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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In this edition: • AkzoNobel | Axalta's strong set of 2Q26 results supportive for the proposed merger</li>
<li>AkzoNobel | Sherwin Williams raises FY26 guidance after better than expected 2Q26 </li>
<li>AkzoNobel | PPG’s 2Q26 looks solid, but demand outlook remains the focus </li>
</ul>


In this edition: • AkzoNobel | Axalta's strong set of 2Q26 results supportive for the proposed merger
AkzoNobel | Sherwin Williams raises FY26 guidance after better than expected 2Q26 
AkzoNobel | PPG’s 2Q26 looks solid, but demand outlook remains the focus 


<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

Universal Music Group NV / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>In this edition: • AkzoNobel | Nippon Paint and Sherwin-Williams no longer pursue joint takeover plan • Universal Music Group | Pershing Square plans to divest its stake • Unilever | Fernández robustly defends the deal with McCormick despite upheaval • Dutch housing market | ‘code yellow’ based on early signals TU’s housing market monitor • E-commerce & Logistics | DHL study shows rising share of OOH deliveries</li></ul>

In this edition: • AkzoNobel | Nippon Paint and Sherwin-Williams no longer pursue joint takeover plan • Universal Music Group | Pershing Square plans to divest its stake • Unilever | Fernández robustly defends the deal with McCormick despite upheaval • Dutch housing market | ‘code yellow’ based on early signals TU’s housing market monitor • E-commerce & Logistics | DHL study shows rising share of OOH deliveries

Universal Music Group NV - What's News in Amsterdam

Axalta Coating Systems / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>AkzoNobel: Evaluating Strategic Options in a Consolidating Industry AkzoNobel’s boards have unanimously rejected a conditional cash proposal from Nippon Paint Holdings.</li><li>At the same time, management continues to recommend the proposed merger of equals with Axalta, citing stronger long-term industrial benefits.</li><li> The situation reflects broader consolidation themes in the global coatings sector, with additional interest from Sherwin-Williams in select businesses forming part of the backdrop.</li></ul>

AkzoNobel: Evaluating Strategic Options in a Consolidating Industry AkzoNobel’s boards have unanimously rejected a conditional cash proposal from Nippon Paint Holdings.At the same time, management continues to recommend the proposed merger of equals with Axalta, citing stronger long-term industrial benefits. The situation reflects broader consolidation themes in the global coatings sector, with additional interest from Sherwin-Williams in select businesses forming part of the backdrop.

In-depth report: AkzoNobel | The Axalta deal just lost its gloss

Nippon Paint Holdings Co Ltd - Research Alert: AkzoNobel | The Axalta deal just lost its gloss

United States

The Sherwin-Williams Company manufactures, distributes, and sells paints, coatings, and related products.  The Company's products are sold to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers primarily in North and South America. Sherwin Williams also has additional operations in the Caribbean region, Europe and Asia.

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Sherwin Williams Co (SHW US)

What's News in Amsterdam

In this edition: • AkzoNobel | Axalta's strong set of 2Q26 results supportive for the proposed merger AkzoNobel | Sherwin Williams raises FY26...

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!

Universal Music Group NV - What's News in Amsterdam

In this edition: • AkzoNobel | Nippon Paint and Sherwin-Williams no longer pursue joint takeover plan • Universal Music Group | Pershing Square...

The IDEA!

In-depth report: AkzoNobel | The Axalta deal just lost its gloss

AkzoNobel: Evaluating Strategic Options in a Consolidating Industry AkzoNobel’s boards have unanimously rejected a conditional cash proposal from...

The IDEA!

Nippon Paint Holdings Co Ltd - Research Alert: AkzoNobel | The Axalta deal just lost its gloss

AkzoNobel: Evaluating Strategic Options in a Consolidating Industry AkzoNobel’s boards have unanimously rejected a conditional cash proposal from...

The IDEA!

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