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 | Carrefour firmly denies possible exit from Belgium Carrefour has firmly denied any intention to exit Belgium after media reports suggested its local operations were under review.</li>
<li>With roughly 700 stores, the company maintains one of the largest retail networks in the country.</li>
<li>However, its Belgian revenues - estimated at EUR 4.0–4.5bn - lag far behind peers that operate far fewer outlets. </li>
</ul>


Ahold Delhaize | Carrefour firmly denies possible exit from Belgium Carrefour has firmly denied any intention to exit Belgium after media reports suggested its local operations were under review.
With roughly 700 stores, the company maintains one of the largest retail networks in the country.
However, its Belgian revenues - estimated at EUR 4.0–4.5bn - lag far behind peers that operate far fewer outlets. 


<ul>
<li>Yesterday, Basic-Fit hosted a session to provide an update on the Clever Fit acquisition, that was announced at the end of October and completed two weeks later.</li>
<li>At its upcoming CMD, to be hosted on 20 April of next year, the company will provide a detailed update on the acquisition.</li>
<li>At yesterday’s update, Basic-Fit shared some light on the German market and the savings it expects</li>
</ul>


Yesterday, Basic-Fit hosted a session to provide an update on the Clever Fit acquisition, that was announced at the end of October and completed two weeks later.
At its upcoming CMD, to be hosted on 20 April of next year, the company will provide a detailed update on the acquisition.
At yesterday’s update, Basic-Fit shared some light on the German market and the savings it expects


Equity Bottom-Up

BE Semiconductor Industries NV / Equity Bottom-Up

BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. produces integrated semiconductor assembly equipment.  The Company designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and services machines that manufacture semiconductor packages, which provide the connection between the chip and other electronic components and protect the chip.  BE also produces automated molding and plating machines, and manufactures leadframes.

<ul><li>In this edition: • ASM International – ASML Holding – BE Semiconductor Industries | WSTS revises its outlook for worldwide semiconductor market strongly upward • Magnum Ice Cream Company | more details on upcoming listing • PostNL / Ahold Delhaize | EUR 2 levy on non-EU parcels effective as of 1 January 2026</li></ul>

In this edition: • ASM International – ASML Holding – BE Semiconductor Industries | WSTS revises its outlook for worldwide semiconductor market strongly upward • Magnum Ice Cream Company | more details on upcoming listing • PostNL / Ahold Delhaize | EUR 2 levy on non-EU parcels effective as of 1 January 2026

What's New(s) in Amsterdam - 4 December (ASM Int'l | ASML | Besi | MICC | PostNL/Ahold Delhaize)

Allegro.eu SA operates shopping e-commerce platform. The Company offers products in categories such as automotive, fashion, home and garden, electronics, books and collectibles, and health and beauty. Allegro.eu serves customers in Europe.

<ul><li>In this edition: • Ahold Delhaize / PostNL | EUR 2/parcel levy on non-EU parcels as of 1 January 2026 • Unilever | sells Graze to Katjes International • CM.com | clients are offered migration program to switch to Bird • Black Friday week sales | online transactions up by approx. 5% YoY • Dutch retail sales | up 3.1% YoY in October; no meaningful change in the growth trend</li></ul>

In this edition: • Ahold Delhaize / PostNL | EUR 2/parcel levy on non-EU parcels as of 1 January 2026 • Unilever | sells Graze to Katjes International • CM.com | clients are offered migration program to switch to Bird • Black Friday week sales | online transactions up by approx. 5% YoY • Dutch retail sales | up 3.1% YoY in October; no meaningful change in the growth trend

bpost SA provides postal delivery services. The Company delivers mail, packages, and parcels, as well as offers direct marketing, market surveys, business databases, and document services.

<ul><li>In this edition: • Aegon | rumoured to be considering divesting part or all of its non-US operations • Ferrari Group | no real surprises in 3Q25; reiterates FY25 guidance • bpostgroup | signs MoU to expand collaboration with Temu in Belgium and Canada • Black Friday | spike in online transactions on Tuesday; November MTD volumes +32% • E-commerce & Logistics | France takes legal action against AliExpress and Joom</li></ul>

In this edition: • Aegon | rumoured to be considering divesting part or all of its non-US operations • Ferrari Group | no real surprises in 3Q25; reiterates FY25 guidance • bpostgroup | signs MoU to expand collaboration with Temu in Belgium and Canada • Black Friday | spike in online transactions on Tuesday; November MTD volumes +32% • E-commerce & Logistics | France takes legal action against AliExpress and Joom

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.