APAC IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Clarence Chu

APAC 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.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Uju Holding raised US$103m from its Hong Kong IPO in Nov 2021, where the IPO had been priced at the bottom end.</li>
<li>The offering was only mildly oversubscribed and the two cornerstones in the deal, Bytedance and Green Better (Xiaomi), had combined to subscribe to 12.6% of the offer shares</li>
<li>The cornerstones and Pre-IPO investors' stake are coming up for lockup expiry. The latter will see half of their stakes unlocked, with the remainder locked up for another six months.</li>
</ul>


Uju Holding raised US$103m from its Hong Kong IPO in Nov 2021, where the IPO had been priced at the bottom end.
The offering was only mildly oversubscribed and the two cornerstones in the deal, Bytedance and Green Better (Xiaomi), had combined to subscribe to 12.6% of the offer shares
The cornerstones and Pre-IPO investors' stake are coming up for lockup expiry. The latter will see half of their stakes unlocked, with the remainder locked up for another six months.


Uju Holding IPO Lock-Up - Would Improve the Liquidity but We Wouldn’t Be Buyers

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/uju-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34824:1" rel="noopener">Uju Holding (1948 HK)</a> is looking to raise up to US$141m in its Hong Kong IPO.Uju Holding is a one-stop cross media online marketing solutions provider that works with media partners to market its advertiser customer’s products and/or services. Incorporated in 2018, the firm contributed approximately 1.1% of the total marketing gross billing of China’s online marketing market in 2020, as per iResearch. For FY20 and 4M21, the firm had worked with 1,028 and 651 advertiser customers and 32 and 21 media partners, respectively. During its track period, Uju Holding has recorded strong growth in its operating numbers and topline has followed closely as well. Its U-Engine platform, launched in 2020 could change the dynamics with its advertiser customers and improve efficiency. Cornerstones are also noteworthy and could aid sentiment but isn’t a large amount nonetheless. However, margins have been falling and the firm’s business model centers around a small number of participants. Combined with operating in a fragmented market, margins could be further compressed.

Uju Holding (1948 HK) is looking to raise up to US$141m in its Hong Kong IPO.Uju Holding is a one-stop cross media online marketing solutions provider that works with media partners to market its advertiser customer’s products and/or services. Incorporated in 2018, the firm contributed approximately 1.1% of the total marketing gross billing of China’s online marketing market in 2020, as per iResearch. For FY20 and 4M21, the firm had worked with 1,028 and 651 advertiser customers and 32 and 21 media partners, respectively. During its track period, Uju Holding has recorded strong growth in its operating numbers and topline has followed closely as well. Its U-Engine platform, launched in 2020 could change the dynamics with its advertiser customers and improve efficiency. Cornerstones are also noteworthy and could aid sentiment but isn’t a large amount nonetheless. However, margins have been falling and the firm’s business model centers around a small number of participants. Combined with operating in a fragmented market, margins could be further compressed.

Uju Holding IPO - Asking Valuation Is a Stretch

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/uju-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34824:1" rel="noopener">Uju Holding (1948 HK)</a> is looking to raise up to US$141m in its Hong Kong IPO.Uju Holding is a one-stop cross media online marketing solutions provider that works with media partners to market its advertiser customer’s products and/or services. Incorporated in 2018, the firm contributed approximately 1.1% of the total marketing gross billing of China’s online marketing market in 2020, as per iResearch. For FY20 and 4M21, the firm had worked with 1,028 and 651 advertiser customers and 32 and 21 media partners, respectively. During its track period, Uju Holding has recorded strong growth in its operating numbers and topline has followed closely as well. Its U-Engine platform, launched in 2020 could change the dynamics with its advertiser customers and improve efficiency. Cornerstones are also noteworthy and could aid sentiment but isn’t a large amount nonetheless. However, margins have been falling and the firm’s business model centers around a small number of participants. Combined with operating in a fragmented market, margins could be further compressed.

Uju Holding (1948 HK) is looking to raise up to US$141m in its Hong Kong IPO.Uju Holding is a one-stop cross media online marketing solutions provider that works with media partners to market its advertiser customer’s products and/or services. Incorporated in 2018, the firm contributed approximately 1.1% of the total marketing gross billing of China’s online marketing market in 2020, as per iResearch. For FY20 and 4M21, the firm had worked with 1,028 and 651 advertiser customers and 32 and 21 media partners, respectively. During its track period, Uju Holding has recorded strong growth in its operating numbers and topline has followed closely as well. Its U-Engine platform, launched in 2020 could change the dynamics with its advertiser customers and improve efficiency. Cornerstones are also noteworthy and could aid sentiment but isn’t a large amount nonetheless. However, margins have been falling and the firm’s business model centers around a small number of participants. Combined with operating in a fragmented market, margins could be further compressed. 

Uju Holding IPO - Margin Compression Looks to Persist

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

iClick Interactive Asia Group / Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iclick-interactive-asia-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27314:1" rel="noopener">iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US)</a> is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement.On 18 September, iClick announced a second non-binding privatisation proposal from Infinity Equity Management. The bid of $7.50 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 32.7% to the undisturbed price of $5.65 (on 23 September prior to the first proposal from PAG and Oasis). As a reminder, on 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management of $6.75 in cash per ADS. Infinity’s offer represents an 11.1% bump to the offer from PAG and Oasis.  As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. Infinity has not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baozun-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24184:1" rel="noopener">Baozun Inc. (BZUN US)</a>. Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. Borrowing a page from PAG and Oasis’ playbook, Infinity’s letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “other than management owned shares and those existing shareholders of the Company who elect to roll over.” The wording suggests that Infinity is vying with PAG and Oasis to get the upper hand in discussions with the co-founders and Baozun. In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/iclick-s-privatisation-bid-from-pag-and-oasis" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:58109" rel="noopener">IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis</a>, we stated that the PAG and Oasis offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples. We also noted that the PAG and Oasis offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities.<div class="content-highlight">While we did not expect a competing bid, Infinity’s offer while providing a bump to PAG and Oasis' offer still leaves minorities short-changed. Nevertheless, the emergence of two bidders suggests that there is a decent chance of another bidding round. At the last close of $6.50 per ADS, the gross spread to the Infinity offer price is 15.4%.  </div>

iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US) is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to Tencent (700 HK) in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement.On 18 September, iClick announced a second non-binding privatisation proposal from Infinity Equity Management. The bid of $7.50 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 32.7% to the undisturbed price of $5.65 (on 23 September prior to the first proposal from PAG and Oasis). As a reminder, on 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management of $6.75 in cash per ADS. Infinity’s offer represents an 11.1% bump to the offer from PAG and Oasis.  As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. Infinity has not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and Baozun Inc. (BZUN US). Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. Borrowing a page from PAG and Oasis’ playbook, Infinity’s letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “other than management owned shares and those existing shareholders of the Company who elect to roll over.” The wording suggests that Infinity is vying with PAG and Oasis to get the upper hand in discussions with the co-founders and Baozun. In IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis, we stated that the PAG and Oasis offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples. We also noted that the PAG and Oasis offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities.While we did not expect a competing bid, Infinity’s offer while providing a bump to PAG and Oasis' offer still leaves minorities short-changed. Nevertheless, the emergence of two bidders suggests that there is a decent chance of another bidding round. At the last close of $6.50 per ADS, the gross spread to the Infinity offer price is 15.4%.  

IClick’s Improved Privatisation Bid from a Second Suitor

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iclick-interactive-asia-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27314:1" rel="noopener">iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US)</a> is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement. iClick was listed on Nasdaq in December 2017 at $8.00 per ADS and raised net proceeds of $23.3 million.  On 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management. The bid of $6.75 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 19.5% to the undisturbed price (on 23 September). As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. PAG and Oasis have not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baozun-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24184:1" rel="noopener">Baozun Inc. (BZUN US)</a>. Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. PAG and Oasis’ letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “shares held by the members of management and other strategic shareholders of the Company that may be rolled over in connection with the proposed transaction.” The wording suggests that PAG and Oasis are in advanced stages of discussions with the co-founders and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baozun" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29712:1" rel="noopener">Baozun (9991 HK)</a>. iClick’s shares reached an all-time high of $18.30 per ADS on 18 February 2021 on the back of the announcement that Baozun acquired 4% of outstanding shares and 10% voting interest at $13.262 per ADS. In part due to China’s regulatory clampdown on tech names, the shares have since headed downwards to reach a YTD low of $4.16 per ADS on 20 August. <div class="content-highlight">The offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples, in our view. The offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities. The timing of the offer announcement points to PAG and Oasis’ confidence in gaining the co-founders and/or Bazoun’s support as rollover shareholders. We think that there is a decent chance that privatisation succeeds. At the last close of $5.91 per ADS, the gross spread to the offer price is 14.2%.  </div>

iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US) is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to Tencent (700 HK) in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement. iClick was listed on Nasdaq in December 2017 at $8.00 per ADS and raised net proceeds of $23.3 million.  On 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management. The bid of $6.75 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 19.5% to the undisturbed price (on 23 September). As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. PAG and Oasis have not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and Baozun Inc. (BZUN US). Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. PAG and Oasis’ letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “shares held by the members of management and other strategic shareholders of the Company that may be rolled over in connection with the proposed transaction.” The wording suggests that PAG and Oasis are in advanced stages of discussions with the co-founders and Baozun (9991 HK). iClick’s shares reached an all-time high of $18.30 per ADS on 18 February 2021 on the back of the announcement that Baozun acquired 4% of outstanding shares and 10% voting interest at $13.262 per ADS. In part due to China’s regulatory clampdown on tech names, the shares have since headed downwards to reach a YTD low of $4.16 per ADS on 20 August. The offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples, in our view. The offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities. The timing of the offer announcement points to PAG and Oasis’ confidence in gaining the co-founders and/or Bazoun’s support as rollover shareholders. We think that there is a decent chance that privatisation succeeds. At the last close of $5.91 per ADS, the gross spread to the offer price is 14.2%.  

IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis

China

Netjoy Holdings Limited offers advertising and marketing services. The Company provides big data empowered short video marketing solutions development, online entertainment content production, online marketing, and other services. Netjoy Holdings provides its services throughout China.

Netjoy (2131 HK)

Uju Holding IPO Lock-Up - Would Improve the Liquidity but We Wouldn’t Be Buyers

Uju Holding raised US$103m from its Hong Kong IPO in Nov 2021, where the IPO had been priced at the bottom end. The cornerstones and Pre-IPO...

Clarence Chu

Uju Holding IPO - Asking Valuation Is a Stretch

Uju Holding (1948 HK) is looking to raise up to US$141m in its Hong Kong IPO. Uju Holding is a cross media online marketing solutions provider that...

Clarence Chu

Uju Holding IPO - Margin Compression Looks to Persist

Uju Holding (1948 HK) is looking to raise up to US$141m in its Hong Kong IPO. The firm is a one-stop cross media online marketing solutions...

Clarence Chu

IClick’s Improved Privatisation Bid from a Second Suitor

iClick announced another privatisation proposal, this time from Infinity Equity at $7.50 in cash per ADS. The emergence of two bidders suggests...

Arun George

IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis

The $6.75 per ADS offer is designed to take advantage of the market sell-off by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities. If the co-founders...

Arun George