Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Forensic Accounting

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> was a logical suitor for <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 non-PRC (or government-affiliated) corporation taking over a media/broadband/telco in Hong Kong is probably a non-starter.</li>
<li>China Mobile has a made a <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/1202/2024120203351.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pre-conditional voluntary Offer</a> at HK$5.23/share, a 40.97% premium to undisturbed. The price is final. </li>
<li>Pre-Cons are the usual suspects (NDRC, Mofcom &amp; SASAC). The Offer itself conditional on a 50% acceptance hurdle, with 24.96% in the bag. The intention is to maintain HKBN's listing. </li>
</ul>



China Mobile (941 HK) was a logical suitor for HKBN Ltd (1310 HK). A non-PRC (or government-affiliated) corporation taking over a media/broadband/telco in Hong Kong is probably a non-starter.
China Mobile has a made a pre-conditional voluntary Offer at HK$5.23/share, a 40.97% premium to undisturbed. The price is final. 
Pre-Cons are the usual suspects (NDRC, Mofcom &amp; SASAC). The Offer itself conditional on a 50% acceptance hurdle, with 24.96% in the bag. The intention is to maintain HKBN's listing. 


HKBN (1310 HK): China Mobile's "Fair" Tendering Offer

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<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 Hong Kong broadband play, is never short on privatisation rumours. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> is reportedly (again) holding talks with HKBN's major shareholders. </li>
<li>China Mobile is a logical suitor. I highly doubt a non-PRC (government-affiliated) corporation would be permitted to take HKBN private.</li>
<li>Previous takeover rumours over the years came to nought. It may be different this time. HKBN was <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/1119/2024111900127.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended this morning</a> pursuant to the Takeovers Code.
</li>
</ul>



HKBN Ltd (1310 HK), a Hong Kong broadband play, is never short on privatisation rumours. China Mobile (941 HK) is reportedly (again) holding talks with HKBN's major shareholders. 
China Mobile is a logical suitor. I highly doubt a non-PRC (government-affiliated) corporation would be permitted to take HKBN private.
Previous takeover rumours over the years came to nought. It may be different this time. HKBN was suspended this morning pursuant to the Takeovers Code.



HKBN (1310 HK): China Mobile Comes Knocking. Again.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 HK)</a> was trading at an unjustifiable premium to NAV at the time of my last report back in August. Now it's even more unjustifiable. </li>
<li>Preceding my comments on PCCW/<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hkt-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:874:1" rel="noopener">HKT Ltd (6823 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>/<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/arm-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21816:1" rel="noopener">ARM Holdings (ARM US)</a>, are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.</li>
<li>These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.</li>
</ul>



PCCW Ltd (8 HK) was trading at an unjustifiable premium to NAV at the time of my last report back in August. Now it's even more unjustifiable. 
Preceding my comments on PCCW/HKT Ltd (6823 HK), and Softbank Group (9984 JP)/ARM Holdings (ARM US), are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.
These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.


StubWorld: PCCW's Questionable NAV Premium. Plus Softbank Vs. Arm

<ul>
<li>At a time when the LSE has dumbed down the checks and balances for listed companies, now may be the right time to consider collapsing <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto (RIO AU)</a>'s DLC.</li>
<li>Re: Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal, long <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ryohin-keikaku-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2765:1" rel="noopener">Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)</a> vs. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>, but this may not last. It has worked very well. </li>
<li>Unless we see a significant (and sustainable) reversal in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wh-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13200:1" rel="noopener">WH Group (288 HK)</a>'s US/Mexican ops in the interim results, now hardly appears the opportune time for a Smithfield IPO.</li>
</ul>


At a time when the LSE has dumbed down the checks and balances for listed companies, now may be the right time to consider collapsing Rio Tinto (RIO AU)'s DLC.
Re: Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal, long Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP) vs. Fast Retailing (9983 JP), but this may not last. It has worked very well. 
Unless we see a significant (and sustainable) reversal in WH Group (288 HK)'s US/Mexican ops in the interim results, now hardly appears the opportune time for a Smithfield IPO.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Rio Tinto, Ryohin Keikaku/Fast Retailing, WH Group, ThaiBev/F&N, PCCW

<ul>
<li>Continued stub losses are one thing. Ballooning <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 HK)</a> parent debt is another. </li>
<li>Preceding my comments on PCCW and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hkt-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:874:1" rel="noopener">HKT Ltd (6823 HK)</a> are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.</li>
<li>.These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.</li>
</ul>


Continued stub losses are one thing. Ballooning PCCW Ltd (8 HK) parent debt is another. 
Preceding my comments on PCCW and HKT Ltd (6823 HK) are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.
.These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.


StubWorld: PCCW's Premium To NAV Is Unsustainable

Hong Kong

HKT is Hong Kong's premier telecommunications service provider and a leading innovator, offering fixed-line, mobile, broadband internet, and media entertainment services. The company also provides enterprise solutions, digital ventures, and other services such as its loyalty program, financial services, and health technology. HKT was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, with its origins tracing back to the Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited established in 1925.

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HKT (6823 HK)

HKBN (1310 HK): China Mobile's "Fair" Tendering Offer

Say a conservative six months to secure reg approvals, and an additional two months to complete the Offer - I'd pay ~HK$4.95/share - perhaps up to...

David Blennerhassett

HKBN (1310 HK): China Mobile Comes Knocking. Again.

Shares are suspended - so there's nothing to be done right now. A rumoured HK$5/share is probably ok. A 16% premium to last close. But perhaps ~33%...

David Blennerhassett

StubWorld: PCCW's Questionable NAV Premium. Plus Softbank Vs. Arm

Valuation-wise, PCCW is trading full. I'd reverse the stub here, however this unjustifiable NAV premium has become even more unjustiifiable. Avoid....

David Blennerhassett

Last Week in Event SPACE: Rio Tinto, Ryohin Keikaku/Fast Retailing, WH Group, ThaiBev/F&N, PCCW

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

StubWorld: PCCW's Premium To NAV Is Unsustainable

PCCW has an attractive yield. But that's about it. A 4% premium to NAV is unsustainable. I'd reverse the stub here - short PCCW, long HKT.

David Blennerhassett

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