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>In response to media speculation, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> has clarified that Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, is contemplating a possible transaction through a voluntary general offer.</li>
<li>However, the rumoured offer of HK$35 per share is false. Mr Geiger has confirmed that the potential offer price would be no less than HK$26.00 per share.</li>
<li>The floor price of HK$26 is light and needs a bump (towards HK$30), particularly if Mr Geiger wants 95% of voting rights to exercise the right of compulsory acquisition (squeeze-out).</li>
</ul>


In response to media speculation, L'Occitane (973 HK) has clarified that Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, is contemplating a possible transaction through a voluntary general offer.
However, the rumoured offer of HK$35 per share is false. Mr Geiger has confirmed that the potential offer price would be no less than HK$26.00 per share.
The floor price of HK$26 is light and needs a bump (towards HK$30), particularly if Mr Geiger wants 95% of voting rights to exercise the right of compulsory acquisition (squeeze-out).


L’Occitane (973 HK): Board Updates on the Potential Offer Structure and Price

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-09/l-occitane-boss-is-said-in-advanced-talks-on-6-5-billion-buyout?in_source=embedded-checkout-banner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to Bloomberg</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> is set to receive a HK$35 per share privatisation offer from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder.</li>
<li>The rumoured price is attractive and represents an all-time high share price. Therefore, Acatis KVG, the shareholder with a blocking stake, would be supportive.</li>
<li>The rumoured price implies multiples at a discount to peer multiples, which explains Mr Geiger’s ambitions for a possible European listing to secure higher valuation multiples. </li>
</ul>



According to Bloomberg, L'Occitane (973 HK) is set to receive a HK$35 per share privatisation offer from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder.
The rumoured price is attractive and represents an all-time high share price. Therefore, Acatis KVG, the shareholder with a blocking stake, would be supportive.
The rumoured price implies multiples at a discount to peer multiples, which explains Mr Geiger’s ambitions for a possible European listing to secure higher valuation multiples. 


L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> is drawing takeover interest from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-25/l-occitane-owner-said-to-mull-buyout-of-4-billion-beauty-firm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Bloomberg</a>. Mr Geiger has been exploring financing options for the potential deal.</li>
<li>The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder, Acatis KVG, necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Acatis KVG trimmed its stake in July 2021 at HK$30.01 per share.</li>
<li>L’Occitane released a solid <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/0725/2023072500263.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1QFY2024 update</a> today with constant currency growth of 24.5% YoY. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples. </li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) is drawing takeover interest from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, according to Bloomberg. Mr Geiger has been exploring financing options for the potential deal.
The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder, Acatis KVG, necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Acatis KVG trimmed its stake in July 2021 at HK$30.01 per share.
L’Occitane released a solid 1QFY2024 update today with constant currency growth of 24.5% YoY. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples. 


L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a> delivered 3QFY23 results yesterday, which saw revenue and operating profit decrease by 2.5% and 5.0% YoY respectively to ¥28.3bn (consensus ¥29.8bn) and ¥3.1bn (consensus ¥3.4bn).</li>
<li>Cosmetics growth being the main reason for Fancl’s FY+2 EV/OP of 22.4x, recent trends look scary with cosmetics revenue and OP down 24% and 27% respectively from the pre-COVID level.</li>
<li>Therefore, we would look to short Fancl expecting shares to fall around 25-30% in the short term.</li>
</ul>



Fancl Corp (4921 JP) delivered 3QFY23 results yesterday, which saw revenue and operating profit decrease by 2.5% and 5.0% YoY respectively to ¥28.3bn (consensus ¥29.8bn) and ¥3.1bn (consensus ¥3.4bn).
Cosmetics growth being the main reason for Fancl’s FY+2 EV/OP of 22.4x, recent trends look scary with cosmetics revenue and OP down 24% and 27% respectively from the pre-COVID level.
Therefore, we would look to short Fancl expecting shares to fall around 25-30% in the short term.


FANCL: The Flagship FANCL Brand in Trouble

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Giant Biogene has priced its IPO at HK$24.30 per share, at the lower end of the company’s indicative IPO price range of HK$24.3-27.7 per share and raised HK$495.8m (US$63.2m).</li>
<li>The HK offering was oversubscribed by only 2.08 times while the international offering was subscribed by 4.22 times.</li>
<li>Though Biogene’s IPO was priced attractively, we think lower demand for the company’s shares led to pricing at the bottom of the IPO price range.</li>
</ul>


Giant Biogene has priced its IPO at HK$24.30 per share, at the lower end of the company’s indicative IPO price range of HK$24.3-27.7 per share and raised HK$495.8m (US$63.2m).
The HK offering was oversubscribed by only 2.08 times while the international offering was subscribed by 4.22 times.
Though Biogene’s IPO was priced attractively, we think lower demand for the company’s shares led to pricing at the bottom of the IPO price range.


Giant Biogene: Thoughts on First Day Trading

Japan

KOSE Corporation manufactures, retails, and exports cosmetics including make up, skin care, and hair care products.  The Company sells its products in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Malaysia.

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Kose Corp (4922 JP)

L’Occitane (973 HK): Board Updates on the Potential Offer Structure and Price

Reinold Geiger is contemplating a possible transaction through a VGO at a floor offer price of HK$26. The floor price is light if Mr Geiger wants...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

Shares are currently in a trading halt. The rumoured offer price of HK$35 per share is attractive and represents an all-time high price. Therefore,...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the...

Arun George

FANCL: The Flagship FANCL Brand in Trouble

Cosmetics growth being the main reason for Fancl’s lofty FY24 EV/OP of 22.4x, recent trends look quite scary with cosmetics revenue and OP down by...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Giant Biogene: Thoughts on First Day Trading

Biogene priced its IPO at the bottom of the range due to lower demand as current market volatility has resulted in lower investor appetite. IPO is...

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

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