Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Equity Bottom-Up

China Merchants China Direct Investments / Equity Bottom-Up

China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK)

<ul>
<li>On the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/0927/2024092701187.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">27th September</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-china-direct-investments" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6862:1" rel="noopener">China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK)</a> (CMCDI) teased a share buyback and a special dividend. But as of today. no firm details have been forthcoming. </li>
<li>CMCDI has also now offered to reduce management fees by 25 basis points in the new management agreement, which will be voted on  by independent shareholders in November/December.</li>
<li>This concession does not go far enough. Especially when 45% of the management fees are received by founder Victor Chu. </li>
</ul>


On the 27th September, China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK) (CMCDI) teased a share buyback and a special dividend. But as of today. no firm details have been forthcoming. 
CMCDI has also now offered to reduce management fees by 25 basis points in the new management agreement, which will be voted on  by independent shareholders in November/December.
This concession does not go far enough. Especially when 45% of the management fees are received by founder Victor Chu. 


CMCDI (133 HK): Concessions Don't Go Far Enough

Event-Driven

Shin Kong Financial Holding / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taishin-financial-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:715:1" rel="noopener">Taishin</a>'s bid clearly has governance/related party issues and a significant portion of the "non-Taishin" reps on the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shin-kong-financial-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15351:1" rel="noopener">Shin Kong</a> Board had issues. October 9th passage is not a done deal.</li>
<li>KKR's "bid" for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asm-pacific-technology-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15061:1" rel="noopener">ASMPT (522 HK)</a> has all the hallmarks of the "approach" by PAG last year. Which came to nought. From a regulatory standpoint, it's unlikely to get up.</li>
<li>Never a dull moment for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-zinc-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17944:1" rel="noopener">Korea Zinc (010130 KS)</a>. The Choi family makes Offers for KZ and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/young-poong-precision-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16188:1" rel="noopener">Young Poong Precision (036560 KS)</a> (YPP). Then MBK counters for both.</li>
</ul>



Taishin's bid clearly has governance/related party issues and a significant portion of the "non-Taishin" reps on the Shin Kong Board had issues. October 9th passage is not a done deal.
KKR's "bid" for ASMPT (522 HK) has all the hallmarks of the "approach" by PAG last year. Which came to nought. From a regulatory standpoint, it's unlikely to get up.
Never a dull moment for Korea Zinc (010130 KS). The Choi family makes Offers for KZ and Young Poong Precision (036560 KS) (YPP). Then MBK counters for both.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Shin Kong/Taishin, ASMPT, Korea Zinc/Young Poong Precision, Sigma Health

China Merchants China Direct Investments / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Argyle Street Management (ASM), a 9.01% shareholder in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-china-direct-investments" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6862:1" rel="noopener">China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK)</a>, has been (very) publicly angling for change in this closed-end fund. <a href="https://unlockvaluechinamerchants.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Here</a> is their website.</li>
<li>The core issue is CMCDI's P/NAV ratio of 0.41x compared to closed-end fund peers of 0.8x-0.9x. </li>
<li>CMCDI has finally responded to ASM's overtures with the prospect of a share buyback and a special dividend. But details are thin on the ground. </li>
</ul>


Argyle Street Management (ASM), a 9.01% shareholder in China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK), has been (very) publicly angling for change in this closed-end fund. Here is their website.
The core issue is CMCDI's P/NAV ratio of 0.41x compared to closed-end fund peers of 0.8x-0.9x. 
CMCDI has finally responded to ASM's overtures with the prospect of a share buyback and a special dividend. But details are thin on the ground. 


CMCDI (133 HK)'s Proposals Light On Detail

Keisei Electric Railway Co / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>No surprise: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keisei-electric-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10876:1" rel="noopener">Keisei Electric Railway (9009 JP)</a> shareholders voted down Palliser's proposal. If the vote was close, Palliser may ups its rhetorical game, and takes a harder stance.</li>
<li>Argyle failed to boot one <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-china-direct-investments" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6862:1" rel="noopener">CMCDI (133 HK)</a> director. They'll next target the management agreement renewal; and agitate the company buy back 20% of shares outstanding at 90% of NAV.</li>
<li>The Offeror now has 90.16% in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/great-eastern-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13993:1" rel="noopener">Great Eastern Holdings (GE SP)</a> - so this will get suspended at the close of the Offer.</li>
</ul>


No surprise: Keisei Electric Railway (9009 JP) shareholders voted down Palliser's proposal. If the vote was close, Palliser may ups its rhetorical game, and takes a harder stance.
Argyle failed to boot one CMCDI (133 HK) director. They'll next target the management agreement renewal; and agitate the company buy back 20% of shares outstanding at 90% of NAV.
The Offeror now has 90.16% in Great Eastern Holdings (GE SP) - so this will get suspended at the close of the Offer.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Keisei Electric, China Merchants, Great Eastern, Jardine Matheson/JCNC

<ul>
<li>The recent news on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-china-direct-investments" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6862:1" rel="noopener">China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK)</a> was director Elizabeth Kan narrowly getting re-elected. Of interest, ISS recommended shareholders vote AGAINST. Glass Lewis was FOR re-election.</li>
<li>The key takeaway here is that the majority of the minorities want change. The next development may occur in the lead up to the management agreement renewal in November. </li>
<li>In addition, Argyle Street Management, CMSCI's key shareholder activist, is also requesting the company buy back 20% of shares outstanding at 90% of NAV. </li>
</ul>


The recent news on China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK) was director Elizabeth Kan narrowly getting re-elected. Of interest, ISS recommended shareholders vote AGAINST. Glass Lewis was FOR re-election.
The key takeaway here is that the majority of the minorities want change. The next development may occur in the lead up to the management agreement renewal in November. 
In addition, Argyle Street Management, CMSCI's key shareholder activist, is also requesting the company buy back 20% of shares outstanding at 90% of NAV. 


CMCDI (133 HK): Buybacks And Management Fees Into Focus

Hong Kong

China Merchants China Direct Investments is an investment holding company specializing in direct investments in China, primarily in unlisted enterprises. It invests across various sectors including financial services, culture and media, manufacturing, real estate, information technology, energy and resources, and medical. The company is headquartered in Hong Kong and started its operations in 1993.

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China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK)

CMCDI (133 HK): Concessions Don't Go Far Enough

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CMCDI (133 HK): Buybacks And Management Fees Into Focus

CMCDI remains cheap. I think a buyback is a distinct possibility. And changes to the management agreement have to occur within the next few months.

David Blennerhassett

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