Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pasona-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15778:1" rel="noopener">Pasona Group (2168 JP)</a> is a "value stock." It has loads of cash (but less than you think) and significant ongoing governance issues, but they are doing a TINY buyback. </li>
<li>Several weeks ago we got an announcement which was odd. Not completely odd, just odd. Now in the past week we have market activity/announcements which make one wonder. </li>
<li>This piece attempts to interpret some of the recent data/info points. One is odd. Another is odd but meaningful (but different than people think). A third is just technical. </li>
</ul>



Pasona Group (2168 JP) is a "value stock." It has loads of cash (but less than you think) and significant ongoing governance issues, but they are doing a TINY buyback. 
Several weeks ago we got an announcement which was odd. Not completely odd, just odd. Now in the past week we have market activity/announcements which make one wonder. 
This piece attempts to interpret some of the recent data/info points. One is odd. Another is odd but meaningful (but different than people think). A third is just technical. 


[Japan Activism] Pasona Group (2168 JP) - Three New Things Of Mixed Importance

<ul>
<li>On Friday, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pasona-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15778:1" rel="noopener">Pasona Group (2168 JP)</a> announced its expected use of funds into the May 2024 results, including a special dividend plan, investment for growth, and "strengthening the operating platform."</li>
<li>The plan will disappoint. The stock may get hit hard. The truth is somewhere in the middle. This is where active stewardship matters. So get stewarding.</li>
<li>A special div paid over 5yrs should be paid one-shot, now. If the company has plans worth supporting, set KPIs now, ask for money later. Good plans get good money.</li>
</ul>


On Friday, Pasona Group (2168 JP) announced its expected use of funds into the May 2024 results, including a special dividend plan, investment for growth, and "strengthening the operating platform."
The plan will disappoint. The stock may get hit hard. The truth is somewhere in the middle. This is where active stewardship matters. So get stewarding.
A special div paid over 5yrs should be paid one-shot, now. If the company has plans worth supporting, set KPIs now, ask for money later. Good plans get good money.


Pasona (2168 JP) Special Div - Too Small to Matter

<ul>
<li>Today, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dai-ichi-life-insurance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1109:1" rel="noopener">Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)</a>  announced a proposed counter/over-bid for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/benefit-one-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14502:1" rel="noopener">Benefit One Inc (2412 JP)</a>. ¥1800/share for minorities and a better (undefined) outcome for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pasona-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15778:1" rel="noopener">Pasona Group (2168 JP)</a>. </li>
<li>This throws the cat amongst the pigeons as it is unsolicited, for 100% not just to get Pasona's stake, and it will require Benefit One recommend or not.</li>
<li>For Pasona, this deal structure would likely increase the net result from the stake sale, possibly substantially so. It's in the details. </li>
</ul>


Today, Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)  announced a proposed counter/over-bid for Benefit One Inc (2412 JP). ¥1800/share for minorities and a better (undefined) outcome for Pasona Group (2168 JP). 
This throws the cat amongst the pigeons as it is unsolicited, for 100% not just to get Pasona's stake, and it will require Benefit One recommend or not.
For Pasona, this deal structure would likely increase the net result from the stake sale, possibly substantially so. It's in the details. 


New Deal for Benefit One (2168) Could Mean Lots More Money for Pasona (2168)

<ul>
<li>As discussed <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/big-m3-2413-partial-tob-as-pasona-sells-control-of-benefit-one-2412-really-interesting-dynamics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> in a piece about the Partial Tender Offer<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/big-m3-2413-partial-tob-as-pasona-sells-control-of-benefit-one-2412-really-interesting-dynamics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:117493" rel="noopener"></a>, Pasona Group (2168) has agreed to sell its controlling stake in Benefit One (2412) to M3 (2413).</li>
<li>That will leave Pasona Group with a fair chunk of cash and possibly a residual stake in Benefit One, depending on the results.</li>
<li>Though we don't know what the future holds, Pasona now is the wrong price for its future. </li>
</ul>


As discussed here in a piece about the Partial Tender Offer, Pasona Group (2168) has agreed to sell its controlling stake in Benefit One (2412) to M3 (2413).
That will leave Pasona Group with a fair chunk of cash and possibly a residual stake in Benefit One, depending on the results.
Though we don't know what the future holds, Pasona now is the wrong price for its future. 


<ul>
<li>Today, the day before the previously extended <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/m3-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13316:1" rel="noopener">M3 Inc (2413 JP)</a> Partial Tender Offer for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/benefit-one-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14502:1" rel="noopener">Benefit One Inc (2412 JP)</a> was due to expire, M3 extended it another 20 days.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dai-ichi-life-insurance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1109:1" rel="noopener">Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)</a> several days ago extended their expected start date by weeks - from mid-January to early February. </li>
<li>The wording in the new <a href="https://corporate.m3.com/assets.ctfassets.net/1pwj74siywcy/4uecKStlttjhRmZYyPSB6C/944bc5119e67c0b1780c24aac8936476/Public_E_20240116.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">document</a> from M3 is curious. It bears examination. As does the strategy positioning and choice of each of the participants. </li>
</ul>


Today, the day before the previously extended M3 Inc (2413 JP) Partial Tender Offer for Benefit One Inc (2412 JP) was due to expire, M3 extended it another 20 days.

Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP) several days ago extended their expected start date by weeks - from mid-January to early February. 
The wording in the new document from M3 is curious. It bears examination. As does the strategy positioning and choice of each of the participants. 


Japan

Pasona Group Inc. manages companies that provide placement and staffing services for clients in the information technology sector.

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Pasona Group (2168 JP)

[Japan Activism] Pasona Group (2168 JP) - Three New Things Of Mixed Importance

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Pasona (2168 JP) Special Div - Too Small to Matter

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New Deal for Benefit One (2168) Could Mean Lots More Money for Pasona (2168)

Dai-Ichi Life proposed a full takeout of Benefit One which would lead to a different structured sale by Pasona. The structure of that sale would...

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Pasona: The Wrong Price

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Benefit One (2412): The Plot Thickens

Dai-Ichi Life extended its "expected Tender launch" by a couple of weeks about 5 days ago. That went past M3's TOB end. BenefitOne asked them to...

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