IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

Arun has over 15 years’ experience covering the Technology sector. During this time, he has worked with technology start-ups and as an equity analyst in investment banks and independent research firms. He was formerly a Technology Analyst for Canaccord Genuity, Altium Securities, Espirito Santo Investment Bank, Noble Group and Clear Capital. He has a dual Master’s degree in Financial Engineering and Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He is also a CFA charterholder.

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

AusNet’s in a Contested Takeover Battle Between Brookfield and APA

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ausnet-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10293:1" rel="noopener">Ausnet Services (AST AU)</a> is a diversified Australian energy infrastructure business with over $11 billion of electricity and gas network and connection assets. AusNet has received a binding proposal and entered a scheme implementation deed (SID) with a Brookfield-led consortium. The Brookfield offer of A$2.65 cash per share is a 33.8% premium to the unaffected price of A$1.98 (17 September), a 6.0% premium to Brookfield’s previous offer of A$2.50 per share and a 4.3% premium to the implied value of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apa-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18658:1" rel="noopener">APA Group (APA AU)</a>’s offer of A$2.54 per share on 29 October (prior to the announcement of Brookfield’s binding offer). As outlined in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ausnet-s-in-a-contested-takeover-battle-between-brookfield-and-apa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:57906" rel="noopener">AusNet’s in a Contested Takeover Battle Between Brookfield and APA</a>, AusNet is the subject of a contested takeover battle. A day after AusNet first revealed a conditional, non-binding indicative offer from Brookfield for A$2.50 per share, APA lobbed a non-binding indicative offer comprising A$1.820 cash and 0.0878 stapled securities in Australian Pipeline Trust and APT Investment Trust per AusNet share. Following final orders made by the Takeovers Panel, AusNet was forced to grant APA due diligence on 23 October.   In response to AusNet entering a SID with Brookfield, APA responded that it considers AusNet to be highly attractive but “will remain financially disciplined.” Due to the entry into a SID, APA’s due diligence access will be terminated. We also note that Singapore Power, a 32.74% shareholder, has expressed a preference for cash consideration and the break fee stands at A$101.7 million. AusNet states that APA has not indicated that it will be able to offer a full cash alternative or the value level at which any improvement to its offer could be made. Consequently, we think it is likely that APA will call it a day and walk away. <div class="content-highlight">Brookfield’s offer is conditional on FIRB approval. We think that presence of Australia’s Sunsuper and Canadian pension funds in the consortium should help secure FIRB approval. At the last close price of A$2.56, AusNet’s shares are trading at a 3.5% premium to Brookfield’s cash offer of A$2.65.</div>

Ausnet Services (AST AU) is a diversified Australian energy infrastructure business with over $11 billion of electricity and gas network and connection assets. AusNet has received a binding proposal and entered a scheme implementation deed (SID) with a Brookfield-led consortium. The Brookfield offer of A$2.65 cash per share is a 33.8% premium to the unaffected price of A$1.98 (17 September), a 6.0% premium to Brookfield’s previous offer of A$2.50 per share and a 4.3% premium to the implied value of APA Group (APA AU)’s offer of A$2.54 per share on 29 October (prior to the announcement of Brookfield’s binding offer). As outlined in AusNet’s in a Contested Takeover Battle Between Brookfield and APA, AusNet is the subject of a contested takeover battle. A day after AusNet first revealed a conditional, non-binding indicative offer from Brookfield for A$2.50 per share, APA lobbed a non-binding indicative offer comprising A$1.820 cash and 0.0878 stapled securities in Australian Pipeline Trust and APT Investment Trust per AusNet share. Following final orders made by the Takeovers Panel, AusNet was forced to grant APA due diligence on 23 October.   In response to AusNet entering a SID with Brookfield, APA responded that it considers AusNet to be highly attractive but “will remain financially disciplined.” Due to the entry into a SID, APA’s due diligence access will be terminated. We also note that Singapore Power, a 32.74% shareholder, has expressed a preference for cash consideration and the break fee stands at A$101.7 million. AusNet states that APA has not indicated that it will be able to offer a full cash alternative or the value level at which any improvement to its offer could be made. Consequently, we think it is likely that APA will call it a day and walk away. Brookfield’s offer is conditional on FIRB approval. We think that presence of Australia’s Sunsuper and Canadian pension funds in the consortium should help secure FIRB approval. At the last close price of A$2.56, AusNet’s shares are trading at a 3.5% premium to Brookfield’s cash offer of A$2.65.

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