IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

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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>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

<ul>
<li>Bloomberg <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/745954" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a> that the MBO is stalling due to disagreements within the consortium over who will control <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> after it is privatised.</li>
<li>The Nikkei reported that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a> was set to withdraw from the MBO consortium. Along with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cp-all-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13889:1" rel="noopener">CP ALL PCL (CPALL TB)</a>’s <a href="https://www.cpall.co.th/en/news-en/coporate-news/reaffirmation-of-the-companys-non-participation-in-the-lnvestment-in-a-japanese-retail-company" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-participation</a>, the MBO’s financing is in trouble. </li>
<li>An <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><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a> bid remains in play but has issues. While progressing, the Board’s restructuring plan fails to prove a credible alternative. </li>
</ul>


Bloomberg reports that the MBO is stalling due to disagreements within the consortium over who will control Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) after it is privatised.
The Nikkei reported that Itochu Corp (8001 JP) was set to withdraw from the MBO consortium. Along with CP ALL PCL (CPALL TB)’s non-participation, the MBO’s financing is in trouble. 
An Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN) bid remains in play but has issues. While progressing, the Board’s restructuring plan fails to prove a credible alternative. 


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): A Potential Derailing of the MBO

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>An <a href="https://bunshun.jp/denshiban/articles/b10138" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article</a> in Japanese weekly magazine <em>Bunshun </em>this morning sent shares in<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sbi-sumishin-net-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34572:1" rel="noopener">SBI Sumishin Net Bank (7163 JP)</a> limit up +17% with a headline that NTT Docomo was interested to buy.</li>
<li>Without access to the article, I can't go deep, but the base concept is that NTT Docomo is "worried" about KDDI (which has a bank, as does Softbank Corp)</li>
<li>It is not clear how serious it is, SBI Sumishin is super-expensive, and buying a bank isn't the same as buying a company. Hmmm...</li>
</ul>


An article in Japanese weekly magazine Bunshun this morning sent shares inSBI Sumishin Net Bank (7163 JP) limit up +17% with a headline that NTT Docomo was interested to buy.
Without access to the article, I can't go deep, but the base concept is that NTT Docomo is "worried" about KDDI (which has a bank, as does Softbank Corp)
It is not clear how serious it is, SBI Sumishin is super-expensive, and buying a bank isn't the same as buying a company. Hmmm...


NTT (9432 JP) And SBI Sumishin NetBank (7163 JP)? Maybe. Maybe Not. Seven Bank A Better Idea

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> did not dispute the <a href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20241119/k10014643321000.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NHK article’s</a> claims that the founding family aims to raise buyout funds by the end of the fiscal year.</li>
<li>Since 13 November, there have been conflicting press reports on the MBO offer price. The NHK article’s implied offer price of JPY3,082 seems the most credible. </li>
<li>The MBO’s aggressive completion timeline pressures <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> to respond by either overbidding, working with the founding family at the back-end or walking away.</li>
</ul>



Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) did not dispute the NHK article’s claims that the founding family aims to raise buyout funds by the end of the fiscal year.
Since 13 November, there have been conflicting press reports on the MBO offer price. The NHK article’s implied offer price of JPY3,082 seems the most credible. 
The MBO’s aggressive completion timeline pressures Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN) to respond by either overbidding, working with the founding family at the back-end or walking away.


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Evaluating the Potential MBO

<ul>
<li>In response to media reports, <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> confirmed receiving a non-binding proposal from Junro Ito (founder’s son) and Ito-Kogyo. No terms were disclosed.</li>
<li>Bloomberg suggests an MBO deal worth up to JPY9 trillion (US$58 billion), which implies an offer of JPY3,467.89, a 39.3% premium to the last close price.</li>
<li>The "white knight" MBO undermines <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>’s offer and is a proxy for the restructuring plan's value. Couche-Tard will likely walk if a binding MBO proposal emerges.</li>
</ul>


In response to media reports, Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) confirmed receiving a non-binding proposal from Junro Ito (founder’s son) and Ito-Kogyo. No terms were disclosed.
Bloomberg suggests an MBO deal worth up to JPY9 trillion (US$58 billion), which implies an offer of JPY3,467.89, a 39.3% premium to the last close price.
The "white knight" MBO undermines Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)’s offer and is a proxy for the restructuring plan's value. Couche-Tard will likely walk if a binding MBO proposal emerges.


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): The Rumoured MBO Price Underscores the Trapped Value

Japan

LAWSON, INC. operates a chain of convenience stores in Japan. The Company sells a variety of products including fast food, beverages, snacks, magazines, newspapers, and sundry goods.

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Lawson Inc (2651 JP)

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

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): A Potential Derailing of the MBO

Itochu’s potential withdrawal and CP All’s non-participation could be the event that derails the MBO. An Couche-Tard bid remains in play but has...

Arun George

NTT (9432 JP) And SBI Sumishin NetBank (7163 JP)? Maybe. Maybe Not. Seven Bank A Better Idea

A news weekly magazine Bunshun today had an article suggesting a bank executive thought NTT Docomo was on its way to buying SBI Sumishin Netbank....

Travis Lundy

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Evaluating the Potential MBO

The NHK article increases the credibility of the MBO. The completion time pressures Couche-Tard to respond by either overbidding, working on a...

Arun George

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): The Rumoured MBO Price Underscores the Trapped Value

The "white knight" MBO undermines Couche-Tard’s offer and is a proxy for the restructuring plan's value. Couche-Tard will likely walk if a binding...

Arun George

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