Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were on the sceptical side given various signs of trouble at the company. </li>
<li>In contrast the majority of commentary on the deal has been somewhere between positive and euphoric though there are monopoly concerns from customers. </li>
<li>Yet the more we examine the implications the less we like this deal for Microsoft.</li>
</ul>


Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were on the sceptical side given various signs of trouble at the company. 
In contrast the majority of commentary on the deal has been somewhere between positive and euphoric though there are monopoly concerns from customers. 
Yet the more we examine the implications the less we like this deal for Microsoft.


Microsoft – Thinking Through the ATVI Acquisition Further

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

<ul>
<li>A blizzard of cost synergies we conservatively estimate at $500MM from lower distribution commissions, hosting costs, and cutting ATVI's highly paid C-Suite.</li>
<li>Multiple strategic benefits: Catalyzes Microsoft's XCloud streaming game service and Game Pass subscription offering....potentially offers greater leverage for app store negotiations with Apple and Google.</li>
<li>Accretive on valuation alone...MSFT is paying a 10% discount to ATVI's 23x average forward PE from last few years. MSFT's 11x forward P/S vs. ATVI's 5.5x revalues ATVI's revenues 2x.</li>
</ul>


A blizzard of cost synergies we conservatively estimate at $500MM from lower distribution commissions, hosting costs, and cutting ATVI's highly paid C-Suite.
Multiple strategic benefits: Catalyzes Microsoft's XCloud streaming game service and Game Pass subscription offering....potentially offers greater leverage for app store negotiations with Apple and Google.
Accretive on valuation alone...MSFT is paying a 10% discount to ATVI's 23x average forward PE from last few years. MSFT's 11x forward P/S vs. ATVI's 5.5x revalues ATVI's revenues 2x.


Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition Is a Stupendous Deal

<ul>
<li>Microsoft has agreed to acquire Activision Blizzard for $95 per share (+45.3% vs. undisturbed) which values the company at $68.7bn in EV. </li>
<li>ATVI had been under pressure since the middle of last year facing various sexual harassment allegations, but CEO Bobby Kotick will not be replaced. </li>
<li>Like with ZeniMax this deal features a demanding valuation for a number of IPs which have seen better days… but there is Call of Duty…</li>
</ul>


Microsoft has agreed to acquire Activision Blizzard for $95 per share (+45.3% vs. undisturbed) which values the company at $68.7bn in EV. 
ATVI had been under pressure since the middle of last year facing various sexual harassment allegations, but CEO Bobby Kotick will not be replaced. 
Like with ZeniMax this deal features a demanding valuation for a number of IPs which have seen better days… but there is Call of Duty…


Sony - Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Acquisition Shakes Things Up

US/Europe Event-Driven Analyst

John DeMasi

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Microsoft’s largest-ever acquisition provides boost for cloud gaming and metaverse ambitions.</li>
<li>Deal comes as Activision Blizzard’s been mired in gender pay disparity and sexual harassment storm.</li>
<li>Controversial CEO Bobby Kotick to continue in his role as head of Activision Blizzard, though WSJ says otherwise.</li>
</ul>


Microsoft’s largest-ever acquisition provides boost for cloud gaming and metaverse ambitions.
Deal comes as Activision Blizzard’s been mired in gender pay disparity and sexual harassment storm.
Controversial CEO Bobby Kotick to continue in his role as head of Activision Blizzard, though WSJ says otherwise.


Microsoft Got Game! Plans to Buy Activision Blizzard for $95/Share or $68.7 Billion

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Nippon Paint Holdings / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>A group of shareholders of Nippon Paint Holdings, plan to raise around US$1.4bn via selling nearly 6% of the stock.</li>
<li>We covered most aspects of the deal in our previous note, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nippon-paint-holdings-placement-nothing-particularly-exciting-needs-to-correct" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nippon Paint Holdings Placement - Nothing particularly exciting, needs to correct</a>.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the updates and share price movement since then.</li>
</ul>


A group of shareholders of Nippon Paint Holdings, plan to raise around US$1.4bn via selling nearly 6% of the stock.
We covered most aspects of the deal in our previous note, Nippon Paint Holdings Placement - Nothing particularly exciting, needs to correct.
In this note, we will talk about the updates and share price movement since then.


Nippon Paint Placement Quick Update - Better Positioned After Delivering the Largest Correction

Japan

Sony Corporation manufactures audio, home video game consoles, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets.  The Company's other businesses include music, pictures, computer entertainment, and online businesses.

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Sony Corp (6758 JP)

Microsoft – Thinking Through the ATVI Acquisition Further

Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were sceptical in contrast to the majority of commentary on the deal. The more we...

Mio Kato

Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition Is a Stupendous Deal

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision is a homerun by any measure: strategically, financially, and on valuation. We expect the level of synergies...

Aaron Gabin

Sony - Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Acquisition Shakes Things Up

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is a huge move within the context of the gaming industry but we feel its eventual impact will belie...

Mio Kato

Nippon Paint Placement Quick Update - Better Positioned After Delivering the Largest Correction

A group of shareholders of Nippon Paint Holdings, plan to raise around US$1.4bn via selling nearly 6% of the stock. In this note we talk about the...

Sumeet Singh

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Microsoft – Thinking Through the ATVI Acquisition Further

Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were sceptical in contrast to the majority of commentary on the deal. The more we...

Mio Kato

Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition Is a Stupendous Deal

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision is a homerun by any measure: strategically, financially, and on valuation. We expect the level of synergies...

Aaron Gabin

Sony - Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Acquisition Shakes Things Up

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is a huge move within the context of the gaming industry but we feel its eventual impact will belie...

Mio Kato

Microsoft Got Game! Plans to Buy Activision Blizzard for $95/Share or $68.7 Billion

Microsoft 'ain't' playing games. Its planned buy of Activision Blizzard will get regulators' dander up, but the devil's in the detail, and this...

John DeMasi

Nippon Paint Placement Quick Update - Better Positioned After Delivering the Largest Correction

A group of shareholders of Nippon Paint Holdings, plan to raise around US$1.4bn via selling nearly 6% of the stock. In this note we talk about the...

Sumeet Singh