Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>First, EQT, then CVC joined, in a A$45/share NBIO for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aub-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11179:1" rel="noopener">AUB (AUB AU)</a>, an insurance "matchmaker": <a href="https://skr.ma/J2CwJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CVC Joins EQT In Pursuit Of AUB Group (AUB AU)</a>. Talks <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20251201/pdf/06sr2bsh6yv802.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ceased</a> this week. </li>
<li>Reportedly, AUB’s larger insurance rival, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/steadfast-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8181:1" rel="noopener">Steadfast (SDF AU)</a>, is now attracting PE interest, such as Blackstone.</li>
<li>Steadfast is down ~25% from its recent high following a workplace complaint towards CEO/MD/founder Robert Kelly - now concluded on "a confidential basis", with Kelly resuming his roles. </li>
</ul>


First, EQT, then CVC joined, in a A$45/share NBIO for AUB (AUB AU), an insurance "matchmaker": CVC Joins EQT In Pursuit Of AUB Group (AUB AU). Talks ceased this week. 
Reportedly, AUB’s larger insurance rival, Steadfast (SDF AU), is now attracting PE interest, such as Blackstone.
Steadfast is down ~25% from its recent high following a workplace complaint towards CEO/MD/founder Robert Kelly - now concluded on "a confidential basis", with Kelly resuming his roles. 


Steadfast (SDF AU): Suitors Circle As Share Price Languishes After Internal Complaint

<ul>
<li>On the 26th September, precision parts manufacturer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/spindex-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17868:1" rel="noopener">Spindex Industries (SPE SP)</a> announced an Offer, by way of a Scheme, from the Tan Family, Spindex's controlling shareholder, with 74.95%.</li>
<li>The Tan's offered S$1.43/share, an okay 27.7% premium to undisturbed; but a decade-high price. A A$0.02/share was also bolted on (&amp; now paid). No competing Offer will emerge.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Spindex_Scheme%20Document.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=868915" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Scheme Booklet is now out,</a> with a Scheme Meeting on the 18th December, and expected payment on the 11th Feb 2026. The IFA (Evolve Capital) says "fair &amp; reasonable".</li>
</ul>


On the 26th September, precision parts manufacturer Spindex Industries (SPE SP) announced an Offer, by way of a Scheme, from the Tan Family, Spindex's controlling shareholder, with 74.95%.
The Tan's offered S$1.43/share, an okay 27.7% premium to undisturbed; but a decade-high price. A A$0.02/share was also bolted on (&amp; now paid). No competing Offer will emerge.

The Scheme Booklet is now out, with a Scheme Meeting on the 18th December, and expected payment on the 11th Feb 2026. The IFA (Evolve Capital) says "fair &amp; reasonable".


Spindex Inds (SPE SP): 18th Dec Vote On MBO

<ul>
<li>The gold rush continues with another Canadian outfit bidding to take over an Aussie-listed West African gold play. </li>
<li>Junior miner <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/african-gold-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29028:1" rel="noopener">African Gold (A1G AU)</a>has entered into a Scheme with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/montage-gold-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43368:1" rel="noopener">Montage Gold (MAU CN)</a>. African Gold shareholders will receive 0.0628 new MAU shares for every A1G share.</li>
<li>That backs out an implied value of A$0.50/share. Independent directors, holding 11.6% of shares out, are supportive. Montage holds 17.3%. Clean deal.</li>
</ul>


The gold rush continues with another Canadian outfit bidding to take over an Aussie-listed West African gold play. 
Junior miner African Gold (A1G AU)has entered into a Scheme with Montage Gold (MAU CN). African Gold shareholders will receive 0.0628 new MAU shares for every A1G share.
That backs out an implied value of A$0.50/share. Independent directors, holding 11.6% of shares out, are supportive. Montage holds 17.3%. Clean deal.


African Gold Ltd (A1G AU) Enters Scheme With Montage Gold (MAU CN)

<ul>
<li>For November 2025, eight new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma (by the Quiddity team) with an overall announced deal size of ~US$10bn.</li>
<li>The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in November was ~31%, with a year-to-date average of ~48%.</li>
<li>The average premiums for transactions in 2024 (129 transactions), 2023 (117), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) were 43%, 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31%.</li>
</ul>


For November 2025, eight new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma (by the Quiddity team) with an overall announced deal size of ~US$10bn.
The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in November was ~31%, with a year-to-date average of ~48%.
The average premiums for transactions in 2024 (129 transactions), 2023 (117), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) were 43%, 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31%.


(Mostly) Asia M&A, Nov 2025 Wrap: Qube, Forum Engineering, National Storage REIT, Star Micronics

<ul>
<li>I tally 35 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Those arbs metrics and upcoming events are detailed below.</li>
<li>Three new deals were  discussed on Smartkarma this week: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qube-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:958:1" rel="noopener">Qube Holdings (QUB AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monash-ivf-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18130:1" rel="noopener">Monash IVF (MVF AU)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/national-storage-reit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13762:1" rel="noopener">National Storage REIT (NSR AU)</a>.</li>
<li>Key updates/news also took place on: <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://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ane-cayman-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35025:1" rel="noopener">ANE Cayman Inc (9956 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/digital-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1697:1" rel="noopener">Digital Holdings Inc (2389 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grindr-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:37106:1" rel="noopener">Grindr (GRND US)</a>.</li>
</ul>


I tally 35 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Those arbs metrics and upcoming events are detailed below.
Three new deals were  discussed on Smartkarma this week: Qube Holdings (QUB AU), Monash IVF (MVF AU), and National Storage REIT (NSR AU).
Key updates/news also took place on: Iress Ltd (IRE AU), ANE Cayman Inc (9956 HK), Digital Holdings Inc (2389 JP), and Grindr (GRND US).


Asia-Pac M&A Weekly Wrap: Mandom, Monash IVF, National Storage REIT, Iress, Digital Holdings, Grindr

Australia

AUB Group Limited provides financial services. The Company offers equity-based risk management, insurance broking, and specialist underwriting agencies, as well as focuses on risk solutions for clients and strengthening our partners risk advisory capabilities.

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AUB Group Limited (AUB AU)

Spindex Inds (SPE SP): 18th Dec Vote On MBO

Clean deal. Trading at 1.4%/7.7% gross/annualised. If small, illiquid arbs are your thing, and not in, it may be worth a punt. Otherwise look...

David Blennerhassett

African Gold Ltd (A1G AU) Enters Scheme With Montage Gold (MAU CN)

As this is a cross-border trade, you could try to go short MAU late in its trading day; long African Gold, early in its trading day; however the...

David Blennerhassett

(Mostly) Asia M&A, Nov 2025 Wrap: Qube, Forum Engineering, National Storage REIT, Star Micronics

For the month of November, 8 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall deal size of ~US$10bn. The average premium for the new deals...

David Blennerhassett

Asia-Pac M&A Weekly Wrap: Mandom, Monash IVF, National Storage REIT, Iress, Digital Holdings, Grindr

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett

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52-week Range

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Steadfast (SDF AU): Suitors Circle As Share Price Languishes After Internal Complaint

There is, as yet, no Offer. Steadfast's share price has failed to recover from the internal complaint. EQTCVC walking from AUB does no favours....

David Blennerhassett

Spindex Inds (SPE SP): 18th Dec Vote On MBO

Clean deal. Trading at 1.4%/7.7% gross/annualised. If small, illiquid arbs are your thing, and not in, it may be worth a punt. Otherwise look...

David Blennerhassett

African Gold Ltd (A1G AU) Enters Scheme With Montage Gold (MAU CN)

As this is a cross-border trade, you could try to go short MAU late in its trading day; long African Gold, early in its trading day; however the...

David Blennerhassett

(Mostly) Asia M&A, Nov 2025 Wrap: Qube, Forum Engineering, National Storage REIT, Star Micronics

For the month of November, 8 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall deal size of ~US$10bn. The average premium for the new deals...

David Blennerhassett

Asia-Pac M&A Weekly Wrap: Mandom, Monash IVF, National Storage REIT, Iress, Digital Holdings, Grindr

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett