Jangho Group keeps keen eye on Primary Health Care

As Primary Health Care's board finalises which executive recruitment firm it will use to help search for a new chief following Peter Gregg's recent departure, its understood major shareholder Jangho Group is re-cutting the numbers on the $2 billion company.

As Primary Health Care's board finalises which executive recruitment firm it will use to help search for a new chief following Peter Gregg's recent departure, it's understood major shareholder Jangho Group is re-cutting the numbers on the $2 billion company.


Shanghai-listed Jangho is sitting on a 15.93 per cent stake, and it's well known it is looking to build its presence in local healthcare assets, having purchased Vision Eye Institute last year for nearly $200 million.


Jangho – which is one of the world's largest curtain wall manufactures –is interested in local healthcare assets due to its high growth and diversification away from the building sector. 


While some sources say Jangho is happy being a passive Primary shareholder, others note that it has been seeking out funding for months and waiting for the right moment to pounce.

International media suggested syndicated loans were being sought by Jangho in relation to its Primary stake.

With its stock down almost 4 per cent this year and the search for a new boss providing instability at Primary, a move sooner rather than later may make sense.  Some have suggested that by taking Primary private Jangho could reinstall Mr Gregg.  

Primary and Jangho have been in contact in recent weeks following the surprise departure Gregg. He stepped down after charges by the corporate watchdog linked to the alleged falsifying of documents when he worked for construction group Leighton Holdings. 

While Jangho often doesn't use local advisers, it is known to be close to Minter Ellison and Macquarie Capital at the time of purchasing its Primary stake.

Primary has traditionally had UBS in its corner.

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Four reasons why SCA will struggle to buy Charter Hall Retail REIT

JPMorgan analysts have weighed into the SCA Property Group/Charter Hall Retail REIT debate.

SCA could run into hurdles should it go after Charter Hall Retail REIT, JPMorgan analysts said.
SCA could run into hurdles should it go after Charter Hall Retail REIT, JPMorgan analysts said.

It's easy enough to understand SCA Property Group's interest in rival shopping centre owner Charter Hall Retail REIT, and potential synergies from putting the two together.

But JPMorgan analysts reckon there are some good reasons why SCA Property Group would struggle to make it happen.

The quality of SCA's own property portfolio and scrip, asset level resourcing and long-term growth prospects all favour Charter Hall Retail REIT, JPMorgan told clients. And then there is the fact that Charter Hall Retail REIT's manager, Charter Hall Group, has an 18 per cent blocking stake to defend both its shopping centre owner and its position as manager.

JPMorgan weighed into the debate this week with the following list of potential challenges:

In terms of the numbers, JPMorgan says putting the two together could save $4 million a year in management fees at Charter Hall Retail REIT, which would lead to a 3 per cent earnings per security upgrade.

SCA Property Group's options for its 4.9 per cent stake in Charter Hall Retail REIT is front of mind for property investors and analysts.

Macquarie's research analysts re-ran the numbers earlier this week and said a deal could be 6.8 per cent accretive to SCA earnings.

Bankers are also lined up with Moelis working for SCA, UBS in Charter Hall Retail REIT's corner and Macquarie Capital tending to Charter Hall.

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Bank of America Merrill Lynch's turn for bonuses

There seems to be a pattern emerging among the big US-based investment banks.

There seems to be a pattern emerging among the big US-based investment banks. 

It doesn't matter whether you speak to Citi, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan or Morgan Stanley bankers. The message on bonuses seems to be the same. 

Juniors got reasonably well looked after and senior bankers felt the pinch. 

So it is fair to say that  Bank of America Merrill Lynch's bankers knew what to expect when they fronted up to comp day on Wednesday. 

While it is too early for recruiters to work out exactly what happened at Merrills, expectations were that they would be in line with rival banks. 

Recruiters said that heading into Merrill's bonus day, the expectation was that there would be haves and have nots. And every banker in the building would have a fair idea on which side of the ledger they would fall.

As always, it comes down to team revenue - that means the local team, regional team and the overall bank.

As reported by Street Talk, Morgan Stanley kicked off bonus season among the big Wall Street banks almost a fortnight ago. 

It was followed by Goldman Sachs, Citi and JPMorgan

Bankers at the European banks - Credit Suisse, UBS, Deutsche Bank and the like - will find out their numbers in the coming weeks. 

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Rio Tinto's divestments to spur capital management: Citi

Rio Tinto will kick start a capital management program alongside its February earnings results following its coal divestments, Citigroup says.

Rio Tinto will kick start a capital management program alongside its February earnings results following its coal divestments, Citigroup says.

On Wednesday, Rio unveiled an agreement to sell two major Australian coal mining assets to Chinese controlled miner Yancoal for $US2.45 billion ($3.2 billion). The deal all but completes the company's exit from power generation coal.

Yancoal will pay $US1.95 billion upfront, and make a $US100 million installment in each of the subsequent five years.

Analysts at Citigroup told clients the sale was "in line" with their valuations for the assets. 

"We expected Rio to kick in a $3 billion of capital management program with FY results on 8th February," they said. 

"This sale likely opens up increased opportunity of potential shareholder returns."

UBS analysts had a different view. They said they expected Rio's net gearing to fall to 19 per cent by December 2016, below the low end of the company's 20-30 per cent target range.

"We expect Rio to retain the cash near-term given the uncertain outlook and step up returns to shareholders in 2018."

UBS maintained a "buy" rating  on the stock and a $71 price target. 

Analysts at Deutsche Bank, which advised Rio on the divestments, estimated proceeds from the sale could help reduce the company's net debt to US$3.9 billion by the end of calendar 2017.

That would further strengthen Rio's balance sheet, underpin capital returns, and provide lending flexibility to the company's approach with growth projects in the key divisions of iron ore, copper and aluminium, they added. 

Shaw & Partners said metals and mining analyst Peter O'Connor told clients the deal was "quintessential old school Rio". 

"A winner trade [for Rio] not least because the numbers look good, but for mine 'the best M&A this year will be those that sell well more so than those that buy'.

"Rio had a history (pre the Alcan and Riversdale mishaps) of being the pre-eminent mining 'portfolio manager' – this divestment looks quintessential old school RIO." 

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ASX a top pick over Computershare: Morgan Stanley

Higher asset prices and rising sharemarket turnover support an upbeat view on ASX Limited, according to Morgan Stanley.

Higher asset prices and rising sharemarket turnover support an upbeat view on ASX Limited, according to Morgan Stanley. 

Analysts led by Daniel Toohey have an "overweight" recommendation on ASX, preferring the stock to Computershare.

They note a "growing disconnect" between the Computershare's valuation and fundamentals, while saying the ASX is set to benefit from resilient cash equities turnover. 

"While near-term catalysts are lacking, delays in finalising bank capital rules reduce upside risk to our 2017 capital raising forecasts," Toohey said in a note to clients.

"Nonetheless, in a market trading on elevated multiples, we believe ASX's defensive beta and growth levers provide relative attractions, with blockchain optionality providing opportunities to expand along the value chain and reduce costs and capital."

Morgan Stanley estimates ASX will report a first-half profit of $215 million.

IRESS data showed that almost $3 trillion worth of Australian shares changed hands in 2016 across the ASX and Chi-X, marking the biggest year since 2007.

Conversely, the Morgan Stanley analysts have an "underweight" rating on Computershare.

They say Computershare's earnings trajectory will continue to face challenges from a slower rate of global mergers and acquisitions in listed markets. 

"Our analysis shows a lack of large and/or complex transactions involving listed targets in 1H17(estimate), particularly in the US which contributes greater than 50 per cent of corporate actions revenues."

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