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>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/topcon-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:738:1" rel="noopener">Topcon Corp (7732 JP)</a> shares rose 51% over two days, confirming a Bloomberg report that is conducting a privatisation auction. The process is in the second round of bids.</li>
<li>Exploring the privatisation process is unsurprising, as Topcon has materially underperformed the Nikkei 225 since its last medium-term management term plan was announced on 12 May 2023.</li>
<li>Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median peer multiples.</li>
</ul>



Topcon Corp (7732 JP) shares rose 51% over two days, confirming a Bloomberg report that is conducting a privatisation auction. The process is in the second round of bids.
Exploring the privatisation process is unsurprising, as Topcon has materially underperformed the Nikkei 225 since its last medium-term management term plan was announced on 12 May 2023.
Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median peer multiples.


Topcon (7732 JP): Privatisation Auction Underscores Underlying Value

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>A Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-10/topcon-gets-buyout-offers-from-kkr-eqt-as-japan-m-a-heats-up" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article</a> today said <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/topcon-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:738:1" rel="noopener">Topcon Corp (7732 JP)</a> is weighing takeover bids received from KKR and EQT. ValueAct has been pressuring the company for 18mos (5+% in May23)</li>
<li>ValueAct has apparently been pushing the company to divest assets and concentrate on core ops, or go private (and have someone else do it). </li>
<li>This is further evidence of the METI-enabled "Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine" which could expand M&amp;A and governance activity dramatically. </li>
</ul>


A Bloomberg article today said Topcon Corp (7732 JP) is weighing takeover bids received from KKR and EQT. ValueAct has been pressuring the company for 18mos (5+% in May23)
ValueAct has apparently been pushing the company to divest assets and concentrate on core ops, or go private (and have someone else do it). 
This is further evidence of the METI-enabled "Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine" which could expand M&amp;A and governance activity dramatically. 


Thinking About Topcon (7732) And the New METI-Enabled Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine

Global Materials | Industrials | Commodities

Rahul Jain

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>KKR and JIC Capital launched a ¥348B (~$2.3B) MBO for Topcon (7732 JP) at ¥3,300/share, offering an ~88% premium.</li>
<li>The deal implies ~78x FY25 P/E and ~37x FY26E P/E—pricing in Eye Care’s high-margin growth while Positioning remains a cyclical drag.</li>
<li>Long term, Eye Care is well-positioned to scale globally as AI diagnostics and SaaS platforms unlock sustained double-digit growth.</li>
</ul>


KKR and JIC Capital launched a ¥348B (~$2.3B) MBO for Topcon (7732 JP) at ¥3,300/share, offering an ~88% premium.
The deal implies ~78x FY25 P/E and ~37x FY26E P/E—pricing in Eye Care’s high-margin growth while Positioning remains a cyclical drag.
Long term, Eye Care is well-positioned to scale globally as AI diagnostics and SaaS platforms unlock sustained double-digit growth.


[7732 JP] KKR–JIC Take-Private of Topcon: Strategic Bet on Digital Eye Care

David Blennerhassett

<ul>
<li>I tally 40 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma.</li>
<li>Three new deals were discussed on Smartkarma this week: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-west-media-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:804:1" rel="noopener">Seven West Media (SWM AU)</a>'s, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-logisnext-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11662:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd. (7105 JP)</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>
<li>Key updates/news took place on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/renew-energy-global-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:37038:1" rel="noopener">ReNew Energy Global (RNW US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/soft99-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18486:1" rel="noopener">Soft99 Corp (4464 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/carenet-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4001:1" rel="noopener">Carenet Inc (2150 JP)</a>.</li>
</ul>


I tally 40 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - arb transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma.
Three new deals were discussed on Smartkarma this week: Seven West Media (SWM AU)'s, Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd. (7105 JP), and Spindex Industries (SPE SP).
Key updates/news took place on ReNew Energy Global (RNW US), Soft99 Corp (4464 JP), and Carenet Inc (2150 JP).


(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Soft99, Seven West Media, ReNew Energy Global, Spindex Industries

Hangzhou Kangji Medical Instrument Co., Ltd. / Event-Driven

Hangzhou Kangji Medical Instrument Co., Ltd.

<ul>
<li>For Sep 2025, nine new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma (by the Quiddity team) with an overall announced deal size of only ~US$3bn.</li>
<li>The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in September was ~56%, with a year-to-date average of ~48%.</li>
<li>The average premiums for transactions in 2024 (129 transactions), 2023 (117), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) were 43%, 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31%.</li>
</ul>


For Sep 2025, nine new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma (by the Quiddity team) with an overall announced deal size of only ~US$3bn.
The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in September was ~56%, with a year-to-date average of ~48%.
The average premiums for transactions in 2024 (129 transactions), 2023 (117), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) were 43%, 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31%.


(Mostly) Asia M&A, Sep 2025 Wrap: ReNew Energy Global, Digital Hold., Mandom, Paramount Bed, Spindex

Japan

Topcorn Corporation manufactures and sells measuring equipment and medical equipment primarily for ophthalmologist use. The Company also manufactures industrial products including projectors and optical devices.

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Topcon Corp (7732 JP)

Topcon (7732 JP): Privatisation Auction Underscores Underlying Value

Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median...

Arun George

Thinking About Topcon (7732) And the New METI-Enabled Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine

The METI Guideline on Corporate Takeovers has enabled a BadCop-GoodCop routine to be played out by activists and PE funds. Topcon may be a victim....

Travis Lundy

[7732 JP] KKR–JIC Take-Private of Topcon: Strategic Bet on Digital Eye Care

KKR and JIC Capital offer an ~88% premium in a ¥348B MBO for Topcon, focusing on Eye Care's growth potential and global scalability.

Rahul Jain

(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Soft99, Seven West Media, ReNew Energy Global, Spindex Industries

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

(Mostly) Asia M&A, Sep 2025 Wrap: ReNew Energy Global, Digital Hold., Mandom, Paramount Bed, Spindex

For the month of Sept, 7 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall deal size of just ~US$2bn. The average premium for the new deals...

David Blennerhassett

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Topcon (7732 JP): Privatisation Auction Underscores Underlying Value

Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median...

Arun George

Thinking About Topcon (7732) And the New METI-Enabled Bad Cop-Good Cop Routine

The METI Guideline on Corporate Takeovers has enabled a BadCop-GoodCop routine to be played out by activists and PE funds. Topcon may be a victim....

Travis Lundy

[7732 JP] KKR–JIC Take-Private of Topcon: Strategic Bet on Digital Eye Care

​KKR and JIC Capital offer an ~88% premium in a ¥348B MBO for Topcon, focusing on Eye Care's growth potential and global scalability.

Rahul Jain

(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Soft99, Seven West Media, ReNew Energy Global, Spindex Industries

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

(Mostly) Asia M&A, Sep 2025 Wrap: ReNew Energy Global, Digital Hold., Mandom, Paramount Bed, Spindex

For the month of Sept, 7 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall deal size of just ~US$2bn. The average premium for the new deals...

David Blennerhassett

KKR and JIC Capital offer an ~88% premium in a ¥348B MBO for Topcon, focusing on Eye Care's growth potential and global scalability.