Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Two hours before China Mobile's pre-conditional voluntary Offer announcement on the 2 December, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hkbn-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:289:1" rel="noopener">HKBN Ltd (1310 HK)</a>  <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/1202/2024120202069.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flagged</a> a possible separate Offer from I Squared Asia-backed HGC Global Communication (HGC). </li>
<li>No price was mentioned, although HKBN and I Squared "are in discussions on the terms of the proposal (including the price)." The media is reporting a HK$5-HK$6/share price range.</li>
<li>Apart from anti-competition concerns via a HKBN/HGC tie-in; would HGC even get approval from the powers that be to proceed with a merger?</li>
</ul>


Two hours before China Mobile's pre-conditional voluntary Offer announcement on the 2 December, HKBN Ltd (1310 HK)  flagged a possible separate Offer from I Squared Asia-backed HGC Global Communication (HGC). 
No price was mentioned, although HKBN and I Squared "are in discussions on the terms of the proposal (including the price)." The media is reporting a HK$5-HK$6/share price range.
Apart from anti-competition concerns via a HKBN/HGC tie-in; would HGC even get approval from the powers that be to proceed with a merger?


HKBN (1310 HK): Just How Likely Is An I Squared Offer?

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dfi-retail-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7427:1" rel="noopener">DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP)</a>, a leading retail player in Asia, is navigating sector headwinds through strategic pivots and cost cuts to drive superior margins and returns.</li>
<li>After hitting a 10-year low in early August, DFI Retail’s stock rebounded, driven by strong 1H2024 earnings that reflected the impact of management's initiatives.</li>
<li>With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and a positive earnings growth outlook, DFI Retail offers a low-risk, high-return opportunity for investors in 2025.</li>
</ul>



DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP), a leading retail player in Asia, is navigating sector headwinds through strategic pivots and cost cuts to drive superior margins and returns.
After hitting a 10-year low in early August, DFI Retail’s stock rebounded, driven by strong 1H2024 earnings that reflected the impact of management's initiatives.
With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and a positive earnings growth outlook, DFI Retail offers a low-risk, high-return opportunity for investors in 2025.


2025 High Conviction: DFI Retail - Churning Free Cash by Turning the Right Levers

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

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.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sun-art-retail-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:401:1" rel="noopener">Sun Art Retail (6808 HK)</a> entered a trading halt under the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Bloomberg suggests <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group Holding (BABA US)</a>’s stake is attracting preliminary interest from PE.</li>
<li>Alibaba built its 78.70% stake through two purchases in 2017 (HK$6.50) and 2021 (HK$8.10). An exit would align with the strategy to focus on the core business segments. </li>
<li>The recent Miniso-Yonghui transaction could have prompted PE to act. An offer at book value would imply HK$2.50, a 40% premium to the last close price. </li>
</ul>



Sun Art Retail (6808 HK) entered a trading halt under the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Bloomberg suggests Alibaba Group Holding (BABA US)’s stake is attracting preliminary interest from PE.
Alibaba built its 78.70% stake through two purchases in 2017 (HK$6.50) and 2021 (HK$8.10). An exit would align with the strategy to focus on the core business segments. 
The recent Miniso-Yonghui transaction could have prompted PE to act. An offer at book value would imply HK$2.50, a 40% premium to the last close price. 


Sun Art Retail (6808 HK): Alibaba’s Stake Draws PE Interest

<ul>
<li>Welcome to Consumer Tales &amp; Trends, your weekly roundup of the latest corporate developments, investment reports and sector events in the consumer industry.</li>
<li>Despite weak consumer spending in China, there are a few bright spots—an example is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pop-mart-international-group-l" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29016:1" rel="noopener">Pop Mart International Group (9992 HK)'s</a> strong sales growth partly driven by the "red lipstick effect."</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/miniso-group-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29673:1" rel="noopener">Miniso (MNSO US)</a>’s stock plunged early last week but quickly recovered, reinforcing our view that its deal with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yonghui-superstores-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15910:1" rel="noopener">Yonghui Superstores Co., (601933 CH)</a> has some promise.</li>
</ul>


Welcome to Consumer Tales &amp; Trends, your weekly roundup of the latest corporate developments, investment reports and sector events in the consumer industry.
Despite weak consumer spending in China, there are a few bright spots—an example is Pop Mart International Group (9992 HK)'s strong sales growth partly driven by the "red lipstick effect."

Miniso (MNSO US)’s stock plunged early last week but quickly recovered, reinforcing our view that its deal with Yonghui Superstores Co., (601933 CH) has some promise.


Weekly Consumer Tales: Pop Mart's Unique Appeal-Miniso's Yonghui Buy-China Stimulus-MTR's Spicy IPO

<ul>
<li>Hypermarket reshuffles as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com (9618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dfi-retail-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7427:1" rel="noopener">DFI Retail (DFI SP)</a> exit <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yonghui-superstores-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15910:1" rel="noopener">Yonghui Superstores (601933 CH)</a>; and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd-d7b798e2-202d-4e01-9a1e-799e2ae8f0c7" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group  (9988 HK)</a> potentially exits <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sun-art-retail-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:401:1" rel="noopener">Sun Art Retail (6808 HK)</a>.</li>
<li>Evidently the influence of a younger hip third-generation tycoon-scion wasn't the panacea for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-world-development" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7037:1" rel="noopener">New World Development (17 HK)</a> and its ongoing issues in the HK/China property space.</li>
<li>MBK bumps the Tender Offer prices 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> by 13.6% to ₩750,000 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> by 25% to ₩25,000. What with the Choi's do?</li>
</ul>


Hypermarket reshuffles as JD.com (9618 HK) and DFI Retail (DFI SP) exit Yonghui Superstores (601933 CH); and Alibaba Group  (9988 HK) potentially exits Sun Art Retail (6808 HK).
Evidently the influence of a younger hip third-generation tycoon-scion wasn't the panacea for New World Development (17 HK) and its ongoing issues in the HK/China property space.
MBK bumps the Tender Offer prices for Korea Zinc (010130 KS) by 13.6% to ₩750,000 and Young Poong Precision (036560 KS) by 25% to ₩25,000. What with the Choi's do?


Last Week in Event SPACE: DFI/JD.com/Yonghui, Alibaba/Sun Art, New World Development, Austal

Hong Kong

DFI Retail Group is a leading pan-Asian retailer operating supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, health and beauty stores, home furnishings stores, and restaurants. The company manages a portfolio of well-known brands including Wellcome, 7-Eleven, Mannings, Guardian, and IKEA. DFI Retail Group was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong.

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DFI Retail Group (DFI SP)

HKBN (1310 HK): Just How Likely Is An I Squared Offer?

According to Sing Tao Daily, PRC regulatory authorities have yet to respond to the transaction. Not quite sure what that means. It's been a little...

David Blennerhassett

2025 High Conviction: DFI Retail - Churning Free Cash by Turning the Right Levers

DFI Retail is overcoming challenges with strategic shifts and cost reductions. With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and earnings...

Devi Subhakesan

Sun Art Retail (6808 HK): Alibaba’s Stake Draws PE Interest

On 27 September, the Board received a pre-conditional voluntary conditional offer from an undisclosed offeror. No terms are disclosed. Alibaba is...

Arun George

Weekly Consumer Tales: Pop Mart's Unique Appeal-Miniso's Yonghui Buy-China Stimulus-MTR's Spicy IPO

Welcome to Consumer Tales & Trends, your weekly roundup of the latest corporate developments, investment reports and sector events in the consumer...

Devi Subhakesan

Last Week in Event SPACE: DFI/JD.com/Yonghui, Alibaba/Sun Art, New World Development, Austal

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...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

HKBN (1310 HK): Just How Likely Is An I Squared Offer?

According to Sing Tao Daily, PRC regulatory authorities have yet to respond to the transaction. Not quite sure what that means. It's been a little...

David Blennerhassett

2025 High Conviction: DFI Retail - Churning Free Cash by Turning the Right Levers

​DFI Retail is overcoming challenges with strategic shifts and cost reductions. With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and earnings...

Devi Subhakesan

Sun Art Retail (6808 HK): Alibaba’s Stake Draws PE Interest

On 27 September, the Board received a pre-conditional voluntary conditional offer from an undisclosed offeror. No terms are disclosed. Alibaba is...

Arun George

Weekly Consumer Tales: Pop Mart's Unique Appeal-Miniso's Yonghui Buy-China Stimulus-MTR's Spicy IPO

Welcome to Consumer Tales & Trends, your weekly roundup of the latest corporate developments, investment reports and sector events in the consumer...

Devi Subhakesan

Last Week in Event SPACE: DFI/JD.com/Yonghui, Alibaba/Sun Art, New World Development, Austal

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...

David Blennerhassett

DFI Retail is overcoming challenges with strategic shifts and cost reductions. With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and earnings...