EU CONSUMER STAPLES: Couche-Tard: internal restructuring
(ATDBCN: Baa1/BBB+) (SVELEV; Baa2/A)
It is attempting to satisfy equity holders but with little impact; +6% in Tokyo, still -26% below ATD's leaked second offer. Still the chance of ATD closing, or at least the size of a total acquisition may be priced lower on the below updates. The spin-off the US 7-11 stores is interesting - but it indicates it will still hold onto a majority stake.
- $5.37b sale of supermarket business to Bain (PE) as rumoured yesterday
- IPO of 7-11 North America by 2H26 - will retain majority stake
- Commitment to return $13.2b in buybacks by FY30 from the above two
- New President as rumoured - Stephen Dacus - and first foreigner to take the role
- Re. Couche "active and constructive engagement" will continue and (again) flags US antitrust issues.
- Interestingly adds they have been working on a "potential divestiture package (which would be unprecedented in scope and size) that could be divested" to satisfy regulatory concerns.
- ATD has said in the past it is open to divestitures to achieve regulatory approvals.
- FTC began investigating pre-emptively in mid Sept, reminder now a republican majority committee.
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RIKSBANK: January Minutes May Provide Signal On Rate Outlook
The Riksbank January meeting minutes are due today at 0830GMT/0930CET. This release may provide a clearer signal on the rate outlook than the decision itself, given the non-committal policy statement guidance.
- The January rate decision (25bp cut to 2.25%) was unanimous, though Governor Thedeen suggested in the press conference that the minutes would highlight “nuances” in opinions amongst Board members.
- Key focus will be on whether the three doves from the December meeting minutes (Breman, Jansson and Bunge) still see a case for more cuts in H1 2025, and whether the March decision should be considered live.
- We expect Thedeen and Seim to continue offering a more cautious outlook for policy rates. In the January press conference, Thedeen said that the Riksbank’s “best assessment” was that there would be no more rate cuts (in line with the December MPR rate path). However, this assessment was heavily caveated, with the Governor citing significant uncertainty to the outlook (e.g. from potential trade barriers and economic fragmentation) and the need to assess incoming data in the context of the December projections.
STIR: SFRZ5/Z6 Sold
SFRZ5/Z6 4K given at -0.5.
GILTS: Weaker On Canadian Tariff Reprieve
Gilts sell off at the open, adjusting to Canada’s short-term tariff reprieve that has been covered in detail elsewhere.
- Futures as low as 92.67 before a recovery to 92.80.
- The recent corrective bullish cycle in the contract extended yesterday.
- Initial support and resistance located at the 20-day EMA (92.11) and yesterday’s high (93.54), respectively.
- Yields 1.5-3.0bp higher, curve bear steepens.
- GBP STIRs still operate around pre-gilt open levels, ~80bp of BoE cuts priced through year-end.
- The DMO will come to market with GBP4.25bln of the 4.375 Mar-30 gilt this morning.
- Little else of note on the UK calendar, which will leave focus on cross-asset cues and tariff-related headlines.
- Our BoE preview will be published later today.
