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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gunma-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15777:1" rel="noopener">Gunma Bank (8334 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daishi-hokuetsu-financial-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27533:1" rel="noopener">Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP)</a>/DHFG have announced an MoU to establish one of the largest regional banks in Japan by 1 April 2027.</li>
<li>The transaction involves delisting Gunma through a share exchange with DHFG. A definitive agreement is expected around March 2026. </li>
<li>The plan is long-dated. The lack of a controlling shareholder necessitates a “fair” exchange ratio. My estimated Gunma/DHFG exchange ratio range is 0.38-0.39x.</li>
</ul>



Gunma Bank (8334 JP) and Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP)/DHFG have announced an MoU to establish one of the largest regional banks in Japan by 1 April 2027.
The transaction involves delisting Gunma through a share exchange with DHFG. A definitive agreement is expected around March 2026. 
The plan is long-dated. The lack of a controlling shareholder necessitates a “fair” exchange ratio. My estimated Gunma/DHFG exchange ratio range is 0.38-0.39x.


Gunma Bank (8334 JP): Daishi Hokuetsu (7327 JP) Share Exchange to Establish a Top Regional Bank

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/econavista-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:39958:1" rel="noopener">EcoNaviSta (5585 JP)</a> has a couple of interesting product lines and platforms. That makes it attractive, and scalable. Synergies to a big buyer are reasonably obvious.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eisai-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21001:1" rel="noopener">Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP)</a> is that big buyer, having decided to be interested last summer. I could imagine others could be interested too. The tech has uses.</li>
<li>For the moment, it is a high EV/Revenue bid on an interesting small company. The chairman, cross-holders, directors, and a couple of financial institutions own 66+%. But...</li>
</ul>



EcoNaviSta (5585 JP) has a couple of interesting product lines and platforms. That makes it attractive, and scalable. Synergies to a big buyer are reasonably obvious.

Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP) is that big buyer, having decided to be interested last summer. I could imagine others could be interested too. The tech has uses.
For the moment, it is a high EV/Revenue bid on an interesting small company. The chairman, cross-holders, directors, and a couple of financial institutions own 66+%. But...


EcoNavista (5585 JP) - Takeover By Eisai (4523)

Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group / Event-Driven

Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP)

<ul>
<li>Nikkei Business reported Friday 14 March that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gunma-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15777:1" rel="noopener">Gunma Bank (8334 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daishi-hokuetsu-financial-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27533:1" rel="noopener">Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP)</a> ("DHFG") were in talks to integrate to create a Super-Regional Bank</li>
<li>Gunma and Daishi-Hokuetsu are part of the same multiple-regional bank alliances, including the Gunma-Daishi Hokuetsu Alliance since 2021, in order to collaborate regionally, build scale, and lower service provision cost.</li>
<li>As Gunma and Daishi Hokuetsu serve adjacent jurisdictions, and they are already exploring sharing branches, this makes sense. <em>The World with Interest</em> (rates above zero) may cause more integration talk.</li>
</ul>


Nikkei Business reported Friday 14 March that Gunma Bank (8334 JP) and Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP) ("DHFG") were in talks to integrate to create a Super-Regional Bank
Gunma and Daishi-Hokuetsu are part of the same multiple-regional bank alliances, including the Gunma-Daishi Hokuetsu Alliance since 2021, in order to collaborate regionally, build scale, and lower service provision cost.
As Gunma and Daishi Hokuetsu serve adjacent jurisdictions, and they are already exploring sharing branches, this makes sense. The World with Interest (rates above zero) may cause more integration talk.


Gunma Bank (8334) And DHFG (7327) In Integration Talks - 'Guess The Ratio' Is 'Efficiency Vs Value'

<ul>
<li>So far, 10 regional banks have upgraded guidance since Q1 results. One of them (Iyogin) twice. The average gain is +71.7% vs original H1 guidance (if we count Iyogin once).</li>
<li>This week will be the big push for new guidance ahead of a flood earnings reports the following week. Election results will cause concern, and the BOJ meets Thursday.</li>
<li>I expect a move in December (positive for banks), but it may be US Fed and $/¥-dependent. In the meantime banks enjoy tailwinds.</li>
</ul>


So far, 10 regional banks have upgraded guidance since Q1 results. One of them (Iyogin) twice. The average gain is +71.7% vs original H1 guidance (if we count Iyogin once).
This week will be the big push for new guidance ahead of a flood earnings reports the following week. Election results will cause concern, and the BOJ meets Thursday.
I expect a move in December (positive for banks), but it may be US Fed and $/¥-dependent. In the meantime banks enjoy tailwinds.


Japan 2024 H1 Bank Guidance: Interest/Fees ⬆︎, Expenses/Credit Costs⬇︎ - Opportunity Good Still

<ul>
<li>40% of Banks outside the Top 7 (none of which offered H1 guidance) in the TOPIX Banks Index have now changed H1 guidance or reported H1. 2 reported both up.</li>
<li>92% of the others have revised up H1 net income guidance a weighted average of 47%. Net Interest Income, Corporate fees/comms are up, expenses and credit costs are down.</li>
<li>Big tables with data, reasons for guidance changes, and buyback history of each presented below.</li>
</ul>


40% of Banks outside the Top 7 (none of which offered H1 guidance) in the TOPIX Banks Index have now changed H1 guidance or reported H1. 2 reported both up.
92% of the others have revised up H1 net income guidance a weighted average of 47%. Net Interest Income, Corporate fees/comms are up, expenses and credit costs are down.
Big tables with data, reasons for guidance changes, and buyback history of each presented below.


Japan H1 Bank Earnings: Interest/Fees Up, Expenses/Credit Costs Down - Opportunity Abounds, Still

Japan

Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group, Inc. provides banking services. The Company offers deposit, loan, settlement, and other services. Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group provides services in Japan.

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Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP)

EcoNavista (5585 JP) - Takeover By Eisai (4523)

Eisai has announced a takeover of EcoNaviSta. This is probably worth a look to people who can trade tiny caps (US$100mm). There is a setup here...

Travis Lundy

Gunma Bank (8334) And DHFG (7327) In Integration Talks - 'Guess The Ratio' Is 'Efficiency Vs Value'

The Nikkei has suggested that current alliance partners and neighbours Gunma Bank and Daishi Hokuetsu are talking merger. This potential Guess-The...

Travis Lundy

Japan 2024 H1 Bank Guidance: Interest/Fees ⬆︎, Expenses/Credit Costs⬇︎ - Opportunity Good Still

10 of about 70 Japanese regional banks have revised guidance for the H1 to end-Sep 2024. The average gain is near 70% vs previous guidance. That's...

Travis Lundy

Japan H1 Bank Earnings: Interest/Fees Up, Expenses/Credit Costs Down - Opportunity Abounds, Still

The macro backdrop for Japanese banks is pretty good. Business restructuring efforts are bearing fruit. Global macro is adding fees. Stocks are up,...

Travis Lundy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Gunma Bank (8334 JP): Daishi Hokuetsu (7327 JP) Share Exchange to Establish a Top Regional Bank

A definitive agreement is expected around March 2026. The lack of a controlling shareholder necessitates a “fair” exchange ratio. My estimated...

Arun George

EcoNavista (5585 JP) - Takeover By Eisai (4523)

Eisai has announced a takeover of EcoNaviSta. This is probably worth a look to people who can trade tiny caps (US$100mm). There is a setup here...

Travis Lundy

Gunma Bank (8334) And DHFG (7327) In Integration Talks - 'Guess The Ratio' Is 'Efficiency Vs Value'

The Nikkei has suggested that current alliance partners and neighbours Gunma Bank and Daishi Hokuetsu are talking merger. This potential Guess-The...

Travis Lundy

Japan 2024 H1 Bank Guidance: Interest/Fees ⬆︎, Expenses/Credit Costs⬇︎ - Opportunity Good Still

10 of about 70 Japanese regional banks have revised guidance for the H1 to end-Sep 2024. The average gain is near 70% vs previous guidance. That's...

Travis Lundy

Japan H1 Bank Earnings: Interest/Fees Up, Expenses/Credit Costs Down - Opportunity Abounds, Still

The macro backdrop for Japanese banks is pretty good. Business restructuring efforts are bearing fruit. Global macro is adding fees. Stocks are up,...

Travis Lundy