In this briefing:
- Monthly Geopolitical Comment: Too Early to Expect Lasting Improvements in US-China Relationship
- Semiconductor WFE Billings Decline Reverses Course in December, First Bullish Signal in Six Months
- CStone Pharma (基石药业) IPO: Strong Assembly and Backing (Part 1)
- LNG Producers Outperform as More LNG from the US Is Coming into the Market
- Dubious Delisting Deals: New Sports, LEAP, China Singyes Solar
1. Monthly Geopolitical Comment: Too Early to Expect Lasting Improvements in US-China Relationship
In our base case, we do not expect the trade war between the US and China to end soon. The next bilateral meeting between Liu He and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is scheduled at the end of this month. If the Chinese side is hoping to placate the US with promises to purchase US commodities, this is unlikely to be sufficient to achieve a lasting improvement in the relationship. We are sceptical that the Chinese leadership will agree to launch structural reforms under pressure from the US.
Elsewhere, we are concerned with growing geopolitical and security risks in Nigeria where both presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled in February. The relations between Turkey and the US have also soured ahead of the Turkish local elections. In Poland, the assassination of the Gdansk mayor put the polarisation of the society into the spotlight ahead of the parliamentary elections due this autumn. There are signs that the US is about to ramp up pressure on Russia after newly elected Democratic House members filled their seats earlier this month.
2. Semiconductor WFE Billings Decline Reverses Course in December, First Bullish Signal in Six Months
On January 24’th 2019, SEMI announced that Wafer Fab Equipment (WFE) billings for North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment amounted to $2.11 billion worldwide in December 2018. This represents an 8.5% MoM increase, although still lower YoY by 12.1%. December’s data marks the reversal of a six month long downtrend in monthly billings, a bullish signal that the WFE segment has bottomed and better times lie ahead.
This latest billings data coincides with WFE bellwether Lam Research (LRCX US)‘s latest earnings report which slightly exceeded guidance with revenues of $2.5 billion, up 8.7% sequentially. On the call, company executives stated that first quarter CY 2019 would mark the trough from a gross margin perspective, strongly implying that it would be the same for revenues.
LRCX shares surged 15.7% in overnight trading triggering a rising tide that lifted large swathes of semiconductor stocks, particularly those within the WFE sector. Two swallows don’t necessarily mean it’s Spring, but for now, the markets are betting that it does.
3. CStone Pharma (基石药业) IPO: Strong Assembly and Backing (Part 1)
CStone Pharma is raising up to USD 400 million via a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In this insight, we will discuss the following topics:
- The company’s background
- Details of pipeline drug candidates
- Potential market size for the key products
- Shareholders and investors
- Summary of our likes and concerns
- Questions for management meetings
We will leave the discussion of valuation for our next insight.
Our coverage on healthcare and biotech listing
- Hansoh Pharma (翰森制药) IPO: A Leading Generic Player with Regulatory Overhang (Part 1)
- WuXi Apptec (药明康德) IPO: This A+H Listing Will Be Different
- Frontage Holding (方达控股) IPO: More Disclosure Needed to Understand Moat and Growth Prospect
- Ascentage Pharma (亚盛医药) IPO: Too Early for an IPO
- Junshi Bioscience (君实医药) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation (Part 2)
- Junshi Bioscience (君实医药) IPO: Early in Application but Behind in Key Indications (Part 1)
- CanSino Biologics (康希诺) IPO: Promising Pre-Clinical Results but Vaccine Scandal Weighs (Part 1)
- AOBiome Therapeutics IPO: Hope for Natural Therapeutic Treatment
- Stealth Biotherapeutics IPO: Cure the Symptoms but Not the Cause (Part 1)
- Innovent Biologics (信达生物) IPO: Pricing the PD-1 and Biosimilars Competition (Part 2)
- Innovent Biologics (信达生物) IPO: A Major PD-1 MAb Competitor Might Have Just Emerged (Part 1)
- MicuRx Pharma (盟科医药) IPO: Betting on Single Drug in the Not so Attractive Antibiotic Segment
- Hua Medicine (华领医药) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation
- Hua Medicine (华领医药) IPO: Reviving Roche’s Failed Attempt?
- BeiGene (百济神州) IPO: Dual-Listing with Upside Capped in the Near Term
- Ascletis Pharma (歌礼制药) IPO: Valuation Not Justified by Ganovo and Ravidasvir NPV (Part 3)
- Ascletis Pharma (歌礼制药) IPO: Three Valuation Risk Factors (Part 2)
- Ascletis Pharma (歌礼制药) IPO: Emerging Player in the Crowded HCV Drug Market
- China Isotope & Radiation IPO: Oligopoly, Visible Growth and High Barrier to Entry
- Zai Lab IPO: Thoughts on Valuation, Risks and Upsides (Part 2)
- Zai Lab IPO: Experienced Team, Promising In-Licensing Drug Pipeline (Part 1)
4. LNG Producers Outperform as More LNG from the US Is Coming into the Market
On the back of a growing LNG global trade volume, LNG producers have outperformed the US market and their E&P peers including the oil majors over the last two years. As global LNG production reaches a record 316m tonnes in 2018, a 9.6% increase year on year, new capacity additions set to come online in the next three years will be dominated by the US. This insight will examine how the recent entry of US LNG in the market is transforming the LNG industry and which emerging players are driving the change.
Exhibit 1: LNG Producers Outperform the US Market
5. Dubious Delisting Deals: New Sports, LEAP, China Singyes Solar
My colleagues strive to cover M&A transactions in Asia-Pac – and further afield – with a market cap >US$100mn and/or when liquidity or the backdrop story warrant comment. This insight is no exception.
In the past two weeks, two companies who form part of the Huarong-CMB network (HCN), as discussed by David Webb, and one company enmeshed in the Enigma network, have received official offers or are have made announcements pursuant to the Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers.
- [HCN] New Sports Group (299 HK) was halted from trading on the 18 January and announced a cash or scrip offer, with the cash alternative of $0.435/share priced at a premium of 3.57% to last close.
- [Enigma] LEAP Holdings Group Ltd (1499 HK) is currently suspended pending an announcement.
- [HCN] China Singyes Solar Tech (750 HK) announced it may be subject to a mandatory takeover pending the outcome of an MOU.
Below are brief comments on all three situations. In the case of New Sports, it is a very real deal, with financing in place for the cash option.
It is arguable whether the tanking in CSST shares yesterday after the resumption of trading, increases or lessens the chances of an official Offer unfolding.
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