In today’s briefing:
- Pasona (2168 JP) Special Div – Too Small to Matter
- Kokusai Elec (6525) – The Much-Anticipated Lockup Expiry
- Kokusai Electric IPO Lock-Up – KKR Will Be Tempted by the US$2.7bn Release but Might Have to Wait
- Baicha Baidao (2555 HK) IPO: Valuation Insights
- Idemitsu (5019): First SumiChem’s, Now JERA’s Stake in Fuji Oil (5017) To Go to 22%. It’s Coming…
- Market Chats About What Really Went Down with HPSP This Morning
- Hollysys (HOLI US): Keep Calm as Closing Date Slips
- Multiple Positive Catalysts Ahead Of Q124 Earnings Season
- Belle Fashion IPO: The Investment Case
- Megastudy Education: A Major Shareholder Return Policy in 2024-2026
Pasona (2168 JP) Special Div – Too Small to Matter
- On Friday, Pasona Group (2168 JP) announced its expected use of funds into the May 2024 results, including a special dividend plan, investment for growth, and “strengthening the operating platform.”
- The plan will disappoint. The stock may get hit hard. The truth is somewhere in the middle. This is where active stewardship matters. So get stewarding.
- A special div paid over 5yrs should be paid one-shot, now. If the company has plans worth supporting, set KPIs now, ask for money later. Good plans get good money.
Kokusai Elec (6525) – The Much-Anticipated Lockup Expiry
- Last autumn, Kokusai Electric (6525 JP) was IPOed by KKR. The lockup expires next week, on 21 April 2024 (a Sunday). That frees up about 70% of the stock.
- KKR’s own stake is worth about US$2.8bn. It is not clear that Applied Materials, Qatar, or the Koch Strategic Platforms stakes would be for sale (now, or near-term).
- There is an interesting schedule of events between here and a likely offering date. It pays to pay attention to the details.
Kokusai Electric IPO Lock-Up – KKR Will Be Tempted by the US$2.7bn Release but Might Have to Wait
- KKR raised around US$730m via selling some stake in Kokusai Electric (6525 JP) Japan IPO in Sep 2023. Its remaining stake will be released from its IPO linked lockup soon.
- KE main business activities consist of the manufacturing, sales and maintenance service of semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- In this note, we talk about the upcoming lock-up expiry and possible deal dynamics.
Baicha Baidao (2555 HK) IPO: Valuation Insights
- Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial (SCBCBDID CH), a leading freshly made tea drinks company, has launched an HKEx IPO to raise US$330 million. The shares will be listed on 23 April.
- We previously discussed the IPO in Baicha Baidao IPO: The Bull Case and Baicha Baidao IPO: The Bear Case.
- There are no cornerstone investors. Our valuation analysis suggests that Baicha is fairly valued at the HK$17.50 IPO price. Therefore, we would pass on the IPO.
Idemitsu (5019): First SumiChem’s, Now JERA’s Stake in Fuji Oil (5017) To Go to 22%. It’s Coming…
- In the mid-late teens, four refinery groups merged to create two refinery groups – JX and Tonen General became JXTG under ENEOS Holdings (5020 JP) and Idemitsu took over ShowaShell.
- When Idemitsu got ShowaShell, it got 50+% in Toa Oil Co Ltd (5008 JP), 6.58% of Fuji Oil Co Ltd (5017 JP). In 2020, they tried to buy in Toa.
- That was delayed by an activist. Today, Idemitsu announced they had gone to 23% in Fuji Oil. That stake will go up before it goes down.
Market Chats About What Really Went Down with HPSP This Morning
- This morning’s HPSP (403870 KS) situation began with Maekyung’s report, indicating Crescendo PE contacted local bankers for the controlling stake sale.
- The surge in HPSP’s stock price after Maekyung’s report suggests Crescendo PE’s tacit approval, implying their involvement in the news’s emergence.
- Despite the likely confirmed sale of Crescendo PE’s stake, timing remains uncertain due to disclosure rules. Continued monitoring is vital, considering potential market reactions later.
Hollysys (HOLI US): Keep Calm as Closing Date Slips
- 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.
Multiple Positive Catalysts Ahead Of Q124 Earnings Season
- PC, Smartphone Unit shipments both registering YoY growth in Q124
- TSMC will beat guidance & likely guide Q224 up ~5% QoQ. Samsung’s pre earnings showed strong recovery in operating profit
- Server unit shipments are on a ~17% YoY growth run rate
Belle Fashion IPO: The Investment Case
- Belle Fashion Group (2007708D HK), the largest fashion footwear company in China, is seeking to raise up to US$1 billion in a HKEx IPO.
- Belle Fashion originated from Belle International Holdings (2129452D HK), which was privatised in 2017. In October 2019, Belle International spun off its sportswear business as Topsports International Holdings (6110 HK).
- The investment case rests on a market-leading position, return to growth, margin improvement, cash generation and modest leverage.
Megastudy Education: A Major Shareholder Return Policy in 2024-2026
- On 16 April, Megastudyedu Co, Ltd. (215200 KS) announced a major shareholder return plan, driving up its share price by 14.2% to 60,400 won.
- Driven by this attractive shareholder return plan combined with improving fundamentals, we believe that Megastudy Education’s shares could continue to outperform the market in the next several months.
- The total shareholder returns including share buybacks/cancellation and dividends are 60% of the company’s non-consolidated net profit from 2024 to 2026.
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