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.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trial-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36821:1" rel="noopener">Trial Holdings (5882 JP)</a>, a discount store operator in Japan, is seeking to raise US$380 million at the IPO reference price of JPY2,000. Pricing on 26 March.</li>
<li>We previously discussed the IPO in <strong><em><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/trial-holdings-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:97757" rel="noopener">Trial Holdings IPO: The Bull Case</a></em></strong> and <em><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/trial-holdings-ipo-the-bear-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:97798" rel="noopener">Trial Holdings IPO: The Bear Case</a></strong></em>.  </li>
<li>In this note, we discuss valuation. Our analysis suggests that Trial is attractively valued at the IPO reference price of JPY2,000. We would participate in the IPO.</li>
</ul>



Trial Holdings (5882 JP), a discount store operator in Japan, is seeking to raise US$380 million at the IPO reference price of JPY2,000. Pricing on 26 March.
We previously discussed the IPO in Trial Holdings IPO: The Bull Case and Trial Holdings IPO: The Bear Case.  
In this note, we discuss valuation. Our analysis suggests that Trial is attractively valued at the IPO reference price of JPY2,000. We would participate in the IPO.


Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>An unprecedented pace of expansion is underway at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trent-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8410:1" rel="noopener">Trent Ltd</a> (a TATA group company) with the rapid roll-out of Zudio, a youth-fashion retail store chain across India, beyond big cities.</li>
<li>STAR Bazaar, its 50:50 JV with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tesco-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22187:1" rel="noopener">Tesco PLC (TSCO LN)</a>, in grocery retail, has the potential to drive long term growth given the segment's immense size and scope. </li>
<li>Trent could emerge as one of the leading players in India's fast-growing organized retail sector as it rapidly expands its pan-India network in apparel and plans to grow in grocery. </li>
</ul>


An unprecedented pace of expansion is underway at Trent Ltd (a TATA group company) with the rapid roll-out of Zudio, a youth-fashion retail store chain across India, beyond big cities.
STAR Bazaar, its 50:50 JV with Tesco PLC (TSCO LN), in grocery retail, has the potential to drive long term growth given the segment's immense size and scope. 
Trent could emerge as one of the leading players in India's fast-growing organized retail sector as it rapidly expands its pan-India network in apparel and plans to grow in grocery. 


2023 High Conviction: Trent Ltd (TRENT IN) - Transformational Growth in Progress.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trent-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8410:1" rel="noopener">Trent Ltd (TRENT IN)</a>, one of India's leading apparel retailers led by the Tatas, is on an accelerated growth path helped by its recently expanded apparel retail chain, Zudio.</li>
<li>Zudio sells value fashion through its own stores targeted at India's burgeoning youth that is high on aspiration while low on budget, a hitherto severely underserved category.</li>
<li>Star Bazaar, Trent's grocery retail JV with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tesco-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22187:1" rel="noopener">Tesco PLC (TSCO LN)</a>, is also beginning to gain traction and has the potential to expand and grow its presence across the country.</li>
</ul>



Trent Ltd (TRENT IN), one of India's leading apparel retailers led by the Tatas, is on an accelerated growth path helped by its recently expanded apparel retail chain, Zudio.
Zudio sells value fashion through its own stores targeted at India's burgeoning youth that is high on aspiration while low on budget, a hitherto severely underserved category.
Star Bazaar, Trent's grocery retail JV with Tesco PLC (TSCO LN), is also beginning to gain traction and has the potential to expand and grow its presence across the country.


Trent Ltd: Trending Multi-Brand, Multi-Format Retailer. Value Fashion to Home Grocery

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

Total Access Communication / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/total-access-communication" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:948:1" rel="noopener">Total Access Communication (DTAC TB)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/true-corp-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8:1" rel="noopener">True Corp Pcl (TRUE TB)</a> are exploring a merger of equals at a swap ratio of 1:10.221. NBTC approval could be the biggest hurdle.</li>
<li>Both stocks are trading lower than their Voluntary Tender Offer prices. The spread is between 5.5-6.5% and that could close over the next couple of months.</li>
<li>We prefer a long <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/total-access-communication" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:948:1" rel="noopener">Total Access Communication (DTAC TB)</a> / short <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/true-corp-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8:1" rel="noopener">True Corp Pcl (TRUE TB)</a> trade as the downside is protected in case of a deal break.</li>
</ul>



Total Access Communication (DTAC TB) and True Corp Pcl (TRUE TB) are exploring a merger of equals at a swap ratio of 1:10.221. NBTC approval could be the biggest hurdle.
Both stocks are trading lower than their Voluntary Tender Offer prices. The spread is between 5.5-6.5% and that could close over the next couple of months.
We prefer a long Total Access Communication (DTAC TB) / short True Corp Pcl (TRUE TB) trade as the downside is protected in case of a deal break.


DTAC/TRUE Merger: Details and Index Implications

European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

<p>At the awaited auction for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wm-morrison-supermarkets-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22052:1" rel="noopener">Wm Morrison Supermarkets (MRW LN)</a>, CD&amp;R increased its bid to <strong>287p</strong> against a bid of 286p made by Fortress. CD&amp;R took its prey. Fortress, which had preemptively struck (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/fortress-morrisons-272p-pre-emptive-strike" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:55791" rel="noopener">Fortress/Morrisons: 272p Pre-Emptive Strike</a>) saved face and CD&amp;R won by increasing its stretched offer by just 0.7% (c. £48 mn). Fortress could have withdrawn just as Carlyle did in the tussle with Philip Morris for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vectura-group-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22201:1" rel="noopener">Vectura (VEC LN)</a>, but preferred to make its rival pay a bit extra.</p>
<p>The consideration represents an <strong>implied equity value</strong> of <strong>£7,032 mn</strong> and an implied EV of £10,113 mn. This also represents <strong>9.1x EV/Fwd EBITDA</strong> and <strong>20.4 Fwd P/E</strong>.</p>
<p>The 61% premium vs. closing price prior to commencement of the offer period highlights the extreme lengths PE firms are willing to go to spend its dry powder, amid a global deal frenzy.</p>
<p>The only approvals required by CD&amp;R are the approval by the requisite majority of scheme shareholders at the Court Meeting and Morrisons shareholders at the General Meeting and sanction of the Scheme by the Court.</p>
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<p>According to my calculations, the winning bid should achieve an <strong>11.8% IRR by year 8</strong>. Assumptions are an exit multiple of 8.5x (this would be a substantial re-rating vs. the previously considered 7.9x), cutting capex by a fifth, an EBITDA margin improvement to 6.3% (a c. 20 bps gain vs. Capital IQ consensus forecasts, with the necessary caveat that such a move may drive customers out of the stores and therefore lead to a loss of market share). </p>
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<p><strong>Gross spread</strong> is <strong>0.5%</strong>. The deal will complete. Time to surrender the shares.</p>

At the awaited auction for Wm Morrison Supermarkets (MRW LN), CD&amp;R increased its bid to 287p against a bid of 286p made by Fortress. CD&amp;R took its prey. Fortress, which had preemptively struck (Fortress/Morrisons: 272p Pre-Emptive Strike) saved face and CD&amp;R won by increasing its stretched offer by just 0.7% (c. £48 mn). Fortress could have withdrawn just as Carlyle did in the tussle with Philip Morris for Vectura (VEC LN), but preferred to make its rival pay a bit extra.
The consideration represents an implied equity value of £7,032 mn and an implied EV of £10,113 mn. This also represents 9.1x EV/Fwd EBITDA and 20.4 Fwd P/E.
The 61% premium vs. closing price prior to commencement of the offer period highlights the extreme lengths PE firms are willing to go to spend its dry powder, amid a global deal frenzy.
The only approvals required by CD&amp;R are the approval by the requisite majority of scheme shareholders at the Court Meeting and Morrisons shareholders at the General Meeting and sanction of the Scheme by the Court.






According to my calculations, the winning bid should achieve an 11.8% IRR by year 8. Assumptions are an exit multiple of 8.5x (this would be a substantial re-rating vs. the previously considered 7.9x), cutting capex by a fifth, an EBITDA margin improvement to 6.3% (a c. 20 bps gain vs. Capital IQ consensus forecasts, with the necessary caveat that such a move may drive customers out of the stores and therefore lead to a loss of market share). 






Gross spread is 0.5%. The deal will complete. Time to surrender the shares.

United Kingdom

Tesco PLC is a British multinational retailer specializing in groceries and general merchandise. It operates various store formats, including hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience shops, alongside an extensive online marketplace. The company also offers banking, insurance, and telecommunications services. Tesco is headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, UK, and was founded in 1919.

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Tesco (TSCO LN)

Trial Holdings IPO: Valuation Insights

Our analysis suggests that Trial is attractively valued at the IPO reference price of JPY2,000. We would participate in the IPO.

Arun George

2023 High Conviction: Trent Ltd (TRENT IN) - Transformational Growth in Progress.

Trent can emerge as one of the leading players in India's fast-growing organized retail segment; Better visibility and conviction of growth from...

Devi Subhakesan

DTAC/TRUE Merger: Details and Index Implications

DTAC and TRUE are exploring a merger of equals. The biggest hurdle could be regulatory approval since the merged entity would have a market share >...

Brian Freitas

CD&R/Morrisons: Final Offer and Spread

The winning bid should achieve an 11.8% IRR by year 8 (leverage of 4.1x net debt/EBITDA). Gross spread is 0.5%. The deal will complete. Time to...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Trial Holdings IPO: Valuation Insights

Our analysis suggests that Trial is attractively valued at the IPO reference price of JPY2,000. We would participate in the IPO.

Arun George

2023 High Conviction: Trent Ltd (TRENT IN) - Transformational Growth in Progress.

Trent can emerge as one of the leading players in India's fast-growing organized retail segment; Better visibility and conviction of growth from...

Devi Subhakesan

Trent Ltd: Trending Multi-Brand, Multi-Format Retailer. Value Fashion to Home Grocery

Better positioned to ride the growth in personal discretionary consumption in India with its youth-focused, highly affordable Zudio brand of retail...

Devi Subhakesan

DTAC/TRUE Merger: Details and Index Implications

DTAC and TRUE are exploring a merger of equals. The biggest hurdle could be regulatory approval since the merged entity would have a market share >...

Brian Freitas

CD&R/Morrisons: Final Offer and Spread

The winning bid should achieve an 11.8% IRR by year 8 (leverage of 4.1x net debt/EBITDA). Gross spread is 0.5%. The deal will complete. Time to...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar