Independent Investment Research, The IDEA!

The IDEA!

Independent Investment Research

The Idea-Driven Equities Analyses company (the IDEA!) is an employee-owned boutique providing independent investment research and financial consultancy services with a clear focus on the Benelux countries. The company was founded in the summer of 2007 by Henk Slotboom and Maarten Verbeek, both with more than 35 years of professional experience in the financial sector. The IDEA! differentiates itself by focusing on adding value through self-initiated in-depth, idea-driven investment research, as well as by bespoke research assignments for institutional investors, hedge funds and private equity. In addition, we provide market intelligence, strategic research and – together with our business partners – consultancy services to businesses. In case you are interested in receiving more information, a sample of our products or an introductory meeting, please send a message to info@theidea.nl.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Ahold Delhaize | company’s online sales growth in the US lagging that of most of its peers In a Dutch equivalent of the Lex Column, Het Financieele Dagblad wrote an analysis on Ahold Delhaize’s online business in the USA.</li>
<li>In contrast to Ahold, most of its US peers try to lock in online shoppers by means of special rewards.</li>
<li>Kroger, America's largest traditional supermarket chain, now offers TV streaming subscriptions— Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+—as part of a USD 12.99 monthly membership that also includes free grocery delivery and fuel discounts. </li>
</ul>


Ahold Delhaize | company’s online sales growth in the US lagging that of most of its peers In a Dutch equivalent of the Lex Column, Het Financieele Dagblad wrote an analysis on Ahold Delhaize’s online business in the USA.
In contrast to Ahold, most of its US peers try to lock in online shoppers by means of special rewards.
Kroger, America's largest traditional supermarket chain, now offers TV streaming subscriptions— Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+—as part of a USD 12.99 monthly membership that also includes free grocery delivery and fuel discounts. 


What's News in Amsterdam - 22 May (Ahold Delhaize | AkzoNobel | InPost | Vopak)

<ul>
<li>AkzoNobel is closely examining the potential acquisition of BASF’s coatings division, valued at approximately EUR 6bn, according to three anonymous sources cited by Dutch financial daily Het Financieele Dagblad (“FD”).</li>
<li>Strategically, BASF’s automotive coatings and metal pretreatment operations would complement AkzoNobel’s existing industrial coatings business.</li>
<li>However, a significant hurdle remains: securing shareholder approval for such a major transaction, given AkzoNobel’s current market value of EUR 9.5bn and an adjusted leverage ratio of 2.8 times. </li>
</ul>


AkzoNobel is closely examining the potential acquisition of BASF’s coatings division, valued at approximately EUR 6bn, according to three anonymous sources cited by Dutch financial daily Het Financieele Dagblad (“FD”).
Strategically, BASF’s automotive coatings and metal pretreatment operations would complement AkzoNobel’s existing industrial coatings business.
However, a significant hurdle remains: securing shareholder approval for such a major transaction, given AkzoNobel’s current market value of EUR 9.5bn and an adjusted leverage ratio of 2.8 times. 


Equity Bottom-Up

Axalta Coating Systems / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>In this edition: • AkzoNobel | UK antitrust authority launches phase 1 investigation re proposed merger • a.s.r. Nederland / NN Group | Athora: EUR 5.7bn in pension buy-outs so far this year • Unilever | sells Zwitsal to Royal Sanders • Dutch telcos | DELTA Fiber opens new growth avenue through Open Dutch Fiber • Allegro | post earnings call comment</li></ul>

In this edition: • AkzoNobel | UK antitrust authority launches phase 1 investigation re proposed merger • a.s.r. Nederland / NN Group | Athora: EUR 5.7bn in pension buy-outs so far this year • Unilever | sells Zwitsal to Royal Sanders • Dutch telcos | DELTA Fiber opens new growth avenue through Open Dutch Fiber • Allegro | post earnings call comment

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd - What's News in Amsterdam

<ul><li>In this edition: • AkzoNobel | impairment on Russian assets looks inevitable • ASML Holding | strongly raises FY26 net sales and gross margin outlook • ASML Holding / ASM Int’l / Besi | SEMI strongly increases global semiconductor equipment sales forecast • TomTom | reiterates FY26 outlook as well as return to revenue growth from 2027 onwards • Bnode | political deadlock over proposed savings on management contract with bpost • Bnode | bpost launches personal locker rentals via its Bbox network • E-commerce and Logistics | MediaMarkt partners with Wolt for flash delivery in Germany</li></ul>

In this edition: • AkzoNobel | impairment on Russian assets looks inevitable • ASML Holding | strongly raises FY26 net sales and gross margin outlook • ASML Holding / ASM Int’l / Besi | SEMI strongly increases global semiconductor equipment sales forecast • TomTom | reiterates FY26 outlook as well as return to revenue growth from 2027 onwards • Bnode | political deadlock over proposed savings on management contract with bpost • Bnode | bpost launches personal locker rentals via its Bbox network • E-commerce and Logistics | MediaMarkt partners with Wolt for flash delivery in Germany

<ul><li>Summary & Conclusions Is the Market Missing a Hidden Catalyst?</li><li>A renewed strategic proposal has introduced an unexpected dimension to the investment case for AkzoNobel just weeks before shareholders vote on one of the sector's most consequential transactions.</li><li> While market attention remains focused on the proposed combination with Axalta, recent developments raise broader questions around value realisation, capital allocation and the board's strategic flexibility.</li></ul>

Summary & Conclusions Is the Market Missing a Hidden Catalyst?A renewed strategic proposal has introduced an unexpected dimension to the investment case for AkzoNobel just weeks before shareholders vote on one of the sector's most consequential transactions. While market attention remains focused on the proposed combination with Axalta, recent developments raise broader questions around value realisation, capital allocation and the board's strategic flexibility.

AkzoNobel Nippon Paint’s proposed offer just added a fresh coat of value

Netherlands

Akzo Nobel N.V. manufactures specialty chemicals. The Company offers decorative paints and coatings, surfactants, polymer, pulp and paper, bleaching and oxidizing, salt-chlorine, and other chemical products. Akzo Nobel serves customers worldwide.

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Akzo Nobel NV (AKZA NA)

What's News in Amsterdam - 22 May (Ahold Delhaize | AkzoNobel | InPost | Vopak)

Ahold Delhaize | company’s online sales growth in the US lagging that of most of its peers In a Dutch equivalent of the Lex Column...

The IDEA!

What's New(s) in Amsterdam

Strategically, BASF’s automotive coatings and metal pretreatment operations would complement AkzoNobel’s existing industrial coatings business.

The IDEA!

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd - What's News in Amsterdam

In this edition: • AkzoNobel | UK antitrust authority launches phase 1 investigation re proposed merger • a.s.r. Nederland / NN Group | Athora:...

The IDEA!

bpost SA - What's News in Amsterdam

In this edition: • AkzoNobel | impairment on Russian assets looks inevitable • ASML Holding | strongly raises FY26 net sales and gross margin...

The IDEA!

AkzoNobel Nippon Paint’s proposed offer just added a fresh coat of value

Summary & Conclusions Is the Market Missing a Hidden Catalyst? A renewed strategic proposal has introduced an unexpected dimension to the...

The IDEA!

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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