This weekly newsletter pulls together summaries of the top ten most-read Insights across Event-Driven and Index Rebalance on Smartkarma.
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1. Quiddity Leaderboard KOSPI 200 Dec 24: Up to 4 ADDs & 5 DELs Possible
- KOSPI 200 is a Korean blue-chip index that tracks the 200 largest and most-liquid names listed in the KOSPI section of the Korea Exchange (KRX).
- In this insight, we take a look at the names leading the race to become ADDs and DELs during the upcoming semiannual review in December 2024.
- We expect up to four ADDs and five DELs for the KOSPI 200 index during this index rebal event based on the latest available data. And we have a trade.
2. ASX100/ASX200 Index: Replacement Candidates for Virgin Money (VUK AU)
- Following its acquisition by Nationwide, Virgin Money UK Plc (VUK AU) is scheduled to stop trading on the ASX Ltd (ASX AU) after market close on 25 September.
- Virgin Money UK Plc (VUK AU) is a member of the S&P/ASX100 Index and S&P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) and there will be adhoc inclusions at the close on 25 September.
- There are a couple of stocks vying for inclusion in each index and the next couple of days will determine which ones make it.
3. Trancom (9058) – Another Bain MBO Done Too Cheaply Where “Activist” Dalton Rolls In To The Bid
- Logistics takeovers are hot this year. Any cutting-edge-of-efficiencies business in the space is likely to get a look. Trancom Co Ltd (9058 JP) is one.
- But while logistics assets put into bidding competition like Alps Logistics and Chilled & Frozen get high EV/EBITDA multiples, MBO transactions without competition get done too cheaply.
- Here again, an “Value Activist” “selling into the bid” to reinvest in the levered back end (at the takeover price). That tells you this deal is being done too cheaply.
4. Auckland Airport (AIA NZ) Placement: Index Impact
- Auckland Intl Airport (AIA NZ) has announced an underwritten placement of NZ$1.2bn and a non-underwritten retail offer to raise NZ$200m.
- The stock is trading near the low end of its range over the last few years and the 7% discount from the last close should attract investor interest.
- We estimate passive trackers will need to buy around 13.5% of the placement shares coinciding with the settlement date on 20 September.
5. Fuji Soft (9749 JP): Checkmate as KKR Switches to a Two-Stage Tender
- KKR has rejigged its Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP) tender offer into a two-stage offer at an unchanged JPY8,800 price. The first stage has no minimum acceptance condition.
- The first stage is designed to facilitate KKR’s acquisition of 3D and Farallon shares, which have tendered and will not withdraw their tenders without KKR’s consent.
- By securing 3D/Farallon’s shares, KKR has effectively blocked a Bain tender offer. Bain could launch a partial offer but it would be constrained by the tradeable share ratio criteria.
6. The New FEFTA List (With 7&I (3382) As “Core”) Is Not a Big Hurdle for Couche-Tard
- On Friday 13 September, the Ministry of Finance of Japan released revisions to the list (Japanese, English) of company classifications under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA)
- It appears 72 names were newly upgraded to “Core” (“3”), 21 newly listed companies (since the last list in Nov 2021) were labeled “3”, and six lost their Type3 designation.
- Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP) saw breathless news articles Friday suggesting a foreign takeover became more difficult. Not really.
7. Competition to Take Over Shin Kong (2888 TT) – CTBC in a Bit of a A Sticky Wicket, Wot?
- In late August, Taishin Financial Holding (2887 TT) and Shin Kong Financial Holding (2888 TT) agreed to merge in what appeared to be a hastily papered deal discussed here.
- CTBC Financial Holding (2891 TT) put forth its own proposal at a big premium. Shin Kong traded up. Both deals need FSC approval. Taishin’s deal has a vote 9 October.
- Taishin recently upped terms. And now the FSC has said “no” to CTBC’s proposal. But it’s weird. It’s not “NO”; more like, “not this.” Bit of a sticky wicket here.
8. MV Australia Equal Weight Index Rebalance: One Add, Two Deletes, Capping to Drive Flow
- Pro Medicus Ltd (PME AU) will be added to the MV Australia Equal Weight Index while IGO Ltd (IGO AU) and nib holdings (NHF AU) will be deleted.
- Constituent changes, float changes and capping changes result in a one-way turnover of 6.9% leading to a round-trip trade of A$330m.
- Shorts are pretty big in Pro Medicus Ltd (PME AU) while there has been a recent spike in short interest for IGO Ltd (IGO AU).
9. MV Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index Rebalance: One Deletion & Other Changes
- Sayona Mining (SYA AU) will be deleted from the VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Me (REMX US) at the close of trading on 20 September.
- Constituent changes, float changes and capping changes result in an estimated one-way turnover of 5.7% and in a round-trip trade of US$35m.
- The largest inflows will be in Eramet, Tronox and Lithium Americas Argentina while the largest outflows will be from Lynas Corp, Sayona Mining and MP Materials (MP US).
10. Merger Arb Mondays (16 Sep) – China TCM, Canvest, GA Pack, Raysum, Seven & I, Fuji Soft, Dyna-Mac
- We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.
- Highest spreads: Yichang HEC Changjiang Pharma (1558 HK), Raysum Co Ltd (8890 JP), Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK), Greatview Aseptic Packaging (468 HK), China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK).
- Lowest spreads: Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP), Dyna Mac Holdings (DMHL SP), Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP), Tohokushinsha Film (2329 JP), Alps Logistics (9055 JP).
