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Why does Couche-Tard want to buy 7-Eleven? It’s a ‘cheap’ stock, says portfolio manager [Video]

Participants taste onigiri at a product meeting for 7-Eleven Japan in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2024. Staff and suppliers gathered to discuss flavors, textures and fillings for the Japanese riceballs, one of 7-Eleven’s most important products, with more than 2 billion sold each year.

Noriko Hayashi | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Alimentation Couche-Tard’s proposal to buyout 7-Eleven’s owner was likely driven by its affordability as a stock, in comparison to global counterparts, because there’s not much to improve when it comes to the core business of Seven & i Holdings Co., Richard Kaye, portfolio manager at independent asset management group Comgest, said Monday.

The Circle K operator offered to acquire its Japanese rival last month. The amount has not been disclosed, but should a deal go through, it could be the biggest-ever foreign takeover of a Japanese company.

On Friday, U.S. fund Artisan Partners Asset Management urged Seven & i Holdingsto “seriously consider” the buyout offer, and solicit offers for the company’s Japanese …

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