PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: SoftBank (9984 JT) unit Arm Holdings (ARM) announced a new artificial intelligence data centre chip expected to add billions of dollars in revenue

JAPAN

SoftBank (9984 JT) - Co. unit Arm Holdings (ARM) announced a new artificial intelligence data centre chip expected to add billions of dollars in revenue and mark a significant strategic shift. (Nikkei)

Seven & i Holdings (3382 JT) - Co. is expanding its store network across Asia, Europe and other regions as it seeks to balance Japanese food offerings and operational expertise with local market needs. (Nikkei)

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316 JT) - Co. was reportedly considering acquiring Jefferies, although SMFG said it had no immediate plans. (Financial Times)

Toyota Industries (6201 JT) - Co. said the Toyota Group’s tender offer to take the company private at JPY 20,600/shr was successful. (Nikkei)

Property - Blackstone plans to invest USD 15bln in Japan's property market over a three-year period, targeting properties such as data centres, logistics facilities and hotels. (Nikkei)

Chemicals - Japan's ethylene production facilities are expected to maintain operations in April, although difficulties sourcing Middle East raw materials amid the Iran conflict are pushing prices higher. (Nikkei)

Other News

Japan called China an important neighbour in a draft version of a key Japanese foreign policy document (prev. "one of Japan's most important bilateral relations"). (Newswires)

SOUTH KOREA

Kakao Games (293490 KS) - Co. announced plans to sell stock to raise KRW 240bln. (Yonhap)

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong met with China’s top economic planning official in Beijing on the sidelines of the China Development Forum. It was also reported that Co.’s unionised workers are set to resume talks with management. (Yonhap)

SK Hynix (000660 KS) - Co. said it is taking steps towards a US stock market listing. (Yonhap)