Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Over the Wire Holdings Ltd / Event-Driven

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<p>There have been numerous take-private transactions for listed-Aussie IT service companies in recent years, some of which have been discussed on Smartkarma. These include...</p>
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<li>the November 2015 <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20151125/pdf/4338cczfxtqgs3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme</a> for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/uxc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:965:1" rel="noopener">UXC Ltd (UXC AU)</a>;</li>
<li>the September 2016 <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20161102/pdf/43clwcp6rxzv35.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme</a> for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asg-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7590:1" rel="noopener">ASG Group Ltd (ASZ AU)</a>;</li>
<li>the October 2019 <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20191218/pdf/44cpl5rwnq34zq.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme</a> for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/csg-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12317:1" rel="noopener">CSG Ltd (CSV AU)</a>;</li>
<li>the <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20201030/pdf/44pcdfqrs4wzm0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">September 2020</a> Scheme for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dws-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10622:1" rel="noopener">DWS Ltd (DWS AU)</a>, discussed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/janaghan-jeyakumar-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:3173" rel="noopener">Janaghan Jeyakumar</a> in <a href="https://skr.ma/kJomK" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <em>HCL-DWS(DWS AU): Cash Deal Trading Wide</em></a>;</li>
<li>the September 2020 <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20201030/pdf/44pc22zh1mh1f4.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme</a> for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/citadel-group-ltd-the" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14087:1" rel="noopener">Citadel Group (CGL AU)</a>, discussed in <em><a href="https://skr.ma/i6V5x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Citadel Group: Private Equity Partners' Offer</a></em>;</li>
<li>Capgemini's November 2020 <a href="https://assets-global.website-files.com/5eb3a33204ebab1ecd0b72c9/60176e3f9a311b7f4cb909f6_Scheme%20Booklet%20-%20RXP%20Group%20ASX.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme</a> for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rxp-services-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15047:1" rel="noopener">RXP Services (RXP AU)</a>, and its follow up Scheme in July this year for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/empired-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9406:1" rel="noopener">Empired Ltd (EPD AU)</a> (<em><a href="https://skr.ma/YWsn3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Empired (EPD AU): Capgemini's Full Offer</a></em>)); and</li>
<li>Norway's Crayon Group Holdings' July 2021 <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02418756-3A575319?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme</a> for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rhipe-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19128:1" rel="noopener">rhipe Ltd (RHP AU)</a> - see <em><a href="https://skr.ma/9ysNF" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rhipe (RHP AU): Done Deal As Scheme Booklet Dispatched</a></em>.    </li>
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<p>When <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bulletproof-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3324:1" rel="noopener">Bulletproof (BPF AU)</a>, an IT play, was taken private in 2018, the independent expert cited <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20180410/pdf/43t32h54tfrk38.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 peers</a> (page 28). Five of those peers have been taken private.</p>
<p>Now we have a proposal for the sixth. </p>
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<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aussie-broadband-pty-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30812:1" rel="noopener">Aussie Broadband Pty Ltd (ABB AU)</a> has <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02439848-2A1332945?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offered</a> to acquire Brisbane-based telecommunications and IT solutions provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/over-the-wire-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30653:1" rel="noopener">Over the Wire Holdings Ltd (OTW AU)</a> by way of a Scheme at $5.75/share.</p>
<p>This is an unsolicited and non-binding proposal. Via a process deed filed on 16 October, OTW said it has granted Aussie Broadband to undertake due diligence and negotiate transaction documentation. That process period ends on the 30 November.</p>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
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There have been numerous take-private transactions for listed-Aussie IT service companies in recent years, some of which have been discussed on Smartkarma. These include...

the November 2015 Scheme for UXC Ltd (UXC AU);
the September 2016 Scheme for ASG Group Ltd (ASZ AU);
the October 2019 Scheme for CSG Ltd (CSV AU);
the September 2020 Scheme for DWS Ltd (DWS AU), discussed by Janaghan Jeyakumar in  HCL-DWS(DWS AU): Cash Deal Trading Wide;
the September 2020 Scheme for Citadel Group (CGL AU), discussed in Citadel Group: Private Equity Partners' Offer;
Capgemini's November 2020 Scheme for RXP Services (RXP AU), and its follow up Scheme in July this year for Empired Ltd (EPD AU) (Empired (EPD AU): Capgemini's Full Offer)); and
Norway's Crayon Group Holdings' July 2021 Scheme for rhipe Ltd (RHP AU) - see Rhipe (RHP AU): Done Deal As Scheme Booklet Dispatched.    


When Bulletproof (BPF AU), an IT play, was taken private in 2018, the independent expert cited 10 peers (page 28). Five of those peers have been taken private.
Now we have a proposal for the sixth. 

Aussie Broadband Pty Ltd (ABB AU) has offered to acquire Brisbane-based telecommunications and IT solutions provider Over the Wire Holdings Ltd (OTW AU) by way of a Scheme at $5.75/share.
This is an unsolicited and non-binding proposal. Via a process deed filed on 16 October, OTW said it has granted Aussie Broadband to undertake due diligence and negotiate transaction documentation. That process period ends on the 30 November.
More below the fold.










Over The Wire (OTW AU): The Latest Aussie IT Play

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<p>Back on the 19 July, systems integrator <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/empired-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9406:1" rel="noopener">Empired Ltd (EPD AU)</a> entered into a <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02396546-6A1041326?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme</a> with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/capgemini-se" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28633:1" rel="noopener">Capgemini SE (CGEMY US)</a> at a price of A$1.35/share, a 64.6% premium to last close, and an all-time high. The Offer had the unanimous backing of Empired's board. CEO Russell Baskerville, with 5.8% of Empired's outstanding shares, intended to vote in favour of the Scheme.</p>
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<p>The Scheme Booklet is now <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02425467-6A1051843?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">out</a>. The Scheme Meeting will take place on the 25 October, with expected implementation on the 16 November. The Independent Expert concluded that the Scheme is fair and reasonable.</p>
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<p>This looks done. </p>
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<p>More below the fold.</p>
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Back on the 19 July, systems integrator Empired Ltd (EPD AU) entered into a Scheme with Capgemini SE (CGEMY US) at a price of A$1.35/share, a 64.6% premium to last close, and an all-time high. The Offer had the unanimous backing of Empired's board. CEO Russell Baskerville, with 5.8% of Empired's outstanding shares, intended to vote in favour of the Scheme.


The Scheme Booklet is now out. The Scheme Meeting will take place on the 25 October, with expected implementation on the 16 November. The Independent Expert concluded that the Scheme is fair and reasonable.


This looks done. 


More below the fold.


Empired (EPD AU): Scheme Booklet Out. Meeting On The 25 October

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<p>Systems integrator <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/empired-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9406:1" rel="noopener">Empired Ltd (EPD AU)</a> has entered into a <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02396546-6A1041326?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme</a> with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/capgemini-se" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28633:1" rel="noopener">Capgemini SE (CGEMY US)</a> at a price of A$1.35/share, a 64.6% premium to last close, and an all-time high.</p>
<p>The Offer has the unanimous backing of Empired's board. In addition, CEO Russell Baskerville with 5.8% of Empired's outstanding shares intends to vote in favour of the Scheme.</p>
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<p>In addition to shareholder approval, the Offer is subject to OIO approval. The Offer is <em>not</em> subject to due dili or financing.</p>
<p>This looks done. </p>
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<p>More below the fold.</p>
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Systems integrator Empired Ltd (EPD AU) has entered into a Scheme with Capgemini SE (CGEMY US) at a price of A$1.35/share, a 64.6% premium to last close, and an all-time high.
The Offer has the unanimous backing of Empired's board. In addition, CEO Russell Baskerville with 5.8% of Empired's outstanding shares intends to vote in favour of the Scheme.


In addition to shareholder approval, the Offer is subject to OIO approval. The Offer is not subject to due dili or financing.
This looks done. 


More below the fold.


Index Rebal/Special Situations, Quiddity Advisors

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Index Rebal/Special Situations

<p>On 21st September, Australian IT services company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dws-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10622:1" rel="noopener">DWS Ltd (DWS AU)</a> agreed to be acquired by an  Australian subsidiary of Indian Tech Giant <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hcl-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20025:1" rel="noopener">HCL Technologies (HCLT IN)</a> in a Deal that valued the company at a market cap of A$162mn (~USD118mn). </p><p>The Scheme consideration will be A$1.20 per share in cash and the Deal is expected to be completed in December 2020. The transaction is conditional on receiving Target Shareholder approval and regulatory approvals. </p><p>With less than 3 months to completion, DWS's shares are currently at A$1.17. </p><div><p><em>As always, there is more below the fold. </em></p></div><hr><div><p><em>For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Australia, please refer to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-australia-m-a-guide-2019" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:30118" rel="noopener">Quiddity Australia M&amp;A Guide 2019</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-m-a-australia-foreign-investment-reforms" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40210" rel="noopener">Quiddity M&amp;A: Australia Foreign Investment Reforms</a> </em></p></div>

On 21st September, Australian IT services company DWS Ltd (DWS AU) agreed to be acquired by an  Australian subsidiary of Indian Tech Giant HCL Technologies (HCLT IN) in a Deal that valued the company at a market cap of A$162mn (~USD118mn). The Scheme consideration will be A$1.20 per share in cash and the Deal is expected to be completed in December 2020. The transaction is conditional on receiving Target Shareholder approval and regulatory approvals. With less than 3 months to completion, DWS's shares are currently at A$1.17. As always, there is more below the fold. For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Australia, please refer to Quiddity Australia M&amp;A Guide 2019 and Quiddity M&amp;A: Australia Foreign Investment Reforms 

Australia

DWS Limited provides information technology solutions to corporation and government organizations.  The Company offers strategy and architecture, program and project management, business analysis, application development, solution testing and quality management, system integration and data management, and business analytics and information management services.

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DWS Ltd (DWS AU)

Over The Wire (OTW AU): The Latest Aussie IT Play

Given DD has been afforded, $5.75/share is probably approaching full value Currently trading at a gross spread of 4.5%. That looks a tad tight,...

David Blennerhassett

Empired (EPD AU): Scheme Booklet Out. Meeting On The 25 October

Trading relatively tight at a 1.5%/11.3% gross/annualised spread. That's reasonable, but this is not a super liquid arb situation.

David Blennerhassett

Empired (EPD AU): Capgemini's Full Offer

This is a done deal and trading at a 3.4%/11% gross/annualised spread. Not bad, but this is not a terribly liquid arb situation.

David Blennerhassett

HCL-DWS(DWS AU): Cash Deal Trading Wide

Dws Ltd (DWS AU)

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

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