European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Since mid-November, share-price spreads have generally widened across European liquid universe of ordinary and preferred shares (10 have widened, 8 tightened, 1 unchanged) with few changes in the trends.</li>
<li>The most notorious reversal has been Telecom Italia. Recommended trades long preferred / short ordinary shares: Atlas Copco, Grifols SA, Media-for-Europe.</li>
<li>Recommended trades long ordinary / short preferred shares: Carlsberg, Henkel, SSAB Svenska Stal, Telecom Italia.</li>
</ul>


Since mid-November, share-price spreads have generally widened across European liquid universe of ordinary and preferred shares (10 have widened, 8 tightened, 1 unchanged) with few changes in the trends.
The most notorious reversal has been Telecom Italia. Recommended trades long preferred / short ordinary shares: Atlas Copco, Grifols SA, Media-for-Europe.
Recommended trades long ordinary / short preferred shares: Carlsberg, Henkel, SSAB Svenska Stal, Telecom Italia.


Liquid Universe of European Ordinary and Preferred Shares: December‘24 Report

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Nec Networks & System Integr / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nec-networks-system-integr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16396:1" rel="noopener">Nec Networks (1973 JP)</a>'s own FA didn't include any measure of transaction synergies to be created about which NEC and NESIC were so sure. This is not being done right.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-post-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:150:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Post (SPOST SP)</a>'s muted price action after announcing the ~S$900mn FMH sale is illustrative. But expect more value to be unlocked from divesting non-core ops going forward. </li>
<li>The FTC' blocking the giant grocery merger of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kroger-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20824:1" rel="noopener">Kroger Co (KR US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/albertsons-cos-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33026:1" rel="noopener">Albertsons Cos (ACI US)</a> spells trouble for ACT and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a>.</li>
</ul>



Nec Networks (1973 JP)'s own FA didn't include any measure of transaction synergies to be created about which NEC and NESIC were so sure. This is not being done right.

Singapore Post (SPOST SP)'s muted price action after announcing the ~S$900mn FMH sale is illustrative. But expect more value to be unlocked from divesting non-core ops going forward. 
The FTC' blocking the giant grocery merger of Kroger Co (KR US) and Albertsons Cos (ACI US) spells trouble for ACT and Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP).


Last Week in Event SPACE: NEC Network, SingPost, Seven & I, CPMC, Exedy

<ul>
<li>Debt Refinancing Achieved: Grifols issued €1.3 billion in bonds and extended its revolving credit facility, significantly improving liquidity to €1.7 billion proforma for Q3 2024 while addressing 2025 maturities.</li>
<li>Activist Shareholder Pressure: Hedge funds, including Flat Footed, continue to push for governance reforms, citing conflicts of interest and value destruction involving the Grifols family and board member Tomás Dagá.</li>
<li>Valuation Opportunity: Grifols trades at a high discount to peers, with upside potential based on its strong market position in plasma therapies, EBITDA recovery, and margin expansion post-COVID.</li>
</ul>


Debt Refinancing Achieved: Grifols issued €1.3 billion in bonds and extended its revolving credit facility, significantly improving liquidity to €1.7 billion proforma for Q3 2024 while addressing 2025 maturities.
Activist Shareholder Pressure: Hedge funds, including Flat Footed, continue to push for governance reforms, citing conflicts of interest and value destruction involving the Grifols family and board member Tomás Dagá.
Valuation Opportunity: Grifols trades at a high discount to peers, with upside potential based on its strong market position in plasma therapies, EBITDA recovery, and margin expansion post-COVID.


Keisei Electric Railway Co / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Remain BULLISH <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keisei-electric-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10876:1" rel="noopener">Keisei Electric Railway Co (9009 JP) </a> with low conviction. This is buying on narrative rather than fundamentals but there is no need to not get involved.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vitasoy-intl-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2807:1" rel="noopener">Vitasoy Intl Holdings (345 HK)</a>'s share price run up is excessive as Philip Ng and<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yeo-hiap-seng-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9051:1" rel="noopener">Yeo Hiap Seng (YHS SP)</a> over-extend their hand.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nec-networks-system-integr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16396:1" rel="noopener">Nec Networks (1973 JP)</a> has yet to trade below terms. The premium is small, perhaps reflecting the risk NEC will lower the minimum threshold. But there is still a fight here.</li>
</ul>


Remain BULLISH Keisei Electric Railway Co (9009 JP)  with low conviction. This is buying on narrative rather than fundamentals but there is no need to not get involved.

Vitasoy Intl Holdings (345 HK)'s share price run up is excessive as Philip Ng andYeo Hiap Seng (YHS SP) over-extend their hand.

Nec Networks (1973 JP) has yet to trade below terms. The premium is small, perhaps reflecting the risk NEC will lower the minimum threshold. But there is still a fight here.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Keisei Electric Railway, Vitasoy, NEC Network, ESR Group

<ul>
<li>On November 27, Brookfield withdrew its €6.45 billion takeover bid for Grifols, citing valuation disagreements, shareholder resistance, and financing challenges after months of negotiation.</li>
<li>Grifols’ shareholders sought valuations near €14 per share, far above Brookfield’s offer, other challenges included regulatory hurdles requiring 75% approval and financing constraints due to rising interest rates.</li>
<li>The failed bid underscores Grifols’ focus on recovery, leveraging its plasma-derived therapies market position while addressing high leverage, cash flow concerns, and governance to restore investor confidence.</li>
</ul>


On November 27, Brookfield withdrew its €6.45 billion takeover bid for Grifols, citing valuation disagreements, shareholder resistance, and financing challenges after months of negotiation.
Grifols’ shareholders sought valuations near €14 per share, far above Brookfield’s offer, other challenges included regulatory hurdles requiring 75% approval and financing constraints due to rising interest rates.
The failed bid underscores Grifols’ focus on recovery, leveraging its plasma-derived therapies market position while addressing high leverage, cash flow concerns, and governance to restore investor confidence.


Spain

Grifols S.A. develops, manufactures, and markets plasma derivatives, IV Therapy, enteral nutrition, diagnostic systems, and medical materials.

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Grifols (GRF SQ)

Liquid Universe of European Ordinary and Preferred Shares: December‘24 Report

Since mid-November, share-price spreads have generally widened across European liquid universe of ordinary and preferred shares with few changes in...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Last Week in Event SPACE: NEC Network, SingPost, Seven & I, CPMC, Exedy

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

Grifols: Activism and Debt Refinancing

Grifols strengthens liquidity through debt refinancing, faces activist shareholder pressure for governance reforms, and presents a valuation...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Last Week in Event SPACE: Keisei Electric Railway, Vitasoy, NEC Network, ESR Group

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

Brookfield's Bid for Grifols Collapses

Brookfield withdraws €6.45 billion takeover bid for Grifols due to valuation disagreements, shareholder resistance, and financing challenges.

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Liquid Universe of European Ordinary and Preferred Shares: December‘24 Report

Since mid-November, share-price spreads have generally widened across European liquid universe of ordinary and preferred shares with few changes in...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Last Week in Event SPACE: NEC Network, SingPost, Seven & I, CPMC, Exedy

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

Grifols: Activism and Debt Refinancing

​Grifols strengthens liquidity through debt refinancing, faces activist shareholder pressure for governance reforms, and presents a valuation...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Last Week in Event SPACE: Keisei Electric Railway, Vitasoy, NEC Network, ESR Group

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

Brookfield's Bid for Grifols Collapses

​Brookfield withdraws €6.45 billion takeover bid for Grifols due to valuation disagreements, shareholder resistance, and financing challenges.

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Grifols strengthens liquidity through debt refinancing, faces activist shareholder pressure for governance reforms, and presents a valuation...

Brookfield withdraws €6.45 billion takeover bid for Grifols due to valuation disagreements, shareholder resistance, and financing challenges.