
In today’s briefing:
- Korea’s Next Policy Momentum Play: Rapid Unfolding of the National Growth Fund
- [Japan M&A] Nikkei Says Blackstone to Buy TechnoPro Holdings (6028) For “Roughly ¥500bn”
- Shibaura Electronics (6957 JP): Core Designation Does Not Change Yageo’s Calculus
- TechnoPro (6028 JP): Blackstone’s Rumoured Takeunder Offer
- HKBN (1310 HK): China Mobile’s Offer Now Open

Korea’s Next Policy Momentum Play: Rapid Unfolding of the National Growth Fund
- From a trading view, no confirmed new ETFs under the National Growth Fund yet; market expects existing ETFs to be the main liquidity and sector play tools instead.
- Out of the KRW 150tn, ETF flows likely come from the 100tn private pool—conservative case: ~3% (KRW 4.5tn), base case: 5–7%, aggressive: up to 10% (KRW 15tn).
- Even conservatively, about KRW 3 trillion could flow into sector ETFs, a signficant AUM boost, mainly concentrated in AI, defense, aerospace, and biotech—driving notable inflow impact.
[Japan M&A] Nikkei Says Blackstone to Buy TechnoPro Holdings (6028) For “Roughly ¥500bn”
- There was an article in mid-May saying Technopro Holdings (6028 JP) might be privatised. It is an appropriate candidate. The stock popped 20% immediately, and has since risen another 20%.
- Today’s article follows one which came out ~2 weeks ago with non-sourced editorial content suggesting the price might be 20x EBITDA (i.e. a lot higher).
- Today, an article says Blackstone will buy the firm for “Roughly ¥500bn” which would be 3% down from yesterday. Beware the Nikkei. Beware expectations.
Shibaura Electronics (6957 JP): Core Designation Does Not Change Yageo’s Calculus
- Reuters reports that the Ministry of Finance of Japan reclassified Shibaura Electronics (6957 JP) from a Type 1 (non-designated business sector) to Type 3 (core designated company).
- Reportedly, Yageo’s application was made with a view to Shibaura’s businesses falling under the core category. A blocked deal would set back Prime Minister Ishiba’s goal to improve China relations.
- The change to Shibaura’s designation to core helps explain the elongated approval process, as the Ministry of Finance and Yageo need time to agree on acceptable undertakings.
TechnoPro (6028 JP): Blackstone’s Rumoured Takeunder Offer
- The Nikkei reports that Blackstone (BX US) will launch the tender offer for Technopro Holdings (6028 JP) just below JPY4,900, a 44.6% premium to the undisturbed price.
- While the rumoured offer is 1.5% below the last close, it is attractive as it resulted from an auction and represents a pre-media rumour all-time high.
- It is unclear if the offer is preconditional on regulatory approvals. Blackstone is likely to secure irrevocables from activists like Orbis to project a secure path to completion.
HKBN (1310 HK): China Mobile’s Offer Now Open
- On the 1st August, HKBN Ltd (1310 HK) announced China Mobile (941 HK) had satisfied all pre-cons. The Offer Doc is now out.
- The First Close is the 3rd September with payment potentially on or around the 12th September – if the Offer turns unconditional on the First Close.
- There is no IFA opinion in this Doc. That will be present in the Response Doc, which is expected to be dispatched on or before the 20th August.