Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Jan 20th (reported today) which has an aggregated short interest worth USD16.9bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league table for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in Pilbara Minerals, Seek, Coles, Northern Star Re, Mineral Resource.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Jan 20th (reported today) which has an aggregated short interest worth USD16.9bn.
We tabulate league table for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in Pilbara Minerals, Seek, Coles, Northern Star Re, Mineral Resource.


ASX Short Interest Weekly (Jan 20th): Pilbara, Seek, Coles, Northern Star, Mineral Resource

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/nitro-software-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30943:1" rel="noopener">Nitro Software Ltd (NTO AU)</a> has received a revised Potentia off-market takeover offer at A$2.00 per share, an 11.1% premium to its previous offer and in line with Alludo’s offer.</li>
<li>By bumping its offer, adding a scrip alternative and signalling a potentially higher price on due diligence access, Potentia has ramped up the pressure on the Board.</li>
<li>Potentia/Alludo offer remains at the low end of the IE’s valuation range. Alludo would have anticipated this move and likely will have factored in the need to raise its offer.</li>
</ul>



Nitro Software Ltd (NTO AU) has received a revised Potentia off-market takeover offer at A$2.00 per share, an 11.1% premium to its previous offer and in line with Alludo’s offer.
By bumping its offer, adding a scrip alternative and signalling a potentially higher price on due diligence access, Potentia has ramped up the pressure on the Board.
Potentia/Alludo offer remains at the low end of the IE’s valuation range. Alludo would have anticipated this move and likely will have factored in the need to raise its offer.


Nitro Software (NTO AU): Potentia Raises to A$2.00 as the Battle Heats Up

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>Software outfit <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/readytech-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29105:1" rel="noopener">ReadyTech (RDY AU)</a></strong> has announced an indicative proposal from Pacific Equity Partners and affiliates, to acquire ReadyTech by way of a Scheme of Arrangement at $4.50/share.</li>
<li>Pemba Capital, with 32.01% of shares out, are in discussion with PEP as to what appears to be the PE firm rolling over shares. </li>
<li>ReadyTech's independent board has granted PEP non-exclusive due diligence to flesh out a firm Offer. According to media reports, Microequities, with ~13%, is not on board whatsoever.</li>
</ul>


Software outfit ReadyTech (RDY AU) has announced an indicative proposal from Pacific Equity Partners and affiliates, to acquire ReadyTech by way of a Scheme of Arrangement at $4.50/share.
Pemba Capital, with 32.01% of shares out, are in discussion with PEP as to what appears to be the PE firm rolling over shares. 
ReadyTech's independent board has granted PEP non-exclusive due diligence to flesh out a firm Offer. According to media reports, Microequities, with ~13%, is not on board whatsoever.


Readytech (RDY AU): Microequities Baulks At PEP's A$4.50/Share Indicative Offer

Over the Wire Holdings Ltd / Event-Driven

<div>
<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>
<ul>
<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>
</ul>
<div class="content-highlight">
<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>
</div>
<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>
</div>
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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

<p>M&amp;A deals in the Aussie energy space continue.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/posco-international-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5954:1" rel="noopener">Posco International Corporation (047050 KS)</a>, the trading arm of South Korea's mega-steel play <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/posco" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:208:1" rel="noopener">Posco (005490 KS)</a>, has been granted exclusive due diligence through to 5 November to bump its indicative Offer of A$4.40/share for natural gas producer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/senex-energy-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18390:1" rel="noopener">Senex Energy (SXY AU)</a>. </p>
<p>PIC first approached Senex on the 2 September with a A$4.00/share Offer, then A$4.20 on the 27 August, before submitting an indicative proposal of A$4.40/share on the 2 September, which is a 40% premium to the 30-day VWAP on that day. </p>
<p>PIC was granted due diligence on the 15 September. The DD extension is to provide PIC with additional time to assess a further revised proposal at a higher price.</p>
<p>Should a firm Offer transpire, it will be done via an off-market takeover with a 50.1% minimum acceptance condition. FIRB approval would also be a condition. </p>
<p>Senex is open to other offers:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Senex Board believes it is in the best interests of its shareholders to continue to engage with POSCO International and will assess any proposal received on its merits</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The proposal follows ongoing deals for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oil-search-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:773:1" rel="noopener">Oil Search Ltd (OSH AU)</a> (<em><a href="https://skr.ma/jxkVJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oil Search/Santos: PNG a Potential Party Pooper</a></em> ) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/woodside-petroleum-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:177:1" rel="noopener">Woodside Petroleum (WPL AU)</a> tilt for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP Group (BHP AU)</a> O&amp;G ops (<em><a href="https://skr.ma/wsrxa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">If Woodside Buys BHP Petroleum for Scrip, There Will Be Flowback</a></em>). </p>
<p>More below the fold.</p>

M&amp;A deals in the Aussie energy space continue.
Posco International Corporation (047050 KS), the trading arm of South Korea's mega-steel play Posco (005490 KS), has been granted exclusive due diligence through to 5 November to bump its indicative Offer of A$4.40/share for natural gas producer Senex Energy (SXY AU). 
PIC first approached Senex on the 2 September with a A$4.00/share Offer, then A$4.20 on the 27 August, before submitting an indicative proposal of A$4.40/share on the 2 September, which is a 40% premium to the 30-day VWAP on that day. 
PIC was granted due diligence on the 15 September. The DD extension is to provide PIC with additional time to assess a further revised proposal at a higher price.
Should a firm Offer transpire, it will be done via an off-market takeover with a 50.1% minimum acceptance condition. FIRB approval would also be a condition. 
Senex is open to other offers:

The Senex Board believes it is in the best interests of its shareholders to continue to engage with POSCO International and will assess any proposal received on its merits

The proposal follows ongoing deals for Oil Search Ltd (OSH AU) (Oil Search/Santos: PNG a Potential Party Pooper ) and Woodside Petroleum (WPL AU) tilt for BHP Group (BHP AU) O&amp;G ops (If Woodside Buys BHP Petroleum for Scrip, There Will Be Flowback). 
More below the fold.

Australia

Hansen Technologies Limited develops, supports and integrates billing systems software for the telecommunications and utilities sectors in Australia.  The Company also provides IT outsourcing services such as facilities management and develops software and services for workforce management.

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Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Jan 20th): Pilbara, Seek, Coles, Northern Star, Mineral Resource

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Pilbara Minerals, Seek, Coles, Northern Star Re,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Nitro Software (NTO AU): Potentia Raises to A$2.00 as the Battle Heats Up

The shares are trading through Potentia’s improved terms. Alludo has the benefit of synergies and KKR’s ownership to support a higher bid. Alludo...

Arun George

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

Senex (SXY AU): Posco's Looming Offer

Given DD has been afforded, $4.40/share is approaching full value Currently trading just below terms. I think $4.60/share will garner board...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Jan 20th): Pilbara, Seek, Coles, Northern Star, Mineral Resource

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Pilbara Minerals, Seek, Coles, Northern Star Re,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Nitro Software (NTO AU): Potentia Raises to A$2.00 as the Battle Heats Up

The shares are trading through Potentia’s improved terms. Alludo has the benefit of synergies and KKR’s ownership to support a higher bid. Alludo...

Arun George

Readytech (RDY AU): Microequities Baulks At PEP's A$4.50/Share Indicative Offer

Given the indictive nature, trading at an 8.9% gross spread. I'd be disinclined to chase this given the number of no-deals in this space, and...

David Blennerhassett

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

Senex (SXY AU): Posco's Looming Offer

Given DD has been afforded, $4.40/share is approaching full value Currently trading just below terms. I think $4.60/share will garner board...

David Blennerhassett