Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

At US$2 billion give-or-take, ThaiBev's float of 20% of its regional beer business ("BeerCo") will be the largest IPO on the Singapore Exchange in nearly a decade – that much we have all heard – but the deal will also raise the average ESG rating of SGX's listed issuers.I'm not sure what that average ESG rating is exactly, but it's definitely going up.Putting a brewery under the ESG microscope usually doesn't end well. For one thing, beer's carbon footprint is substantial, not to mention the issue of water consumption. Then, there are those two elephants in the room – alcohol, and socially-responsible investing.Somehow, despite all that, BeerCo looks relatively good under the ESG microscope.To be clear, BeerCo faces a few Social-pillar issues. Minor issues, such as the two highest per-capita alcohol consumption rates in Southeast Asia, and that whole Fifth Precept thing with Thailand's de facto religion. Plus, a host of laws to curb consumption and all of its socio-economic ills.An important distinction, however, is that those negative aspects of BeerCo's ESG story are mostly  circumstantial – i.e., external and beyond management control – whilst positive elements can be traced back to proactive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies and actions.It's not perfect, but by all indications thus far, BeerCo will rank among the world's more sustainable brewery stocks, even outperforming some of the sector's big-name "sustainability leaders."

At US$2 billion give-or-take, ThaiBev's float of 20% of its regional beer business ("BeerCo") will be the largest IPO on the Singapore Exchange in nearly a decade – that much we have all heard – but the deal will also raise the average ESG rating of SGX's listed issuers.I'm not sure what that average ESG rating is exactly, but it's definitely going up.Putting a brewery under the ESG microscope usually doesn't end well. For one thing, beer's carbon footprint is substantial, not to mention the issue of water consumption. Then, there are those two elephants in the room – alcohol, and socially-responsible investing.Somehow, despite all that, BeerCo looks relatively good under the ESG microscope.To be clear, BeerCo faces a few Social-pillar issues. Minor issues, such as the two highest per-capita alcohol consumption rates in Southeast Asia, and that whole Fifth Precept thing with Thailand's de facto religion. Plus, a host of laws to curb consumption and all of its socio-economic ills.An important distinction, however, is that those negative aspects of BeerCo's ESG story are mostly  circumstantial – i.e., external and beyond management control – whilst positive elements can be traced back to proactive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies and actions.It's not perfect, but by all indications thus far, BeerCo will rank among the world's more sustainable brewery stocks, even outperforming some of the sector's big-name "sustainability leaders."

ThaiBev BeerCo ESG Analysis: Among the World's More Sustainable Brewers Despite Social-Pillar Issues

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Equity Capital Markets

In this note we discuss the segmental financials and potential valuation scenario analysis of BeerCo, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/thai-beverage-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3656:1" rel="noopener">Thai Beverage (THBEV SP)</a> 's proposed spin-off listing entity, based on reported details. Last Friday, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/thai-beverage-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3656:1" rel="noopener">Thai Beverage (THBEV SP)</a> announced a public offering of up to 20% of the total number of issued ordinary shares of BeerCo,  its fully owned subsidiary, after it received a no-objection letter from the Singapore Exchange.<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-04/thaibev-to-file-for-mega-singapore-ipo-of-brewery-unit?sref=SVEekGzB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Media reports</a> suggested that this proposed Singapore IPO could raise about $2 Bn implying a USD10 Bn equity valuation for the entity. Our analysis of BeerCo's financials and valuation suggest that media reported figures are highly optimistic and likely assumes steep valuation multiples way beyond what we believe can be justified for BeerCo based on the reported financials and its business outlook.

In this note we discuss the segmental financials and potential valuation scenario analysis of BeerCo, Thai Beverage (THBEV SP) 's proposed spin-off listing entity, based on reported details. Last Friday, Thai Beverage (THBEV SP) announced a public offering of up to 20% of the total number of issued ordinary shares of BeerCo,  its fully owned subsidiary, after it received a no-objection letter from the Singapore Exchange.Media reports suggested that this proposed Singapore IPO could raise about $2 Bn implying a USD10 Bn equity valuation for the entity. Our analysis of BeerCo's financials and valuation suggest that media reported figures are highly optimistic and likely assumes steep valuation multiples way beyond what we believe can be justified for BeerCo based on the reported financials and its business outlook.

BeerCo IPO (Thai Bev's Spin-Off Listing): Financials, Valuation - Not Bubbly as Reported

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.

BeerCo consists of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/thai-beverage-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3656:1" rel="noopener">Thai Beverage (THBEV SP)</a>'s beer business and operations except for the sale of Thai beer products outside Thailand. ThaiBev announced that its has received a no-objection letter from SGX-ST to conduct a public offering of up to 20% of the total number of issued ordinary shares of BeerCo. The IPO could raise as much as $2 billion, according to press reports. The IPO was delayed from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The BeerCo IPO could potentially be SGX’s biggest since <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hutchison-port-holdings-trust" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10512:1" rel="noopener">Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPHT SP)</a> raised $5.5 billion in 2011.<div class="content-highlight">BeerCo’s diversified portfolio of brands and products allows it to cater to different segment groups and price points, preserving its strong market share and providing earnings resiliency. Post-COVID-19, the recovery in on-premise consumption should help the eventual return to growth. In this note, we take a first look at BeerCo’s fundamentals.  </div>

BeerCo consists of Thai Beverage (THBEV SP)'s beer business and operations except for the sale of Thai beer products outside Thailand. ThaiBev announced that its has received a no-objection letter from SGX-ST to conduct a public offering of up to 20% of the total number of issued ordinary shares of BeerCo. The IPO could raise as much as $2 billion, according to press reports. The IPO was delayed from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The BeerCo IPO could potentially be SGX’s biggest since Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPHT SP) raised $5.5 billion in 2011.BeerCo’s diversified portfolio of brands and products allows it to cater to different segment groups and price points, preserving its strong market share and providing earnings resiliency. Post-COVID-19, the recovery in on-premise consumption should help the eventual return to growth. In this note, we take a first look at BeerCo’s fundamentals.  

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

The recent outbreak in Thailand may force the Thai government to initiate a nightlife entertainment ban and in-restaurant dining, two of the key critical avenues for alcoholic beverage sales for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/thai-beverage-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3656:1" rel="noopener">Thai Beverage (THBEV SP)</a> . Although it is still uncertain on the timing and duration, it is a big ask to keep the stock in the portfolio for the time being. 
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With fewer revenue contributions from alcoholic beverages, the company's EBITDA can easily go down by 10-20% again although it is unclear when the Thai government will initiate the night entertainment and in-restaurant ban. Investors should take the profit and stay out of Thai Beverage stock until there is clarity. 
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The recent outbreak in Thailand may force the Thai government to initiate a nightlife entertainment ban and in-restaurant dining, two of the key critical avenues for alcoholic beverage sales for Thai Beverage (THBEV SP) . Although it is still uncertain on the timing and duration, it is a big ask to keep the stock in the portfolio for the time being. 

With fewer revenue contributions from alcoholic beverages, the company's EBITDA can easily go down by 10-20% again although it is unclear when the Thai government will initiate the night entertainment and in-restaurant ban. Investors should take the profit and stay out of Thai Beverage stock until there is clarity. 


Thai Beverage (Thbev): Imminent Risk Ahead

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.

Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd H / Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fosun-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:433:1" rel="noopener">Fosun International (656 HK)</a> aims to raise up to US$303m via selling 2.3% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsingtao-brewery-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1296:1" rel="noopener">Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd H (168 HK)</a>.This is not the first selldown by Fosun and probably won't be the last either. The previous two selldowns by Fosun had a mixed performance.

Fosun International (656 HK) aims to raise up to US$303m via selling 2.3% of Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd H (168 HK).This is not the first selldown by Fosun and probably won't be the last either. The previous two selldowns by Fosun had a mixed performance.

Tsingtao Brewery Placement - Friday Evening Is Always a Good Time for a Beer, Maybe Not This One

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)

BeerCo IPO (Thai Bev's Spin-Off Listing): Financials, Valuation - Not Bubbly as Reported

BeerCo IPO Valuation analysis based on upper-end and mid-range multiples to assess if media reported potential IPO size is realistic; followed by a...

Devi Subhakesan

ThaiBev’s BeerCo IPO: First Look

ThaiBev's BeerCo IPO could raise as much as $2 billion on the SGX, according to press reports. In this note, we take a first look at BeerCo’s...

Arun George

Thai Beverage (Thbev): Imminent Risk Ahead

Less revenue from alcoholic drinks, EBITDA to go down again though unclear when the government will initiate the nightlife ban. Investors should...

Henry Soediarko

Tsingtao Brewery Placement - Friday Evening Is Always a Good Time for a Beer, Maybe Not This One

Fosun International (656 HK) aims to raise up to US$303m via selling 2.3% of Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd H (168 HK). This is not the first selldown by...

Sumeet Singh

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ThaiBev BeerCo ESG Analysis: Among the World's More Sustainable Brewers Despite Social-Pillar Issues

Putting a brewery under the ESG microscope usually doesn’t end well. ThaiBev's BeerCo is an exception, ranking among the world's more sustainable...

Kyle Rudden

BeerCo IPO (Thai Bev's Spin-Off Listing): Financials, Valuation - Not Bubbly as Reported

BeerCo IPO Valuation analysis based on upper-end and mid-range multiples to assess if media reported potential IPO size is realistic; followed by a...

Devi Subhakesan

ThaiBev’s BeerCo IPO: First Look

ThaiBev's BeerCo IPO could raise as much as $2 billion on the SGX, according to press reports. In this note, we take a first look at BeerCo’s...

Arun George

Thai Beverage (Thbev): Imminent Risk Ahead

Less revenue from alcoholic drinks, EBITDA to go down again though unclear when the government will initiate the nightlife ban. Investors should...

Henry Soediarko

Tsingtao Brewery Placement - Friday Evening Is Always a Good Time for a Beer, Maybe Not This One

Fosun International (656 HK) aims to raise up to US$303m via selling 2.3% of Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd H (168 HK). This is not the first selldown by...

Sumeet Singh