Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>It was reported on 2/9 that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) increased its stake in NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS) to 6.69%, which currently represents 808 billion won ($670 million).</li>
<li>This investment comes right after it was reported in the past several days ago that Saudi Arabia's PIF purchased a 5% stake in Nexon (3659 JP) for $883 million.</li>
<li><strong>Saudi Arabia's PIF investing NCsoft and Nexon as well as launching Savvy Gaming Group (SGG) are likely to renew increased interest in the recently beaten down Asian game stocks. </strong></li>
</ul>


It was reported on 2/9 that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) increased its stake in NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS) to 6.69%, which currently represents 808 billion won ($670 million).
This investment comes right after it was reported in the past several days ago that Saudi Arabia's PIF purchased a 5% stake in Nexon (3659 JP) for $883 million.
Saudi Arabia's PIF investing NCsoft and Nexon as well as launching Savvy Gaming Group (SGG) are likely to renew increased interest in the recently beaten down Asian game stocks. 


Saudi Arabia's PIF Launches Savvy Gaming Group and Buys 6.7% of NCsoft & 5% of Nexon

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Prime price increased, Covid expenses starting to moderate, margins set to rise.</li>
<li>Fulfillment buildout moderates, 1-day shipping can now launch more widely, share gains will ensue, revenue growth will reaccelerate.</li>
<li>We reiterate Amazon as our Top 2022 long idea. We think its worth $6,000.</li>
</ul>


Prime price increased, Covid expenses starting to moderate, margins set to rise.
Fulfillment buildout moderates, 1-day shipping can now launch more widely, share gains will ensue, revenue growth will reaccelerate.
We reiterate Amazon as our Top 2022 long idea. We think its worth $6,000.


Amazon 4Q21: Don’t Call It a Comeback, We’ve Been Here (Investing) For Years

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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.

<ul>
<li>Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were on the sceptical side given various signs of trouble at the company. </li>
<li>In contrast the majority of commentary on the deal has been somewhere between positive and euphoric though there are monopoly concerns from customers. </li>
<li>Yet the more we examine the implications the less we like this deal for Microsoft.</li>
</ul>


Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were on the sceptical side given various signs of trouble at the company. 
In contrast the majority of commentary on the deal has been somewhere between positive and euphoric though there are monopoly concerns from customers. 
Yet the more we examine the implications the less we like this deal for Microsoft.


Microsoft – Thinking Through the ATVI Acquisition Further

<ul>
<li>A blizzard of cost synergies we conservatively estimate at $500MM from lower distribution commissions, hosting costs, and cutting ATVI's highly paid C-Suite.</li>
<li>Multiple strategic benefits: Catalyzes Microsoft's XCloud streaming game service and Game Pass subscription offering....potentially offers greater leverage for app store negotiations with Apple and Google.</li>
<li>Accretive on valuation alone...MSFT is paying a 10% discount to ATVI's 23x average forward PE from last few years. MSFT's 11x forward P/S vs. ATVI's 5.5x revalues ATVI's revenues 2x.</li>
</ul>


A blizzard of cost synergies we conservatively estimate at $500MM from lower distribution commissions, hosting costs, and cutting ATVI's highly paid C-Suite.
Multiple strategic benefits: Catalyzes Microsoft's XCloud streaming game service and Game Pass subscription offering....potentially offers greater leverage for app store negotiations with Apple and Google.
Accretive on valuation alone...MSFT is paying a 10% discount to ATVI's 23x average forward PE from last few years. MSFT's 11x forward P/S vs. ATVI's 5.5x revalues ATVI's revenues 2x.


Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition Is a Stupendous Deal

US/Europe Event-Driven Analyst

John DeMasi

<ul>
<li>Microsoft’s largest-ever acquisition provides boost for cloud gaming and metaverse ambitions.</li>
<li>Deal comes as Activision Blizzard’s been mired in gender pay disparity and sexual harassment storm.</li>
<li>Controversial CEO Bobby Kotick to continue in his role as head of Activision Blizzard, though WSJ says otherwise.</li>
</ul>


Microsoft’s largest-ever acquisition provides boost for cloud gaming and metaverse ambitions.
Deal comes as Activision Blizzard’s been mired in gender pay disparity and sexual harassment storm.
Controversial CEO Bobby Kotick to continue in his role as head of Activision Blizzard, though WSJ says otherwise.


Microsoft Got Game! Plans to Buy Activision Blizzard for $95/Share or $68.7 Billion

United States

Microsoft Corporation operates as a software company. The Company offers applications, extra cloud storage, and advanced security solutions. Microsoft serves customers worldwide.

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Saudi Arabia's PIF Launches Savvy Gaming Group and Buys 6.7% of NCsoft & 5% of Nexon

Saudi Arabia's PIF investing NCsoft and Nexon as well as launching Savvy Gaming Group (SGG) are likely to renew increased interest in the recently...

Douglas Kim

Amazon 4Q21: Don’t Call It a Comeback, We’ve Been Here (Investing) For Years

Reaccelerating growth, better than expected margins and FCF in 2022-2023, and a catchup trade on the come. We reiterate Amazon as our Top 2022 long...

Aaron Gabin

Microsoft – Thinking Through the ATVI Acquisition Further

Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were sceptical in contrast to the majority of commentary on the deal. The more we...

Mio Kato

Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition Is a Stupendous Deal

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision is a homerun by any measure: strategically, financially, and on valuation. We expect the level of synergies...

Aaron Gabin

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Saudi Arabia's PIF Launches Savvy Gaming Group and Buys 6.7% of NCsoft & 5% of Nexon

Saudi Arabia's PIF investing NCsoft and Nexon as well as launching Savvy Gaming Group (SGG) are likely to renew increased interest in the recently...

Douglas Kim

Amazon 4Q21: Don’t Call It a Comeback, We’ve Been Here (Investing) For Years

Reaccelerating growth, better than expected margins and FCF in 2022-2023, and a catchup trade on the come. We reiterate Amazon as our Top 2022 long...

Aaron Gabin

Microsoft – Thinking Through the ATVI Acquisition Further

Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were sceptical in contrast to the majority of commentary on the deal. The more we...

Mio Kato

Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition Is a Stupendous Deal

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision is a homerun by any measure: strategically, financially, and on valuation. We expect the level of synergies...

Aaron Gabin

Microsoft Got Game! Plans to Buy Activision Blizzard for $95/Share or $68.7 Billion

Microsoft 'ain't' playing games. Its planned buy of Activision Blizzard will get regulators' dander up, but the devil's in the detail, and this...

John DeMasi