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

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-financial-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial (1051260D CH)</a> has almost raised around USD35bn via a dual listing on both Hong Kong Exchange and Shanghai STAR board. </p></div><div><p>We have covered various aspects of the deal in our earlier notes, link to which are below.</p></div><div><p>In this note, I'll talk about the latest updates coming out about the STAR market listing.</p></div><div><div><h3>Our previous coverage on Ant Group</h3></div></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-financial-ipo-early-thought-what-s-new-about-the-listing-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Financial IPO Early Thought: Understand the Fintech Empire, Growth and Risk Factors</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-financial-ipo-early-thought-understand-the-fintech-empire-growth-and-risk-factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Financial (蚂蚁金服) IPO Early Thought: What’s New About the Listing News</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-ipo-first-take-no-1-fintech-from-all-angles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) IPO First-Take: No. 1 Fintech from All Angles</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-ipo-numbers-suggest-it-s-more-tech-than-financials" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) IPO: Numbers Suggest It’s More Tech than Financials</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-things-to-clarify-questions-to-ask-falling-fees-margins-cash-flow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Things to Clarify/​Questions to Ask - Falling Fees, Margins, Cash Flow</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-dual-listing-makes-early-index-inclusion-tricky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Dual Listing Makes Early Index Inclusion Tricky</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/alipay-s-advantage-over-wechat-pay-in-physical-stores" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AliPay’s Advantage over WeChat Pay in Physical Stores</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-running-neck-and-neck-with-tencent-in-direct-financial-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Running Neck and Neck with Tencent in Direct Financial Services</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-impact-assessment-of-the-new-rule-for-financial-holding-companies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Impact Assessment of the New Rule for Financial Holding Companies</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-payments-baffling-scale-small-tweaks-for-large-profits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Peer Comparison - Payments - Baffling Scale, Small Tweaks for Large Profits</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-credittech-larger-scale-similar-growth-lower-credit-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Peer Comparison - CreditTech - Larger Scale, Similar Growth, Lower Credit Risk</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-first-stab-at-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: First Stab at Valuation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-quick-take-on-ftse-and-msci-s-clearer-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Quick Take on FTSE and MSCI’s Clearer Guidelines</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-deal-structure-phip-updates-short-term-trades" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Deal Structure, PHIP Updates, Short-Term Trades</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-updated-valuation-it-s-going-higher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Updated Valuation. It’s Going Higher.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-ipo-final-say-strategics-index-impact" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group IPO: Final Say. Strategics, Index Impact</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-ipo-star-market-trading-stats-a-h-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group IPO:  STAR Market Trading Stats, A/​H Spread</a></li>
</ul></div>

Ant Financial (1051260D CH) has almost raised around USD35bn via a dual listing on both Hong Kong Exchange and Shanghai STAR board. We have covered various aspects of the deal in our earlier notes, link to which are below.In this note, I'll talk about the latest updates coming out about the STAR market listing.Our previous coverage on Ant Group
Ant Financial IPO Early Thought: Understand the Fintech Empire, Growth and Risk Factors
Ant Financial (蚂蚁金服) IPO Early Thought: What’s New About the Listing News
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) IPO First-Take: No. 1 Fintech from All Angles
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) IPO: Numbers Suggest It’s More Tech than Financials
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Things to Clarify/​Questions to Ask - Falling Fees, Margins, Cash Flow
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Dual Listing Makes Early Index Inclusion Tricky
AliPay’s Advantage over WeChat Pay in Physical Stores
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Running Neck and Neck with Tencent in Direct Financial Services
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Impact Assessment of the New Rule for Financial Holding Companies
Ant Group Pre-IPO: Peer Comparison - Payments - Baffling Scale, Small Tweaks for Large Profits
Ant Group Pre-IPO: Peer Comparison - CreditTech - Larger Scale, Similar Growth, Lower Credit Risk
Ant Group Pre-IPO: First Stab at Valuation
Ant Group Pre-IPO: Quick Take on FTSE and MSCI’s Clearer Guidelines
Ant Group Pre-IPO: Deal Structure, PHIP Updates, Short-Term Trades
Ant Group Pre-IPO: Updated Valuation. It’s Going Higher.
Ant Group IPO: Final Say. Strategics, Index Impact
Ant Group IPO:  STAR Market Trading Stats, A/​H Spread


Ant Group IPO - Quick Note - Shanghai Suspends STAR Market Listing

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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 Bottom-Up

Budweiser Brewing  APAC  / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Beer makers across the world were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/budweiser-brewing-co-apac-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28077:1" rel="noopener">Budweiser Brewing Company APAC (1876 HK)</a> was no exception, as the share price declined by around 30% during the COVID-19 sell-off. Alongside the beer market recovery, Budweiser shares rebounded rather quickly and were up 6.8% YTD in August 2020. Since then, the domestic beer market has been losing its growth momentum. As a result, Budweiser APAC is currently trading 1.7% below its 2020 start price.</p><p>We discuss the impact of COVID-19 on our Budweiser APAC thesis below.</p>

Beer makers across the world were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Budweiser Brewing Company APAC (1876 HK) was no exception, as the share price declined by around 30% during the COVID-19 sell-off. Alongside the beer market recovery, Budweiser shares rebounded rather quickly and were up 6.8% YTD in August 2020. Since then, the domestic beer market has been losing its growth momentum. As a result, Budweiser APAC is currently trading 1.7% below its 2020 start price.We discuss the impact of COVID-19 on our Budweiser APAC thesis below.

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Index Rebalance

<p>The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) should announce the results of the 2020 Q3 review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes on 6 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 December.</p>
<p>Following the announcement made in August, we feel there is a high probability that the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> December review will only have inclusions, taking the number of constituents above 50. All current index constituents pass the turnover requirements, so there is no need to delete any of the names.</p>
<p>Based on market value, turnover, sector skew vs the HSCI and company financial performance, our top 5 picks for inclusion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> at the December review are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan Dianping (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/budweiser-brewing-co-apac-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28077:1" rel="noopener">Budweiser Brewing Company APAC (1876 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-resources-beer-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:399:1" rel="noopener">China Resources Beer Holdings (291 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/longfor-properties" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8149:1" rel="noopener">Longfor Properties (960 HK)</a>.</p>
<p>With the Index Committee having a fair amount of discretion in choosing stocks for index inclusion and exclusion, they could choose to go further down the list to add diversity to the index and differentiate it from the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a> but this would reduce index liquidity affecting the trading of derivative products on the index.</p>
<p>One-way turnover with all 5 inclusions is just north of 8% and the funding trade will see substantial selling on the current index constituents, exceeding over 1 day of ADV in quite a few cases. HSIL could add a fewer number of stocks to control turnover and keep it at a more manageable level.</p>

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) should announce the results of the 2020 Q3 review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes on 6 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 December.
Following the announcement made in August, we feel there is a high probability that the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) December review will only have inclusions, taking the number of constituents above 50. All current index constituents pass the turnover requirements, so there is no need to delete any of the names.
Based on market value, turnover, sector skew vs the HSCI and company financial performance, our top 5 picks for inclusion in the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) at the December review are Meituan Dianping (3690 HK), Budweiser Brewing Company APAC (1876 HK), Anta Sports Products (2020 HK), China Resources Beer Holdings (291 HK) and Longfor Properties (960 HK).
With the Index Committee having a fair amount of discretion in choosing stocks for index inclusion and exclusion, they could choose to go further down the list to add diversity to the index and differentiate it from the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) but this would reduce index liquidity affecting the trading of derivative products on the index.
One-way turnover with all 5 inclusions is just north of 8% and the funding trade will see substantial selling on the current index constituents, exceeding over 1 day of ADV in quite a few cases. HSIL could add a fewer number of stocks to control turnover and keep it at a more manageable level.

Hang Seng Index Rebalance Preview: December 2020 - Do We Go Above 50?

<div>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nongfu-spring" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28955:1" rel="noopener">Nongfu Spring (NON HK)</a> raised around US$1bn in its Hong Kong listing. The company is the market leader in packaged drinking water in China.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>In my earlier notes, I spoke about the company, its past performance and undertook a peer comparison and valuation analysis:</p>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nongfu-spring-pre-ipo-the-positives-leaves-one-thirsty-for-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - The Positives - Leaves One Thirsty for More</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nongfu-spring-pre-ipo-the-negatives-doesn-t-need-to-list-or-expand-production-facilities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Doesn’t Need to List or Expand Production Facilities</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nongfu-spring-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-superior-margins-and-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Superior Margins and Growth</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nongfu-spring-pre-ipo-first-stab-at-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - First Stab at Valuation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nongfu-spring-pre-ipo-phip-updates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - PHIP Updates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nongfu-spring-pre-ipo-updates-to-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - Updates to Valuation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nongfu-spring-ipo-not-cheap-by-any-measure-but-is-a-quality-name" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nongfu Spring IPO - Not Cheap by Any Measure but Is a Quality Name</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>In this note, I'll look at the deal dynamics and provide a table with implied valuation at different share price levels.</div>


Nongfu Spring (NON HK) raised around US$1bn in its Hong Kong listing. The company is the market leader in packaged drinking water in China.


In my earlier notes, I spoke about the company, its past performance and undertook a peer comparison and valuation analysis:



Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - The Positives - Leaves One Thirsty for More
Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Doesn’t Need to List or Expand Production Facilities
Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Superior Margins and Growth
Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - First Stab at Valuation
Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - PHIP Updates
Nongfu Spring Pre-IPO - Updates to Valuation
Nongfu Spring IPO - Not Cheap by Any Measure but Is a Quality Name


In this note, I'll look at the deal dynamics and provide a table with implied valuation at different share price levels.

Nongfu Spring IPO Trading Update - Strong Subscription Levels, in a League of Its Own

Asahi Group Holdings / Equity Capital Markets

<div>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asahi-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10482:1" rel="noopener">Asahi Group Holdings (2502 JP)</a> announced its plans to raise around US$1.6bn (JPY172bn) to fund the acquisition of CUB on 25th Aug 2020, you can read my thoughts on the deal in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/asahi-group-placement-finally-it-s-time-to-lift-the-overhang-trade-ideas-from-past-large-deals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asahi Group Placement - Finally, It’s Time to Lift the Overhang! Trade Ideas from past Large Deals.</a></p>
<p>Despite the company issuing new and treasury share worth nearly 10% of its existing shares, the shares have held up remarkably well. </p>
<p>In this insight, I'll compare the shares performance versus how past large deals have traded in Japan.</p>
</div><div><p>Previous insights on the deal:</p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/trade-idea-asahi-group-usd2bn-placement-overhang" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trade Idea: Asahi Group - USD2bn Placement Overhang</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/placement-trade-idea-asahi-group-accc-approval-makes-us-2bn-placement-just-a-matter-of-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Placement/​Trade Idea: Asahi Group - ACCC Approval Makes US$2bn Placement Just a Matter of Time</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/placement-trade-idea-asahi-group-wants-to-delay-the-inevitable-us-2bn-block" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Placement/​​Trade Idea: Asahi Group - Wants to Delay the Inevitable US$2bn Block</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/asahi-group-placement-tracker-no-signs-of-a-placement-even-though-net-debt-to-ebitda-is-at-8-2x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asahi Group Placement Tracker - No Signs of a Placement Even Though Net Debt to EBITDA Is at 8.2x</a></li>
</ul></div>


Asahi Group Holdings (2502 JP) announced its plans to raise around US$1.6bn (JPY172bn) to fund the acquisition of CUB on 25th Aug 2020, you can read my thoughts on the deal in Asahi Group Placement - Finally, It’s Time to Lift the Overhang! Trade Ideas from past Large Deals.
Despite the company issuing new and treasury share worth nearly 10% of its existing shares, the shares have held up remarkably well. 
In this insight, I'll compare the shares performance versus how past large deals have traded in Japan.
Previous insights on the deal:
Trade Idea: Asahi Group - USD2bn Placement Overhang
Placement/​Trade Idea: Asahi Group - ACCC Approval Makes US$2bn Placement Just a Matter of Time
Placement/​​Trade Idea: Asahi Group - Wants to Delay the Inevitable US$2bn Block
Asahi Group Placement Tracker - No Signs of a Placement Even Though Net Debt to EBITDA Is at 8.2x


Asahi Group Placement - Quick Note - Needs to Correct Some More or Offer a Bigger Discount

China

Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited is a company principally engaged in the brewing and distribution of beer. The Company produces, imports, markets, distributes over 50 brands including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Hoegaarden, Cass, and Harbin. The principal markets include China, South Korea, India and Vietnam.

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Budweiser Brewing APAC (1876 HK)

Ant Group IPO - Quick Note - Shanghai Suspends STAR Market Listing

Ant Group has almost raised around USD35bn via a dual listing in both Hong Kong and Shanghai. In this note, I'll talk about the latest updates...

Sumeet Singh

Budweiser APAC: Cheers Must Wait!

Budweiser APAC’s thesis was purely dependent on the premiumisation trend, and we believe that consumer perception of nightlife and drinking at bars...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Hang Seng Index Rebalance Preview: December 2020 - Do We Go Above 50?

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) should announce the results of the 2020 Q3 review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes on 6 November....

Brian Freitas

Nongfu Spring IPO Trading Update - Strong Subscription Levels, in a League of Its Own

Nongfu Spring (NON HK) is looking to raise up to US$1bn in its Hong Kong listing. The company is the market leader in packaged drinking water in...

Sumeet Singh

Asahi Group Placement - Quick Note - Needs to Correct Some More or Offer a Bigger Discount

Asahi Group Holdings (2502 JP) announced its plans to raise around US$1.6bn (JPY172bn) to fund the acquisition of CUB on 25th Aug. The acquisition...

Sumeet Singh

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