Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

<p>Earlier today, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> announced that it had received a non-binding indicative proposal from Carlyle Asia Partners to acquire 100% of the shares in Link Group by way of a Scheme of Arrangement for a consideration of A$3/share in cash plus a pro-rata distribution of Link Group's shareholding in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pexa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34716:1" rel="noopener">PEXA Group (PXA AU)</a>. At a lookthrough valuation of A$2.38 per Link Group share based on the PEXA holding, the Carlyle offer values <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> at A$5.38/share, a 24.2% premium to the last close.</p><p>This follows a consortium offer (of which Carlyle was a part) in October 2020 to acquire all the shares in Link Group at an indicative price of A$5.20/share. The Link Group board rejected the offer and then Carlyle upped their offer to A$5.40/share following which due diligence was granted. SS&amp;C then jumped into the fray with an A$5.65/share offer in December. Neither offer came to fruition and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> went ahead with the listing of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pexa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34716:1" rel="noopener">PEXA Group (PXA AU)</a>.</p><p>And now here were are again with Carlyle making another go for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a>.</p><p>We do not expect the Link Group Board to recommend the offer to shareholders but they could grant due diligence access in the hope of getting Carlyle to make a higher offer.</p>

Earlier today, Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) announced that it had received a non-binding indicative proposal from Carlyle Asia Partners to acquire 100% of the shares in Link Group by way of a Scheme of Arrangement for a consideration of A$3/share in cash plus a pro-rata distribution of Link Group's shareholding in PEXA Group (PXA AU). At a lookthrough valuation of A$2.38 per Link Group share based on the PEXA holding, the Carlyle offer values Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) at A$5.38/share, a 24.2% premium to the last close.This follows a consortium offer (of which Carlyle was a part) in October 2020 to acquire all the shares in Link Group at an indicative price of A$5.20/share. The Link Group board rejected the offer and then Carlyle upped their offer to A$5.40/share following which due diligence was granted. SS&amp;C then jumped into the fray with an A$5.65/share offer in December. Neither offer came to fruition and Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) went ahead with the listing of PEXA Group (PXA AU).And now here were are again with Carlyle making another go for Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU).We do not expect the Link Group Board to recommend the offer to shareholders but they could grant due diligence access in the hope of getting Carlyle to make a higher offer.

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<p>Investment administrator <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/praemium-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9360:1" rel="noopener">Praemium Ltd (PPS AU)</a> has rejected a <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02446233-3A580069?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-binding proposal</a> from key competitor <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netwealth-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25951:1" rel="noopener">Netwealth (NWL AU)</a>.</p>
<p>By way of a Scheme, Netwealth was offering 1 new NWL share for every 11.96 PPS shares, or an indicative Offer consideration of A$1.50, a 29% premium to last close, and a lifetime high.</p>
<p>PPS' board said the Proposal did not appropriately value Praemium’s current performance, near-term trajectory, growth momentum, and was not representative of recent transaction premia in the Australian platform and funds administration space.</p>
<p>This space is indeed hot. When PPS peer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/onevue-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24327:1" rel="noopener">Onevue Holdings (OVH AU)</a> was taken private in the middle of last year (as 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<em><a href="https://skr.ma/rGK8k" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> OneVue-Iress: Australian Deal Trading Wide</a></em>), the independent expert flagged (<a href="https://onevue.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Scheme-Booklet_final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">page 132</a>) 12 peers (including PPS and NWL). Of the remaining 10:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/powerwrap-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30664:1" rel="noopener">Powerwrap Ltd (PWL AU)</a> was taken private (by PPS) last October;</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xplore-wealth-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12161:1" rel="noopener">xplore (XPL AU)</a> was taken private by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hub24-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12336:1" rel="noopener">Hub24 Ltd (HUB AU)</a> in <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02349028-2A1284538?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">March</a>;</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> was subject to Offers from SS&amp;C and Carlyle, but in May this year opted to go the IPO route for PEXA, the digital property settlement platform - <em><a href="https://skr.ma/CrBHo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link Admin (LNK AU) Goes IPO Route For PEXA Afterall</a>;</em>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iress-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15342:1" rel="noopener">Iress Ltd (IRE AU)</a> backed an Offer from EQT but the two were <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02422609-3A576043?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unable to agree</a> to a transaction in September - <em><a href="https://skr.ma/Rm5oC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iress (IRE AU) Accepts EQT's Latest Proposal</a></em>;</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mainstream-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30611:1" rel="noopener">Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU)</a> was taken private by Apex last month  - <em><a href="https://skr.ma/fu9ej" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Apex on Top Again as Bidding War Continues....</a></em>; and</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hub24-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12336:1" rel="noopener">Hub24 Ltd (HUB AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/class-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24287:1" rel="noopener">Class Ltd (CL1 AU)</a> entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed last month - <em><a href="https://skr.ma/odCXE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Class - Hub24: Scheme Trading Wide</a></em>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Given the above, you can build an understanding why PPS would hold out for a superior Offer.</p>
<p>More below the fold.</p>

Investment administrator Praemium Ltd (PPS AU) has rejected a non-binding proposal from key competitor Netwealth (NWL AU).
By way of a Scheme, Netwealth was offering 1 new NWL share for every 11.96 PPS shares, or an indicative Offer consideration of A$1.50, a 29% premium to last close, and a lifetime high.
PPS' board said the Proposal did not appropriately value Praemium’s current performance, near-term trajectory, growth momentum, and was not representative of recent transaction premia in the Australian platform and funds administration space.
This space is indeed hot. When PPS peer Onevue Holdings (OVH AU) was taken private in the middle of last year (as discussed by Janaghan Jeyakumar in OneVue-Iress: Australian Deal Trading Wide), the independent expert flagged (page 132) 12 peers (including PPS and NWL). Of the remaining 10:


Powerwrap Ltd (PWL AU) was taken private (by PPS) last October;

xplore (XPL AU) was taken private by Hub24 Ltd (HUB AU) in March;

Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) was subject to Offers from SS&amp;C and Carlyle, but in May this year opted to go the IPO route for PEXA, the digital property settlement platform - Link Admin (LNK AU) Goes IPO Route For PEXA Afterall;


Iress Ltd (IRE AU) backed an Offer from EQT but the two were unable to agree to a transaction in September - Iress (IRE AU) Accepts EQT's Latest Proposal;

Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU) was taken private by Apex last month  - Mainstream (MAI AU): Apex on Top Again as Bidding War Continues....; and

Hub24 Ltd (HUB AU) and Class Ltd (CL1 AU) entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed last month - Class - Hub24: Scheme Trading Wide.

Given the above, you can build an understanding why PPS would hold out for a superior Offer.
More below the fold.

Praemium (PPS AU) Spurns Netwealth's (NWL AU) Proposal

Equity Analyst, Event-driven, Quiddity Advisors

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Equity Analyst, Event-driven

Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd / Event-Driven

<p>Australia-based third party fund administration services provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mainstream-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30611:1" rel="noopener">Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU)</a> has been the interest of multiple suitors in the last 3 months. The share price has more-than-doubled in this period.</p><p>It all started when Hong Kong-headquartered Vistra launched a bid at A$1.20/share on 9th March 2021. Since then, multiple competitive bidders including US-based financial technology firm <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a> and Global Fund Administrator <a href="https://www.theapexgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apex Group Limited</a> have gotten involved in this situation. </p><p>I have discussed the situation in the following insights so far.  </p><table class="table table-striped"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><h3>Date</h3></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><h3>Insight Title</h3></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>9-Mar-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-group-mai-au-go-shop-provision-makes-it-interesting" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48962" rel="noopener">Mainstream Group (MAI AU): Go-Shop Provision Makes It Interesting</a> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;">On 12th April, US-based financial technology company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a> launched a competing bid at A$2.00/share (a 66.7% increase from Vistra's A$1.20). </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>15-Apr-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-massive-overbid-by-ss-c-now-vistra-has-to-respond" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50366" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Massive Overbid by SS&amp;C, Now Vistra Has to Respond</a> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;">MAI received a bid at A$2.20/share from an unidentified 3rd party party and SS&amp;C bumped their bid to A$2.25/share on 27th April 2021. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>27-Apr-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-more-competition-forces-ss-c-to-bump" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50762" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): More Competition Forces SS&amp;C to Bump</a> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p>After the close on 28th April, Global Fund Administrator <a href="https://www.theapexgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apex Group Limited</a> (Apex) launched a non-binding bid at A$2.35/share and MAI matched this bid. </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>29-Apr-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-three-in-a-row-bullseye" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50761" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Three-In-A-Row! Bullseye!</a></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p>Apex <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02369747-2A1295495?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bumped</a> their bid to A$2.55/share on 30th April 2021. </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>2-May-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-more-than-double-in-less-than-2-months-after-apex-bump" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50950" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): More-Than-Double in Less than 2 Months After Apex Bump</a>) </strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p>I turned Bearish on the situation claiming that "as a Bump Option, this is not as attractive as the previous four instances". MAI AU shares dipped from A$2.65 on May 2nd to A$2.56 on May 6th and SS&amp;C <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02372009-2A1296693?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exercised their matching right</a> and raised their bid to A$2.56/share. </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>6-May-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-bidding-war-continues-as-ss-c-overbids-for-the-4th-time" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51146" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Bidding War Continues as SS&amp;C Overbids for the 4th Time</a> </strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>Apex raised their bid to A$2.60/share. </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>14-May-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-120-in-2-months-but-bidding-war-continues" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51451" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): +120% in ~2 Months but Bidding War Continues...</a> </strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>Since the publication of this insight, there have been 5 new bids. </p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p><strong>Below is a discussion on the latest developments</strong> </p><hr><div class="content-remarks"><p><em>For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Australia, please refer to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-australia-m-a-guide-2019" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:30118" rel="noopener">Quiddity Australia M&amp;A Guide 2019</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-m-a-australia-foreign-investment-reforms" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40210" rel="noopener">Quiddity M&amp;A: Australia Foreign Investment Reforms</a></em></p></div>

Australia-based third party fund administration services provider Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU) has been the interest of multiple suitors in the last 3 months. The share price has more-than-doubled in this period.It all started when Hong Kong-headquartered Vistra launched a bid at A$1.20/share on 9th March 2021. Since then, multiple competitive bidders including US-based financial technology firm SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US) and Global Fund Administrator Apex Group Limited have gotten involved in this situation. I have discussed the situation in the following insights so far.  

Date
Insight Title


9-Mar-21
Mainstream Group (MAI AU): Go-Shop Provision Makes It Interesting 



On 12th April, US-based financial technology company Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US) launched a competing bid at A$2.00/share (a 66.7% increase from Vistra's A$1.20). 


15-Apr-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): Massive Overbid by SS&amp;C, Now Vistra Has to Respond 



MAI received a bid at A$2.20/share from an unidentified 3rd party party and SS&amp;C bumped their bid to A$2.25/share on 27th April 2021. 


27-Apr-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): More Competition Forces SS&amp;C to Bump 



After the close on 28th April, Global Fund Administrator Apex Group Limited (Apex) launched a non-binding bid at A$2.35/share and MAI matched this bid. 


29-Apr-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): Three-In-A-Row! Bullseye!



Apex bumped their bid to A$2.55/share on 30th April 2021. 


2-May-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): More-Than-Double in Less than 2 Months After Apex Bump) 



I turned Bearish on the situation claiming that "as a Bump Option, this is not as attractive as the previous four instances". MAI AU shares dipped from A$2.65 on May 2nd to A$2.56 on May 6th and SS&amp;C exercised their matching right and raised their bid to A$2.56/share. 


6-May-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): Bidding War Continues as SS&amp;C Overbids for the 4th Time 



Apex raised their bid to A$2.60/share. 


14-May-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): +120% in ~2 Months but Bidding War Continues... 



Since the publication of this insight, there have been 5 new bids. 

Below is a discussion on the latest developments For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Australia, please refer to Quiddity Australia M&amp;A Guide 2019 and Quiddity M&amp;A: Australia Foreign Investment Reforms

Mainstream (MAI AU): Apex on Top Again as Bidding War Continues...


For the month of May, 11 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$7.3bn.



Clicking on the company name in the table below will take you to the entity page where you can read the initial insight(s) written by Smartkarma contributors on these new deals and follow-up discussions, or simply click on the insight link(s) below the name.







New Deals


Industry


Size (US$bn)


Type


Premium




Australia




APN Property Group (APD AU) 
Property
0.2
Scheme
50%


APN Prop (APD AU): Dexus' Done Deal



Boral Ltd (BLD AU) 
Construction
4.8
Off-market
Nil


Boral Ltd (BLD AU): Seven's Nil Premium



Japara Healthcare (JHC AU) 
Healthcare
0.2
Scheme
30%


Japara Healthcare (JHC AU): Here Comes The Calvary


 



Hong Kong




Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK) 
Banking
0.2
Scheme
51.2%



Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK): Takeover Talk As Shares Pop
Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK): Yue Xiu's Offer Is Light



 



Japan




Aomori Bank (8342 JP) / Michinoku Bank (8350 JP) 
Bank
0.6
Merger



Aomori Bank &amp; Michinoku Bank Merger - Nothing To Write Home About Yet



EPS Holdings (4282 JP) 
Data/software
0.1
Tender Offer
35.5%


Another Too-Cheap MBO as Founder Takes Out EPS


 Locoguide (4497 JP) / Kufu (4399 JP)

Real estate
0.4
Merger



Locoguide (4497 JP) - Kufu (4399 JP): Merger Is a Done Deal



Maruka Machinery (7594 JP) / Furusato Industries (8087 JP) 
Trading
0.4
Merger



A Complex SmallCap Merger in Japan: Maruka (7594) And Furusato (8087)



Secom Joshinetsu (4342 JP) 
Security
0.3
Tender Offer
66.2%


Secom To Finally Buy Out Affiliate Secom Joshinetsu (4342)








Malaysia




Can-One Bhd (CAN MK) 
Manufacturing
0.1
MTO
15.8%


Can-One (CAN MK)? Yeoh Can Lah!



IHH Healthcare (IHH MK) 
Healthcare
N/A
N/A
N/A


IHH Healthcare (IHH MK): More Medicine For Mitsui?


Source: Smartkarma Insights






The above does not include BetMakers Technology Group (BET AU) lobbing a non-binding offer of A$4bn (A$1bn cash, $3bn scrip into BET) for Tabcorp Ltd (TAH AU)'s wagering and media division, and Apollo's prior tilt - Tabcorp (TAH AU): Apollo Shows Its Hand.

Nor does the table include the rumoured merger between  Angang Steel Co Ltd (H) (347 HK) and Bengang Steel (000761 CH) - Amalgamated Steel: Merging Angang &amp; Bengang As, Bs, and Hs.



The average premium for the new deals announced (or first discussed) in May was ~41%, with a year-to-date average of ~31% (78 deals). This compares to the average premium for all deals in 2020 (158 deals) and 2019 (145 deals) of 31% and 31.5% respectively. 




Summary of News in May of Arb Situations On Smartkarma's Radar



(Again, click on the company names to take to you to the insights and/or discussion posts for a more comprehensive read-through on each situation)






Australia


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




3P Learning (3PL AU) 

No May update




Bingo Industries (BIN AU) 

1-May: Capital Group announced it has sold its entire 9.7% stake in Bingo Industries (BIN AU).




Crown Resorts (CWN AU) 

10-May: Crown Resorts: Blackstone &amp; Star Place Their Bets
17-May: Crown Says Blackstone's Bid Is Light. Undecided On Star
20-May: Crown Resorts Ltd: Blackstone Offer Rejected, Star Offer May Still Not Reflect True Forward Value




Galaxy Resources (GXY AU) 

No May update




Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) 

27-May: Link Group (LNK AU): KKR Opens The Bidding For PEXA
31-May: Link Admin (LNK AU) Goes IPO Route For PEXA Afterall




Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU) 

2-May: Mainstream (MAI AU): More-Than-Double in Less than 2 Months After Apex Bump
6-May: Mainstream (MAI AU): Bidding War Continues as SS&amp;C Overbids for the 4th Time
14-May: Mainstream (MAI AU): +120% in ~2 Months but Bidding War Continues....




McPherson's Ltd (MCP AU) 

No May update




Mortgage Choice (MOC AU) 

26-Mau FIRB gives its approval



Primewest Group Ltd (PWG AU)

14-May: Target's Statement and Bidder's Statements were published. Primewest Group Ltd (PWG AU)'s Board has unanimously recommended shareholders to accept the Offer. 




Think Childcare (TNK AU) 

12-May: Think Childcare (TNK AU) has agreed to extend the Exclusivity Period with Busy Bees to 31st May 2021 (vs. original deadline of 14th May). This is still a non-binding deal with an expected completion date to be in 1Q CY22. 




Vitalharvest Freehold Trust (VTH AU) 

1-May: And so it goes - MAFM bumps its Offer for Vitalharvest Freehold Trust (VTH AU) to $1.26.
7-May: MAFM exercises a call option and acquires 16.2% of Vitalharvest Freehold Trust (VTH AU).
28-May Roc bumps its Offer for Vitalharvest Freehold Trust (VTH AU) to $1.29/share.  And says it will overbid any MAFM counter! 




Vocus Communications (VOC AU) 

10-May: Vocus Comms (VOC AU): MIRA/Aware's Done Deal
19-May: Vocus Comms (VOC AU): MIRA/​Aware’s Scheme Doc Despatched. EGM On 22 June










Hong Kong


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




Beijing Digital Telecom (6188 HK) 

1-May: Beijing Digital (6188 HK): Offer Now Open. IFA Says Fair
20-May: Beijing Digital Telecom (6188 HK)'s MGO is now unconditional in all respects. 




China Machinery Engineering (1829 HK) 

28-May: China Machinery Engineering (1829 HK): Movement In The Works?




China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK) 

7-May: In its monthly update regarding a potential Offer, China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK) says there is no update.




China Youzan Limited (8083 HK) 

10-May: China Youzan (8083 HK): Reality Check As Shares Rollover




Kerry Logistics Network (636 HK) 

4-May: Kerry Logistics Network (636 HK) will hold an EGM on the 26 May for shareholders to vote on the sale of the Hong Kong and Taiwan warehouse businesses to Kerry Holdings. 
26-May: At its SGM, Kerry Logistics Network (636 HK) shareholders overwhelmingly approved the sale of its Hong Kong, Taiwan warehouse business to Kerry Holdings.




New Century REIT (1275 HK) 

No May update




Rivera Holdings (281 HK) 

No April update




Sichuan Languang Justbon Service Group (2606 HK) 

3-May: Languang Justbon (2606 HK): Offer Now Open - For Up To Four Months










India


Comments (with links to insights)




Mphasis Ltd (MPHL IN) 

4-May: The Detailed Public Statement on Mphasis Ltd (MPHL IN) has been released. The Open Offer is scheduled tentatively to run from 18 June to 1 July, which means it is running Very Tight and the option is worth a bit less than I expected. But that just means there is more gamma. One could get big at the high Rs 1600s area. 




Vedanta Ltd (VEDL IN) 

4-May: Vedanta Now Caught Up With Peers - A Different Skew Ahead










Japan


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




BeNEXT Group (2154 JP) 
No May update



Cocokara Fine (3098 JP) 
No May update



Fuji Kosan Company (5009 JP) 
17-May:  Fuji Kosan Company (5009 JP) has responded to Aslead Strategic Value Fund's Tender Offer with its initial Target Opinion Statement which is "Opinion Withheld." This is because Fuji Kosan hasn't actually done anything yet - two weeks in. They have sent questions to Aslead, and Aslead has five business days to respond. This is slow-walking it. This tender offer is likely to be extended because of that.



Hitachi Metals (5486 JP) 

5-May: Hitachi Metals - Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?




Honshu Chemical Industry (4115 JP) 

13-May: Honshu Chemical (4115) Shareholders Perhaps One Day From a Wrong Price Takeover
16-May:: Honshu Chemical Shareholders Get the Short End of the Stick As The Board Is Ex-Gourd




Invesco Office J Reit (3298 JP) 

6-May:  Invesco Office OPPOSES Starwood Hostile Offer and Gets a Distinctly Beige Knight
11-May:  Starwood Bumps Terms, Lowers Threshold on Invesco Office
13-May:  Invesco Office's Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day... Changes Things
20-May:  Invesco Office's Beige Knight (Deemed Dirty Gray By Markets) Suddenly Looks Brighter and Whiter
23-May:  Starwood Responds to Invesco Office's White Knight Proposal
24-May: Starwood has extended their Tender Offer on Invesco Office J Reit (3298 JP) from the 24th of May to 15th of June after the close of the 24th. They did not raise the price. This is basically the equivalent of Starwood calling Invesco's bluff. They can extend again if they want but they are going to make Invesco come out. They can change price later if they think it necessary.



Japan Asia (3751 JP)
No May update



Sawada Holdings (8699 JP) 

9-May:  Sawada Selldown Was NOT Done - Shareholder Structure Looks Different Now
23-May: Sawada Is A Different Stock Now
31-May:  Be Careful of Expectations on Sawada (8699)




Toshiba Corp (6502 JP) 

14-May: Toshiba – Shareholder Returns Trump Weak Guidance
17-May: Toshiba Results &amp; Shareholder Return - Possibly Big Impact Buyback Coming











New Zealand


Comments 




Tilt Renewables Ltd (TLT NZ) 

No May update











Singapore


Comments (with links to announcements)




Procurri Corporation (PROC SP) 

3-May: The Partial Offer has not become unconditional in all respects on the Closing Date and has therefore lapsed










Thailand


Comments




Intouch Holdings (INTUCH TB) 

No May update




Vinythai Public Co (VNT TB) 

No May update






<p>Australia-based third party fund administration services provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mainstream-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30611:1" rel="noopener">Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU)</a> has seen its share price increase by more than 120% in little over two months. </p><p>It all started when Hong Kong-headquartered Vistra launched a bid at A$1.20/share on 9th March 2021. Since then, multiple competitive bidders have got involved as described in my following insights. </p><table class="table table-striped"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><h3>Date</h3></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><h3>Insight Title</h3></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>9-Mar-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-group-mai-au-go-shop-provision-makes-it-interesting" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48962" rel="noopener">Mainstream Group (MAI AU): Go-Shop Provision Makes It Interesting</a> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;">On 12th April, US-based financial technology company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a> launched a competing bid at A$2.00/share (a 66.7% increase from Vistra's A$1.20). </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>15-Apr-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-massive-overbid-by-ss-c-now-vistra-has-to-respond" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50366" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Massive Overbid by SS&amp;C, Now Vistra Has to Respond</a> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;">MAI received a bid at A$2.20/share from an unidentified 3rd party party and SS&amp;C bumped their bid to A$2.25/share on 27th April 2021. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>27-Apr-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-more-competition-forces-ss-c-to-bump" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50762" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): More Competition Forces SS&amp;C to Bump</a> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p>After the close on 28th April, Global Fund Administrator <a href="https://www.theapexgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apex Group Limited</a> (Apex) launched a non-binding bid at A$2.35/share and MAI matched this bid. </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>29-Apr-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-three-in-a-row-bullseye" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50761" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Three-In-A-Row! Bullseye!</a></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p>Apex <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02369747-2A1295495?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bumped</a> their bid to A$2.55/share on 30th April 2021. </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>2-May-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-more-than-double-in-less-than-2-months-after-apex-bump" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50950" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): More-Than-Double in Less than 2 Months After Apex Bump</a>)  </strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p>I turned Bearish on the situation claiming that "<em>as a Bump Option, this is not as attractive as the previous four instances</em>". MAI AU shares dipped from A$2.65 on May 2nd to A$2.56 on May 6th and SS&amp;C <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02372009-2A1296693?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exercised their matching right</a> and raised their bid to A$2.56/share. </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>6-May-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-bidding-war-continues-as-ss-c-overbids-for-the-4th-time" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51146" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Bidding War Continues as SS&amp;C Overbids for the 4th Time</a> </strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>Apex raised their bid to A$2.60/share. </p></td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="width: 75px;"><div class="content-remarks"><p style="text-align: center;"><em>The timing of these insights and the subsequent price movements are illustrated in the figure below where the green markers indicated Bullish insights and red markers indicate Bearish insights. </em></p></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/206/148/original/Insight+Publications.png?1620959235" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="206148"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Smartkarma</div></section><p><strong>Today, SS&amp;C exercised their matching right and <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02374722-2A1298194?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raised their bid</a> to A$2.61/share. </strong></p><div><p><em>More below the fold. </em></p></div><hr><div><div><div class="content-remarks"><p>For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Australia, please refer to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-australia-m-a-guide-2019" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:30118" rel="noopener">Quiddity Australia M&amp;A Guide 2019</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-m-a-australia-foreign-investment-reforms" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40210" rel="noopener">Quiddity M&amp;A: Australia Foreign Investment Reforms</a></p></div></div></div>

Australia-based third party fund administration services provider Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU) has seen its share price increase by more than 120% in little over two months. It all started when Hong Kong-headquartered Vistra launched a bid at A$1.20/share on 9th March 2021. Since then, multiple competitive bidders have got involved as described in my following insights. 

Date
Insight Title


9-Mar-21
Mainstream Group (MAI AU): Go-Shop Provision Makes It Interesting 



On 12th April, US-based financial technology company Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US) launched a competing bid at A$2.00/share (a 66.7% increase from Vistra's A$1.20). 


15-Apr-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): Massive Overbid by SS&amp;C, Now Vistra Has to Respond 



MAI received a bid at A$2.20/share from an unidentified 3rd party party and SS&amp;C bumped their bid to A$2.25/share on 27th April 2021. 


27-Apr-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): More Competition Forces SS&amp;C to Bump 



After the close on 28th April, Global Fund Administrator Apex Group Limited (Apex) launched a non-binding bid at A$2.35/share and MAI matched this bid. 


29-Apr-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): Three-In-A-Row! Bullseye!



Apex bumped their bid to A$2.55/share on 30th April 2021. 


2-May-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): More-Than-Double in Less than 2 Months After Apex Bump)  



I turned Bearish on the situation claiming that "as a Bump Option, this is not as attractive as the previous four instances". MAI AU shares dipped from A$2.65 on May 2nd to A$2.56 on May 6th and SS&amp;C exercised their matching right and raised their bid to A$2.56/share. 


6-May-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): Bidding War Continues as SS&amp;C Overbids for the 4th Time 



Apex raised their bid to A$2.60/share. 

The timing of these insights and the subsequent price movements are illustrated in the figure below where the green markers indicated Bullish insights and red markers indicate Bearish insights. 
Source: SmartkarmaToday, SS&amp;C exercised their matching right and raised their bid to A$2.61/share. More below the fold. For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Australia, please refer to Quiddity Australia M&amp;A Guide 2019 and Quiddity M&amp;A: Australia Foreign Investment Reforms

Mainstream (MAI AU): +120% in ~2 Months but Bidding War Continues...

Australia

Mainstream Group Holdings Limited provides business process outsourcing services. The Company offers investment administration, fund accounting, unit registry, superannuation administration, and share registry services. Mainstream Group Holdings serves financial industry worldwide.

Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU)

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