Seven & i Holdings Co. (SVNDY), the Japanese convenience-store operator behind 7-Eleven, raised its full-year outlook as investors look for stronger evidence that its restructuring strategy is beginning to work. The company now expects operating profit of 425 billion for the year through February 2027, up from its earlier forecast of 405 billion, while revenue is projected at 10.4 trillion, above the prior 9.5 trillion estimate.
The upgraded forecast came after first-quarter adjusted operating profit more than doubled, supported by gains in Japan and stronger fuel margins in North America. CEO Stephen Dacus said the quarter showed steady progress from disciplined execution of the company's transformation strategy, though investors may still watch whether Japan's higher spending per shopper can offset uneven store traffic and whether softer North American merchandise momentum improves.
Seven & i has been trying to reposition itself as a more focused global convenience-store operator after selling non-core Japanese retail businesses, including supermarkets and specialty stores. That restructuring followed pressure from Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., the Canadian operator of Circle K stores, which had pursued Seven & i before abandoning its takeover effort a year ago, leaving investors to assess whether the company can turn defensive moves into a more durable operating story.