Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Value Act's recent statement might suggest that they have prevailed and <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 yielded to their demands. However, the reality might be less straightforward.</li>
<li>Value Act sought new market expansion, but Seven &amp; I is focused on reinforcing its presence in existing, well-established markets.</li>
<li>Given Value Act's impatience, their acceptance of Seven &amp; I's plan for a 2026 Super Stores IPO, contingent on a business transformation, is unexpected.</li>
</ul>


Value Act's recent statement might suggest that they have prevailed and Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) has yielded to their demands. However, the reality might be less straightforward.
Value Act sought new market expansion, but Seven &amp; I is focused on reinforcing its presence in existing, well-established markets.
Given Value Act's impatience, their acceptance of Seven &amp; I's plan for a 2026 Super Stores IPO, contingent on a business transformation, is unexpected.


Investor Activism Update: Seven & I Sets the Path in Investor Activism Battle

<ul>
<li>Alongside results broadly aligning with consensus expectations, <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> announced yet another major acquisition.</li>
<li>The company has agreed to acquire 204 convenience stores in the US for an acquisition price of $950m.</li>
<li>It seems that through aggressive overseas expansion and share buybacks, Seven &amp; I is aiming to retain its overseas investors and simultaneously ward off potential investor activism.</li>
</ul>


Alongside results broadly aligning with consensus expectations, Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) announced yet another major acquisition.
The company has agreed to acquire 204 convenience stores in the US for an acquisition price of $950m.
It seems that through aggressive overseas expansion and share buybacks, Seven &amp; I is aiming to retain its overseas investors and simultaneously ward off potential investor activism.


Seven & I Spends Another $950mn on Acquisitions, A Possible Defense Against Investor Activism

<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> announced last week that it had agreed to buy the 7-Eleven convenience store chain in Australia for A$1.71bn ($1.1bn).</li>
<li>The acquisition may not immediately impact Seven &amp; I's stock price like Speedway did, given its smaller scale, lack of synergies, and less favorable macroeconomic conditions.</li>
<li>The main positive takeaway from this news is that the acquisition price for 7-Eleven Australia is not as extravagant as the amount Seven &amp; I paid for the Speedway acquisition.</li>
</ul>



Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) announced last week that it had agreed to buy the 7-Eleven convenience store chain in Australia for A$1.71bn ($1.1bn).
The acquisition may not immediately impact Seven &amp; I's stock price like Speedway did, given its smaller scale, lack of synergies, and less favorable macroeconomic conditions.
The main positive takeaway from this news is that the acquisition price for 7-Eleven Australia is not as extravagant as the amount Seven &amp; I paid for the Speedway acquisition.


Seven & I Ventures Down Under with 7-Eleven Australia Acquisition

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Seven &amp; I has announced major restructuring of its struggling Ito-Yokado GMS chain – a company that big investors have long demanded be sold off entirely. </li>
<li>The latest round of cuts had to wait until the company’s founder finally passed away, although are likely not going to be the last.</li>
<li>Seven &amp; I has long had a coherent plan to rationalise - but was just waiting for the founder to pass – with a series of disposals now likely.</li>
</ul>


Seven &amp; I has announced major restructuring of its struggling Ito-Yokado GMS chain – a company that big investors have long demanded be sold off entirely. 
The latest round of cuts had to wait until the company’s founder finally passed away, although are likely not going to be the last.
Seven &amp; I has long had a coherent plan to rationalise - but was just waiting for the founder to pass – with a series of disposals now likely.


Seven & I: The Biggest Barrier to Change Has Gone

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.</li>
<li>FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. </li>
<li>We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.</li>
</ul>


The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.
FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. 
We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.


Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

Japan

Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company which was established through the merger of Ito-Yokado Co., Seven Eleven Japan Co., and Denny's Japan. The Company plans, manages, and operates mainly convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores.

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP)

Investor Activism Update: Seven & I Sets the Path in Investor Activism Battle

To us, it seems that instead of merely capitulating to Value Act's demands, Seven & I is strategically dictating the terms, with Value Act...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Seven & I Spends Another $950mn on Acquisitions, A Possible Defense Against Investor Activism

Seven & I Holdings announces major acquisition of 204 convenience stores in the US for $950m, aiming to retain overseas investors and prevent...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Seven & I Ventures Down Under with 7-Eleven Australia Acquisition

Seven & I has agreed to acquire the 7-Eleven convenience store chain in Australia for $1.1bn, with the acquisition price being less extravagant...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Seven & I: The Biggest Barrier to Change Has Gone

Activist investors complain about the lack of change at Seven & I but fealty to the founder was always stronger. That has now gone and a lot of...

Michael Causton

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

Investor Activism Update: Seven & I Sets the Path in Investor Activism Battle

To us, it seems that instead of merely capitulating to Value Act's demands, Seven & I is strategically dictating the terms, with Value Act...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Seven & I Spends Another $950mn on Acquisitions, A Possible Defense Against Investor Activism

​Seven & I Holdings announces major acquisition of 204 convenience stores in the US for $950m, aiming to retain overseas investors and prevent...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Seven & I Ventures Down Under with 7-Eleven Australia Acquisition

​Seven & I has agreed to acquire the 7-Eleven convenience store chain in Australia for $1.1bn, with the acquisition price being less extravagant...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Seven & I: The Biggest Barrier to Change Has Gone

Activist investors complain about the lack of change at Seven & I but fealty to the founder was always stronger. That has now gone and a lot of...

Michael Causton

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

Seven & I Holdings announces major acquisition of 204 convenience stores in the US for $950m, aiming to retain overseas investors and prevent...

Seven & I has agreed to acquire the 7-Eleven convenience store chain in Australia for $1.1bn, with the acquisition price being less extravagant...