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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The Japanese Financial Services Agency has asked the general insurers to reduce/eliminate their cross-shareholdings.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sompo-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:632:1" rel="noopener">Sompo Holdings (8630 JP)</a> had a stake over US$100m in at least 16 listed Japanese stocks, amounting to a total of around US$6bn.</li>
<li>In this note, we take a look at its stakes in various companies to see which ones could possibly be candidates for further selldowns.</li>
</ul>


The Japanese Financial Services Agency has asked the general insurers to reduce/eliminate their cross-shareholdings.

Sompo Holdings (8630 JP) had a stake over US$100m in at least 16 listed Japanese stocks, amounting to a total of around US$6bn.
In this note, we take a look at its stakes in various companies to see which ones could possibly be candidates for further selldowns.


Sompo Holdings Cross-Shareholding - At Least US$8bn of Cross-Shareholding to Sell

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.

<ul>
<li>Bloomberg reports that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> draws takeover interest from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/blackstone-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27166:1" rel="noopener">Blackstone (BX US)</a>, which is considering partnering with Chairman and largest shareholder Reinold Geiger.</li>
<li>Blackstone needs an attractive takeover premium due to the presence of significant disinterested shareholders (Mr. Geiger and Acatis KVG).</li>
<li>Shareholders will be wary of the latest rumour due to Mr Geiger’s aborted offer on 4 September 2023. Nevertheless, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples.</li>
</ul>


Bloomberg reports that L'Occitane (973 HK) draws takeover interest from Blackstone (BX US), which is considering partnering with Chairman and largest shareholder Reinold Geiger.
Blackstone needs an attractive takeover premium due to the presence of significant disinterested shareholders (Mr. Geiger and Acatis KVG).
Shareholders will be wary of the latest rumour due to Mr Geiger’s aborted offer on 4 September 2023. Nevertheless, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples.


L’Occitane (973 HK): Blackstone Pondering an Offer

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

Keisei Electric Railway Co / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keisei-electric-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10876:1" rel="noopener">Keisei Electric Railway Co (9009 JP)</a> share price has increased but not run ahead of its fundamentals.</li>
<li>Weak Yen, COVID rebound, friendlier visa policy by the Japanese government, and the potential for more Chinese tourists visiting Japan are tailwinds for Keisei.</li>
<li>Valuation may look expensive, but with the high growth rate, investors should consider to use PEG rather than PER or PBR.</li>
</ul>



Keisei Electric Railway Co (9009 JP) share price has increased but not run ahead of its fundamentals.
Weak Yen, COVID rebound, friendlier visa policy by the Japanese government, and the potential for more Chinese tourists visiting Japan are tailwinds for Keisei.
Valuation may look expensive, but with the high growth rate, investors should consider to use PEG rather than PER or PBR.


Keisei Electric Rail (9009): Can Be Higher

Analyst

Steve

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a> reported 4Q23 results last week.  Overall, operating profit of Y40bn in FY23 was Y5bn higher than previous company guidance of Y35bn.</li>
<li>However, Shiseido's China business weakened materially in 4Q23, and 2024/25 guidance seems a bit light. </li>
<li>I believe FY24 should not be used as a base for valuation because the nuclear wastewater impact is likely to linger a while longer during FY24. </li>
</ul>



Shiseido Company (4911 JP) reported 4Q23 results last week.  Overall, operating profit of Y40bn in FY23 was Y5bn higher than previous company guidance of Y35bn.
However, Shiseido's China business weakened materially in 4Q23, and 2024/25 guidance seems a bit light. 
I believe FY24 should not be used as a base for valuation because the nuclear wastewater impact is likely to linger a while longer during FY24. 


Shiseido (4911 JP):  Japan On Track While China Was Weak

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-oreal-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21521:1" rel="noopener">L'Oreal SA (OR FP)</a> is the largest beauty company in the world, with a 15% global market share.  The second place in contrast has only around 5% market share. </li>
<li>The company has been excellently managed, and out-performed the overall global beauty industry growth by an average of 5% over the last 3 years.  However, growth could be slowing down.</li>
<li>L'Oreal is now trading at 34x forward PE, which is a near 100% premium over the average of European consumer staples, and near a multi-decade high. </li>
</ul>



L'Oreal SA (OR FP) is the largest beauty company in the world, with a 15% global market share.  The second place in contrast has only around 5% market share. 
The company has been excellently managed, and out-performed the overall global beauty industry growth by an average of 5% over the last 3 years.  However, growth could be slowing down.
L'Oreal is now trading at 34x forward PE, which is a near 100% premium over the average of European consumer staples, and near a multi-decade high. 


Japan

Shiseido Company, Limited manufactures cosmetic and toiletry products. The Company offers an array of makeup and skin-care products, toiletries, beauty salon, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, and fine chemicals.

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Shiseido Company (4911 JP)

Sompo Holdings Cross-Shareholding - At Least US$8bn of Cross-Shareholding to Sell

The Japanese Financial Services Agency has asked the general insurers to reduce/eliminate their cross-shareholdings. Sompo had a stake of over...

Sumeet Singh

L’Occitane (973 HK): Blackstone Pondering an Offer

L’Occitane is on a trading halt pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Bloomberg reports that Blackstone is nearing a privatisation deal...

Arun George

Keisei Electric Rail (9009): Can Be Higher

Keisei Electric Railway Co's share price is rising in line with positive fundamentals, driven by a weak Yen, COVID rebound, and potential increase...

Henry Soediarko

Shiseido (4911 JP): Japan On Track While China Was Weak

Shiseido Company reported higher operating profit in FY23 than expected, but China business weakened in 4Q23 and 2024/25 guidance is cautious due...

Steve

Pair Trade: L'Oreal / Shiseido

L'Oreal's share price declined by 7.6% on Feb. 9, due to a miss on 4Q23 sales (up 6.9% yoy vs. consensus of +9.5% yoy). This is in line with my...

Steve

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Sompo Holdings Cross-Shareholding - At Least US$8bn of Cross-Shareholding to Sell

The Japanese Financial Services Agency has asked the general insurers to reduce/eliminate their cross-shareholdings. Sompo had a stake of over...

Sumeet Singh

L’Occitane (973 HK): Blackstone Pondering an Offer

L’Occitane is on a trading halt pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Bloomberg reports that Blackstone is nearing a privatisation deal...

Arun George

Keisei Electric Rail (9009): Can Be Higher

​Keisei Electric Railway Co's share price is rising in line with positive fundamentals, driven by a weak Yen, COVID rebound, and potential increase...

Henry Soediarko

Shiseido (4911 JP): Japan On Track While China Was Weak

​Shiseido Company reported higher operating profit in FY23 than expected, but China business weakened in 4Q23 and 2024/25 guidance is cautious due...

Steve

Pair Trade: L'Oreal / Shiseido

L'Oreal's share price declined by 7.6% on Feb. 9, due to a miss on 4Q23 sales (up 6.9% yoy vs. consensus of +9.5% yoy). This is in line with my...

Steve

Keisei Electric Railway Co's share price is rising in line with positive fundamentals, driven by a weak Yen, COVID rebound, and potential increase...

Shiseido Company reported higher operating profit in FY23 than expected, but China business weakened in 4Q23 and 2024/25 guidance is cautious due...