Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>First, EQT, then CVC joined, in a A$45/share NBIO for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aub-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11179:1" rel="noopener">AUB (AUB AU)</a>, an insurance "matchmaker": <a href="https://skr.ma/J2CwJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CVC Joins EQT In Pursuit Of AUB Group (AUB AU)</a>. Talks <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20251201/pdf/06sr2bsh6yv802.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ceased</a> this week. </li>
<li>Reportedly, AUB’s larger insurance rival, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/steadfast-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8181:1" rel="noopener">Steadfast (SDF AU)</a>, is now attracting PE interest, such as Blackstone.</li>
<li>Steadfast is down ~25% from its recent high following a workplace complaint towards CEO/MD/founder Robert Kelly - now concluded on "a confidential basis", with Kelly resuming his roles. </li>
</ul>


First, EQT, then CVC joined, in a A$45/share NBIO for AUB (AUB AU), an insurance "matchmaker": CVC Joins EQT In Pursuit Of AUB Group (AUB AU). Talks ceased this week. 
Reportedly, AUB’s larger insurance rival, Steadfast (SDF AU), is now attracting PE interest, such as Blackstone.
Steadfast is down ~25% from its recent high following a workplace complaint towards CEO/MD/founder Robert Kelly - now concluded on "a confidential basis", with Kelly resuming his roles. 


Steadfast (SDF AU): Suitors Circle As Share Price Languishes After Internal Complaint

<ul>
<li>The process in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyota-industries-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4500:1" rel="noopener">Toyota Industries (6201 JP)</a> transaction is egregiously bad and lacking in  transparency. This deal, as structured, is block-able, even if bumped.</li>
<li>There's been a lot of enthusiasm for HK spin-offs of late (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zijin-mining-group-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6358:1" rel="noopener">Zijin Mining (2899 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/miniso-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36659:1" rel="noopener">MINISO (9896 HK)</a>). I'm not convinced <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongfeng-motor-group-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:910:1" rel="noopener">Dongfeng Motor (489 HK)</a> deserves similar accolades.  </li>
<li>If you've the ability to borrow <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon (8267 JP)</a>, this promises to be fun/interesting. If you're a long-only investor, it's more nuanced. And it depends on where you are post-tender.</li>
</ul>


The process in the Toyota Industries (6201 JP) transaction is egregiously bad and lacking in  transparency. This deal, as structured, is block-able, even if bumped.
There's been a lot of enthusiasm for HK spin-offs of late (Zijin Mining (2899 HK) and MINISO (9896 HK)). I'm not convinced Dongfeng Motor (489 HK) deserves similar accolades.  
If you've the ability to borrow Aeon (8267 JP), this promises to be fun/interesting. If you're a long-only investor, it's more nuanced. And it depends on where you are post-tender.


Last Week In Event SPACE: Toyota Inds, Dongfeng Motors, Aeon/TSURUHA, Jinke Smart, Genting Malaysia

<ul>
<li>I tally 37 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Those arbs metrics and upcoming events are detailed below.</li>
<li>Three new deals were discussed on Smartkarma this week: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/predictive-discovery-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15374:1" rel="noopener">Predictive Discovery (PDI AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/african-gold-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29028:1" rel="noopener">African Gold Ltd (A1G AU)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/low-keng-huat-singapore-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1928:1" rel="noopener">Low Keng Huat Singapore (LKH SP)</a>.</li>
<li>Key updates/news also took place on: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ane-cayman-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35025:1" rel="noopener">ANE Cayman Inc (9956 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/steadfast-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8181:1" rel="noopener">Steadfast (SDF AU)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/spindex-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17868:1" rel="noopener">Spindex Industries (SPE SP)</a>.</li>
</ul>


I tally 37 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Those arbs metrics and upcoming events are detailed below.
Three new deals were discussed on Smartkarma this week: Predictive Discovery (PDI AU), African Gold Ltd (A1G AU), and Low Keng Huat Singapore (LKH SP).
Key updates/news also took place on: ANE Cayman Inc (9956 HK), Steadfast (SDF AU), and Spindex Industries (SPE SP).


Asia-Pac M&A Weekly Wrap: ANE (Cayman), Predictive Discovery, African Gold, Steadfast, Spindex

Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist, Clifton Derivatives

John Ley

Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist

Clifton Derivatives

Independent derivative and volatility research firm focusing on events/catalysts, earnings, relative value and cross asset volatility strategies.

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>SPASX200 gained steadily through the week despite slowing daily momentum, nearly reversing last week’s decline</li>
<li>Market breadth strengthened, with a broad rebound across optionable stocks.</li>
<li>Implied vols declined across most single stocks, bringing the average back toward mid range levels after last week’s elevated readings</li>
</ul>


SPASX200 gained steadily through the week despite slowing daily momentum, nearly reversing last week’s decline
Market breadth strengthened, with a broad rebound across optionable stocks.
Implied vols declined across most single stocks, bringing the average back toward mid range levels after last week’s elevated readings


Australia Single Stock Options (Nov 24– 27): Broad Rebound Pulls Implieds Lower

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech, Aequitas Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech

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.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Nov 14th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD27.1bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in Northern Star Resources, Aristocrat Leisure, Sonic Healthcare, Super Retail, DroneShield.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Nov 14th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD27.1bn.
We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in Northern Star Resources, Aristocrat Leisure, Sonic Healthcare, Super Retail, DroneShield.


ASX Short Interest Weekly (Nov 14th): Northern Star Resources, Aristocrat Leisure, Sonic Healthcare

Australia

Steadfast Group Ltd is a provider of services to broker businesses across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The Company has equity interests in insurance broker businesses, underwriting agencies and other complementary businesses.

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Steadfast (SDF AU)

Last Week In Event SPACE: Toyota Inds, Dongfeng Motors, Aeon/TSURUHA, Jinke Smart, Genting Malaysia

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

Asia-Pac M&A Weekly Wrap: ANE (Cayman), Predictive Discovery, African Gold, Steadfast, Spindex

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett

Australia Single Stock Options (Nov 24– 27): Broad Rebound Pulls Implieds Lower

AS51 advanced despite fading daily momentum, while breadth strengthened and implied vols fell across most single stocks and sectors.

John Ley

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Nov 14th): Northern Star Resources, Aristocrat Leisure, Sonic Healthcare

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Northern Star Resources, Aristocrat Leisure, Sonic...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

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Steadfast (SDF AU): Suitors Circle As Share Price Languishes After Internal Complaint

There is, as yet, no Offer. Steadfast's share price has failed to recover from the internal complaint. EQTCVC walking from AUB does no favours....

David Blennerhassett

Last Week In Event SPACE: Toyota Inds, Dongfeng Motors, Aeon/TSURUHA, Jinke Smart, Genting Malaysia

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

Asia-Pac M&A Weekly Wrap: ANE (Cayman), Predictive Discovery, African Gold, Steadfast, Spindex

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett

Australia Single Stock Options (Nov 24– 27): Broad Rebound Pulls Implieds Lower

AS51 advanced despite fading daily momentum, while breadth strengthened and implied vols fell across most single stocks and sectors.

John Ley

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Nov 14th): Northern Star Resources, Aristocrat Leisure, Sonic Healthcare

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Northern Star Resources, Aristocrat Leisure, Sonic...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM