Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

BHP Group Ltd operates as an international resources company. The Company offers mineral exploration and production, including coal, iron ore, gold, titanium, ferroalloys, nickel, and copper concentrate, as well as petroleum exploration, production, and refining. BHP Group serves customers worldwide.

<ul>
<li>Tally 50 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Inside is a timetable of upcoming key events for each deal.</li>
<li>One new deals was discussed on Smartkarma this week, being <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>'s Tender Offer. There's also <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP Group (BHP AU)</a>'s unsolicited Offer for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anglo-american-plc-04f6cda9-c726-4c33-8544-c5046bc74b29" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28603:1" rel="noopener">Anglo American (NGLOY US)</a>.</li>
<li>Key updates took place on: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tietto-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28006:1" rel="noopener">Tietto Minerals Ltd (TIE AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/csr-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17380:1" rel="noopener">CSR Ltd (CSR AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cpmc-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10427:1" rel="noopener">CPMC Holdings (906 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/roland-dg-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10653:1" rel="noopener">Roland DG Corp (6789 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iclick-interactive-asia-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27314:1" rel="noopener">iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US)</a>.</li>
</ul>


Tally 50 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Inside is a timetable of upcoming key events for each deal.
One new deals was discussed on Smartkarma this week, being Mimasu Semiconductor Industry (8155 JP)'s Tender Offer. There's also BHP Group (BHP AU)'s unsolicited Offer for Anglo American (NGLOY US).
Key updates took place on: Tietto Minerals Ltd (TIE AU), CSR Ltd (CSR AU), CPMC Holdings (906 HK), Roland DG Corp (6789 JP), and iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US).


(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Mimasu Semi, Tietto Minerals, CSR, CPMC, Roland DG, IClick Interactive

Anglo American PLC is a global mining company. The Company's mining portfolio includes bulk commodities including iron ore, manganese and metallurgical coal, base metals including copper and nickel and precious metals and minerals including platinum and diamonds.  Anglo American PLC has mining operations in Africa, Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP (BHP AU)</a>'s all-scrip <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20240426/pdf/062w455d52h3cv.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unsolicited Offer</a> for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anglo-american-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21798:1" rel="noopener">Anglo American (AAL LN)</a>, zeroes in on AAL's copper assets as demand for the metal increases for use in EVs and renewable power.</li>
<li>The proposal has been labelled highly opportunistic by some shareholders and South African politicians. And that the value of AAL's Chilian/Peruvian copper mines are obscured by its sprawling business interests.</li>
<li>The Offer remains conditional and non-binding. A transaction hinges off AAL spinning off its South African iron ore and platinum businesses. Expect AAL to reject terms, but remain engaged. </li>
</ul>



BHP (BHP AU)'s all-scrip unsolicited Offer for Anglo American (AAL LN), zeroes in on AAL's copper assets as demand for the metal increases for use in EVs and renewable power.
The proposal has been labelled highly opportunistic by some shareholders and South African politicians. And that the value of AAL's Chilian/Peruvian copper mines are obscured by its sprawling business interests.
The Offer remains conditional and non-binding. A transaction hinges off AAL spinning off its South African iron ore and platinum businesses. Expect AAL to reject terms, but remain engaged. 


BHP/Anglo American: A Decarbonising Solution

Straits Trading Company Limited operates as an investment holding company that positions its investments in real estate, hospitality, resources and other investments in the Asia Pacific region. The Company is also engaged in tin mining and smelting through its subsidiary.

<div>
Back on the 17 May, after ARA Asset Management <a href="https://ara.listedcompany.com/newsroom/ARAPress_Release_SMBC0Joins-ARAasStrategicShareholder_17052021.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a $500mn round of equity financing from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, I reiterated a BUY on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/straits-trading-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15745:1" rel="noopener">Straits Trading (STRTR SP)</a> in <a href="https://skr.ma/TcDY5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Straits Trading: ARA's Pre-IPO Funding From SMBC</a>.
Based on the <a href="https://ara.listedcompany.com/misc/circulars/ARA-Scheme_Document_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme</a> value of ARA in 2017 when it was taken private, and its then-AUM, ARA was potentially worth upwards of S$6bn. This in turn assigned a value of S$1.3bn for STR's stake in ARA, ~30% above its then-current market cap.
That was pretty close to the mark.
As discussed in <a href="https://skr.ma/fJECF" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESR Cayman (1821 HK) Takes Out ARA Asset Management</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/esr-cayman-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27983:1" rel="noopener">ESR Cayman (1821 HK)</a> has now all but sealed the takeover of ARA in a US$5.2bn deal.
For its part, STR will pocket US$845.3mn (S$1.14bn) - in cash &amp; ESR scrip - from the transaction.
STR's shares have gained 13% as I type. 
More below the fold. 
</div>


Back on the 17 May, after ARA Asset Management announced a $500mn round of equity financing from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, I reiterated a BUY on Straits Trading (STRTR SP) in Straits Trading: ARA's Pre-IPO Funding From SMBC.
Based on the Scheme value of ARA in 2017 when it was taken private, and its then-AUM, ARA was potentially worth upwards of S$6bn. This in turn assigned a value of S$1.3bn for STR's stake in ARA, ~30% above its then-current market cap.
That was pretty close to the mark.
As discussed in ESR Cayman (1821 HK) Takes Out ARA Asset Management, ESR Cayman (1821 HK) has now all but sealed the takeover of ARA in a US$5.2bn deal.
For its part, STR will pocket US$845.3mn (S$1.14bn) - in cash &amp; ESR scrip - from the transaction.
STR's shares have gained 13% as I type. 
More below the fold. 


Straits Trading Cheap As ARA Asset Exposure Monetized

Equity Bottom-Up

China Merchants Holdings International Company Limited, through its subsidiaries and associated companies, operates container and cargo terminals, port transportation, and airport cargo handling.  The Company also manufactures containers, paint, and trailers as well as operates toll road, shipping, property, and dealing securities businesses.

<ul>
<li>Four years ago, almost to the day, Bloomberg ran an article, "China Merchants Group Ltd. is exploring taking China Merchants Port Holdings private". <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-port-holdings-company-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15155:1" rel="noopener">China Merchants Ports (144 HK)</a> popped 23%.</li>
<li>CMP gave back (most) of that gain a month later. Shares are up just ~10% since. </li>
<li>CMP's implied stub is bouncing around a multi-year low; and the simple ratio (CMP/ <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-international-port-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14806:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai International Port Group (600018 CH)</a>) is around an all-time low.</li>
</ul>


Four years ago, almost to the day, Bloomberg ran an article, "China Merchants Group Ltd. is exploring taking China Merchants Port Holdings private". China Merchants Ports (144 HK) popped 23%.
CMP gave back (most) of that gain a month later. Shares are up just ~10% since. 
CMP's implied stub is bouncing around a multi-year low; and the simple ratio (CMP/ Shanghai International Port Group (600018 CH)) is around an all-time low.


Revisiting China Merchants Ports (144 HK)

Link REIT is a real estate investment trust in Hong Kong. The Trust owns and operates shopping centers, parking space facilities and real estate retail space.

<ul>
<li>In <a href="https://skr.ma/mqr7w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RMB Dual Counter Trading Is Coming - This Changes AH Relationships</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/travis-lundy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:25" rel="noopener">Travis Lundy</a> discussed the forthcoming inclusion of RMB dual counters in the Hong Kong Southbound Connect programs.</li>
<li>This is but one of the five capital market cooperation measures <a href="http://www.csrc.gov.cn/csrc/c100028/c7474875/content.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> by the CSRC last Friday. </li>
<li>The other four measures include ETFs, improving mutual recognition of funds, increasing China IPOs in Hong Kong, and the inclusion of REITs. This insight discusses the latter.</li>
</ul>


In RMB Dual Counter Trading Is Coming - This Changes AH Relationships, Travis Lundy discussed the forthcoming inclusion of RMB dual counters in the Hong Kong Southbound Connect programs.
This is but one of the five capital market cooperation measures announced by the CSRC last Friday. 
The other four measures include ETFs, improving mutual recognition of funds, increasing China IPOs in Hong Kong, and the inclusion of REITs. This insight discusses the latter.


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

(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Mimasu Semi, Tietto Minerals, CSR, CPMC, Roland DG, IClick Interactive

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett

BHP/Anglo American: A Decarbonising Solution

I would expect AAL to reject terms; but remain engaged. I'd expect BHP to fump. For that, the near term trade is probably to still be short BHP,...

David Blennerhassett

Straits Trading Cheap As ARA Asset Exposure Monetized

After my insight - Ripe For Privatisation - in October 2020, Straits Trading nicely gained ~130% over 12 months. STR then realised a ~S$685.6mn...

David Blennerhassett

Revisiting China Merchants Ports (144 HK)

For now, I would expect CMG to continue to chip away at CMP (144 HK)'s minorities - it currently holds 72.02%, up from 63.09% when the...

David Blennerhassett

HK REITs Re-Rate On Southbound Inclusion

Stick to a basket of Hong Kong-focused REITs. I'd tilt to those HK-REITs which are not 100% exposed to the office-space, such as Link REIT (823...

David Blennerhassett