Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, 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

RLX Technology Inc / Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rlx-technology-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31113:1" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Inc (RLX US)</a> aims to raise around US$1.1bn in its US listing. RLX is the largest branded e-vapor company in China with a market share of closed-system e-vapor products in terms of retail sales value of 48% in 2019 and 62.6% over 9M20. </p></div><div><p>RLX only sells its e-vapor products in China. As of Sep 2020, it had over 5,000 branded partner stores and sold its products in over 100,000 other retail outlets, covering over 250 cities in China.</p></div><div><p>Even though the company only started operations in 2018, it was already recording sales of around US$330m by 9M20. Margins too have been on an uptrend and operating cash flows have been robust. Moreover, the founding team and investor backing appear strong.</p></div><div><p>However, sales have mostly grown owing to rapid expansion of its distribution network. Furthermore, the brand also appears to have overseas operations but there has been no mention of that in the company’s filings, leaving one to wonder where these operations are housed and who exactly owns them.</p></div><div><p>In our previous note, links to which are below, we have spoke about various aspects of the deal. In this note, we'll run the deal through our ECM framework and comment on updates in the new filing.</p></div><div><p><strong>Links to our previous notes:</strong></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-pre-ipo-the-positives-fast-growth-low-penetration" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46797" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growth, Low Penetration</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-pre-ipo-the-negatives-limited-track-record-and-missing-international-ops" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46836" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Limited Track Record, and Missing International Ops</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-pre-ipo-rlx-store-visits-to-relx-and-its-competitors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Pre-IPO (RLX): Store Visits to Relx and Its Competitors</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rlx-technology-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-and-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison and Valuation</a></li>
</ul></div>

RLX Technology Inc (RLX US) aims to raise around US$1.1bn in its US listing. RLX is the largest branded e-vapor company in China with a market share of closed-system e-vapor products in terms of retail sales value of 48% in 2019 and 62.6% over 9M20. RLX only sells its e-vapor products in China. As of Sep 2020, it had over 5,000 branded partner stores and sold its products in over 100,000 other retail outlets, covering over 250 cities in China.Even though the company only started operations in 2018, it was already recording sales of around US$330m by 9M20. Margins too have been on an uptrend and operating cash flows have been robust. Moreover, the founding team and investor backing appear strong.However, sales have mostly grown owing to rapid expansion of its distribution network. Furthermore, the brand also appears to have overseas operations but there has been no mention of that in the company’s filings, leaving one to wonder where these operations are housed and who exactly owns them.In our previous note, links to which are below, we have spoke about various aspects of the deal. In this note, we'll run the deal through our ECM framework and comment on updates in the new filing.Links to our previous notes:

RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growth, Low Penetration 
RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Limited Track Record, and Missing International Ops
RLX Technology Pre-IPO (RLX): Store Visits to Relx and Its Competitors
RLX Technology Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison and Valuation


RLX Technology IPO - Valuation Has More than Doubled in Two Months

China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> December ADT (Average Daily Turnover) re-accelerated strongly, delivering amazing 86% year-over-year growth in the month. The outperformance is helped by the rising global equity markets and strong IPO listings in Hong Kong. For the year 2020, HKEx ADT has accelerated the year-over-year growth rate to 49%, which is one the best trading volume years recently. In 2020, HKEx stock price rose 68%, outperforming Hang Seng Index down 3%. We believe HKEx momentum will continue in 2021.</li>
<li>We maintain our sanguine view on trading activities and IPO pipeline in Hong Kong market in 2021. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> will benefit from this secular trend in several ways: 1) Hong Kong market becomes de facto choice for China new economy companies for IPO and fund raising; 2) HKEx Northbound trading has become an increasing important factor as the gateway to invest in China A-share; 3) MSCI index products will continue to gain market share. We forecast Securities ADT of HK$240bn in FY 21 (Hong Kong and Stock Connect Northbound) and raise HKEx TP HKD 500. </li>
<li>HKEx announced that Calvin Tai Chi Kin has replaced Charles Li Xiaojia as its new interim Chief Executive, effective from 1st January 2021. Calvin Tai Chi Kin, a financial industry veteran, has been named HKEx' Interim CEO since last September. He will take over Charles Li Xiaojia’s responsibilities and continue his role as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer of HKEx. <p>Calvin brings a wealth of experience of more than thirty-five years to his new position. According to the media, several candidates have been considered by HKEx, but the final decision on HKEx CEO has not been reached. </p>
</li>
</ul>



HKEX (388 HK) December ADT (Average Daily Turnover) re-accelerated strongly, delivering amazing 86% year-over-year growth in the month. The outperformance is helped by the rising global equity markets and strong IPO listings in Hong Kong. For the year 2020, HKEx ADT has accelerated the year-over-year growth rate to 49%, which is one the best trading volume years recently. In 2020, HKEx stock price rose 68%, outperforming Hang Seng Index down 3%. We believe HKEx momentum will continue in 2021.
We maintain our sanguine view on trading activities and IPO pipeline in Hong Kong market in 2021. HKEX (388 HK) will benefit from this secular trend in several ways: 1) Hong Kong market becomes de facto choice for China new economy companies for IPO and fund raising; 2) HKEx Northbound trading has become an increasing important factor as the gateway to invest in China A-share; 3) MSCI index products will continue to gain market share. We forecast Securities ADT of HK$240bn in FY 21 (Hong Kong and Stock Connect Northbound) and raise HKEx TP HKD 500. 
HKEx announced that Calvin Tai Chi Kin has replaced Charles Li Xiaojia as its new interim Chief Executive, effective from 1st January 2021. Calvin Tai Chi Kin, a financial industry veteran, has been named HKEx' Interim CEO since last September. He will take over Charles Li Xiaojia’s responsibilities and continue his role as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer of HKEx. Calvin brings a wealth of experience of more than thirty-five years to his new position. According to the media, several candidates have been considered by HKEx, but the final decision on HKEx CEO has not been reached. 



HKEx (388.HK): A Blockbuster Year 2020; Becoming Regional Leader in Years Ahead; Raise TP to HK$500

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rlx-technology-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31113:1" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Inc (RLX US)</a> aims to raise around US$1bn in its US listing. RLX is the largest branded e-vapor company in China with a market share of closed-system e-vapor products in terms of retail sales value of 48% in 2019 and 62.6% over 9M20. </p><p>RLX only sells its e-vapor products in China. As of Sep 2020, it had over 5,000 branded partner stores and sold its products in over 100,000 other retail outlets, covering over 250 cities in China.</p><p>Even though the company only started operations in 2018, it was already recording sales of around US$330m by 9M20. Margins too have been on an uptrend and operating cash flows have been robust. Moreover, the founding team and investor backing appear strong.</p><p>In this insight, I'll talk about the positive aspects of the company.</p>

RLX Technology Inc (RLX US) aims to raise around US$1bn in its US listing. RLX is the largest branded e-vapor company in China with a market share of closed-system e-vapor products in terms of retail sales value of 48% in 2019 and 62.6% over 9M20. RLX only sells its e-vapor products in China. As of Sep 2020, it had over 5,000 branded partner stores and sold its products in over 100,000 other retail outlets, covering over 250 cities in China.Even though the company only started operations in 2018, it was already recording sales of around US$330m by 9M20. Margins too have been on an uptrend and operating cash flows have been robust. Moreover, the founding team and investor backing appear strong.In this insight, I'll talk about the positive aspects of the company.

RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growth, Low Penetration

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<div>
<p data-v-da61000a="" data-v-294dc056="">This update is the latest in a series dating back to <a href="https://skr.ma/c7hcH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">L<em>egend's Conversion of Domestic Shares</em></a> in June 2018.</p>
<p data-v-da61000a="" data-v-294dc056="">To date, 20 companies have sought approval to convert their domestic shares into H shares, which would then be eligible to be listed and traded on Hong Kong's stock exchange.</p>
<p data-v-da61000a="" data-v-294dc056="">13 companies have now been given CSRC and Hong Kong listing approval to convert such shares. Only two of those have seen any noticeable movement in the converted shares.</p>
<p data-v-da61000a="" data-v-294dc056="">In the past four months, two companies have <em>withdrawn</em> their application to convert their domestic shares, citing further improvement in the rules and regulations of the domestic capital market, among other factors.  </p>
</div>
<div>
<p data-v-da61000a="" data-v-294dc056="">As always, more below the fold. </p>
</div>


This update is the latest in a series dating back to Legend's Conversion of Domestic Shares in June 2018.
To date, 20 companies have sought approval to convert their domestic shares into H shares, which would then be eligible to be listed and traded on Hong Kong's stock exchange.
13 companies have now been given CSRC and Hong Kong listing approval to convert such shares. Only two of those have seen any noticeable movement in the converted shares.
In the past four months, two companies have withdrawn their application to convert their domestic shares, citing further improvement in the rules and regulations of the domestic capital market, among other factors.  


As always, more below the fold. 


Full Circulation Of H-Shares: January 2021 Update

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>This is our second annual edition of the<em><strong> IPOs Pipeline Worldwide (Top 100 Companies)</strong></em>report. This year has been a superb year for the global IPO market and the pipeline of the global IPOs remains robust in 2021. Among the 100 potential IPOs, they are from 16 countries, including the US, China, India, UK, and Indonesia. We estimate that of these 100 companies, more than half should be able to complete their IPOs in 2021. </p>
<p>Most of the IPOs in this list have more than $1 billion in market cap. We believe that the first half of 2021 is likely to be a more active market than the second half of the year, as the companies and the bankers attempt to capitalize on the continued strong momentum for IPOs globally. </p>
<p><strong>This report is meant to serve as a comprehensive, reference guide to help clients so that they could get a broad view of the major IPOs that could get completed next year on a world-wide basis. </strong></p>
</div>


This is our second annual edition of the IPOs Pipeline Worldwide (Top 100 Companies)report. This year has been a superb year for the global IPO market and the pipeline of the global IPOs remains robust in 2021. Among the 100 potential IPOs, they are from 16 countries, including the US, China, India, UK, and Indonesia. We estimate that of these 100 companies, more than half should be able to complete their IPOs in 2021. 
Most of the IPOs in this list have more than $1 billion in market cap. We believe that the first half of 2021 is likely to be a more active market than the second half of the year, as the companies and the bankers attempt to capitalize on the continued strong momentum for IPOs globally. 
This report is meant to serve as a comprehensive, reference guide to help clients so that they could get a broad view of the major IPOs that could get completed next year on a world-wide basis. 


2021 IPOs Pipeline Worldwide (Top 100 Companies)

China

Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd. supplies soft drinks. The Company develops, produces, and sells bottled mineral water, fruit juice, sports drinks, and tea drinks. Nongfu Spring also offers barreled mineral water door-to-door services.

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Nongfu Spring (9633 HK)

RLX Technology IPO - Valuation Has More than Doubled in Two Months

RLX Technology (RLX US) aims to raise around US$1.1bn in its US listing. RLX is the largest branded e-vapor company in China with a market share of...

Sumeet Singh

HKEx (388.HK): A Blockbuster Year 2020; Becoming Regional Leader in Years Ahead; Raise TP to HK$500

We maintain our sanguine view on trading activities and IPO pipeline in Hong Kong market in 2021and raise HKEx TP HKD 500.

Roger Xie

RLX Technology Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growth, Low Penetration

RLX Technology (RLX US) aims to raise around US$1bn in its US listing. RLX is the largest branded e-vapor company in China with a market share of...

Sumeet Singh

Full Circulation Of H-Shares: January 2021 Update

To date, 20 companies have sought approval to convert their domestic shares into H shares, 13 of which have now been given CSRC and Hong Kong...

David Blennerhassett

2021 IPOs Pipeline Worldwide (Top 100 Companies)

This report is meant to serve as a comprehensive, reference guide for the top 100 IPOs worldwide in 2021 to help clients so that they could get a...

Douglas Kim

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)