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

<ul>
<li>In response to media reports, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/appen-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15825:1" rel="noopener">Appen Ltd (APX AU)</a> disclosed a non-binding indicative proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/telus-international-cda-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35398:1" rel="noopener">Telus International (TIXT US)</a> at A$9.50, a 48.4% premium to the undisturbed price of A$6.40.</li>
<li>Appen also announced a weak trading update. The 1HFY22 EBITDA is expected to be materially lower than the comparable period due to the lower revenue and the ongoing investment. </li>
<li>Subsequently, Appen noted that Telus revoked its indicative proposal. No reason was given for the decision. Nevertheless, Appen’s depressed share price will continue to attract suitors. </li>
</ul>


In response to media reports, Appen Ltd (APX AU) disclosed a non-binding indicative proposal from Telus International (TIXT US) at A$9.50, a 48.4% premium to the undisturbed price of A$6.40.
Appen also announced a weak trading update. The 1HFY22 EBITDA is expected to be materially lower than the comparable period due to the lower revenue and the ongoing investment. 
Subsequently, Appen noted that Telus revoked its indicative proposal. No reason was given for the decision. Nevertheless, Appen’s depressed share price will continue to attract suitors. 


Telus Revokes It’s A$9.50 Bid for Appen

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

The bidding for companies in Australia's technology sector continues.
Trading and wealth management software provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iress-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15342:1" rel="noopener">Iress Ltd (IRE AU)</a> <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02400486-3A571606?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> this morning it had received a confidential, unsolicited, non-binding, and indicative proposal from Swedish PE outfit EQT Fund Management via a Scheme of Arrangement at a price range of between A$15.30 and A$15.50 cash per share.
EQT had previously fielded an Offer of A$14.80/share on the 18 June.
Iress' board unanimously concluded that the Proposal was "conditional and did not represent compelling value for Iress shareholders". But the board was:
<blockquote>
prepared to provide it with access to limited non-public information so EQT can develop a proposal that is capable of being recommended to shareholders.
</blockquote>
Iress closed up 15% today, but still 7% below the mid-point of the Indicative Offer price range.
<div>
As always, more below the fold.
</div>

The bidding for companies in Australia's technology sector continues.
Trading and wealth management software provider Iress Ltd (IRE AU) announced this morning it had received a confidential, unsolicited, non-binding, and indicative proposal from Swedish PE outfit EQT Fund Management via a Scheme of Arrangement at a price range of between A$15.30 and A$15.50 cash per share.
EQT had previously fielded an Offer of A$14.80/share on the 18 June.
Iress' board unanimously concluded that the Proposal was "conditional and did not represent compelling value for Iress shareholders". But the board was:

prepared to provide it with access to limited non-public information so EQT can develop a proposal that is capable of being recommended to shareholders.

Iress closed up 15% today, but still 7% below the mid-point of the Indicative Offer price range.

As always, more below the fold.


<div>
The takeovers of Aussie tech companies continue. 
On the 7 June, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/altium-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18626:1" rel="noopener">Altium Ltd (ALU AU)</a>, a global software company, <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02382370-2A1302312?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed and subsequently rejected</a> a non-binding proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/autodesk-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13211:1" rel="noopener">Autodesk Inc (ADSK US)</a> - discussed in <a href="https://skr.ma/we6mt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Altium Ltd (ALU) Rebuffs Autodesk Offer</a>. This was followed on the same day by  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hansen-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12633:1" rel="noopener">Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)</a>, a provider of software and services globally, <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02382235-3A568452?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing</a> Australian PE outfit BGH Capital had made a non-binding conditional proposal - see <a href="https://skr.ma/pAK5Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)'s Assured Deal With BGH</a>.
Now <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rhipe-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19128:1" rel="noopener">rhipe Ltd (RHP AU)</a>, a provider of cloud-based subscription software-as-a-service licenses,  has <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02390415-3A569823?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a non-binding indicative proposal from Norway's Crayon Group Holdings. 
The proposal is conditional on rhipe having a net cash position of A$31mn at the close of the Offer.
A final binding Offer is conditional on due diligence, the unanimous recommendation from rhipe's board, and no MACs.
rhipe has provided Crayon with limited confirmatory due diligence on a  non-exclusive basis.
The Offer price appears opportunistic and is currently trading through terms. 
 More below the fold. 
</div>
<div>

</div>


The takeovers of Aussie tech companies continue. 
On the 7 June, Altium Ltd (ALU AU), a global software company, confirmed and subsequently rejected a non-binding proposal from Autodesk Inc (ADSK US) - discussed in Altium Ltd (ALU) Rebuffs Autodesk Offer. This was followed on the same day by  Hansen Technologies (HSN AU), a provider of software and services globally, announcing Australian PE outfit BGH Capital had made a non-binding conditional proposal - see Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)'s Assured Deal With BGH.
Now rhipe Ltd (RHP AU), a provider of cloud-based subscription software-as-a-service licenses,  has announced a non-binding indicative proposal from Norway's Crayon Group Holdings. 
The proposal is conditional on rhipe having a net cash position of A$31mn at the close of the Offer.
A final binding Offer is conditional on due diligence, the unanimous recommendation from rhipe's board, and no MACs.
rhipe has provided Crayon with limited confirmatory due diligence on a  non-exclusive basis.
The Offer price appears opportunistic and is currently trading through terms. 
 More below the fold. 





Rhipe (RHP AU): Crayon Sees Silver in Them Thar Clouds

Yesterday <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hansen-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12633:1" rel="noopener">Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)</a>, a provider of software and services globally, <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02382235-3A568452?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> Australian PE outfit BGH Capital had made a non-binding conditional proposal valuing the company at $1.3bn.
<div>
The A$6.50/share cash offer by way of a Scheme, is a 25% premium to last close and a 33% premium to the one-month VWAP.
</div>
Andrew Hansen, the company's MD and CEO, has agreed to vote his 17.5% stake in favour of a firm deal. Due diligence, which is expected to take around six weeks, has been granted on an exclusive basis.
Other directors, including David Osborn and Bruce Adam, also intend to unanimously recommend the proposal to shareholders - subject to Hansen and BGH entering into a binding Scheme Implementation Deed.
This looks done.
More below the fold.

Yesterday Hansen Technologies (HSN AU), a provider of software and services globally, announced Australian PE outfit BGH Capital had made a non-binding conditional proposal valuing the company at $1.3bn.

The A$6.50/share cash offer by way of a Scheme, is a 25% premium to last close and a 33% premium to the one-month VWAP.

Andrew Hansen, the company's MD and CEO, has agreed to vote his 17.5% stake in favour of a firm deal. Due diligence, which is expected to take around six weeks, has been granted on an exclusive basis.
Other directors, including David Osborn and Bruce Adam, also intend to unanimously recommend the proposal to shareholders - subject to Hansen and BGH entering into a binding Scheme Implementation Deed.
This looks done.
More below the fold.

Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)'s Assured Deal With BGH

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/altium-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18626:1" rel="noopener">Altium Ltd (ALU AU)</a>, a global software company, <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02382370-2A1302312?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed and subsequently rejected</a> a non-binding proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/autodesk-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13211:1" rel="noopener">Autodesk Inc (ADSK US)</a>.
The A$38.50/share cash offer by way of a Scheme, was a 41.5% premium to last close and a 47.4% premium to the one-month VWAP.
The indicative proposal was subject to a number of conditions including due diligence, Altium board support, the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, and no material adverse changes.
Concerning the offer, Altium said:
<blockquote>
[Altium] considers the Proposal significantly undervalues Altium's prospects and therefore rejects the Proposal at the current price. Altium has a unique position in the electronics  ecosystem and in the past unsolicited acquisition interest has developed from partnership dialogues with others in the ecosystem.
</blockquote>
Shares closed today at $36.78, up more than 35%.
More below the fold.

Altium Ltd (ALU AU), a global software company, confirmed and subsequently rejected a non-binding proposal from Autodesk Inc (ADSK US).
The A$38.50/share cash offer by way of a Scheme, was a 41.5% premium to last close and a 47.4% premium to the one-month VWAP.
The indicative proposal was subject to a number of conditions including due diligence, Altium board support, the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, and no material adverse changes.
Concerning the offer, Altium said:

[Altium] considers the Proposal significantly undervalues Altium's prospects and therefore rejects the Proposal at the current price. Altium has a unique position in the electronics  ecosystem and in the past unsolicited acquisition interest has developed from partnership dialogues with others in the ecosystem.

Shares closed today at $36.78, up more than 35%.
More below the fold.

Australia

Altium Limited develops electronic design automation (EDA) software for the Microsoft Windows operating system.  Altium's products facilitate and aid in the design of electronic products such as printed circuit boards.  The Group's products are utilized by telecommunications, automotive, defense, science and consumer electronics industries.

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Altium Ltd (ALU AU)

Telus Revokes It’s A$9.50 Bid for Appen

Telus pulled its A$9.50 indicative offer likely due to the weak trading update. Nevertheless, Appen’s depressed share price will continue to...

Arun George

Iress (ASX AU) Bats Away EQT - For Now

I would be picking Iress up on any weakness. This space is attracting a lot of interested parties. However, this is still a non-binding situation.

David Blennerhassett

Rhipe (RHP AU): Crayon Sees Silver in Them Thar Clouds

The granting of DD indicates Rhipe is open to a firm offer, yet the non-exclusive nature of that DD suggests other suitors are welcome. I'd be...

David Blennerhassett

Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)'s Assured Deal With BGH

Assuming six weeks for DD to compete and a SID to be entered into, this could be wrapped up late Nov. That suggests this is trading at a gross...

David Blennerhassett

Altium Ltd (ALU) Rebuffs Autodesk Offer

Altium is clearly in play, and optically, Autodesk's bid appears opportunistic in the face of Covid and Altium's restructuring. An offer north of...

David Blennerhassett

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