IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

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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.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amer-sports-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21751:1" rel="noopener">Amer Sports (AS US)</a> is a global iconic sports and outdoor brand group. According to press reports, it has filed for a NYSE IPO to raise US$2 billion.</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/amer-sports-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:124040" rel="noopener">Amer Sports IPO: The Bull Case</a>, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.</li>
<li>The bear case rests on ball &amp; racquet sports’ deteriorating performance, EBIT margin not materially improving under the consortium’s ownership, cash burn and high leverage.</li>
</ul>



Amer Sports (AS US) is a global iconic sports and outdoor brand group. According to press reports, it has filed for a NYSE IPO to raise US$2 billion.
In Amer Sports IPO: The Bull Case, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.
The bear case rests on ball &amp; racquet sports’ deteriorating performance, EBIT margin not materially improving under the consortium’s ownership, cash burn and high leverage.


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amer-sports-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21751:1" rel="noopener">Amer Sports (AS US)</a> is a global iconic sports and outdoor brand group. According to press reports, it has filed for a NYSE IPO to raise US$2 billion.</li>
<li>In 2019, a consortium of <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>, FountainVest, Anamered Investments and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> acquired Amer at an EV of €5.5 billion.  </li>
<li>The bull case rests on the rapid growth and gross margin improvement under the consortium's ownership, along with technical apparel and outdoor performance’s improving revenue and margin profile. </li>
</ul>



Amer Sports (AS US) is a global iconic sports and outdoor brand group. According to press reports, it has filed for a NYSE IPO to raise US$2 billion.
In 2019, a consortium of Anta Sports Products (2020 HK), FountainVest, Anamered Investments and Tencent (700 HK) acquired Amer at an EV of €5.5 billion.  
The bull case rests on the rapid growth and gross margin improvement under the consortium's ownership, along with technical apparel and outdoor performance’s improving revenue and margin profile. 


HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by <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>, has finally filed a US IPO registration. This is positive for Anta Sports as it can realise Amer's value.</li>
<li>Reported losses at Amer have increased YoY for 9M23 due to higher finance cost. But, its gross, operating, and adjusted EBITDA margins have all recorded solid improvements. </li>
<li>Assuming Amer is listed at the sector's average FY23 P/S of 1.6x, Anta Sports may book deemed disposal gain of HK$13.5bn, or about 6.8% of its market capitalisation.</li>
</ul>


Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by Anta Sports Products (2020 HK), has finally filed a US IPO registration. This is positive for Anta Sports as it can realise Amer's value.
Reported losses at Amer have increased YoY for 9M23 due to higher finance cost. But, its gross, operating, and adjusted EBITDA margins have all recorded solid improvements. 
Assuming Amer is listed at the sector's average FY23 P/S of 1.6x, Anta Sports may book deemed disposal gain of HK$13.5bn, or about 6.8% of its market capitalisation.


Anta Sports (2020 HK): An Updated Look at Implications of Amer Sports' IPO

<ul>
<li>
<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> achieved a decent 3Q23 with sales performance of major brands outperformed. With a low comparison base, 4Q23 sales will be even more impressive. </li>
<li>Indications are that sales for the Golden Week are satisfactory and "double-11" sales are optimistic. The acquisition of MAIA ACTIVE will further add to its product portfolio.</li>
<li>Amer's IPO is another catalyst and reports are that this has been filed in the US. Anta Sports' stake may be valued at US$4bn, almost 12% of its market cap.</li>
</ul>



Anta Sports Products (2020 HK) achieved a decent 3Q23 with sales performance of major brands outperformed. With a low comparison base, 4Q23 sales will be even more impressive. 
Indications are that sales for the Golden Week are satisfactory and "double-11" sales are optimistic. The acquisition of MAIA ACTIVE will further add to its product portfolio.
Amer's IPO is another catalyst and reports are that this has been filed in the US. Anta Sports' stake may be valued at US$4bn, almost 12% of its market cap.


Anta Sports (2020 HK): Bucking the Challenging Trend

External broker reports(aggregated public sources), CMB International

CMB International

External broker reports(aggregated public sources)

Incorporated in Hong Kong, supported by the mainland and targeting in global market, CMB International Capital Corporation Limited (“CMBI”) is an integrated financial institution providing comprehensive and professional services. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Bank ("CMB"), by leveraging on the Group’s synergy and coordination in domestic and overseas markets, as well as CMB’s strong resources and outstanding social reputation, CMBI and its subsidiaries have been actively implementing diversified business strategies and set up an overall layout of main business segments including Corporate Finance, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Global Markets and Structured Finance, etc. Adhering to the philosophy of “being clients oriented and increasing our own values by the way of creating value for clients”, CMBI endeavors to provide quality and integrated financial services to institutional, corporate and individual customers both domestic and overseas including Hong Kong IPO sponsorship and underwriting, share placement and rights issue for listed companies, financial advisors, bonds issuance services, asset management, direct investment, wealth management, equity sales and trading, etc.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>On one hand, retail sales growth in 5-1 Golden Week was a beat (after a soft Feb-Mar and an inline Apr).</li><li>On the other hand, retail discounts surprisingly widened due to increased competition from the de-stocking by brands like Adidas and Li Ning.</li><li>While fundamentals (sales, discounts and inventory) are trending good into 2H23E and setting up for a decent FY24E, we should still keep our eyes on the end demand and intensity of competition. </li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

On one hand, retail sales growth in 5-1 Golden Week was a beat (after a soft Feb-Mar and an inline Apr).On the other hand, retail discounts surprisingly widened due to increased competition from the de-stocking by brands like Adidas and Li Ning.While fundamentals (sales, discounts and inventory) are trending good into 2H23E and setting up for a decent FY24E, we should still keep our eyes on the end demand and intensity of competition. Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

China Sportswear Sector – 5-1 sales beat but competition intensified

China

China Dongxiang Group Co Ltd retails sportswear apparel products.

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China Dongxiang (3818 HK)

Amer Sports IPO: The Bear Case

The bear case rests on ball and racquet sports’ deteriorating performance, EBIT margin not materially improving under the consortium’s ownership,...

Arun George

Amer Sports IPO: The Bull Case

The bull case rests on the rapid growth and gross margin improvement under the consortium's ownership, along with technical apparel and outdoor...

Arun George

Anta Sports (2020 HK): An Updated Look at Implications of Amer Sports' IPO

Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by Anta Sports, files for US IPO. Despite increased losses for 9M23, Amer's margins have improved. Anta Sports could gain...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Anta Sports (2020 HK): Bucking the Challenging Trend

Anta Sports had a solid 3Q23, with major brand sales outperforming. 4Q23 sales are expected to be even better. Acquisition of MAIA ACTIVE and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Sportswear Sector – 5-1 sales beat but competition intensified

While fundamentals (sales, discounts and inventory) are trending good into 2H23E and setting up for a decent FY24E, we should still keep our eyes...

CMB International

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Amer Sports IPO: The Bear Case

The bear case rests on ball and racquet sports’ deteriorating performance, EBIT margin not materially improving under the consortium’s ownership,...

Arun George

Amer Sports IPO: The Bull Case

The bull case rests on the rapid growth and gross margin improvement under the consortium's ownership, along with technical apparel and outdoor...

Arun George

Anta Sports (2020 HK): An Updated Look at Implications of Amer Sports' IPO

​Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by Anta Sports, files for US IPO. Despite increased losses for 9M23, Amer's margins have improved. Anta Sports could gain...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Anta Sports (2020 HK): Bucking the Challenging Trend

​Anta Sports had a solid 3Q23, with major brand sales outperforming. 4Q23 sales are expected to be even better. Acquisition of MAIA ACTIVE and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Sportswear Sector – 5-1 sales beat but competition intensified

While fundamentals (sales, discounts and inventory) are trending good into 2H23E and setting up for a decent FY24E, we should still keep our eyes...

CMB International

Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by Anta Sports, files for US IPO. Despite increased losses for 9M23, Amer's margins have improved. Anta Sports could gain...

Anta Sports had a solid 3Q23, with major brand sales outperforming. 4Q23 sales are expected to be even better. Acquisition of MAIA ACTIVE and...