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/amer-sports-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21751:1" rel="noopener">Amer Sports (AS US)</a> is a global iconic sports and outdoor brand group. According to press reports, it has filed for a NYSE IPO to raise US$2 billion.</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/amer-sports-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:124040" rel="noopener">Amer Sports 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 ball &amp; racquet sports’ deteriorating performance, EBIT margin not materially improving under the consortium’s ownership, cash burn and high leverage.</li>
</ul>



Amer Sports (AS US) is a global iconic sports and outdoor brand group. According to press reports, it has filed for a NYSE IPO to raise US$2 billion.
In Amer Sports 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 ball &amp; racquet sports’ deteriorating performance, EBIT margin not materially improving under the consortium’s ownership, cash burn and high leverage.


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amer-sports-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21751:1" rel="noopener">Amer Sports (AS US)</a> is a global iconic sports and outdoor brand group. According to press reports, it has filed for a NYSE IPO to raise US$2 billion.</li>
<li>In 2019, a consortium of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)</a>, FountainVest, Anamered Investments and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> acquired Amer at an EV of €5.5 billion.  </li>
<li>The bull case rests on the rapid growth and gross margin improvement under the consortium's ownership, along with technical apparel and outdoor performance’s improving revenue and margin profile. </li>
</ul>



Amer Sports (AS US) is a global iconic sports and outdoor brand group. According to press reports, it has filed for a NYSE IPO to raise US$2 billion.
In 2019, a consortium of Anta Sports Products (2020 HK), FountainVest, Anamered Investments and Tencent (700 HK) acquired Amer at an EV of €5.5 billion.  
The bull case rests on the rapid growth and gross margin improvement under the consortium's ownership, along with technical apparel and outdoor performance’s improving revenue and margin profile. 


HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)</a>, has finally filed a US IPO registration. This is positive for Anta Sports as it can realise Amer's value.</li>
<li>Reported losses at Amer have increased YoY for 9M23 due to higher finance cost. But, its gross, operating, and adjusted EBITDA margins have all recorded solid improvements. </li>
<li>Assuming Amer is listed at the sector's average FY23 P/S of 1.6x, Anta Sports may book deemed disposal gain of HK$13.5bn, or about 6.8% of its market capitalisation.</li>
</ul>


Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by Anta Sports Products (2020 HK), has finally filed a US IPO registration. This is positive for Anta Sports as it can realise Amer's value.
Reported losses at Amer have increased YoY for 9M23 due to higher finance cost. But, its gross, operating, and adjusted EBITDA margins have all recorded solid improvements. 
Assuming Amer is listed at the sector's average FY23 P/S of 1.6x, Anta Sports may book deemed disposal gain of HK$13.5bn, or about 6.8% of its market capitalisation.


Anta Sports (2020 HK): An Updated Look at Implications of Amer Sports' IPO

External broker reports(aggregated public sources), CMB International

CMB International

External broker reports(aggregated public sources)

Incorporated in Hong Kong, supported by the mainland and targeting in global market, CMB International Capital Corporation Limited (“CMBI”) is an integrated financial institution providing comprehensive and professional services. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Bank ("CMB"), by leveraging on the Group’s synergy and coordination in domestic and overseas markets, as well as CMB’s strong resources and outstanding social reputation, CMBI and its subsidiaries have been actively implementing diversified business strategies and set up an overall layout of main business segments including Corporate Finance, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Global Markets and Structured Finance, etc. Adhering to the philosophy of “being clients oriented and increasing our own values by the way of creating value for clients”, CMBI endeavors to provide quality and integrated financial services to institutional, corporate and individual customers both domestic and overseas including Hong Kong IPO sponsorship and underwriting, share placement and rights issue for listed companies, financial advisors, bonds issuance services, asset management, direct investment, wealth management, equity sales and trading, etc.

Topsports International / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>3Q24 retail sales growth was at low-teens, in line with expectations but the underlying fundamentals are good.</li><li>We still think the outlook for Topsports is solid, despite industry headwinds.</li><li>Maintain BUY and TP of HK$9.23, based on 18x FY2/25E P/E (unchanged).</li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

3Q24 retail sales growth was at low-teens, in line with expectations but the underlying fundamentals are good.We still think the outlook for Topsports is solid, despite industry headwinds.Maintain BUY and TP of HK$9.23, based on 18x FY2/25E P/E (unchanged).Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

Topsports (6110 HK) – Turnaround Continues After a Resilient 3Q24

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyze the monthly Hong Kong Connect flows with our data engine.</li>
<li>We tabulate the top stocks by inflows, outflows, and holding by mainland investors.</li>
<li>We highlight inflows into TraHK, Xpeng, SMIC, CSOP Hang Seng ETF, Ping An Insurance.</li>
</ul>


We analyze the monthly Hong Kong Connect flows with our data engine.
We tabulate the top stocks by inflows, outflows, and holding by mainland investors.
We highlight inflows into TraHK, Xpeng, SMIC, CSOP Hang Seng ETF, Ping An Insurance.


Hong Kong Connect Flows (November): Five Months of Inflows Despite New Low

China

Xtep International Holdings Limited designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells sportswear, including footwear, apparel, and accessories for adults and children. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio, featuring its core Xtep brand alongside international brands such as Saucony and Merrell. It was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Xiamen, Fujian, China.

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Xtep (1368 HK)

Amer Sports IPO: The Bear Case

The bear case rests on ball and racquet sports’ deteriorating performance, EBIT margin not materially improving under the consortium’s ownership,...

Arun George

Amer Sports IPO: The Bull Case

The bull case rests on the rapid growth and gross margin improvement under the consortium's ownership, along with technical apparel and outdoor...

Arun George

Anta Sports (2020 HK): An Updated Look at Implications of Amer Sports' IPO

Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by Anta Sports, files for US IPO. Despite increased losses for 9M23, Amer's margins have improved. Anta Sports could gain...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Topsports (6110 HK) – Turnaround Continues After a Resilient 3Q24

Sales growth acceleration should be from the new products and better marketing while margin improvement should be from self-initiated efficiency...

CMB International

Hong Kong Connect Flows (November): Five Months of Inflows Despite New Low

We analyzed the Hong Kong Connect Scheme for November and highlight flows for TraHK, Xpeng, SMIC, CSOP Hang Seng ETF, Ping An Insurance.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Amer Sports IPO: The Bear Case

The bear case rests on ball and racquet sports’ deteriorating performance, EBIT margin not materially improving under the consortium’s ownership,...

Arun George

Amer Sports IPO: The Bull Case

The bull case rests on the rapid growth and gross margin improvement under the consortium's ownership, along with technical apparel and outdoor...

Arun George

Anta Sports (2020 HK): An Updated Look at Implications of Amer Sports' IPO

​Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by Anta Sports, files for US IPO. Despite increased losses for 9M23, Amer's margins have improved. Anta Sports could gain...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Topsports (6110 HK) – Turnaround Continues After a Resilient 3Q24

Sales growth acceleration should be from the new products and better marketing while margin improvement should be from self-initiated efficiency...

CMB International

Hong Kong Connect Flows (November): Five Months of Inflows Despite New Low

We analyzed the Hong Kong Connect Scheme for November and highlight flows for TraHK, Xpeng, SMIC, CSOP Hang Seng ETF, Ping An Insurance.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Amer Sports, 52.7% owned by Anta Sports, files for US IPO. Despite increased losses for 9M23, Amer's margins have improved. Anta Sports could gain...