IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

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>I have received several questions from readers on Ascendent’s binding proposal for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> in the context of the current gross spread of 12.1%. </li>
<li>The questions primarily concerned the Capital Forum article, NSR approvals, timelines, auditor resignation and deal break risks. </li>
<li>Most of the questions concerned regulatory approval risk. The delay in closing is mainly procedural (government red tape) rather than an indication that regulators will block the deal. </li>
</ul>


I have received several questions from readers on Ascendent’s binding proposal for Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) in the context of the current gross spread of 12.1%. 
The questions primarily concerned the Capital Forum article, NSR approvals, timelines, auditor resignation and deal break risks. 
Most of the questions concerned regulatory approval risk. The delay in closing is mainly procedural (government red tape) rather than an indication that regulators will block the deal. 


Hollysys (HOLI US): Further Thoughts on the Widening Spread

L'Occitane International S.A. is a global, natural and organic ingredient based cosmetics and well-being products enterprise.  The Company designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of cosmetics and well-being products based on natural and organic ingredients sourced principally from or near Provence.

<ul>
<li>A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>ECM developments: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hd-hyundai-marine-solution-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:41002:1" rel="noopener">HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zeekr-intelligent-technology-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36785:1" rel="noopener">ZEEKR (ZK US)</a> IPOs.</li>
<li>Event-Driven developments: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chilled-frozen-logistics-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40987:1" rel="noopener">Chilled &amp; Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kfc-holdings-japan-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12358:1" rel="noopener">Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mimasu-semiconductor-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5531:1" rel="noopener">Mimasu Semiconductor Industry (8155 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/austal-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14420:1" rel="noopener">Austal Ltd (ASB AU)</a>. </li>
</ul>


A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.
ECM developments: HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS) and ZEEKR (ZK US) IPOs.
Event-Driven developments: L'Occitane (973 HK), Chilled &amp; Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP), Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP), Mimasu Semiconductor Industry (8155 JP), Austal Ltd (ASB AU). 


Weekly Deals Digest (05 May) - L'Occitane, C&F Logistics, KFC Japan, Austal, Hyundai Marine, ZEEKR

Austal Limited is an emerging global defence prime contractor. The Group supplies vessel platforms such as the Littoral Combat Ship and the Joint High Speed Vessel to the United States Navy, an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels to defence forces around the world, and installs and maintains military communications, radar and command and control systems.

<ul>
<li>On 2 April, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/austal-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14420:1" rel="noopener">Austal Ltd (ASB AU)</a> rejected a non-binding proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanwha-ocean-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12531:1" rel="noopener">Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS)</a> at A$2.825 due to concerns about obtaining Australian and US regulatory approvals. </li>
<li>The Board’s claims are on shaky grounds. On 1 May, the AFR reported that Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles had no concerns with Hanwha’s privatisation bid. </li>
<li>The Board’s rejection is a clumsy attempt to negotiate better terms, such as a bump, ticking fees, or significant break fees. At the last close, the gross spread was 21.8%. </li>
</ul>


On 2 April, Austal Ltd (ASB AU) rejected a non-binding proposal from Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS) at A$2.825 due to concerns about obtaining Australian and US regulatory approvals. 
The Board’s claims are on shaky grounds. On 1 May, the AFR reported that Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles had no concerns with Hanwha’s privatisation bid. 
The Board’s rejection is a clumsy attempt to negotiate better terms, such as a bump, ticking fees, or significant break fees. At the last close, the gross spread was 21.8%. 


Austal (ASB AU): Spurned Suitor, Hanwha Ocean, Gets a Vote of Confidence

Chilled & Frozen Logistics Holdings / Event-Driven

Chilled & Frozen Logistics Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides freight transportation and trucking services.

Chilled & Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP)

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/az-com-maruwa-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17280:1" rel="noopener">AZ-Com Maruwa Holdings (9090 JP)</a> has satisfied the precondition for its hostile <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chilled-frozen-logistics-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40987:1" rel="noopener">Chilled &amp; Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP)</a> JPY3,000 offer. The offer closes on 17 June (31 business days).</li>
<li>AZ-COM Maruwa has called the Board’s bluff by providing sufficient time (extending the offer period from 20 to 31 business days) for a white knight to lob a competing bidder.</li>
<li>While a bump is probable, the shares already factor in a significant bumpitrage premium. A potential bump has a good chance of being lower than the last close.</li>
</ul>



AZ-Com Maruwa Holdings (9090 JP) has satisfied the precondition for its hostile Chilled &amp; Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP) JPY3,000 offer. The offer closes on 17 June (31 business days).
AZ-COM Maruwa has called the Board’s bluff by providing sufficient time (extending the offer period from 20 to 31 business days) for a white knight to lob a competing bidder.
While a bump is probable, the shares already factor in a significant bumpitrage premium. A potential bump has a good chance of being lower than the last close.


Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099 JP): AZ-COM Maruwa Calls the Board’s Bluff, Launches the Offer

KFC Holdings Japan, Ltd. operates chain stores of fried chicken restaurant.  The  Company also operates Pizza Hut restaurant chain.

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei reports that Carlyle is in the final stages of buying <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20668:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)</a>’s 35% stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kfc-holdings-japan-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12358:1" rel="noopener">Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP)</a>, which will result in a tender offer. </li>
<li>The structure will likely be similar to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kddi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:639:1" rel="noopener">KDDI Corp (9433 JP)</a>/ <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lawson-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1040:1" rel="noopener">Lawson Inc (2651 JP)</a> tender, where MitCorp provides an irrevocable NOT to accept but vote for share consolidation.</li>
<li>The shares have been up 33.6% since Nikkei flagged the sale on 28 February. KFC Japan will trade in line with peers’ multiples at a JPY5,700 offer.  </li>
</ul>


The Nikkei reports that Carlyle is in the final stages of buying Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)’s 35% stake in Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP), which will result in a tender offer. 
The structure will likely be similar to the KDDI Corp (9433 JP)/ Lawson Inc (2651 JP) tender, where MitCorp provides an irrevocable NOT to accept but vote for share consolidation.
The shares have been up 33.6% since Nikkei flagged the sale on 28 February. KFC Japan will trade in line with peers’ multiples at a JPY5,700 offer.  


KFC Holdings Japan (9873 JP): Carlyle Edging Towards a Tender Offer

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.

Arun George
IPOs and Catalysts/Events
• Global Equity Research Ltd

Hollysys (HOLI US): Further Thoughts on the Widening Spread

Readers have asked me several questions about the widening spread. This piece outlines my answers to these questions. It remains a case of when,...

Arun George

Weekly Deals Digest (05 May) - L'Occitane, C&F Logistics, KFC Japan, Austal, Hyundai Marine, ZEEKR

Last week, notable developments occurred in Event-Driven (L'Occitane, CF Logistics, KFC Japan, Mimasu Sem, Austal) and ECM (HD Hyundai Marine, ZEEKR).

Arun George

Austal (ASB AU): Spurned Suitor, Hanwha Ocean, Gets a Vote of Confidence

The Board’s rejection is based on shaky grounds and may be an attempt to negotiate better terms, such as a bump, ticking fees, or significant break...

Arun George

Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099 JP): AZ-COM Maruwa Calls the Board’s Bluff, Launches the Offer

While a bump is probable, the shares already factor in a significant bumpitrage premium. A potential bump has a good chance of being lower than the...

Arun George

KFC Holdings Japan (9873 JP): Carlyle Edging Towards a Tender Offer

The shares have increased 33.6% since Nikkei flagged the sale on 28 February. KFC Japan will trade in line with peers’ multiples at a JPY5,700 offer.

Arun George