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 weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>ECM developments: I have not covered anything notable this week.  </li>
<li>Event-Driven developments:<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shibaura-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12704:1" rel="noopener">Shibaura Electronics (6957 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyo-construction-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1176:1" rel="noopener">Toyo Construction (1890 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/technopro-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6955:1" rel="noopener">Technopro Holdings (6028 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ashimori-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13918:1" rel="noopener">Ashimori Industry (3526 JP)</a>, <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 href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iress-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15342:1" rel="noopener">Iress Ltd (IRE AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/infomedia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11385:1" rel="noopener">Infomedia Ltd (IFM AU)</a>.
</li>
</ul>


A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.
ECM developments: I have not covered anything notable this week.  
Event-Driven developments:Shibaura Electronics (6957 JP), Toyo Construction (1890 JP), Technopro Holdings (6028 JP), Ashimori Industry (3526 JP), HKBN Ltd (1310 HK), Iress Ltd (IRE AU), Infomedia Ltd (IFM AU).



Weekly Deals Digest (10 Aug) - Shibaura, Toyo Construction, Technopro, Ashimori, HKBN, Iress

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd / Event-Driven

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU)

<ul>
<li>There is, or perhaps, was, imbedded value via the cross-holding. However, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/washington-h-soul-pattinson-and-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6054:1" rel="noopener">Soul Patts (SOL AU)</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/brickworks-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2726:1" rel="noopener">Brickworks (BKW AU)</a>'s combined market cap has increased 18% or A$3.1bn since announcing their merger.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/furukawa-battery-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6513:1" rel="noopener">Furukawa Battery (6937 JP)</a> is a VERY low-priced MBO-like transaction. The pricing process is unacceptable. It is a take-under. It is BAD process. But it'll get done.</li>
<li>For a company that has consistently spilled red ink at the stub level, there is no justification why <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 HK)</a> would/should trade at a NAV premium.</li>
</ul>


There is, or perhaps, was, imbedded value via the cross-holding. However, Soul Patts (SOL AU) &amp; Brickworks (BKW AU)'s combined market cap has increased 18% or A$3.1bn since announcing their merger.

Furukawa Battery (6937 JP) is a VERY low-priced MBO-like transaction. The pricing process is unacceptable. It is a take-under. It is BAD process. But it'll get done.
For a company that has consistently spilled red ink at the stub level, there is no justification why PCCW Ltd (8 HK) would/should trade at a NAV premium.


Last Week In Event SPACE: Soul Patts/Brickworks, Furukawa Battery, PCCW, TPG Telecom

<ul>
<li>I tally 41 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma.</li>
<li>Five new deal was discussed on Smartkarma this week: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/infomedia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11385:1" rel="noopener">Infomedia Ltd (IFM AU)</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ci-medical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26170:1" rel="noopener">Ci Medical (3540 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/soft99-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18486:1" rel="noopener">Soft99 Corp (4464 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/technopro-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6955:1" rel="noopener">Technopro Holdings (6028 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kolon-mobility-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45648:1" rel="noopener">Kolon Mobility (450140 KS)</a>.</li>
<li>Key updates/news took place on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iress-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15342:1" rel="noopener">Iress Ltd (IRE AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pointsbet-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29102:1" rel="noopener">PointsBet Holdings (PBH AU)</a>, <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 href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tourism-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2787:1" rel="noopener">Tourism Holdings (THL NZ)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/furukawa-battery-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6513:1" rel="noopener">Furukawa Battery (6937 JP)</a>.</li>
</ul>


I tally 41 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma.
Five new deal was discussed on Smartkarma this week: Infomedia Ltd (IFM AU),Ci Medical (3540 JP), Soft99 Corp (4464 JP), Technopro Holdings (6028 JP), and Kolon Mobility (450140 KS).
Key updates/news took place on Iress Ltd (IRE AU), PointsBet Holdings (PBH AU), HKBN Ltd (1310 HK), Tourism Holdings (THL NZ), and Furukawa Battery (6937 JP).


(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Technopro, Infomedia, Kolon Mobility, Iress, HKBN, Furukawa Battery

<ul>
<li>Back in 2021, Swedish PE outfit EQT and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iress-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15342:1" rel="noopener">Iress Ltd (IRE AU)</a> were unable to firm a transaction. This was discussed in <a href="https://skr.ma/Rm5oC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iress (IRE AU) Accepts EQT's Latest Proposal</a>. </li>
<li>EQT was granted due diligence after bumping indictive terms to $15.91/share, up from an initial pitch of A$14.80/share. Its been crickets since EQT walked. </li>
<li>Now Blackstone has approached Iress, a trading and wealth management software provider. An indicative A$10.50/share cash Offer was tabled, but since withdrawn. Negotiations with Blackstone and Thoma Bravo are ongoing.</li>
</ul>


Back in 2021, Swedish PE outfit EQT and Iress Ltd (IRE AU) were unable to firm a transaction. This was discussed in Iress (IRE AU) Accepts EQT's Latest Proposal. 
EQT was granted due diligence after bumping indictive terms to $15.91/share, up from an initial pitch of A$14.80/share. Its been crickets since EQT walked. 
Now Blackstone has approached Iress, a trading and wealth management software provider. An indicative A$10.50/share cash Offer was tabled, but since withdrawn. Negotiations with Blackstone and Thoma Bravo are ongoing.


Iress (IRE AU): Nothing Firm As Blackstone And Thoma Bravo Circle

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/blackstone-in-talks-with-iress-for-buyout-at-more-than-1-9b-20250807-p5ml4a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AFR reports</a> that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/blackstone-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27166:1" rel="noopener">Blackstone (BX US)</a> is considering a privatisation bid which could value <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iress-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15342:1" rel="noopener">Iress Ltd (IRE AU)</a> at about A$1.9 billion (more than A$10 per share).</li>
<li>Iress is no stranger to privatisation interest. In 2021, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eqt-ab" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28922:1" rel="noopener">EQT (EQT SS)</a> bid against itself thrice to offer A$15.91, before failing to table a binding proposal.   </li>
<li>The shareholder structure facilitates an offer. The rumoured offer is a good starting point, but it is far from a knockout bid.</li>
</ul>


The AFR reports that Blackstone (BX US) is considering a privatisation bid which could value Iress Ltd (IRE AU) at about A$1.9 billion (more than A$10 per share).
Iress is no stranger to privatisation interest. In 2021, EQT (EQT SS) bid against itself thrice to offer A$15.91, before failing to table a binding proposal.   
The shareholder structure facilitates an offer. The rumoured offer is a good starting point, but it is far from a knockout bid.


Iress (IRE AU): Blackstone Mulling a Privatisation Bid

Australia

Iress Limited provides real-time information services to businesses that specialize in the equity, equity options and future information markets in Australia and New Zealand. The Group supplies a range of pricing data, charting, news and equity and equity derivatives and also offers real-time trading tools, including a domestic order routing product and financial

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Iress Ltd (IRE AU)

Weekly Deals Digest (10 Aug) - Shibaura, Toyo Construction, Technopro, Ashimori, HKBN, Iress

A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia,...

Arun George

Last Week In Event SPACE: Soul Patts/Brickworks, Furukawa Battery, PCCW, TPG Telecom

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

(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Technopro, Infomedia, Kolon Mobility, Iress, HKBN, Furukawa Battery

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett

Iress (IRE AU): Nothing Firm As Blackstone And Thoma Bravo Circle

There is no firm Offer. Shares are up 11.1% to A$9.31 - as I type - but off their intraday high. I'd be inclined to get some exposure on any...

David Blennerhassett

Iress (IRE AU): Blackstone Mulling a Privatisation Bid

Iress is no stranger to privatisation interest. The rumoured offer is a good starting point, but it is far from a knockout bid.

Arun George

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