Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
Seven & i Holdings to Focus on 7-Eleven Growth Amid Takeover Pressure
Seven & i Holdings is shifting its focus towards expanding its profitable 7-Eleven convenience stores as it fights off a $47 billion takeover bid from Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard. The Japanese retailer announced plans to divest underperforming supermarket chains and other non-core operations, aiming to strengthen its core business and increase shareholder value.
Restructuring Strategy
The restructuring, unveiled earlier this month, involves spinning off approximately 30 non-core subsidiaries, including the struggling Ito-Yokado supermarket chain. This move is part of Seven & i’s broader effort to simplify operations and concentrate on more profitable segments, especially 7-Eleven, which has shown consistent success in Japan. Chief Executive Ryuichi Isaka emphasized that this strategic shift would enable the company to pursue disciplined growth and enhance both corporate and shareholder value.
Challenges in Overseas Markets
While Japan’s 7-Eleven stores have an impressive 27% operating margin, the company faces challenges in overseas markets, where margins are much lower—at just 3.5%. The North American division has been particularly affected by a weak economic environment, reduced consumer spending, and declining cigarette sales. Joseph DePinto, North America chief, noted that while fuel revenue remains flat, fresh food initiatives are expected to drive future growth.
Conclusion
Seven & i remains confident in its ability to create shareholder value independently, despite the takeover pressure. The company’s renewed focus on 7-Eleven, particularly in Japan, could be the key to maintaining its independence and profitability.
