Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

HK Type 4 license through Ballingal Investment Advisors Ltd. 

I'm a highly experienced sell-side analyst with in excess of 22 years of covering Asia Pacific equities, the past 19 years immersed in event strategies encompassing M&A risk arbitrage, directional long/short, stub trades and restructuring.  

My background also includes accountancy (liquidation/bankruptcy/receivership) earlier in my career and as a chief financial officer of a global commodity company based in the US and Mexico.

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

The Bigger Picture As Aussie Government "Approves' Hanwha Ocean's Austal Bid

Austal (ASB AU)'s Placement Puts The Skids On Near-Term M&A

Austal (ASB AU): Hanwha's NBIO Is A Non-Starter

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The Hanwha Group has received <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20250610/pdf/06kll1127xcrmc.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approval</a> from the US' CFIUS to acquire up to a 100% stake in Aussie-based shipbuilding and defense firm <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/austal-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14420:1" rel="noopener">Austal Ltd (ASB AU)</a></strong>.</li>
<li>Hanwha currently holds 9.9% and a further 9.9% via a cash settled total return swap. Apparently Hanwha had initially filed with CFIUS to approve a 19.9% stake acquisition.</li>
<li>Hanwha has also applied to FIRB to lift its position to 19.9%.  It's unlikely the local regulator would block Hanwha subsequent to CFIUS' nod. <strong>Note</strong>: Austal "disputes" CFIUS' approval.</li>
</ul>


The Hanwha Group has received approval from the US' CFIUS to acquire up to a 100% stake in Aussie-based shipbuilding and defense firm Austal Ltd (ASB AU).
Hanwha currently holds 9.9% and a further 9.9% via a cash settled total return swap. Apparently Hanwha had initially filed with CFIUS to approve a 19.9% stake acquisition.
Hanwha has also applied to FIRB to lift its position to 19.9%.  It's unlikely the local regulator would block Hanwha subsequent to CFIUS' nod. Note: Austal "disputes" CFIUS' approval.


Austal (ASB AU): A Hanwha Bid Is Back In Play