Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I (3382 JP)</a> selling <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16063:1" rel="noopener">Seven Bank (8410 JP)</a> is obvious. It has been obvious. It is non-core. It's always been non-core. It was made  clear in previous Strategy announcements,</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 HK)</a>'s premium to NAV is unjustified. However reversing the stub has not been going to plan of late, as the NAV premium continues to widen.</li>
<li>Mavcom HAS approved the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/malaysia-airports-holdings-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:117:1" rel="noopener">Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB MK)</a> deal. But still welcomes public consultation. So, approved or not?</li>
</ul>



Seven &amp; I (3382 JP) selling Seven Bank (8410 JP) is obvious. It has been obvious. It is non-core. It's always been non-core. It was made  clear in previous Strategy announcements,

PCCW Ltd (8 HK)'s premium to NAV is unjustified. However reversing the stub has not been going to plan of late, as the NAV premium continues to widen.
Mavcom HAS approved the Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB MK) deal. But still welcomes public consultation. So, approved or not?


Last Week in Event SPACE: Seven & I/Seven Bank, PCCW, Malaysia Airports, I'rom Group

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I (3382 JP)</a>'s roadmap is a solid response to where retailing is headed, both in Japan and elsewhere; while ACT's bid is just about carrying on as now.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/esr-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27983:1" rel="noopener">ESR (1821 HK)</a> is a non-binding proposal, no official terms, with a fragmented shareholder register. And this is before any opaque PRC regulatory conditions tacked on in a firm Offer.</li>
<li>Murakami-San is up to 23.5% of voting rights in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/exedy-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6516:1" rel="noopener">Exedy Corp (7278 JP)</a>. He would probably need 30% to be able to threaten a board spill.</li>
</ul>



Seven &amp; I (3382 JP)'s roadmap is a solid response to where retailing is headed, both in Japan and elsewhere; while ACT's bid is just about carrying on as now.

ESR (1821 HK) is a non-binding proposal, no official terms, with a fragmented shareholder register. And this is before any opaque PRC regulatory conditions tacked on in a firm Offer.
Murakami-San is up to 23.5% of voting rights in Exedy Corp (7278 JP). He would probably need 30% to be able to threaten a board spill.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Seven & I, ESR, Exedy, CMCDI, Shin Kong

Equity Bottom-Up

China Merchants China Direct Investments / Equity Bottom-Up

<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

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

Hong Kong

China Merchants China Direct Investments Limited is a close-ended investment company. It invests principally in unlisted enterprises in China. It also invests in hi-tech projects, including initial public offerings and/or pre-listing placements and any shares listed in Hong Kong.

China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK)

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China Merchants China Direct Investments (133 HK)

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

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It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

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CMCDI (133 HK)'s Proposals Light On Detail

If small, illiquid names, with a activism angle are your bag, get involved. Expect the investment management fee vote later this year to get voted...

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