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

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> has published two documents to respond to misinformation and detail its "constructive engagement" with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a>.</li>
<li>The statements underscore the Board’s serious doubts about securing US antitrust approval. The significant discrepancies in the engagement timeline point to two parties at loggerheads. </li>
<li>While the Board claims it is pursuing a dual-track process to create value, the reality is that the process is designed to hinder Couche-Tard's offer to facilitate the restructuring plan.</li>
</ul>



Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) has published two documents to respond to misinformation and detail its "constructive engagement" with Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN).
The statements underscore the Board’s serious doubts about securing US antitrust approval. The significant discrepancies in the engagement timeline point to two parties at loggerheads. 
While the Board claims it is pursuing a dual-track process to create value, the reality is that the process is designed to hinder Couche-Tard's offer to facilitate the restructuring plan.


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Uncomfortable Truths

Quantitative Researcher, MRM Research

Nico Rosti

Quantitative Researcher

MRM Research

Quantitative Research

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a> has been in a paralyzed trend since August 2024. Then at the end of February 2025 it started to correct.</li>
<li>As explained by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/travis-lundy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:25" rel="noopener">Travis Lundy</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:4091" rel="noopener">Brian Freitas</a> the index rebalance on March 5th, 2025 was a bit unexpected and minimal in terms of changes.</li>
<li>The index bottomed 1 week after the March 2025 Nikkei 225 Average Review, and then started a rally, quite modest for now which could be signaling short-term tactical weakness.</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) has been in a paralyzed trend since August 2024. Then at the end of February 2025 it started to correct.
As explained by Travis Lundy and Brian Freitas the index rebalance on March 5th, 2025 was a bit unexpected and minimal in terms of changes.
The index bottomed 1 week after the March 2025 Nikkei 225 Average Review, and then started a rally, quite modest for now which could be signaling short-term tactical weakness.


Nikkei 225 Outlook After the Mar25 Rebalance

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Recruit Holdings / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>An undisclosed seller is looking to raise around US$520m via selling 0.5% of its stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/recruit-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15070:1" rel="noopener">Recruit Holdings (6098 JP)</a> .</li>
<li>We have covered a number of placements in the stock over the past few years, most of which have ended up doing well.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework.</li>
</ul>


An undisclosed seller is looking to raise around US$520m via selling 0.5% of its stake in Recruit Holdings (6098 JP) .
We have covered a number of placements in the stock over the past few years, most of which have ended up doing well.
In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework.


Recruit Holdings Placement - Relatively Small US$520m Deal but Momentum Is Weak

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/global-x-nikkei-225-covered-call-etf-option-premium-reinvestment-type" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44483:1" rel="noopener">Global X Nikkei 225 Covered Call ETF (2858 JP)</a> has outperformed the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a> year-to-date with a 4.5% advantage, demonstrating strength in sideways and moderately declining markets.</li>
<li>The covered call strategy can be deployed as a tactical standalone in sideways markets or as a relative value approach against a Nikkei 225 short.</li>
<li>For investors anticipating a continuation of the sideways or declining market, the option roll-over on the open of March 14 offers timely entry.</li>
</ul>


The Global X Nikkei 225 Covered Call ETF (2858 JP) has outperformed the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) year-to-date with a 4.5% advantage, demonstrating strength in sideways and moderately declining markets.
The covered call strategy can be deployed as a tactical standalone in sideways markets or as a relative value approach against a Nikkei 225 short.
For investors anticipating a continuation of the sideways or declining market, the option roll-over on the open of March 14 offers timely entry.


The Right Time for This Quantitative Strategy Outperforming the Nikkei Year to Date.

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> Board has released a public letter to address <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/09/3039396/0/en/Artisan-Partners-International-Value-Group-Sends-Letter-to-the-Board-of-Seven-i.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Artisan Partners’ letter</a> and provide more details on the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a> constructive engagement. </li>
<li>The letter effectively addresses most of Artisan’s concerns. The Board is engaging with Couche-Tard, particularly by agreeing on a strategy to find a solution to secure antitrust approvals. </li>
<li>However, the statement suggests that the Board retains deep scepticism that the Couche-Tard is viable and is manoeuvring to shift the blame on a failed bid on a flawed proposal. </li>
</ul>


The Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) Board has released a public letter to address Artisan Partners’ letter and provide more details on the Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN) constructive engagement. 
The letter effectively addresses most of Artisan’s concerns. The Board is engaging with Couche-Tard, particularly by agreeing on a strategy to find a solution to secure antitrust approvals. 
However, the statement suggests that the Board retains deep scepticism that the Couche-Tard is viable and is manoeuvring to shift the blame on a failed bid on a flawed proposal. 


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Reading Between the Lines of the Public Letter

Japan

FAST RETAILING CO., LTD. operates a chain of clothing stores, UNIQLO, throughout Japan and in other markets overseas including UK, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, US, France, Singapore and Russia.  The Company designs, manufactures, and retails its own line of casual clothing.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Fast Retailing (9983 JP)

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Uncomfortable Truths

The statements underscore the Board’s serious doubts about securing US antitrust approval. The significant discrepancies in the engagement timeline...

Arun George

Nikkei 225 Outlook After the Mar25 Rebalance

The March 25 Index rebalance is approaching, the index appears oversold according to our models, this insight is quite timely in predicting a...

Nico Rosti

Recruit Holdings Placement - Relatively Small US$520m Deal but Momentum Is Weak

An undisclosed seller is looking to raise around US$520m via selling 0.5% of its stake in Recruit Holdings (6098 JP) . In this note, we talk about...

Sumeet Singh

The Right Time for This Quantitative Strategy Outperforming the Nikkei Year to Date.

This Nikkei 225 Covered Call ETF has outperformed the market by 7.9% over the past six months. March 14 provides a timely entry point for either a...

Gaudenz Schneider

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Reading Between the Lines of the Public Letter

The letter addresses most of Artisan's concerns. Concerning the Couche-Tard offer, the letter projects constructive engagement on the surface but...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Uncomfortable Truths

The statements underscore the Board’s serious doubts about securing US antitrust approval. The significant discrepancies in the engagement timeline...

Arun George

Nikkei 225 Outlook After the Mar25 Rebalance

The March 25 Index rebalance is approaching, the index appears oversold according to our models, this insight is quite timely in predicting a...

Nico Rosti

Recruit Holdings Placement - Relatively Small US$520m Deal but Momentum Is Weak

An undisclosed seller is looking to raise around US$520m via selling 0.5% of its stake in Recruit Holdings (6098 JP) . In this note, we talk about...

Sumeet Singh

The Right Time for This Quantitative Strategy Outperforming the Nikkei Year to Date.

​This Nikkei 225 Covered Call ETF has outperformed the market by 7.9% over the past six months. March 14 provides a timely entry point for either a...

Gaudenz Schneider

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Reading Between the Lines of the Public Letter

The letter addresses most of Artisan's concerns. Concerning the Couche-Tard offer, the letter projects constructive engagement on the surface but...

Arun George

This Nikkei 225 Covered Call ETF has outperformed the market by 7.9% over the past six months. March 14 provides a timely entry point for either a...