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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/21-vianet-group-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8489:1" rel="noopener">21Vianet Group (VNET US)</a> disclosed a privatisation proposal from the founder at US$8.20 per ADS, a 2.5% premium to The Hina Group/Industrial Bank’s offer of US$8.00 (disclosed on 11 April).</li>
<li>The data centre industry continues to be a hotbed for M&amp;A. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-27/mbk-partners-is-said-to-weigh-rival-bid-for-chinese-data-center-firm-vnet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg reported</a> on 27 July that MBK Partners is mulling an offer for VNET. </li>
<li>The offer is unattractive, and Mr Cheng, with 28.79% of voting rights, will need the support of other substantial shareholders. This latest offer underlines the current mispricing of the shares</li>
</ul>



21Vianet Group (VNET US) disclosed a privatisation proposal from the founder at US$8.20 per ADS, a 2.5% premium to The Hina Group/Industrial Bank’s offer of US$8.00 (disclosed on 11 April).
The data centre industry continues to be a hotbed for M&amp;A. Bloomberg reported on 27 July that MBK Partners is mulling an offer for VNET. 
The offer is unattractive, and Mr Cheng, with 28.79% of voting rights, will need the support of other substantial shareholders. This latest offer underlines the current mispricing of the shares


VNET’s Opportunistic US$8.20 Bid from the Founder

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-27/mbk-partners-is-said-to-weigh-rival-bid-for-chinese-data-center-firm-vnet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg reported</a> that MBK Partners is in talks to team up with a partner on a joint offer for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/21-vianet-group-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8489:1" rel="noopener">21Vianet Group (VNET US)</a>. Considerations are at a preliminary stage.</li>
<li>A potential bid would compete against The Hina Group and Industrial Bank’s $8.00 per ADS offer. The Board has not provided an update on its stance on this offer.   </li>
<li>Takeover interest is unsurprisingly due to VNET’s depressed share price, unchanged FY22 guidance and ongoing data centre M&amp;A activity.     </li>
</ul>



Bloomberg reported that MBK Partners is in talks to team up with a partner on a joint offer for 21Vianet Group (VNET US). Considerations are at a preliminary stage.
A potential bid would compete against The Hina Group and Industrial Bank’s $8.00 per ADS offer. The Board has not provided an update on its stance on this offer.   
Takeover interest is unsurprisingly due to VNET’s depressed share price, unchanged FY22 guidance and ongoing data centre M&amp;A activity.     


<ul>
<li>A <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-22/bain-backed-chindata-said-to-field-preliminary-takeover-interest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg article</a> claimed that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chindata-group-holdings-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29274:1" rel="noopener">Chindata Group (CD US)</a> is attracting takeover interest from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gds-holdings-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23649:1" rel="noopener">GDS Holdings (ADR) (GDS US)</a>, PAG and EdgeConneX. Shares rose 9.8% to close at $4.81.</li>
<li>Potential privatisation will require the blessing of Bain Capital, the largest shareholder. Chindata’s track record of beating guidance, modest leverage and the beaten-down rating make it a target. </li>
<li>A forward EV/EBITDA multiple of 8.9x, in line with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/21-vianet-group-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8489:1" rel="noopener">21Vianet Group (VNET US)</a>’s proposed acquisition multiple, would imply $6.85 per ADS. </li>
</ul>


A Bloomberg article claimed that Chindata Group (CD US) is attracting takeover interest from GDS Holdings (ADR) (GDS US), PAG and EdgeConneX. Shares rose 9.8% to close at $4.81.
Potential privatisation will require the blessing of Bain Capital, the largest shareholder. Chindata’s track record of beating guidance, modest leverage and the beaten-down rating make it a target. 
A forward EV/EBITDA multiple of 8.9x, in line with 21Vianet Group (VNET US)’s proposed acquisition multiple, would imply $6.85 per ADS. 


Chindata the Next Chinese ADR Privatisation Target?

<ul>
<li>VNET, formerly known as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/21-vianet-group-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8489:1" rel="noopener">21Vianet Group (VNET US)</a>, is a leading carrier and cloud-neutral data centre services provider in China. </li>
<li>It has received a non-binding privatisation proposal from <a href="https://www.hinagroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hina Group</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/industrial-bank-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19515:1" rel="noopener">Industrial Bank Co Ltd A (601166 CH)</a> at $8.00 per ADS, a 48.1% premium to the undisturbed price. </li>
<li>The Board has not made any decisions on the offer. Despite the juicy premium, the offer is unattractive in the context of historical multiples and share prices.    </li>
</ul>


VNET, formerly known as 21Vianet Group (VNET US), is a leading carrier and cloud-neutral data centre services provider in China. 
It has received a non-binding privatisation proposal from The Hina Group and Industrial Bank Co Ltd A (601166 CH) at $8.00 per ADS, a 48.1% premium to the undisturbed price. 
The Board has not made any decisions on the offer. Despite the juicy premium, the offer is unattractive in the context of historical multiples and share prices.    


VNET’s Languishing Shares Draws an Opportunistic $8.00 Bid

Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Singapore government introduced a moratorium on new data centres in 2019</li>
<li>As result, incumbent data centre REITs recalibrated their portfolio strategy including to pursue DPU and NAV growth through accretive overseas acquisitions </li>
<li>In Q2 2022, the moratorium is expected to be lifted with conditional approvals for applicants that meet certain sustainability requirements. We discuss the implications for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keppel-dc-reit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:85:1" rel="noopener">Keppel DC REIT (KDCREIT SP)</a> </li>
</ul>


Singapore government introduced a moratorium on new data centres in 2019
As result, incumbent data centre REITs recalibrated their portfolio strategy including to pursue DPU and NAV growth through accretive overseas acquisitions 
In Q2 2022, the moratorium is expected to be lifted with conditional approvals for applicants that meet certain sustainability requirements. We discuss the implications for Keppel DC REIT (KDCREIT SP) 


Keppel DC REIT (KDCREIT SP) - Imminent Lifting of SG Data Centre Moratorium and Its Implications

United States

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. owns, acquires, repositions, and manages technology-related real estate.  The Company's properties contain applications and operations critical to the day-to-day operations of technology industry tenants and corporate enterprise data center tenants.  Digital's property portfolio is located throughout the United States and in England.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Digital Realty Trust (DLR US)

VNET’s Opportunistic US$8.20 Bid from the Founder

The offer is unattractive. Nevertheless, with the data centre M&A activity levels remaining elevated, the current mispricing of the shares will...

Arun George

VNET Draws the Interest of MBK Partners

Takeover interest is unsurprisingly due to VNET’s depressed share price, unchanged FY22 guidance and ongoing data centre M&A activity. Buy some...

Arun George

Chindata the Next Chinese ADR Privatisation Target?

Bloomberg claimed that Chindata is attracting takeover interest from GDS, PAG and EdgeConneX. A forward EV/EBITDA multiple of 8.9x, in line with...

Arun George

VNET’s Languishing Shares Draws an Opportunistic $8.00 Bid

The Hina Group and Industrial Bank Co have offered $8.00 per ADS, a 48.1% premium to the undisturbed price. However, the offer is unattractive in...

Arun George

Keppel DC REIT (KDCREIT SP) - Imminent Lifting of SG Data Centre Moratorium and Its Implications

Singapore introduced a moratorium on new data centres which caused incumbents to recalibrate their strategy. With the moratorium expected to be...

Jason Yap, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)