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

Hollysys Automation Technologies / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>On 15 April, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> issued a <a href="https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=101533&amp;ref=318235388&amp;type=PDF&amp;symbol=HOLI&amp;cdn=8f7c9a3e128d3526709fdad9f029dff5&amp;companyName=Hollysys+Automation+Technologies+Ltd.&amp;formType=6-K&amp;dateFiled=2024-04-15" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6-K filing</a> stating that Ascendent remains in the process of obtaining regulatory approvals. </li>
<li>The gross spread has widened to 8% as the closing date has slipped from the end of March guidance, and an updated timeline is lacking. </li>
<li>A delay in securing regulatory approvals is not uncommon. However, regulatory approvals should be forthcoming as the transaction involves Chinese entities (including a SASAC entity) acquiring a Chinese-focused company. </li>
</ul>


On 15 April, Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) issued a 6-K filing stating that Ascendent remains in the process of obtaining regulatory approvals. 
The gross spread has widened to 8% as the closing date has slipped from the end of March guidance, and an updated timeline is lacking. 
A delay in securing regulatory approvals is not uncommon. However, regulatory approvals should be forthcoming as the transaction involves Chinese entities (including a SASAC entity) acquiring a Chinese-focused company. 


Hollysys (HOLI US): Keep Calm as Closing Date Slips

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> and Dazheng have traded barbs since Glass Lewis and ISS recommended voting against Ascendent’s US$26.50 offer at the EGM on 8 February.  </li>
<li>While Dazheng may have been held to a higher standard than Ascendent, the proxy statement shows that the impasse was mainly due to Dazheng’s inability to get its act together. </li>
<li>The simple majority voting threshold and no shareholder publicly backing Dazheng’s call to vote NO will help the vote get up. The gross/annualised spread for an end-March close is 7.1%/52.1%.</li>
</ul>



Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) and Dazheng have traded barbs since Glass Lewis and ISS recommended voting against Ascendent’s US$26.50 offer at the EGM on 8 February.  
While Dazheng may have been held to a higher standard than Ascendent, the proxy statement shows that the impasse was mainly due to Dazheng’s inability to get its act together. 
The simple majority voting threshold and no shareholder publicly backing Dazheng’s call to vote NO will help the vote get up. The gross/annualised spread for an end-March close is 7.1%/52.1%.


<ul>
<li>Bloomberg <a href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/glass-lewis-tells-hollysys-shareholders-092020273.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a> that Glass Lewis has recommended <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> shareholders vote against Ascendent Capital’s US$26.50 offer on 8 February.</li>
<li>Glass Lewis notes that Hollysys could fetch “<em>potentially materially greater value</em>” from other bidders. Glass Lewis seems to ignore that Dazheng failed to demonstrate that it could complete its offer.</li>
<li>Despite Glass Lewis’s recommendation, the vote will likely get up. At the last close, the gross/annualised spread for an end-March close is 4.5%/28.0%.</li>
</ul>


Bloomberg reports that Glass Lewis has recommended Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) shareholders vote against Ascendent Capital’s US$26.50 offer on 8 February.
Glass Lewis notes that Hollysys could fetch “potentially materially greater value” from other bidders. Glass Lewis seems to ignore that Dazheng failed to demonstrate that it could complete its offer.
Despite Glass Lewis’s recommendation, the vote will likely get up. At the last close, the gross/annualised spread for an end-March close is 4.5%/28.0%.


Hollysys (HOLI US): Glass Lewis Says to Vote NO. Should You Listen?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> shareholders vote on Ascendent’s US$26.50 offer on 8 February. The special meeting will not be held as the 30% shareholding threshold is no longer satisfied.</li>
<li>The proxy statement shows that despite Dazheng Consoritum’s competing public campaign, it has withdrawn its court injunction and has struggled to provide proof of financing.</li>
<li>The proxy statement suggests that the special committee ran a fair process. While shareholders should approve Ascendent's offer, the 0.2% gross spread indicates an unfavourable risk/reward profile.</li>
</ul>



Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) shareholders vote on Ascendent’s US$26.50 offer on 8 February. The special meeting will not be held as the 30% shareholding threshold is no longer satisfied.
The proxy statement shows that despite Dazheng Consoritum’s competing public campaign, it has withdrawn its court injunction and has struggled to provide proof of financing.
The proxy statement suggests that the special committee ran a fair process. While shareholders should approve Ascendent's offer, the 0.2% gross spread indicates an unfavourable risk/reward profile.


Hollysys (HOLI US): Vote on 8 February as Hopes of a Rival Offer Fade

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Yokogawa is diversifying with integrated controls systems for green hydrogen plants in the Netherlands and Australia and a carbon neutral industrial park in Japan.</li>
<li>Holland Hydrogen I, the YURI hydrogen project and the Goi and Soga Complex take the company beyond oil, gas and petrochemicals.</li>
<li>Based on long-term energy and environmental priorities, these projects should be immune to recession.</li>
</ul>


Yokogawa is diversifying with integrated controls systems for green hydrogen plants in the Netherlands and Australia and a carbon neutral industrial park in Japan.
Holland Hydrogen I, the YURI hydrogen project and the Goi and Soga Complex take the company beyond oil, gas and petrochemicals.
Based on long-term energy and environmental priorities, these projects should be immune to recession.


Yokogawa Electric (6841 JP): Carbon-Neutral Industrial Park & Green Hydrogen

Japan

YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION develops, manufactures, and markets information technology (IT) solutions, measuring and control equipment, semiconductors, and electronic components.  The Company's products include IT controllers, flowmeters, pressure transmitters, analyzers, data recorder, switching power supplies, and AC (alternating current) adaptors.

Yokogawa Electric (6841 JP)

Hollysys (HOLI US): Keep Calm as Closing Date Slips

The spread has widened to 8% due to regulatory approval concerns. Regulatory approval should be forthcoming as the transaction involves Chinese...

Arun George

Hollysys (HOLI US): The State of Play

The simple majority voting threshold and no shareholder publicly backing Dazheng’s call to vote NO will help the vote get up. The gross/annualised...

Arun George

Hollysys (HOLI US): Glass Lewis Says to Vote NO. Should You Listen?

ISS also recommends voting against the offer - “Given the questionable effort to maximize price, the unreasonably high standard to which...

Arun George

Hollysys (HOLI US): Vote on 8 February as Hopes of a Rival Offer Fade

The vote should get up due to shareholder fatigue, Dazheng’s foot-dragging, a withdrawn injunction and no special meeting. With shares trading...

Arun George

Yokogawa Electric (6841 JP): Carbon-Neutral Industrial Park & Green Hydrogen

Yokogawa is adding hydrogen energy and carbon neutral engineering to a product portfolio now dominated by oil, gas and petrochemicals. This should...

Scott Foster