Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Azure Minerals Limited is a mineral exploration company. The Company is developing mineral mining projects located in Sierra Madre Occidental mining province in northern and central Mexico.

<ul>
<li>On the 8th April, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/azure-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16538:1" rel="noopener">Azure Minerals (AZS AU)</a> shareholders overwhelmingly <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20240408/pdf/06297mn340tk8x.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sociedad-quimica-y-minera-de-chile-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27977:1" rel="noopener">Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM US)</a>/Gina Rhinehart's Hancock transaction. Shares promptly closed down 7% on regulatory approval fears.</li>
<li>Those fears are unwarranted. China’s Tianqi Lithium would indirectly own just ~11% in Azure post-deal.  China has recently lifted anti-dumping tariffs on a range of Aussie products. FIRB won’t block.</li>
<li>An expected approval may have spurred Gina to buy more shares in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lynas-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20374:1" rel="noopener">Lynas (LYC AU)</a>. Why buy now if FIRB dings Azure; that outcome would push the whole sector lower.</li>
</ul>


On the 8th April, Azure Minerals (AZS AU) shareholders overwhelmingly approved the Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM US)/Gina Rhinehart's Hancock transaction. Shares promptly closed down 7% on regulatory approval fears.
Those fears are unwarranted. China’s Tianqi Lithium would indirectly own just ~11% in Azure post-deal.  China has recently lifted anti-dumping tariffs on a range of Aussie products. FIRB won’t block.
An expected approval may have spurred Gina to buy more shares in Lynas (LYC AU). Why buy now if FIRB dings Azure; that outcome would push the whole sector lower.


Azure Min's (AZS AU)'s "Boost" As Gina Ups Stake in Lynas

Hollysys Automation Technologies / Event-Driven

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. manufactures automation and control systems.  The Company produces process, industrial, rail and subway, and nuclear power plant automation equipment.

Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)

<ul>
<li>On the 8th February 2024, 85% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation (HOLI US</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">)</a> shareholders present and via proxy, <a href="https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=101533&amp;ref=318042742&amp;type=PDF&amp;symbol=HOLI&amp;cdn=6d522b9b90b026dc73ccdc7b55e77ef2&amp;companyName=Hollysys+Automation+Technologies+Ltd.&amp;formType=6-K&amp;dateFiled=2024-02-08" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> for Ascendent Capital's Offer. After three-plus years, the end was finally in sight.</li>
<li>Then crickets. The merger was to complete in the 1Q. On the 15th April, HOLI released an accountant resignation notice. No word on dissenters or regulatory approvals. Shares sold off. </li>
<li>
The accountant resignation is a nothing burger. HOLI should lift their game and provide more transparency on the outstanding merger conditions. Still, the spread is attractive. This is a buy. </li>
</ul>


On the 8th February 2024, 85% of Hollysys Automation (HOLI US) shareholders present and via proxy, voted for Ascendent Capital's Offer. After three-plus years, the end was finally in sight.
Then crickets. The merger was to complete in the 1Q. On the 15th April, HOLI released an accountant resignation notice. No word on dissenters or regulatory approvals. Shares sold off. 

The accountant resignation is a nothing burger. HOLI should lift their game and provide more transparency on the outstanding merger conditions. Still, the spread is attractive. This is a buy. 


Lynas Corporation Limited explores and mines for rare earth minerals such as cerium and neodymium.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lynas-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20374:1" rel="noopener">Lynas Corp Ltd (LYC AU)</a> is the proverbial Aussie battler. Post the 2018 general elections, the new Malaysian government put Lynas on notice it may halt it rare-earth operations. </li>
<li>Since then, Lynas’ Malaysian facility, which cuts into China’s near-monopoly on processing elements for defense/aerospace/EV/electronics industries, has (mostly) operated without substantial disruptions. Profit peaked in FY22; but has since rolled-over.</li>
<li>Gina Rhinehart's Hancock has now disclosed a 5.82% stake in Lynas; having disclosed a 5.3% stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mp-materials-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33108:1" rel="noopener">MP Materials (MP US)</a> earlier this month. Lynas confirmed discussions with MPM in February.</li>
</ul>



Lynas Corp Ltd (LYC AU) is the proverbial Aussie battler. Post the 2018 general elections, the new Malaysian government put Lynas on notice it may halt it rare-earth operations. 
Since then, Lynas’ Malaysian facility, which cuts into China’s near-monopoly on processing elements for defense/aerospace/EV/electronics industries, has (mostly) operated without substantial disruptions. Profit peaked in FY22; but has since rolled-over.
Gina Rhinehart's Hancock has now disclosed a 5.82% stake in Lynas; having disclosed a 5.3% stake in MP Materials (MP US) earlier this month. Lynas confirmed discussions with MPM in February.


Lynas (LYC AU): Gina's Stake Revives MP Materials Merger

Hang Lung Properties Limited, through its subsidiaries, invests in, develops, and manages properties. The Company also manages parking lots. Hang Lung Properties serves customers in Hong Kong.

<ul>
<li>And eagle-eyed reader spotted <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-lung-properties-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:49:1" rel="noopener">Hang Lung Properties (101 HK)</a>'s scrip dividend option for the FY23 final dividend. That's the first time I've seen HLP provide this alternative. </li>
<li>Over the years, the Chan family and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-lung-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:50:1" rel="noopener">Hang Lung (10 HK)</a> have chipped away at HLG's and HLP's minorities. HLP and HLG are currently trading at all-time low P/Bs. </li>
<li>This scrip dividend, which takes a page out of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson (JM SP)</a>'s playbook, would boost HLG's stake in HLP to ~63% from 61.24% currently; if opting only for scrip.</li>
</ul>


And eagle-eyed reader spotted Hang Lung Properties (101 HK)'s scrip dividend option for the FY23 final dividend. That's the first time I've seen HLP provide this alternative. 
Over the years, the Chan family and Hang Lung (10 HK) have chipped away at HLG's and HLP's minorities. HLP and HLG are currently trading at all-time low P/Bs. 
This scrip dividend, which takes a page out of Jardine Matheson (JM SP)'s playbook, would boost HLG's stake in HLP to ~63% from 61.24% currently; if opting only for scrip.


Hang Lung Group: Thoughts On HLP's Scrip Dividend

Tietto Minerals Limited provides metal exploration and mining services. The Company focuses on development and exploration of gold projects. Tietto Minerals serves customers in West Africa.

<ul>
<li>On the 30 October 2023, Chinese gold producer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhaojin-mining-industry-company-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4626:1" rel="noopener">Zhaojin Mining Industry (1818 HK)</a> pitched a non-binding off-market <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/1030/2023103000015.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Offer</a> for Aussie-listed West African gold miner <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tietto-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28006:1" rel="noopener">Tietto Minerals (TIE AU)</a>.</li>
<li>Zhaojin held 7.02% of shares out, and sought 50.1%. Tietto subsequently rejected the A$0.58/share cash proposal. The IE backed out a fair value range of A$0.793-A$0.927/share.</li>
<li>Zhaojin has now <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20240415/pdf/062hnfwkbt39c0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it has secured all Chinese regulatory approvals; and that Côte d’Ivoire government approval is not required. Plus Zhaojin bumped terms to A$0.68/share - best and final. </li>
</ul>


On the 30 October 2023, Chinese gold producer Zhaojin Mining Industry (1818 HK) pitched a non-binding off-market Offer for Aussie-listed West African gold miner Tietto Minerals (TIE AU).
Zhaojin held 7.02% of shares out, and sought 50.1%. Tietto subsequently rejected the A$0.58/share cash proposal. The IE backed out a fair value range of A$0.793-A$0.927/share.
Zhaojin has now announced it has secured all Chinese regulatory approvals; and that Côte d’Ivoire government approval is not required. Plus Zhaojin bumped terms to A$0.68/share - best and final. 


Tietto Minerals (TIE AU): Zhaojin Mining Secures Reg Approvals. Then Bumps

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.

David Blennerhassett
Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events
• Quiddity Advisors

Azure Min's (AZS AU)'s "Boost" As Gina Ups Stake in Lynas

Trading wide at a gross spread of 7.5%. This is a BUY. Is the market really thinking FIRB would block a Rinehart/Chilean JV to prevent a Chinese...

David Blennerhassett

Hollysys (HOLI US): This Is A Buy

Trading wide at a gross spread of 7.4% to the US$26.50 Offer terms. Take advantage of investor fatigue, and buy HOLI here.

David Blennerhassett

Lynas (LYC AU): Gina's Stake Revives MP Materials Merger

Strong government and shareholder support. Confirmation of talks with key player. New facility fully operational. This looks worth dipping your toe...

David Blennerhassett

Hang Lung Group: Thoughts On HLP's Scrip Dividend

At 0.13x and 027x P/B - both all-time lows - HLG and HLP are super cheap. I'd still be cautious jumping into either HLG or HLP in a major way

David Blennerhassett

Tietto Minerals (TIE AU): Zhaojin Mining Secures Reg Approvals. Then Bumps

Trading tight at a 3.5% gross spread. Unless already in, I wouldn't chase it here. This may well get up. Do run a ruler over other Aussie-listed...

David Blennerhassett