Can I Buy 7-Eleven Stock?
7-Eleven is not only the world's largest convenience store chain but also the biggest retailer around the globe by store count. Operating more than 56,600 stores in 18 countries, the company's reach and brand is matched by few others.
Investors looking for trading news on the Slurpee slinger may be disappointed, however, as the American division of the company was taken private in 2005 and has remained that way since. 7-Eleven Inc,, the American side of the business, was bought out that year by Seven-Eleven Japan, which had been a majority shareholder of 7-Eleven at the time.
Japan has more 7-Eleven locations than any other country in the world with more than 18,000, compared with about 10,000 in North America, and Seven-Eleven Japan is now owned by the Seven & I Holdings (OTC: SVNDF), a publicly traded Japanese corporation, a $37-billion company that owns the 7-Eleven brand a number of operating subsidiaries around the world. It also owns several other retail businesses, including superstores like Ito-Yokado, department-store chains like Sogo & Seibu, specialty stores, and financial services, some of which support the retail businesses. About 40% of Seven & I's revenue, which totaled $51.6 billion in the most recent fiscal year, comes from its convenience stores, so the company offers decent exposure to the 7-Eleven that Americans are familiar with. The stock has gained 40% in the past five years, underperforming the 85% gain in the S&P 500.
Source: Fool.com
