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>On 15 September, Hibiki Path Advisors issued an <a href="https://www.hibiki-path-advisors.com/en/engagement/post-5029/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">open letter</a> questioning the rationale for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mandom-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8353:1" rel="noopener">Mandom Corp (4917 JP)</a> Board to recommend a CVC-sponsored preconditional MBO at JPY1,960 per share. </li>
<li>Hibiki opines that the MBO is being done at the wrong price (Hibiki's value is JPY3,050). Some of Hibiki's criticisms are valid, while others are not.</li>
<li>CVC's initial approach will wait for precondition satisfaction and secure additional irrevocables. However, this is a stopgap measure, and a bump is likely to occur.</li>
</ul>


On 15 September, Hibiki Path Advisors issued an open letter questioning the rationale for the Mandom Corp (4917 JP) Board to recommend a CVC-sponsored preconditional MBO at JPY1,960 per share. 
Hibiki opines that the MBO is being done at the wrong price (Hibiki's value is JPY3,050). Some of Hibiki's criticisms are valid, while others are not.
CVC's initial approach will wait for precondition satisfaction and secure additional irrevocables. However, this is a stopgap measure, and a bump is likely to occur.


Mandom (4917 JP): Welcome Activism as Hibiki Takes Issue with the Price

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mandom-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8353:1" rel="noopener">Mandom Corp (4917 JP)</a> has recommended a CVC-sponsored preconditional MBO at JPY1,960, a 32.1% premium to the last close price.</li>
<li>The offer is below the midpoint of the IFA DCF valuation range and the special committee’s requested price. It is unattractive compared to precedent transactions and peer multiples. </li>
<li>The offer is unequivocally light. The setup has the potential for a bump, particularly if an activist emerges as a substantial shareholder.  </li>
</ul>



Mandom Corp (4917 JP) has recommended a CVC-sponsored preconditional MBO at JPY1,960, a 32.1% premium to the last close price.
The offer is below the midpoint of the IFA DCF valuation range and the special committee’s requested price. It is unattractive compared to precedent transactions and peer multiples. 
The offer is unequivocally light. The setup has the potential for a bump, particularly if an activist emerges as a substantial shareholder.  


Mandom (4917 JP): A Light CVC-Sponsored Preconditional MBO

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

FineToday Holdings / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>CVC Capital is aiming to raise over US$500m, via selling some of its stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/finetoday-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44092:1" rel="noopener">FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP)</a>in Japan.</li>
<li>FineToday (FT) is a beauty and personal care company in Asia offering a range of products, including hair care, skin care and body care products.</li>
<li>In our previous note, we looked at the company’s past performance. In this note, we will undertake a peer comparison.</li>
</ul>


CVC Capital is aiming to raise over US$500m, via selling some of its stake in FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP)in Japan.
FineToday (FT) is a beauty and personal care company in Asia offering a range of products, including hair care, skin care and body care products.
In our previous note, we looked at the company’s past performance. In this note, we will undertake a peer comparison.


FineToday Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison and Thoughts on Valuation

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/finetoday-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44092:1" rel="noopener">FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP)</a> is a Japanese personal care business seeking to raise up to US$500 million. It will be listed on 17 December.</li>
<li>We previously discussed the IPO in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/finetoday-holdings-289a-jp-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:167184" rel="noopener">FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: The Bull Case</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/finetoday-holdings-289a-jp-ipo-the-bear-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:167508" rel="noopener">FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: The Bear Case</a>.</li>
<li>Our valuation analysis suggests that the IPO reference price of JPY2,150 per share is unattractive. Therefore, we would pass on the IPO.</li>
</ul>



FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP) is a Japanese personal care business seeking to raise up to US$500 million. It will be listed on 17 December.
We previously discussed the IPO in FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: The Bull Case and FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: The Bear Case.
Our valuation analysis suggests that the IPO reference price of JPY2,150 per share is unattractive. Therefore, we would pass on the IPO.


FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: Valuation Insights

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/finetoday-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44092:1" rel="noopener">FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP)</a> is a Japanese personal care business seeking to raise up to US$500 million. It will be listed on 17 December.</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/finetoday-holdings-289a-jp-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:167184" rel="noopener">FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: The Bull Case</a>, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.</li>
<li>The bear case rests on the weak 3Q24 revenue performance, mid-tier revenue growth, leveraged balance sheet, share overhang and pre-IPO dividend.</li>
</ul>



FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP) is a Japanese personal care business seeking to raise up to US$500 million. It will be listed on 17 December.
In FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: The Bull Case, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.
The bear case rests on the weak 3Q24 revenue performance, mid-tier revenue growth, leveraged balance sheet, share overhang and pre-IPO dividend.


FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: The Bear Case

Japan

POLA ORBIS HOLDINGS INC. develops, manufactures and markets cosmetic products, centering in skincare  products. Under its multi-brand strategy, the Company holds nine cosmetic brands including POLA, prestige skincare brand, ORBIS, oil-free skincare brand, H2O PLUS and Jurlique.

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Pola Orbis Holdings (4927 JP)

Mandom (4917 JP): Welcome Activism as Hibiki Takes Issue with the Price

Hibiki opines that the MBO is being done at the wrong price (Hibiki's value is JPY3,050). Some of Hibiki's criticisms are valid, while others are...

Arun George

Mandom (4917 JP): A Light CVC-Sponsored Preconditional MBO

The offer is unequivocally light. The setup has the potential for a bump, particularly if an activist emerges as a substantial shareholder.

Arun George

FineToday Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison and Thoughts on Valuation

FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP) Japan is said to be looking to reboot its listings plans after having shelved its 2024 listing attempt.

Sumeet Singh

FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: Valuation Insights

Our valuation analysis suggests that the IPO reference price of JPY2,150 per share is unattractive. Therefore, we would pass on the IPO.

Arun George

FineToday Holdings (289A JP) IPO: The Bear Case

The bear case rests on the weak 3Q24 revenue performance, mid-tier revenue growth, leveraged balance sheet, share overhang and pre-IPO dividend.

Arun George

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