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 href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-shokuhin-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14985:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Shokuhin (2692 JP)</a> has recommended an offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a> at JPY13,000, a 3.6% premium to last close and a 39.8% premium to the undisturbed price (13 November).</li>
<li>While the offer represents an all-time high, it is light compared to precedent transactions, Sapphireterra’s fair value and below the midpoint of the special committee IFA DCF valuation range.</li>
<li>However, tendering by crossholders and a few retail holders will satisfy the minimum (14.20% ownership ratio). Therefore, this is a done deal.</li>
</ul>



Itochu Shokuhin (2692 JP) has recommended an offer from Itochu Corp (8001 JP) at JPY13,000, a 3.6% premium to last close and a 39.8% premium to the undisturbed price (13 November).
While the offer represents an all-time high, it is light compared to precedent transactions, Sapphireterra’s fair value and below the midpoint of the special committee IFA DCF valuation range.
However, tendering by crossholders and a few retail holders will satisfy the minimum (14.20% ownership ratio). Therefore, this is a done deal.


Itochu-Shokuhin (2692 JP): Itochu (8001 JP)’s Tender Offer Is Light but Done

<ul>
<li>On 14 November, media outlets reported that Sapphireterra has <a href="https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/e7ddad68-3d70-4201-b3f3-16f665298127/downloads/055ae6dd-96a9-457f-baab-01eafcc12759/STC%20IS%20Press%20Release%202025-11-05%20E%20FINAL.pdf?ver=1763150335833" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sent a letter</a> to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-shokuhin-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14985:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Shokuhin (2692 JP)</a> Board suggesting two strategic alternatives to improve shareholder returns. </li>
<li>Sapphireterra has suggested that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a> privatise Itochu-Shokuhin at JPY14,000, a 50.5% takeover premium. Due to the shareholder structure, Itochu does not need to be this generous.</li>
<li>Sapphireterra has also alternatively suggested JPY7,000 special dividend. The strong YTD share performance suggests no pressing need for the Board to act on this proposal. </li>
</ul>


On 14 November, media outlets reported that Sapphireterra has sent a letter to the Itochu Shokuhin (2692 JP) Board suggesting two strategic alternatives to improve shareholder returns. 
Sapphireterra has suggested that Itochu Corp (8001 JP) privatise Itochu-Shokuhin at JPY14,000, a 50.5% takeover premium. Due to the shareholder structure, Itochu does not need to be this generous.
Sapphireterra has also alternatively suggested JPY7,000 special dividend. The strong YTD share performance suggests no pressing need for the Board to act on this proposal. 


Itochu-Shokuhin (2692 JP): Itochu Likely to Shrug off Sapphireterra’s Privatisation Call

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>For July 2025, just six new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma (by the Quiddity team) with an overall announced deal size of only ~US$4bn.</li>
<li>The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in July was 45%, with a year-to-date average of 47%.</li>
<li>The average premiums for transactions in 2024 (129 transactions), (2023 (117), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) were 43%, 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31%</li>
</ul>


For July 2025, just six new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma (by the Quiddity team) with an overall announced deal size of only ~US$4bn.
The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in July was 45%, with a year-to-date average of 47%.
The average premiums for transactions in 2024 (129 transactions), (2023 (117), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) were 43%, 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31%


(Mostly) Asia M&A, July 2025 Wrap: Pacific Industrial, Johns Lyon, TalkMed, DD Group, Hanil Cement

<ul>
<li>I tally 40 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma.</li>
<li>Two new deals were discussed on Smartkarma this week: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dd-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1439:1" rel="noopener">DD Group (3073 JP)</a>'s MBO and the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanil-cement-co-ltd-new" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27447:1" rel="noopener">Hanil Cement Co Ltd/New (300720 KS)</a>/<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanil-hyundai-cement-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14406:1" rel="noopener">Hanil Hyundai Cement (006390 KS)</a> merger.</li>
<li>Key updates/news took place on <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/adriatic-metals-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30797:1" rel="noopener">Adriatic Metals PLC (ADT AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/abacus-storage-king" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:39857:1" rel="noopener">Abacus Storage King (ASK AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-world-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9712:1" rel="noopener">New World Resources (NWC AU)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zeekr-intelligent-technology-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36785:1" rel="noopener">ZEEKR (ZK US)</a>.</li>
</ul>


I tally 40 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma.
Two new deals were discussed on Smartkarma this week: DD Group (3073 JP)'s MBO and the Hanil Cement Co Ltd/New (300720 KS)/Hanil Hyundai Cement (006390 KS) merger.
Key updates/news took place on PointsBet Holdings (PBH AU), Adriatic Metals PLC (ADT AU), Abacus Storage King (ASK AU), New World Resources (NWC AU), and ZEEKR (ZK US).


(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: ZEEKR, DD Group, Hanil Cement, Adriatic Metals, Abacus Storage, PointsBet

<ul>
<li>The benefits of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-medical-system-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18736:1" rel="noopener">China Medical System (867 HK)</a> China Medical System (867 HK)'s secondary listing on the SGX are more apparent than real. </li>
<li>Should <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a> continue its Brazil market launch, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/prosus-nv" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28104:1" rel="noopener">Prosus NV (PRX NA)</a> will have little reason to continue to hold on to its Meituan stake.</li>
<li>Look for value to be realised for Japanese banks with low PBRs and PERs, AND high cross-holdings as a percentage of market cap or book value through better capital allocation.</li>
</ul>


The benefits of China Medical System (867 HK) China Medical System (867 HK)'s secondary listing on the SGX are more apparent than real. 
Should Meituan (3690 HK) continue its Brazil market launch, Prosus NV (PRX NA) will have little reason to continue to hold on to its Meituan stake.
Look for value to be realised for Japanese banks with low PBRs and PERs, AND high cross-holdings as a percentage of market cap or book value through better capital allocation.


Last Week In Event SPACE: Meituan/Prosus, China Medical System, Japanese Banks, New World Dev.

Japan

Mitsubishi Shokuhin Co.,Ltd. is a wholesaler of processed food. The Company sells a varietyof groceries including canned products, dried food, frozen food, pet food, beverages, and liquors.

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Mitsubishi Shokuhin (7451 JP)

Itochu-Shokuhin (2692 JP): Itochu (8001 JP)’s Tender Offer Is Light but Done

The shares have traded marginally above terms since the deal was announced. In response to this, Itochu has announced irrevocables representing 1.5...

Arun George

Itochu-Shokuhin (2692 JP): Itochu Likely to Shrug off Sapphireterra’s Privatisation Call

Sapphireterra has suggested two proposals (privatisation by Itochu, special divs) to improve shareholder returns. The Board is likely to react to...

Arun George

(Mostly) Asia M&A, July 2025 Wrap: Pacific Industrial, Johns Lyon, TalkMed, DD Group, Hanil Cement

For the month of July, 6 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall deal size of just ~US$4bn. The average premium for the new deals...

David Blennerhassett

(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: ZEEKR, DD Group, Hanil Cement, Adriatic Metals, Abacus Storage, PointsBet

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

Last Week In Event SPACE: Meituan/Prosus, China Medical System, Japanese Banks, New World Dev.

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

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