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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vinfast-auto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36550:1" rel="noopener">Vinfast (VFS US)</a>, a Vietnamese EV manufacturer and a majority-owned affiliate of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vingroup-jsc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13213:1" rel="noopener">Vingroup Jsc (VIC VN)</a>, completed its merger with Black Spade on 14 August. </li>
<li>Due to the low float, the shares have been on a wild ride, with the last close of US$6.56 materially below the high of US$82.35 per share.</li>
<li>VinFast remains an avoid due to related party-driven EV sales, declining customer traction, operating losses, cash burn, equity raise overhang and frothy valuation.  </li>
</ul>



Vinfast (VFS US), a Vietnamese EV manufacturer and a majority-owned affiliate of Vingroup Jsc (VIC VN), completed its merger with Black Spade on 14 August. 
Due to the low float, the shares have been on a wild ride, with the last close of US$6.56 materially below the high of US$82.35 per share.
VinFast remains an avoid due to related party-driven EV sales, declining customer traction, operating losses, cash burn, equity raise overhang and frothy valuation.  


2024 High Conviction: VinFast (VFS US) – Heading for Trouble

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<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vinfast" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36550:1" rel="noopener">VinFast (1905332D VN)</a>, a Vietnamese EV (electric vehicle) manufacturer and a majority-owned affiliate of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vingroup-jsc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13213:1" rel="noopener">Vingroup Jsc (VIC VN)</a>, completed its merger with Black Spade. </li>
<li>The shares closed 3.7x up on the first day with a market cap of US$86bn. The pop is partly due to low float resulting from the controlling shareholder's 99.0% stake. </li>
<li>VinFast faces headwinds of poor reviews, declining customer traction, ongoing losses and cash burn. VinFast is trading at a material premium to peers on growth-adjusted multiples.  </li>
</ul>



VinFast (1905332D VN), a Vietnamese EV (electric vehicle) manufacturer and a majority-owned affiliate of Vingroup Jsc (VIC VN), completed its merger with Black Spade. 
The shares closed 3.7x up on the first day with a market cap of US$86bn. The pop is partly due to low float resulting from the controlling shareholder's 99.0% stake. 
VinFast faces headwinds of poor reviews, declining customer traction, ongoing losses and cash burn. VinFast is trading at a material premium to peers on growth-adjusted multiples.  


Research from Water Tower Research, Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research

Research from Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research is a leading equity research firm that provides research on micro, small and mid cap companies.

Water Tower Research was founded by Wall Street veterans after witnessing a fundamental shift in the investment research industry with the result being a declining knowledge base among investors, a lack of awareness and a shrinking pool of fundamental research being conducted on companies across the small-cap and micro-cap spectrum. The same issues are now increasingly occurring in the mid-cap space. This sea change within the investment community is impacting not only the companies themselves but also current shareholders and potential investors. With significantly less active sell-side sponsorship by Wall Street, a substantial information gap has developed between companies and various constituents in the financial community. The net result is fewer channels for insight and information to flow between companies and investors.

Equity Research Firm

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>Last week, the WTR Sustainable Index was up 3.2% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (up 0.3%), the Russell 2000 Index (up 3.3%), and the Nasdaq Index (down 0.9%).</li><li>Energy Technology (41% of the index) was up 3.8%, while Transportation Solutions (33% of the index) was up 3.7%, Climate Tech and Clean Tech (19% of the index) was up 1.0%, and Climate Tech Mining and Processing (7% of the index) was down 1.5%.</li><li>Top 10 Performers: GRNWF, NKLA, AKCCF, AVLNF, ADN, EVTV, NIO, DUTV, WAST, EFOI</li></ul>

Last week, the WTR Sustainable Index was up 3.2% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (up 0.3%), the Russell 2000 Index (up 3.3%), and the Nasdaq Index (down 0.9%).Energy Technology (41% of the index) was up 3.8%, while Transportation Solutions (33% of the index) was up 3.7%, Climate Tech and Clean Tech (19% of the index) was up 1.0%, and Climate Tech Mining and Processing (7% of the index) was down 1.5%.Top 10 Performers: GRNWF, NKLA, AKCCF, AVLNF, ADN, EVTV, NIO, DUTV, WAST, EFOI

Sustainable Investing Surveyor Focus on Westport Fuel - August 25, 2025

<ul><li>The WTR Sustainable Index was down 0.2% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (up 1.5%), the Russell 2000 Index (flat) and the Nasdaq Index (up 2.9%).</li><li>Energy Technology (13.2% of the index) was down 1.4%, while Industrial Climate and Ag Technology (46.5% of the index) was up 0.5%, ClimateTech Mining was down 1.1%, and Advanced Transportation Solutions (22.1% of the index) was up 1.5%.</li><li>Top 10 Performers: LILM, PEV, LBNK, NXH, AZRE, MVST, GOEV, EH, IRBT, NKLA</li></ul>

The WTR Sustainable Index was down 0.2% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (up 1.5%), the Russell 2000 Index (flat) and the Nasdaq Index (up 2.9%).Energy Technology (13.2% of the index) was down 1.4%, while Industrial Climate and Ag Technology (46.5% of the index) was up 0.5%, ClimateTech Mining was down 1.1%, and Advanced Transportation Solutions (22.1% of the index) was up 1.5%.Top 10 Performers: LILM, PEV, LBNK, NXH, AZRE, MVST, GOEV, EH, IRBT, NKLA

Sustainable Investing Surveyor Focus on FutureFuel (FF)

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<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>, a premium Chinese BEV manufacturer and a subsidiary of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/geely-automobile-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:127:1" rel="noopener">Geely Auto (175 HK)</a>, has launched an IPO to raise up to US$368 million.  </li>
<li>We previously discussed the IPO in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/zeekr-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:117508" rel="noopener">ZEEKR IPO: The Bull Case</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/zeekr-ipo-the-bear-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:117721" rel="noopener">ZEEKR IPO: The Bear Case</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/zeekr-ipo-latest-updates-as-the-ipo-process-restarts" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:136469" rel="noopener">ZEEKR IPO: Latest Updates as the IPO Process Restarts</a>. </li>
<li>The IPO price range values ZEEKR at a material discount to peers' multiples. We would be inclined to participate in the IPO. </li>
</ul>



ZEEKR (ZK US), a premium Chinese BEV manufacturer and a subsidiary of Geely Auto (175 HK), has launched an IPO to raise up to US$368 million.  
We previously discussed the IPO in ZEEKR IPO: The Bull Case, ZEEKR IPO: The Bear Case and ZEEKR IPO: Latest Updates as the IPO Process Restarts. 
The IPO price range values ZEEKR at a material discount to peers' multiples. We would be inclined to participate in the IPO. 


United States

Nikola Corporation operates as a zero-emissions transportation and infrastructure solution provider. The Company is a designer and manufacturer of battery-electric and hydrogen-electric vehicles, electric vehicle drivetrains, vehicle components, energy storage systems, and hydrogen fueling station infrastructure.

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Nikola Corp (NKLA US)

2024 High Conviction: VinFast (VFS US) – Heading for Trouble

VinFast remains an avoid due to related party-driven EV sales, declining customer traction, operating losses, cash burn, equity raise overhang and...

Arun George

VinFast: Inexplicable Valuation

VinFast faces headwinds of poor reviews, declining customer traction, ongoing losses and cash burn. VinFast is trading at a material premium to...

Arun George

Sustainable Investing Surveyor Focus on Westport Fuel - August 25, 2025

Last week, the WTR Sustainable Index was up 3.2% W/W versus the S&P 500 Index (up 0.3%), the Russell 2000 Index (up 3.3%), and the Nasdaq Index...

Water Tower Research

Sustainable Investing Surveyor Focus on FutureFuel (FF)

The WTR Sustainable Index was down 0.2% W/W versus the S&P 500 Index (up 1.5%), the Russell 2000 Index (flat) and the Nasdaq Index (up 2.9%).

Water Tower Research

ZEEKR (ZK US) IPO: Valuation Insights

The IPO price range values ZEEKR at a material discount to peers' multiples. We would be inclined to participate in the IPO.

Arun George

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