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>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/benesse-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12877:1" rel="noopener">Benesse Holdings (9783 JP)</a> has recommended an EQT-backed pre-conditional MBO offer of JPY2,600 per share, a 45.1% and 36.3% premium to the undisturbed price and last close, respectively.</li>
<li>The pre-conditions primarily relate to Japanese and Chinese approvals, which can be waived. Chinese SAMR approval should be forthcoming as education is not a geopolitical fraught sector.</li>
<li>The offer is long-dated and opens in early February 2024. While not a knockout bid, the offer is fair in the context of Benesse’s muted outlook. </li>
</ul>



Benesse Holdings (9783 JP) has recommended an EQT-backed pre-conditional MBO offer of JPY2,600 per share, a 45.1% and 36.3% premium to the undisturbed price and last close, respectively.
The pre-conditions primarily relate to Japanese and Chinese approvals, which can be waived. Chinese SAMR approval should be forthcoming as education is not a geopolitical fraught sector.
The offer is long-dated and opens in early February 2024. While not a knockout bid, the offer is fair in the context of Benesse’s muted outlook. 


Benesse Holdings (9783 JP): EQT Backed Pre-Conditional MBO Tender Offer at JPY2,600

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/benesse-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12877:1" rel="noopener">Benesse Holdings (9783 JP)</a> share price has fallen 18% annually since 4 years ago with PER going from 55x to 14x</li>
<li>The structural decline in the main business remains although the smaller business has shown some improvement.</li>
<li>Japan has received a lot of investors interest recently and Benesse could pick up some investor interest too. </li>
</ul>



Benesse Holdings (9783 JP) share price has fallen 18% annually since 4 years ago with PER going from 55x to 14x
The structural decline in the main business remains although the smaller business has shown some improvement.
Japan has received a lot of investors interest recently and Benesse could pick up some investor interest too. 


Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>In early February 2022, Silchester International Investors (according to its website) sent letters to four low-ROE-earning Japanese regional banks proposing a new dividend policy.</li>
<li>The management and boards of each bank rejected the policy proposal though two of the four had upped their proposed dividend or changed policy prior, and two upped it afterwards.</li>
<li>While Bank of Kyoto is the biggest equity portfolio, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chugoku-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11177:1" rel="noopener">Chugoku Bank (8382 JP)</a> is a relatively large, provincial, regional bank, with middling equity portfolio. Different shape. Different situation.</li>
</ul>


In early February 2022, Silchester International Investors (according to its website) sent letters to four low-ROE-earning Japanese regional banks proposing a new dividend policy.
The management and boards of each bank rejected the policy proposal though two of the four had upped their proposed dividend or changed policy prior, and two upped it afterwards.
While Bank of Kyoto is the biggest equity portfolio, Chugoku Bank (8382 JP) is a relatively large, provincial, regional bank, with middling equity portfolio. Different shape. Different situation.


JAPAN ACTIVISM: Silchester Goes After Chugoku Bank

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

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 Capital Markets

Poppins Holdings Inc / Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/poppins-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31056:1" rel="noopener">Poppins Holdings Inc (7358 JP)</a> , the provider of child and elderly care services in Japan has filed for an IPO to list its shares on the Tokyo Exchange. The company will be issuing 1.1m new shares at the IPO while existing shareholders will issue 2.15m shares, and at the midpoint of the IPO pricing of JPY2,750 per share, the company will raise gross proceeds of JPY8.9bn (US$85.8m).In our previous insight on the company’s IPO, we examined the company’s business model, segments and financials. In this insight, we discuss the company’s valuation.Read our previous insight on the company's IPO:<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/poppins-ipo-well-positioned-to-benefit-from-japanese-demographic-trends" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46156" rel="noopener">Poppins IPO: Well Positioned to Benefit from Japanese Demographic Trends</a>

Poppins Holdings Inc (7358 JP) , the provider of child and elderly care services in Japan has filed for an IPO to list its shares on the Tokyo Exchange. The company will be issuing 1.1m new shares at the IPO while existing shareholders will issue 2.15m shares, and at the midpoint of the IPO pricing of JPY2,750 per share, the company will raise gross proceeds of JPY8.9bn (US$85.8m).In our previous insight on the company’s IPO, we examined the company’s business model, segments and financials. In this insight, we discuss the company’s valuation.Read our previous insight on the company's IPO:Poppins IPO: Well Positioned to Benefit from Japanese Demographic Trends 

Poppins IPO Valuation: Attractively Priced for a Growing Company

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/111/668/original/image_43774002421577073129098.png?1577073126" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="111668"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source; Capital IQ</div>
In the past, the share price is almost always following analyst recommendation but the most troubling thing about TKP is its high valuation. TKP is not exactly without a competitor in Japan, albeit TKP has the biggest market share. TKP business model is a flexible conference room rental provider in which the management source idle assets in Japan and resell them through the internet started with entrepreneurs and of late to listed corporates as well.
The company's profitability is short of that mind-blowing numbers and it has a massive debt in its balance sheet as well. Does paying 3x more than its peers justify for a conference room rental business with low profitability? 
While investors are happy to pay a premium for its dominant market share in Japan, they should be cautioned if they were to pay the same valuation level for TKP's overseas venture. The flexible working space outside of Japan has been filled with innovative competitors. With a limited success potential for its overseas venture, investors should start to sell/short-sell <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tkp-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28305:1" rel="noopener"> TKP Corporation (3479 JP)</a> .


Source; Capital IQ
In the past, the share price is almost always following analyst recommendation but the most troubling thing about TKP is its high valuation. TKP is not exactly without a competitor in Japan, albeit TKP has the biggest market share. TKP business model is a flexible conference room rental provider in which the management source idle assets in Japan and resell them through the internet started with entrepreneurs and of late to listed corporates as well.
The company's profitability is short of that mind-blowing numbers and it has a massive debt in its balance sheet as well. Does paying 3x more than its peers justify for a conference room rental business with low profitability? 
While investors are happy to pay a premium for its dominant market share in Japan, they should be cautioned if they were to pay the same valuation level for TKP's overseas venture. The flexible working space outside of Japan has been filled with innovative competitors. With a limited success potential for its overseas venture, investors should start to sell/short-sell  TKP Corporation (3479 JP) .

Japan

Benesse Holdings, Inc. provides correspondence educational services to a range of age groups from toddlers to high-school students. Benesse HD also operates English language schools and senior care homes.

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Benesse Holdings (9783 JP)