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

Life Insurance Corporation of India / Equity Capital Markets

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LICI IN)

<ul>
<li>Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that were covered by the team recently along with updates for upcoming IPOs.</li>
<li>This week we looked at the South Korean SK twins that are looking to list. In addition, LIC appears to be testing waters again.</li>
<li>Placement flows slowed down a bit with the mid-week HK holiday, although Australia and India blocks have continued to flow-in.</li>
</ul>


Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that were covered by the team recently along with updates for upcoming IPOs.
This week we looked at the South Korean SK twins that are looking to list. In addition, LIC appears to be testing waters again.
Placement flows slowed down a bit with the mid-week HK holiday, although Australia and India blocks have continued to flow-in.


ECM Weekly (10th Apr 2022)- LIC, GoTo, Shieldus, One Store, China ADRs, Air NZ, Chrysos, Zhihu

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>As expected, S&amp;P DJI have announced that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP Group (BHP AU)</a>'s weight in the S&amp;P/ASX indices will be increased all at once at the close of trading on 28 January. </li>
<li>We estimated passive S&amp;P/ASX trackers will need to buy over A$4bn of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP Group (BHP AU)</a> leading to a funding sell of that size on the other index constituents.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP Group (BHP AU)</a> has risen 25% from its lows in November. We expect most UK shareholders have finished selling shares and the one-shot inclusion could take the stock higher.</li>
</ul>


As expected, S&amp;P DJI have announced that BHP Group (BHP AU)'s weight in the S&amp;P/ASX indices will be increased all at once at the close of trading on 28 January. 
We estimated passive S&amp;P/ASX trackers will need to buy over A$4bn of BHP Group (BHP AU) leading to a funding sell of that size on the other index constituents.

BHP Group (BHP AU) has risen 25% from its lows in November. We expect most UK shareholders have finished selling shares and the one-shot inclusion could take the stock higher.


BHP Unification - ASX Upweight in One Shot

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries / Event-Driven

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU)

<div>
<p>Back on the 12 July, wholesale and retail pharmacy operator <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/19399" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19399:1" rel="noopener">Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU)</a> (API) <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02394187-3A570533?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> an indicative, non-binding Offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wesfarmers-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1104:1" rel="noopener">Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU)</a> by way of a Scheme at $1.38/share,  a 20.5% premium to last close.  Separately, Wesfarmers entered into an agreement with API's largest shareholder <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/washington-h-soul-pattinson-and-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6054:1" rel="noopener">Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU)</a> (WHSP), such that WHSP will vote its 19.3% interest in favour of Wesfarmers' proposal, in the absence of a superior Offer.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>The proposal appeared opportunistic and the API board agreed (with that idea) and rejected the proposed Offer on the <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02400478-3A571605?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">29 July</a> on grounds it undervalued API, was not compelling, and was not in the best interest of shareholders. </p>
</div>
<p>Wesfarmers and API subsequently entered into a <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02422163-3A575967?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">process deed</a> on the 16 September after Wesfarmers bumped the Offer by 12.3% to A$1.55/share. A fully franked dividend of A$0.05/share is permitted, which will reduce the cash consideration if paid. WHSP remains supportive.</p>
<div>
<p>API granted Wesfarmers exclusive due diligence until the 16 October. The proposal is also subject to ACCC clearance.</p>
<h3>The New News</h3>
<p>API has now <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02426356-3A576689?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it has received a non-binding proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sigma-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15966:1" rel="noopener">Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU)</a>. API shareholders would receive an implied A$1.57/share under Sigma’s cash-and-stock proposal. A similar franked dividend, to the one in the Wesfermers' proposal, is also permitted. </p>
<p>This is the third attempt by Australia's two largest pharmaceutical distributors to merge: the first was shot down by the ACCC in 2002, and the second was rejected by Sigma (when API was the acquiror) in 2019.</p>
<p>Sigma has been afforded confirmatory due diligence - which appears will take place after Wesfarmers' exclusive due diligence, although the wording in today's announcement is unclear. </p>
<p>Wesfarmers proposal is cleaner as an all-cash proposal  - and WHSP is a willing seller. Yet an API/Sigma tie-in would amalgamate key pharmacy brands (Amcal, Guardian, and Priceline) into one entity. It remains to be seen whether the ACCC's stance has changed from 19 years ago.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
</div>


Back on the 12 July, wholesale and retail pharmacy operator Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU) (API) announced an indicative, non-binding Offer from Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU) by way of a Scheme at $1.38/share,  a 20.5% premium to last close.  Separately, Wesfarmers entered into an agreement with API's largest shareholder Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU) (WHSP), such that WHSP will vote its 19.3% interest in favour of Wesfarmers' proposal, in the absence of a superior Offer.


The proposal appeared opportunistic and the API board agreed (with that idea) and rejected the proposed Offer on the 29 July on grounds it undervalued API, was not compelling, and was not in the best interest of shareholders. 

Wesfarmers and API subsequently entered into a process deed on the 16 September after Wesfarmers bumped the Offer by 12.3% to A$1.55/share. A fully franked dividend of A$0.05/share is permitted, which will reduce the cash consideration if paid. WHSP remains supportive.

API granted Wesfarmers exclusive due diligence until the 16 October. The proposal is also subject to ACCC clearance.
The New News
API has now announced it has received a non-binding proposal from Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU). API shareholders would receive an implied A$1.57/share under Sigma’s cash-and-stock proposal. A similar franked dividend, to the one in the Wesfermers' proposal, is also permitted. 
This is the third attempt by Australia's two largest pharmaceutical distributors to merge: the first was shot down by the ACCC in 2002, and the second was rejected by Sigma (when API was the acquiror) in 2019.
Sigma has been afforded confirmatory due diligence - which appears will take place after Wesfarmers' exclusive due diligence, although the wording in today's announcement is unclear. 
Wesfarmers proposal is cleaner as an all-cash proposal  - and WHSP is a willing seller. Yet an API/Sigma tie-in would amalgamate key pharmacy brands (Amcal, Guardian, and Priceline) into one entity. It remains to be seen whether the ACCC's stance has changed from 19 years ago.


More below the fold.


Aussie Pharma (API AU): Sigma's Rival Bid (Just) Edges Wesfarmers

<div>
<p>On the 12 July, wholesale and retail pharmacy health/beauty and lifestyle products operator <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/19399" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19399:1" rel="noopener">Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU)</a> (API) <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02394187-3A570533?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> an indicative, non-binding Offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wesfarmers-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1104:1" rel="noopener">Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU)</a> by way of a Scheme at $1.38/share,  a 20.5% premium to last close.  Separately, Wesfarmers has entered into an agreement with API's largest shareholder <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/washington-h-soul-pattinson-and-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6054:1" rel="noopener">Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU)</a> (WHSP), such that WHSP will vote its 19.3% interest in favour of Wesfarmers' proposal, in the absence of a superior Offer.</p>
<p>There was a whiff of opportunism present, and the API board agreed and concluded in an announcement on the <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02400478-3A571605?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">29 July</a> that the proposal undervalued API, was not compelling, and was not in the best interest of shareholders. </p>
<h3>The New News</h3>
<p>After bumping the Offer by 12.3% to A$1.55/share, Wesfarmers and API entered into a <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02422163-3A575967?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">process deed</a> yesterday. A fully franked dividend of A$0.05/share is permitted, which if paid will reduce the cash consideration.</p>
<p>WHSP remains supportive and will vote its 19.3% in favour of the revised proposal.</p>
<p>API has granted Wesfarmers exclusive due diligence until the 16 October. The deal is also subject to ACCC clearance.</p>
<p>This remains a non-binding Offer, and we have seen two Aussie deals break in the past fortnight, reinforcing the country's moniker as the non-binding graveyard.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
</div>


On the 12 July, wholesale and retail pharmacy health/beauty and lifestyle products operator Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU) (API) announced an indicative, non-binding Offer from Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU) by way of a Scheme at $1.38/share,  a 20.5% premium to last close.  Separately, Wesfarmers has entered into an agreement with API's largest shareholder Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU) (WHSP), such that WHSP will vote its 19.3% interest in favour of Wesfarmers' proposal, in the absence of a superior Offer.
There was a whiff of opportunism present, and the API board agreed and concluded in an announcement on the 29 July that the proposal undervalued API, was not compelling, and was not in the best interest of shareholders. 
The New News
After bumping the Offer by 12.3% to A$1.55/share, Wesfarmers and API entered into a process deed yesterday. A fully franked dividend of A$0.05/share is permitted, which if paid will reduce the cash consideration.
WHSP remains supportive and will vote its 19.3% in favour of the revised proposal.
API has granted Wesfarmers exclusive due diligence until the 16 October. The deal is also subject to ACCC clearance.
This remains a non-binding Offer, and we have seen two Aussie deals break in the past fortnight, reinforcing the country's moniker as the non-binding graveyard.


More below the fold.


Aussie Pharma (API AU): Wesfarmer's Sweetened (Yet Indicative) Offer

Travis Lundy

<p>In mid-late June, the two largest Listed Investment Corporations in Australia - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/milton-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29090:1" rel="noopener">Milton Corp Ltd (MLT AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/washington-h-soul-pattinson-and-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6054:1" rel="noopener">Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU)</a> - announced plans to merge, with SOL (a.k.a. "WHSP") becoming the surviving entity. </p>
<p>This was discussed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/david-blennerhassett" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:840" rel="noopener">David Blennerhassett</a> in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/whsp-s-proposed-merger-with-milton-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:53422" rel="noopener">WHSP's Proposed Merger With Milton Corp</a> and by myself in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/milton-merger-is-a-most-marvelous-arb" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:53464" rel="noopener">Milton Merger Is A Most Marvelous Arb</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/milton-whsp-merger-index-implications-and-the-marvelous-arb" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:53551" rel="noopener">Milton-WHSP Merger Index Implications and the Marvelous Arb</a>. </p>
<p>It is a complicated deal. </p>
<p>Milton had been trading at a discount to NAV, where NAV was 97% or so listed stocks. WHSP had been trading at a premium to NAV. WHSP agreed to pay a premium to NAV for MLT shares, but the construct provided for some really interesting other optionality (some positive, a little negative) for MLT shareholders. </p>
<p>In early July, Milton announced its NAV at A$5.50/share and assuming it is exactly A$5.5000/share, the Quiddity Milton Model was off by 0.16%. When it released its top 20 stock and weights list which showed about A$50-60mm of adjustments to positions since 31 Dec 2020 within the top 20 names, that lowered the NAV miss to about 0.07% and that is probably a matter of timing and stray dividend income or a mark on its private assets.</p>
<p>Interestingly, as WHSP rose 10% then came back a bit, and Milton rose with it, but the Milton NAV did not rise much, the "spread to terms" has stayed reasonably stable except for some near-market-close shenanigans at times. </p>
<p>But it still feels like people don't get it. </p>
<p>There's some really interesting convexity here. Still.</p>
<p>And the supply/demand tilt is remarkable.</p>

In mid-late June, the two largest Listed Investment Corporations in Australia - Milton Corp Ltd (MLT AU) and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU) - announced plans to merge, with SOL (a.k.a. "WHSP") becoming the surviving entity. 
This was discussed by David Blennerhassett in WHSP's Proposed Merger With Milton Corp and by myself in Milton Merger Is A Most Marvelous Arb and Milton-WHSP Merger Index Implications and the Marvelous Arb. 
It is a complicated deal. 
Milton had been trading at a discount to NAV, where NAV was 97% or so listed stocks. WHSP had been trading at a premium to NAV. WHSP agreed to pay a premium to NAV for MLT shares, but the construct provided for some really interesting other optionality (some positive, a little negative) for MLT shareholders. 
In early July, Milton announced its NAV at A$5.50/share and assuming it is exactly A$5.5000/share, the Quiddity Milton Model was off by 0.16%. When it released its top 20 stock and weights list which showed about A$50-60mm of adjustments to positions since 31 Dec 2020 within the top 20 names, that lowered the NAV miss to about 0.07% and that is probably a matter of timing and stray dividend income or a mark on its private assets.
Interestingly, as WHSP rose 10% then came back a bit, and Milton rose with it, but the Milton NAV did not rise much, the "spread to terms" has stayed reasonably stable except for some near-market-close shenanigans at times. 
But it still feels like people don't get it. 
There's some really interesting convexity here. Still.
And the supply/demand tilt is remarkable.

Milton's Marvelous Arb Meanders Along... Marvelously

Australia

Coles Group Limited owns and operates a chain of supermarkets and department stores. The Company offers apparels, liquor, office supplies, groceries, and household products. Coles Group serves customers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

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Coles Group (COL AU)

ECM Weekly (10th Apr 2022)- LIC, GoTo, Shieldus, One Store, China ADRs, Air NZ, Chrysos, Zhihu

Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that were covered by the team recently along with updates for upcoming IPOs.

Sumeet Singh

BHP Unification - ASX Upweight in One Shot

The BHP upweight in the ASX indices will be done all at once at the close on 28 January. This will mean A$4bn of BHP to buy and a funding sell on...

Brian Freitas

Aussie Pharma (API AU): Sigma's Rival Bid (Just) Edges Wesfarmers

Trading slightly below Wesfarmer's cash proposal. That looks like a reasonable place to enter. Wesfarmers can easily trump any tilt from Sigma.

David Blennerhassett

Aussie Pharma (API AU): Wesfarmer's Sweetened (Yet Indicative) Offer

Trading at a 5.8%/15.8% gross/annualised spread, assuming mid-Feb completion. But it's not a super liquid arb situation. Plus this remains a non...

David Blennerhassett

Milton's Marvelous Arb Meanders Along... Marvelously

The Marvelous Milton Merger Arb is still trading slightly wide on a "straight arb" basis. On a "true arb" basis including optionality, it is...

Travis Lundy

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