Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>On the 8th April, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/azure-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16538:1" rel="noopener">Azure Minerals (AZS AU)</a> shareholders overwhelmingly <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20240408/pdf/06297mn340tk8x.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sociedad-quimica-y-minera-de-chile-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27977:1" rel="noopener">Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM US)</a>/Gina Rhinehart's Hancock transaction. Shares promptly closed down 7% on regulatory approval fears.</li>
<li>Those fears are unwarranted. China’s Tianqi Lithium would indirectly own just ~11% in Azure post-deal.  China has recently lifted anti-dumping tariffs on a range of Aussie products. FIRB won’t block.</li>
<li>An expected approval may have spurred Gina to buy more shares in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lynas-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20374:1" rel="noopener">Lynas (LYC AU)</a>. Why buy now if FIRB dings Azure; that outcome would push the whole sector lower.</li>
</ul>


On the 8th April, Azure Minerals (AZS AU) shareholders overwhelmingly approved the Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM US)/Gina Rhinehart's Hancock transaction. Shares promptly closed down 7% on regulatory approval fears.
Those fears are unwarranted. China’s Tianqi Lithium would indirectly own just ~11% in Azure post-deal.  China has recently lifted anti-dumping tariffs on a range of Aussie products. FIRB won’t block.
An expected approval may have spurred Gina to buy more shares in Lynas (LYC AU). Why buy now if FIRB dings Azure; that outcome would push the whole sector lower.


Azure Min's (AZS AU)'s "Boost" As Gina Ups Stake in Lynas

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.

<ul>
<li>We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>Highest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qantm-intellectual-property" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24317:1" rel="noopener">Qantm Intellectual Property (QIP AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/southern-cross-media-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10374:1" rel="noopener">Southern Cross Media (SXL AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qv-equities-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24284:1" rel="noopener">QV Equities Ltd (QVE AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/silver-lake-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6529:1" rel="noopener">Silver Lake Resources (SLR AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/azure-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16538:1" rel="noopener">Azure Minerals (AZS AU)</a>, China TCM. </li>
<li>Lowest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tietto-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28006:1" rel="noopener">Tietto Minerals Ltd (TIE AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chilled-frozen-logistics-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40987:1" rel="noopener">Chilled &amp; Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/roland-dg-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10653:1" rel="noopener">Roland DG Corp (6789 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mma-offshore-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:594:1" rel="noopener">Mma Offshore (MRM AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pact-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:692:1" rel="noopener">Pact Group Holdings (PGH AU)</a>. </li>
</ul>


We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.
Highest spreads: Qantm Intellectual Property (QIP AU), Southern Cross Media (SXL AU), QV Equities Ltd (QVE AU), Silver Lake Resources (SLR AU), Azure Minerals (AZS AU), China TCM. 
Lowest spreads: Tietto Minerals Ltd (TIE AU), Chilled &amp; Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP), Roland DG Corp (6789 JP), Mma Offshore (MRM AU), Pact Group Holdings (PGH AU). 


Merger Arb Mondays (15 Apr) - Azure, Silver Lake, Genex, Boral, China TCM, C&F Logistics, Roland DG

<ul>
<li>Back on the 19th Dec, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sociedad-quimica-y-minera-de-c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24555:1" rel="noopener">Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM/B CI)</a>/Hancock offered <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/azure-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16538:1" rel="noopener">Azure Minerals (AZS AU)</a> shareholders A$3.70/share by way of a Scheme, a ~52% premium to the undisturbed price.</li>
<li>Creasy Group (12.64%) and Delphi Group (10.15%) gave irrevocables. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mineral-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15103:1" rel="noopener">Mineral Resources (MIN AU)</a>'s 14.5% stake was unclear; but they exited on the 21 Feb. "Arbitrageurs should arb. Corporations should Corp".</li>
<li>The Transaction Booklet is now out with a Scheme Meeting on the 8th April. The IE says fair. Expected implementation on the 18 April.</li>
</ul>


Back on the 19th Dec, Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM/B CI)/Hancock offered Azure Minerals (AZS AU) shareholders A$3.70/share by way of a Scheme, a ~52% premium to the undisturbed price.
Creasy Group (12.64%) and Delphi Group (10.15%) gave irrevocables. Mineral Resources (MIN AU)'s 14.5% stake was unclear; but they exited on the 21 Feb. "Arbitrageurs should arb. Corporations should Corp".
The Transaction Booklet is now out with a Scheme Meeting on the 8th April. The IE says fair. Expected implementation on the 18 April.


Azure Min (AZS AU): Trading Wide Ahead Of 8th April Vote

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/azure-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16538:1" rel="noopener">Azure Minerals (AZS AU)</a> shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the dual-track bid from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sociedad-quimica-y-minera-de-chile-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27977:1" rel="noopener">Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM US)</a> and Hancock. The scheme offer is A$3.70 per share.</li>
<li>The shares fell 7%, seemingly due to concerns about FIRB approval sparked by FIRB’s request for an extension on 3 April and today’s <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/chinese-miners-in-2-5b-payday-from-australian-lithium-holdings-20240404-p5fhix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AFR article</a> on China’s Australian lithium holdings. </li>
<li>FIRB approval should be forthcoming due to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tianqi-lithium-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27789:1" rel="noopener">Tianqi Lithium (9696 HK)</a> small indirect interest in Andover, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lithium-power-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30603:1" rel="noopener">Lithium Power International (LPI AU)</a> precedent, and SQM and Tianqi’s strained relationship. </li>
</ul>



Azure Minerals (AZS AU) shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the dual-track bid from Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM US) and Hancock. The scheme offer is A$3.70 per share.
The shares fell 7%, seemingly due to concerns about FIRB approval sparked by FIRB’s request for an extension on 3 April and today’s AFR article on China’s Australian lithium holdings. 
FIRB approval should be forthcoming due to Tianqi Lithium (9696 HK) small indirect interest in Andover, Lithium Power International (LPI AU) precedent, and SQM and Tianqi’s strained relationship. 


Azure Minerals (AZS AU): FIRB Approval Concerns Are Overdone

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/azure-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16538:1" rel="noopener">Azure Minerals (AZS AU)</a> IE considers <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sociedad-quimica-y-minera-de-chile-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27977:1" rel="noopener">Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM US)</a>/Hancock’s scheme and takeover offer fair and reasonable as it is above its A$2.03-2.93 valuation range. </li>
<li>The scheme is conditional on FIRB approval, which should be forthcoming as Azure’s key asset (Andover) will be majority-owned by Australian entities.</li>
<li>The scheme vote will get up due to irrevocables and retail support. At the last close and for the 18 April payment, the gross/annualised spread was 3.1%/29.2%.</li>
</ul>


The Azure Minerals (AZS AU) IE considers Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM US)/Hancock’s scheme and takeover offer fair and reasonable as it is above its A$2.03-2.93 valuation range. 
The scheme is conditional on FIRB approval, which should be forthcoming as Azure’s key asset (Andover) will be majority-owned by Australian entities.
The scheme vote will get up due to irrevocables and retail support. At the last close and for the 18 April payment, the gross/annualised spread was 3.1%/29.2%.


Azure Minerals (AZS AU): Scheme Vote on 8 April

Australia

Azure Minerals Limited is a mineral exploration company. The Company is developing mineral mining projects located in Sierra Madre Occidental mining province in northern and central Mexico.

Azure Minerals (AZS AU)

Azure Min's (AZS AU)'s "Boost" As Gina Ups Stake in Lynas

Trading wide at a gross spread of 7.5%. This is a BUY. Is the market really thinking FIRB would block a Rinehart/Chilean JV to prevent a Chinese...

David Blennerhassett

Merger Arb Mondays (15 Apr) - Azure, Silver Lake, Genex, Boral, China TCM, C&F Logistics, Roland DG

This week, the highest gross spreads are Qantm IP (16.1%), Southern Cross (10.4%), QV Equities (7.7%), Silver Lake (7.0%), Azure (6.6%), China TCM...

Arun George

Azure Min (AZS AU): Trading Wide Ahead Of 8th April Vote

On the day shareholders approved the SQM/Hancock transaction, Azure’s shares closed down 7%. The FIRB delay was flagged last week. China’s Tianqi...

David Blennerhassett