a Scheme.
That's a 52.3% premium to undisturbed, and a 53.7% premium to NAV. Unlike the 2021 Jardine Strategic (JS SP) Offer, Matheson is required to abstain from voting on this takeover. 


Mandarin Oriental (MAND SP): Matheson's Full Offer

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>DFI Retail’s strategic shift from portfolio investor to focused operator has unlocked over US$900 million, with US$600 million returned to shareholders via a US¢44.3 per share special dividend announced yesterday.</li>
<li>Underlying profit rose 39% in 1HFY2025, driven by lower financing costs and strong performance in the Health &amp; Beauty segment.</li>
<li>On its investor call, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dfi-retail-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7427:1" rel="noopener">DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP)</a> acknowledged sector headwinds and outlined plans for cost control, margin focus, and digital monetisation to offset weak revenue growth.</li>
</ul>


DFI Retail’s strategic shift from portfolio investor to focused operator has unlocked over US$900 million, with US$600 million returned to shareholders via a US¢44.3 per share special dividend announced yesterday.
Underlying profit rose 39% in 1HFY2025, driven by lower financing costs and strong performance in the Health &amp; Beauty segment.
On its investor call, DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP) acknowledged sector headwinds and outlined plans for cost control, margin focus, and digital monetisation to offset weak revenue growth.


DFI Retail (DFI SP): Up 90% in a Year + Special Dividend. Cash Out or Hold Tight?

<ul>
<li>The upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System and the ease of cross-border movements could impact Singapore’s retail sector as more consumers may choose to spend across the border.</li>
<li>DFI Retail CEO cited this as rationale for exiting Singapore based grocery retail business under Cold Storage and Giant's brands. Sheng Siong group said it will carefully monitor this development.</li>
<li>Singapore retail prices for branded consumer discretionary and staples are between 30%-50% higher than in Malaysia. With greater ease of commute and shipping, this price differential may not be sustainable.</li>
</ul>


The upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System and the ease of cross-border movements could impact Singapore’s retail sector as more consumers may choose to spend across the border.
DFI Retail CEO cited this as rationale for exiting Singapore based grocery retail business under Cold Storage and Giant's brands. Sheng Siong group said it will carefully monitor this development.
Singapore retail prices for branded consumer discretionary and staples are between 30%-50% higher than in Malaysia. With greater ease of commute and shipping, this price differential may not be sustainable.


Singapore Retail Sector: Will It Be Impacted by Improved Connectivity with Malaysia?

Jardine Matheson Southeast Asia / Event-Driven

Jardine Matheson Southeast Asia (JCNC SP)

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-cycle-carriage-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:347:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Cycle &amp; Carriage (JCNC SP)</a>'s current implied stub value is around its highest-ever level.</li>
<li>The simple ratio of JCNC/<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/astra-international-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:46:1" rel="noopener">Astra International (ASII IJ)</a> is around its highest level outside the 2008 GFC.</li>
<li>A weak Indonesian rupiah is likely a factor. Still, JCNC is trading rich to its NAV. A takeover from parent <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP)</a> is idealistic.</li>
</ul>



Jardine Cycle &amp; Carriage (JCNC SP)'s current implied stub value is around its highest-ever level.
The simple ratio of JCNC/Astra International (ASII IJ) is around its highest level outside the 2008 GFC.
A weak Indonesian rupiah is likely a factor. Still, JCNC is trading rich to its NAV. A takeover from parent Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP) is idealistic.


Bermuda

Jardine Matheson is a diversified, Asia-focused multinational conglomerate with interests spanning motor vehicles, property investment and development, retail, hotels, engineering, construction, and financial services. It operates through a portfolio of market-leading businesses across Asia. The company was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Hong Kong.

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Jardine Matheson (JM SP)

Quiddity M&A Guide 2026: Singapore

This insight is part of a series of M&A guides our Quiddity* team are publishing to aid investors in understanding the rules, parameters,...

David Blennerhassett

Mandarin Oriental (MAND SP): Matheson's Full Offer

The Scheme Doc is out for MAND. The Court Meeting is the 8th December. As previously noted "the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee, which has...

David Blennerhassett

DFI Retail (DFI SP): Up 90% in a Year + Special Dividend. Cash Out or Hold Tight?

Looking ahead, DFI faces a value-conscious consumer landscape and intense competition. With profit growth expected to moderate to single digits...

Devi Subhakesan

Singapore Retail Sector: Will It Be Impacted by Improved Connectivity with Malaysia?

Singapore's branded consumer retail margins and retail rental yield are at risk when easier border crossing access to Malaysia could prompt more...

Devi Subhakesan

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Is A Short

Jardine Cycle & Carriage's premium to NAV is not justifiable. I'd look to reverse the stub here - Short JCNC, Long Astra.

David Blennerhassett

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