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.

Equity Capital Markets

RLX Technology Inc / Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rlx-technology-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31113:1" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Inc (RLX US)</a> is the leading branded e-vapour company in China with 62.6% of the market share of closed-system e-vapour products as measured by retail sales value in 9M20, according to CIC. RLX has launched its IPO at a price range of $8.00-10.00 per ADS. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, RLX will raise net proceeds of $1.0 billion at a market cap of $14.0 billion. </p></div><div><div>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-ipo-initiation-smoke-signals" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46758" rel="noopener">RLX Technology IPO Initiation: Smoke Signals</a>, we noted that while regulatory uncertainty will remain an overhang, RLX is an attractive play on the rapid growth of the e-vapour market in China. In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-vs-smoore-which-is-a-better-play-on-the-vaping-market" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46851" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Vs Smoore: Which Is a Better Play on the Vaping Market?</a>,  we compared RLX and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smoore-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28241:1" rel="noopener">Smoore International (6969 HK)</a>’s business model and fundamentals. Our analysis showed that subject to the IPO valuation, investors largely face a trade-off between RLX’s high growth and lower regulatory risk vs Smoore’s scale and higher profitability. </p>
<p>The proposed IPO price range is more than double the valuation of the last raise - Series D-2 at $36.2 per share in September 2020 ($3.62 per share post the 10-for-1 share subdivision effected on 11 January 2021). Each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share. RLX partly justifies the significant bump on the 71% rise in Smoore's share price in 4Q20. RLX will be invariably benchmarked to Smoore on a relative valuation basis which will helpfully provide support for the proposed IPO price range. </p>
<div class="content-highlight"><p>Overall, our valuation analysis suggests that RLX is fully priced at the IPO price range and we would be inclined to participate at most at the low-end of the IPO price range.</p></div>
</div></div>

RLX Technology Inc (RLX US) is the leading branded e-vapour company in China with 62.6% of the market share of closed-system e-vapour products as measured by retail sales value in 9M20, according to CIC. RLX has launched its IPO at a price range of $8.00-10.00 per ADS. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, RLX will raise net proceeds of $1.0 billion at a market cap of $14.0 billion. 
In RLX Technology IPO Initiation: Smoke Signals, we noted that while regulatory uncertainty will remain an overhang, RLX is an attractive play on the rapid growth of the e-vapour market in China. In RLX Technology Vs Smoore: Which Is a Better Play on the Vaping Market?,  we compared RLX and Smoore International (6969 HK)’s business model and fundamentals. Our analysis showed that subject to the IPO valuation, investors largely face a trade-off between RLX’s high growth and lower regulatory risk vs Smoore’s scale and higher profitability. 
The proposed IPO price range is more than double the valuation of the last raise - Series D-2 at $36.2 per share in September 2020 ($3.62 per share post the 10-for-1 share subdivision effected on 11 January 2021). Each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share. RLX partly justifies the significant bump on the 71% rise in Smoore's share price in 4Q20. RLX will be invariably benchmarked to Smoore on a relative valuation basis which will helpfully provide support for the proposed IPO price range. 
Overall, our valuation analysis suggests that RLX is fully priced at the IPO price range and we would be inclined to participate at most at the low-end of the IPO price range.


Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rlx-technology-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31113:1" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Inc (RLX US)</a> aims to raise around US$1bn in its US listing. RLX is the largest branded e-vapor company in China with a market share of closed-system e-vapor products in terms of retail sales value of 48% in 2019 and 62.6% over 9M20. </p><p>RLX only sells its e-vapor products in China. As of Sep 2020, it had over 5,000 branded partner stores and sold its products in over 100,000 other retail outlets, covering over 250 cities in China.</p><p>Even though the company only started operations in 2018, it was already recording sales of around US$330m by 9M20. Margins too have been on an uptrend and operating cash flows have been robust. Moreover, the founding team and investor backing appear strong.</p><p>However, sales have mostly grown owing to rapid expansion of its distribution network. Furthermore, the brand also appears to have overseas operations but there has been no mention of that in the company’s filings, leaving one to wonder where these operations are housed and who exactly owns them.</p><p>In our previous note, links to which are below, we have spoke about various aspects of the deal. In this note, I’ll undertake a peer comparison and talk about valuation.</p><div><p>Links to our previous notes:</p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-pre-ipo-the-positives-fast-growth-low-penetration" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46797" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growth, Low Penetration</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-pre-ipo-the-negatives-limited-track-record-and-missing-international-ops" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46836" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Limited Track Record, and Missing International Ops</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-pre-ipo-rlx-store-visits-to-relx-and-its-competitors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Pre-IPO (RLX): Store Visits to Relx and Its Competitors</a></li>
</ul></div>

RLX Technology Inc (RLX US) aims to raise around US$1bn in its US listing. RLX is the largest branded e-vapor company in China with a market share of closed-system e-vapor products in terms of retail sales value of 48% in 2019 and 62.6% over 9M20. RLX only sells its e-vapor products in China. As of Sep 2020, it had over 5,000 branded partner stores and sold its products in over 100,000 other retail outlets, covering over 250 cities in China.Even though the company only started operations in 2018, it was already recording sales of around US$330m by 9M20. Margins too have been on an uptrend and operating cash flows have been robust. Moreover, the founding team and investor backing appear strong.However, sales have mostly grown owing to rapid expansion of its distribution network. Furthermore, the brand also appears to have overseas operations but there has been no mention of that in the company’s filings, leaving one to wonder where these operations are housed and who exactly owns them.In our previous note, links to which are below, we have spoke about various aspects of the deal. In this note, I’ll undertake a peer comparison and talk about valuation.Links to our previous notes:

RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growth, Low Penetration 
RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Limited Track Record, and Missing International Ops
RLX Technology Pre-IPO (RLX): Store Visits to Relx and Its Competitors


RLX Technology Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison and Valuation

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rlx-technology-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31113:1" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Inc (RLX US)</a> is the leading branded e-vapour company in China with a 62.6% of the market share of closed-system e-vapour products as measured by retail sales value in 9M20, according to CIC. It is seeking is raise as much as $1 billion through an NYSE IPO, according to press reports.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-ipo-initiation-smoke-signals" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46758" rel="noopener">RLX Technology IPO Initiation: Smoke Signals</a>, we noted that while regulatory uncertainty will remain an overhang, RLX is an attractive play on the rapid growth of the e-vapour market in China. Investors can also gain exposure to this secular growth trend through <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smoore-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28241:1" rel="noopener">Smoore International (6969 HK)</a>, which has stormed ahead around 5x from its IPO price.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In this note, we compare RLX and Smoore’s business model and fundamentals. Subject to the proposed IPO price range, investors largely face a trade-off between RLX’s high growth and lower regulatory risk vs Smoore’s scale and higher profitability, in our view. </p></div>

RLX Technology Inc (RLX US) is the leading branded e-vapour company in China with a 62.6% of the market share of closed-system e-vapour products as measured by retail sales value in 9M20, according to CIC. It is seeking is raise as much as $1 billion through an NYSE IPO, according to press reports.In RLX Technology IPO Initiation: Smoke Signals, we noted that while regulatory uncertainty will remain an overhang, RLX is an attractive play on the rapid growth of the e-vapour market in China. Investors can also gain exposure to this secular growth trend through Smoore International (6969 HK), which has stormed ahead around 5x from its IPO price.In this note, we compare RLX and Smoore’s business model and fundamentals. Subject to the proposed IPO price range, investors largely face a trade-off between RLX’s high growth and lower regulatory risk vs Smoore’s scale and higher profitability, in our view. 

RLX Technology Vs Smoore: Which Is a Better Play on the Vaping Market?

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>The unsatisfactory 1H 2020 operating numbers that stemmed from lower revenue growth and higher excise taxes reduce operating cash flow, prompting the company to increase the amount of debt in the balance sheet that will further reduce the net income margin by <strong>1.7 to 4%</strong> if the next six months' operating numbers will not improve. With the shift in the consumers' taste that reduces Dji-Sam-Soe's (HMSP's flagship product) sales, HMSP is not in the best position to outperform the potential weak consumption trend in the second half of 2020. If HMSP were to cut or forego dividends next year, it will accelerate the switch from HMSP to GGRM. </p>
<p>HMSP's operating numbers are also very volatile compared to the steady GGRM's, yet the former seems to trade at a higher valuation in the Indonesian equity market compared to the latter albeit losing market share. Maintain underweight HMSP and overweight GGRM. </p>

The unsatisfactory 1H 2020 operating numbers that stemmed from lower revenue growth and higher excise taxes reduce operating cash flow, prompting the company to increase the amount of debt in the balance sheet that will further reduce the net income margin by 1.7 to 4% if the next six months' operating numbers will not improve. With the shift in the consumers' taste that reduces Dji-Sam-Soe's (HMSP's flagship product) sales, HMSP is not in the best position to outperform the potential weak consumption trend in the second half of 2020. If HMSP were to cut or forego dividends next year, it will accelerate the switch from HMSP to GGRM. 
HMSP's operating numbers are also very volatile compared to the steady GGRM's, yet the former seems to trade at a higher valuation in the Indonesian equity market compared to the latter albeit losing market share. Maintain underweight HMSP and overweight GGRM. 

Sampoerna (HMSP): Losing From Higher Excise Tax

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Smoore International / Equity Capital Markets

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smoore-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28241:1" rel="noopener">Smoore International (6969 HK)</a> is the global leader in the manufacturing of vaping devices and components, having a market share of 16.5% in 2019. The company raised HK$918 million in an IPO and started trading on 10th July, and in its first nine trading days, the shares have risen by 206.5% from the IPO offer price. On 22nd July, Smoore warned that, as a result of fair value changes for convertible preferred shares and promissory notes and share-based payments as detailed below, net profit for the six months to 30th June will decline by 94.% year-on-year.</p>
<p>It is surprising that these fair-value adjustments were not revealed or anticipated in the prospectus. With Smoore’s multiples now exceeding those of its infamous peer, JUUL during its peak, in the DETAIL below we give the case for taking some profits.</p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/147/892/original/image_68355711821595747120205.png?1595747120" width="624" height="207" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="147892"></figure>
<div class="content-caption"><em>Company Disclosures</em></div>

Smoore International (6969 HK) is the global leader in the manufacturing of vaping devices and components, having a market share of 16.5% in 2019. The company raised HK$918 million in an IPO and started trading on 10th July, and in its first nine trading days, the shares have risen by 206.5% from the IPO offer price. On 22nd July, Smoore warned that, as a result of fair value changes for convertible preferred shares and promissory notes and share-based payments as detailed below, net profit for the six months to 30th June will decline by 94.% year-on-year.
It is surprising that these fair-value adjustments were not revealed or anticipated in the prospectus. With Smoore’s multiples now exceeding those of its infamous peer, JUUL during its peak, in the DETAIL below we give the case for taking some profits.

Company Disclosures

Smoore International: Trading Well Over JUUL's Peak Multiples

Japan

Japan Tobacco, Inc. operates as an tobacco product company. The Company manufactures, markets and sells cigarettes and other tobacco products internationally. Japan Tobacco is also engaged in pharmaceutical and food businesses.

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Japan Tobacco (2914 JP)

RLX Technology IPO: Valuation Insights

RLX has launched its IPO to raise net proceeds of $1.0 billion. Overall, RLX is fully priced at the IPO price range and we would be inclined to...

Arun George

RLX Technology Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison and Valuation

RLX Technology (RLX US) aims to raise around US$1bn in its US listing. RLX is the largest branded e-vapor company in China with a market share of...

Sumeet Singh

RLX Technology Vs Smoore: Which Is a Better Play on the Vaping Market?

We compare RLX and Smoore’s business model and fundamentals. Investors largely face a trade-off between RLX’s high growth and lower reg risk vs...

Arun George

Sampoerna (HMSP): Losing From Higher Excise Tax

The unsatisfactory 1H 2020 operating numbers that stemmed from lower revenue growth and higher excise taxes reduce operating cash flow, prompting...

Henry Soediarko

Smoore International: Trading Well Over JUUL's Peak Multiples

Smoore International (6969 HK) is the global leader in the manufacturing of vaping devices and components, having a market share of 16.5% in 2019....

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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