中国眼镜行业 丨白皮书 摘要： 整体概况： • 艾 瑞测 算， 2024 年中国眼镜零售市场规模 约 933 亿元 ，其中镜片 约 409 亿元 ，占整体眼镜产品市场的 44% ， 2019–2029 年镜片零售市场年均复合增长率 CAGR 约 6%– 8% 。 • 行 业 竞争格局呈"国际龙头 + 国产功能化品牌"并行： 依视路、卡尔蔡司等 在高端与品牌影响力上仍占优势， 汇鼎光学、全真光学、明月镜片等国产品牌在出货量与细分 赛道上快速追赶。 透明镜片市场： • 多年龄段视力需求推动行业 从 "单一屈光补偿"迈向"综合视力管理" ，形成"四位一体" 全周期方案。 • 6–18 岁近视防控领域， 离焦镜技术从周边离焦方案演进到多模态精准控轴技术 ，近视防控配 镜渠道结构明显分化，儿童青少年配镜 正 从"零售主导"走向"专业服务主导" 。 • 国产品牌 汇鼎光学自由环曲面镜片 率先在国内实现量产，镜片设计采用国内首创的双面自由 环曲面制造工艺，对镜片表面数以千个自由参数进行精准到微米级的面型优 化， 大幅减少人眼较为敏感的斜向像差，有效消除镜片周边畸变现象 。 • 35 岁及以上人群老视需求 从"能看清"升级为 ...

Overall Overview - The retail market size of China's eyewear industry is projected to reach approximately 93.3 billion yuan in 2024, with lenses accounting for about 40.9 billion yuan, representing 44% of the overall eyewear market. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the lens retail market from 2019 to 2029 is estimated to be around 6% to 8% [1] - The competitive landscape of the industry features a dual structure of "international leaders + domestic functional brands," with companies like Essilor and Carl Zeiss maintaining advantages in high-end and brand influence, while domestic brands such as Huiding Optical and Mingyue Lenses are rapidly catching up in terms of shipment volume and niche markets [1] Transparent Lens Market - The industry is evolving from "single refractive compensation" to "comprehensive vision management," driven by vision needs across multiple age groups, forming a "four-in-one" full-cycle solution [2] - In the 6-18 age group, myopia prevention is transitioning from defocus lens technology to multi-modal precise control axis technology, with a clear shift in the fitting channel structure from "retail-led" to "professional service-led" [2] - Domestic brand Huiding Optical has achieved mass production of free-form curved lenses, utilizing a domestically pioneered dual-sided free-form manufacturing process to optimize thousands of surface parameters, significantly reducing oblique aberrations and effectively eliminating peripheral distortion [2] - For individuals aged 35 and above, the demand for presbyopia is evolving from "seeing clearly" to "seeing well and comfortably," with progressive lenses becoming the mainstream solution, although some consumers remain hesitant due to concerns about adaptability and effectiveness, indicating a need for authoritative endorsements and real experiences to facilitate cognitive conversion [2] Photochromic Lens Market - The mainstream technology for photochromic lenses is light-sensitive lenses, which can cover various refractive needs including myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and progressive lenses, extending to multiple scenarios such as commuting, driving, outdoor sports, post-operative protection, and fashion accessories [3] Market Trends - The optical lens industry is increasingly intersecting with the smart glasses industry, with optical experience likely becoming a key factor in the visual experience of future smart glasses [5] Retail Market Size - The retail market size for eyewear in China is expected to reach approximately 93.3 billion yuan in 2024, with a projected growth rate of about 8.2% year-on-year. The market is anticipated to exceed 100 billion yuan in 2025, driven by national vision health initiatives, myopia prevention policies for youth, and the ongoing demand for vision care due to an aging population. By 2029, the retail market size is expected to reach 133.2 billion yuan, with a CAGR of approximately 7.4% from 2024 to 2029 [6] Consumer Awareness and Market Dynamics - Over 80% of surveyed consumers have heard of photochromic lenses, indicating that they are entering the public consciousness, although there are still barriers to understanding, primarily concerns about material safety, functional authenticity, and lifespan degradation [7] - The industry needs to rebuild trust through transparent pricing and standardized fitting to alleviate the pressure of low-price competition on quality and innovation [7] - The technology for transparent lenses will continue to evolve towards precise control of defocus lenses, high-precision imaging of free-form curved surfaces, and intelligent progressive lenses [7] - The photochromic lens market will deepen its evolution around basic function upgrades, application scenario expansion, color diversification, and personalized customization [7] - The channel strategy will shift from selling products to vision health management, with professional vision services and digital follow-up capabilities becoming core competitive advantages [7] Lens Market Size - The retail market size for the lens industry in China is projected to be approximately 40.9 billion yuan in 2024, accounting for about 44% of the overall eyewear market. The CAGR for the lens retail market from 2019 to 2024 is estimated to be around 6.1%, with the market size expected to reach 58.5 billion yuan by 2029 [10] Competitive Landscape of Lens Market - The lens market is characterized by a "foreign dominance + domestic rise" structure, with Essilor holding approximately 30.9% market share, followed by Carl Zeiss at 23.9%. Together, these two international brands dominate over half of the high-end market. Domestic brands like Mingyue Lenses hold 7.1% market share, with Huiding Optical and others also capturing significant shares [13] - In terms of shipment volume, Essilor leads with 17.1% market share, followed by Mingyue Lenses at 12.0%, and Huiding Optical at 8.8%. Domestic brands collectively account for nearly 50% of the top 10 shipment volumes, indicating their growing presence in the consumer and functional lens markets [16] Visual Health Overview - A significant portion of the population faces vision health issues, with 95% of consumers experiencing varying degrees of vision problems. However, eye care behaviors are primarily reactive rather than proactive, indicating a need for greater awareness and education on eye health [18] - The demand is shifting from basic visual clarity to a comprehensive pursuit of visual comfort and quality management solutions [18] Youth Myopia Management - The myopia management market for youth is entering a structured competition phase, with foreign brands leading in the high-end segment while domestic brands accelerate their professional breakthroughs [20] Progressive Lens Market - The demand for progressive lenses is continuously upgrading, with the market size and technology system accelerating towards high-end and intelligent evolution. The market is characterized by a multi-tiered product system, including mature technology, high-end personalization, flagship intelligent algorithms, and cost-effective domestic options [28] Photochromic Lens Market Size - The retail market size for photochromic lenses in China is projected to be approximately 1.47 billion yuan in 2024, accounting for about 3.6% of the overall optical lens market. The market is expected to grow from 1.32 billion yuan in 2023 to 2.37 billion yuan by 2029, driven by consumer awareness and demand for upgraded functionalities [30] Competitive Landscape of Photochromic Lens Market - In terms of shipment value, domestic brand Huading Optical leads with a 46.8% market share, followed by Essilor at 14.8% and Carl Zeiss at 8.2%. The market exhibits a clear hierarchical structure [33] - In terms of shipment volume, Huading Optical also dominates with a 42.8% share, indicating its significant market penetration [35] Brand Characteristics in Photochromic Lens Market - The current photochromic lens market exhibits a "dual" competitive and development pattern, with international brands focusing on technology and brand value, while domestic brands emphasize efficiency and market penetration [38] Consumer Behavior Insights - Consumers typically replace their photochromic lenses every 16 months, with the main reasons for replacement being visible scratches or wear, although new features and scenarios also drive upgrades [43]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the light industry and paper sector, anticipating performance improvements in 2025 [3][4]. Core Insights - The report highlights an acceleration in industry consolidation, with leading companies demonstrating resilience and a wait for demand recovery in 2026 [2][3]. - It predicts that the paper prices will continue to rise due to cost-driven factors, increased demand, and alleviated supply pressures, leading to improved profitability in Q4 2025 [4]. - The packaging and printing sector is expected to see a rise in profitability for leading companies, while some may experience declines due to optimization and potential impairments [4][9]. - The export sector shows a mixed performance, with companies having global supply chain advantages expected to maintain steady growth [4][12]. - The home furnishing sector is under pressure from policy changes, with soft furniture performing better than custom furniture [4][14]. - The light consumer goods sector is facing overall demand pressure, but individual companies are showing structural highlights [4][16]. Summary by Sections Paper Industry - The report forecasts improved profitability for companies like Sun Paper and BoHui Paper in Q4 2025, with expected net profits of 7.58 billion and 1.11 billion respectively, showing significant year-on-year growth [6][8]. - Companies like ShanYing International are expected to incur losses, with a projected net profit of -6.50 billion [8]. Packaging and Printing - YuTong Technology is expected to achieve a net profit of 4.23 billion in Q4 2025, reflecting a 44% year-on-year increase [9][10]. - Companies like HeXing Packaging are projected to face losses, with a net profit of -0.25 billion [10]. Export Sector - Co-Creation Turf is expected to see a revenue increase of 24% year-on-year, reaching 8.59 billion, with a net profit of 1.64 billion [12][13]. - Companies like JiaYi Co. are projected to experience a decline in profits, with a net profit of 1.43 billion, down 29% year-on-year [12][13]. Home Furnishing - Companies like Gujia Home are expected to see a revenue of 48.62 billion in Q4 2025, with a net profit of 3.18 billion, reflecting a significant increase [14][15]. - Companies like Oppein Home are projected to face a 20% decline in net profit, estimated at 4.55 billion [15][17]. Light Consumer Goods - Companies like Guangbo are expected to achieve a net profit of 0.52 billion, reflecting a 12% year-on-year increase [16][19]. - Companies like Bull Group are projected to see a decline in net profit, estimated at 9.58 billion, down 5% year-on-year [19][20].

Overall Overview - The retail market size of China's eyewear industry is projected to reach approximately 93.3 billion yuan in 2024, with lenses accounting for about 40.9 billion yuan, representing 44% of the overall eyewear market. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the lens retail market from 2019 to 2029 is estimated to be around 6% to 8% [1] - The competitive landscape of the industry features a dual structure of "international leaders + domestic functional brands," with companies like Essilor and Carl Zeiss maintaining advantages in high-end and brand influence, while domestic brands such as Huiding Optical and Mingyue Lenses are rapidly catching up in terms of shipment volume and niche markets [1] Transparent Lens Market - The industry is evolving from "single refractive compensation" to "comprehensive vision management," driven by vision needs across multiple age groups, forming a "four-in-one" full-cycle solution [2] - In the 6-18 age group, myopia prevention is transitioning from defocus lens technology to multi-modal precise control axis technology, with a clear shift in the fitting channel structure from "retail-led" to "professional service-led" [2] - Domestic brand Huiding Optical has achieved mass production of free-form curved lenses, utilizing a domestically pioneered dual-sided free-form manufacturing process to optimize thousands of free parameters on the lens surface, significantly reducing oblique aberrations and effectively eliminating peripheral distortion [2] - For individuals aged 35 and above, the demand for presbyopia is evolving from "seeing clearly" to "seeing well and comfortably," with progressive lenses becoming the mainstream solution. However, some consumers remain hesitant due to concerns about adaptability and effectiveness, indicating a need for authoritative endorsements and real experiences to facilitate cognitive conversion [2] Photochromic Lens Market - The mainstream technology for photochromic lenses is light-sensitive photochromic lenses, which can cover various refractive needs such as myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and progressive lenses, extending to multiple scenarios including commuting, driving, outdoor sports, post-operative protection, and fashion accessories [3] Market Trends - The optical lens industry is increasingly intersecting with the smart glasses industry, with optical experience likely becoming a key factor in the future visual experience of smart glasses [5] Retail Market Size - The retail market size of the eyewear industry in China is expected to reach approximately 93.3 billion yuan in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of about 8.2%. The market is projected to exceed 100 billion yuan in 2025, with a forecasted CAGR of approximately 7.4% from 2024 to 2029, reaching 133.2 billion yuan by 2029 [6] Consumer Awareness and Market Dynamics - Over 80% of surveyed consumers are aware of photochromic lenses, indicating that they are entering the public consumer sphere, although there are still cognitive barriers regarding material safety, functional authenticity, and lifespan concerns [7] - The industry needs to rebuild trust through transparent pricing and standardized fitting to alleviate the pressure of low-price competition on quality and innovation [7] - The technology for transparent lenses will continue to evolve in directions such as precise control of defocus lenses, high-precision imaging of free-form curved surfaces, and intelligent progressive lenses [7] - The photochromic lens market will deepen its evolution around basic function upgrades, expansion of application scenarios, color diversification, and personalized customization [7] - The channel will shift from selling products to vision health management, with professional vision services and digital follow-up capabilities becoming core competitive advantages [7] Lens Market Size - The retail market size of the lens industry in China is projected to be approximately 40.9 billion yuan in 2024, accounting for about 44% of the overall eyewear market. The CAGR for the lens retail market from 2019 to 2024 is estimated to be around 6.1%, with a forecasted market size of 58.5 billion yuan by 2029 [10] Competitive Landscape of Lens Market - The lens market is characterized by a "foreign investment leading + domestic rise" structure, with Essilor holding approximately 30.9% market share, followed by Carl Zeiss at 23.9%. Together, these two international brands dominate over half of the high-end market [13] - In terms of shipment volume, Essilor leads with a 17.1% share, while domestic brand Mingyue Lenses holds 12.0%, followed closely by Huiding Optical and Hongchen Optical with 8.8% and 8.7% respectively. Domestic brands collectively account for nearly 50% of the top 10 shipment volumes, indicating their growing presence in the mass consumer and functional lens markets [16] Visual Health Overview - A significant portion of the population faces vision health issues, with 95% of consumers experiencing varying degrees of vision problems. However, eye care behaviors are primarily reactive rather than proactive, indicating a need for greater awareness and education regarding eye health [18] Youth Market for Myopia Management - The myopia management market for children and adolescents is entering a structured competition phase, with foreign brands dominating the high-end segment while domestic brands accelerate their professional breakthroughs [20] Progressive Lens Market - The demand for progressive lenses is continuously upgrading, with the market size and technology system accelerating towards high-end and intelligent evolution. The market is characterized by a multi-tiered product system, including mature technology, high-end personalized options, flagship intelligent algorithms, and cost-effective domestic products [28] Photochromic Lens Market Size - The retail market size for photochromic lenses in China is projected to be approximately 1.47 billion yuan in 2024, accounting for about 3.6% of the overall optical lens market. The market is expected to grow from 1.32 billion yuan in 2023 to 2.37 billion yuan by 2029, driven by consumer awareness and demand for upgraded functionalities [30] Competitive Landscape of Photochromic Lens Market - In terms of shipment value, domestic brand Huading Optical leads with a 46.8% market share, followed by Essilor and Carl Zeiss at 14.8% and 8.2% respectively. The market exhibits a clear hierarchical structure [33] - In terms of shipment volume, Huading Optical also dominates with a 42.8% share, indicating its significant market penetration [35] Brand Characteristics in Photochromic Lens Market - The current photochromic lens market exhibits a "dual" competitive and development pattern, with international brands focusing on technology and brand value, while domestic brands emphasize efficiency and market penetration [38] Consumer Behavior in Photochromic Lens Market - Consumers typically replace their photochromic lenses every 16 months, with new features and scenarios driving the desire for product upgrades. The primary reasons for replacement include visible scratches and wear, but the appeal of new functionalities and experiences also plays a significant role [43] Industry Pain Points - The Chinese eyewear industry is currently facing a "value ambiguity and trust deficit" dilemma, necessitating the establishment of a transparent, professional, and agile service ecosystem to break through these challenges [45] Trends in the Eyewear Market - User demand is shifting from basic refractive compensation to comprehensive eye health management, driving the supply side towards professional, comprehensive, and scenario-based solutions [48] - The integration of industry ecosystems and the emphasis on optical experience are expected to be key competitive factors in the future of smart eyewear [50]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" outlook on the paper and light industry sectors, highlighting potential improvements in domestic demand and the impact of tariff policy changes [1][2]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the expected marginal improvement in domestic demand, driven by real estate policy stabilization and consumer confidence recovery [2][10]. - The AI glasses market is anticipated to see significant growth, with Meta's sales surging and Apple's upcoming product launch expected to enhance market penetration [2][12]. - The paper industry is experiencing price stability and potential profitability improvements due to strong overseas production control and rising prices [2][14]. Summary by Sections Export Sector - Changes in tariff policies are expected to boost export performance, with recommendations for companies like 嘉益股份, 匠心家居, and 永艺股份 due to their strong performance certainty [2][4]. - The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against additional tariffs and the introduction of a 10% global tariff are pivotal developments [4][10]. Home Furnishing Sector - The home furnishing industry is at a valuation bottom, with real estate policies likely to catalyze upward valuation adjustments [2][10]. - The sector is witnessing accelerated consolidation, with mid-tier companies exiting and capital entering leading firms, enhancing industry concentration [2][11]. - Companies like 顾家家居, 索菲亚, and 欧派家居 are highlighted for their potential valuation recovery [2][11]. AI Glasses Sector - Meta's smart glasses sales have seen explosive growth, with a reported increase of nearly threefold, while Apple's anticipated entry is expected to further drive market penetration [2][11]. - The report suggests focusing on companies like 康耐特光学 and 明月镜片, which are well-positioned in this emerging market [2][12]. Paper Industry - The report notes that overseas pulp mills are showing strong production control intentions, leading to price increases [2][14]. - Companies like 太阳纸业 and 玖龙纸业 are recommended due to their integrated operations and cost advantages [2][14]. Domestic Demand - There is an expectation of marginal improvement in domestic demand, with companies like 百亚股份 and 公牛集团 identified as potential beneficiaries [2][17]. - The report highlights the importance of consumer confidence and spending power recovery in driving demand [2][17].

Corporate Structure and Governance - The company plans to cancel its supervisory board, transferring its functions to the audit committee of the board, aiming to enhance governance efficiency [1] - As the exclusive optical lens partner for Xiaomi's AI glasses, the business is progressing smoothly, with the average retail price of AI glasses lenses exceeding expectations at nearly 800 yuan [2] Performance and Operating Conditions - In the first three quarters of 2025, the company achieved a revenue of 626 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.39%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 149 million yuan, up 8.83% [3] - The company maintained a stable gross margin of 57.95%, with R&D expenses increasing by 44.41%, indicating a greater investment in technology [3] Stock Price and Fund Performance - The company was officially included in the CSI 1000 Index on January 9, 2026, which may increase its demand in index funds [4] - Recent stock price fluctuations have been influenced by capital flow, with a net outflow of 11.6064 million yuan on February 4, 2026, but the long-term industry outlook remains supported by the growth in AI glasses shipments [4] Business Development - The company continues to launch high-end product lines, such as the Tianji series lenses, focusing on material innovation and domestic substitution [5] - The rising interest in smart wearables warrants attention to the company's developments in AR/VR fields, particularly its deepening collaborations with companies like Xiaomi [5]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy-A" with a target price of 48.51 yuan, maintaining the rating [3][6]. Core Insights - The company's main business has shown remarkable growth, with PMC Ultra Bright series revenue increasing by 53.7% year-on-year. The three star products account for 56.3% of the revenue from regular lenses, and the upgraded 1.74 series lenses saw a 112.4% increase in sales year-on-year [2]. - The company has established strategic partnerships, including becoming a partner with China Aerospace and collaborating with Aier Eye Hospital, which enhances its market position [2]. - The company is also benefiting from the growth of AI glasses, with government subsidies expected to accelerate market penetration. The first batch of 625 billion yuan in subsidies will provide a 15% subsidy for AI glasses priced at or below 6000 yuan, significantly lowering the consumer price threshold [3]. Financial Performance - The company is projected to achieve revenues of 8.35 billion yuan, 9.25 billion yuan, and 10.26 billion yuan for the years 2025 to 2027, representing year-on-year growth rates of 8.43%, 10.70%, and 11.00% respectively. The net profit is expected to be 2.01 billion yuan, 2.27 billion yuan, and 2.60 billion yuan for the same period, with corresponding growth rates of 13.54%, 13.27%, and 14.53% [6][8]. - The company's earnings per share (EPS) is projected to increase from 1.00 yuan in 2025 to 1.29 yuan in 2027, with a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 40.2x, 35.5x, and 31.0x for the years 2025 to 2027 [8][9]. Market Position and Strategy - The company has positioned itself as the exclusive optical partner for Xiaomi's AI glasses, with cumulative revenue from this partnership reaching 6.51 million yuan. This collaboration has significantly improved the profitability of individual products [2]. - The innovative OMO (Online-Merge-Offline) model has been implemented, providing comprehensive services in over 400 selected stores nationwide, which has enhanced conversion efficiency and attracted interest from other brands seeking to replicate this model [2][6].

Group 1 - The entertainment products sector increased by 1.66% on January 29, with Zhejiang Natural leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 4157.98, up 0.16%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 14300.08, down 0.3% [1] - Key stocks in the entertainment products sector showed significant price increases, with Zhejiang Natural rising by 10.02% to a closing price of 26.90 [1] Group 2 - The entertainment products sector saw a net inflow of 90.47 million yuan from main funds, while retail investors experienced a net outflow of 46.39 million yuan [2] - Major stocks like Zhujiang Piano and Zhejiang Natural had substantial net inflows from main funds, with Zhujiang Piano receiving 66.66 million yuan [3] - Retail investors showed a negative trend in several stocks, with significant outflows from Zhujiang Piano and Zhejiang Natural [3]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Accumulate" rating for the smart glasses industry, indicating a positive outlook for investment opportunities in this sector [6][75]. Core Insights - The smart glasses industry is expected to enter a rapid growth phase, with related companies poised to benefit from an upturn in market conditions [6][75]. - The report highlights that AI glasses without display functions are likely to meet the underlying demand logic of traditional eyewear, potentially leading to quicker market penetration [2][6]. Summary by Sections Product Development and Market Penetration - Continuous improvement in product capabilities is anticipated, with sales expected to increase. Key factors affecting rapid market penetration include reliance on traditional offline channels for final delivery, the need for lightweight materials for comfort, battery capacity constraints, and the performance of SoC chips [4][24][32][33][38]. Market Trends and Projections - The report draws parallels with the smart watch market, predicting that AI glasses will have a penetration rate of only 0.1% in 2024, similar to the early stages of smart watches. It forecasts that global AI glasses shipments will reach 291 million units by 2034, with a CAGR of 55.16% from 2025 to 2034 [21][23][75]. Key Product Launches - The report discusses the launch of Ray-Ban Meta, which features significant improvements in audio and video quality, and integrates with Meta's social platforms, enhancing user experience and application scenarios [10][11][15][71]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends investing in leading domestic lens brand Mingyue Lens and company Inpai, which are expected to benefit from the industry's growth. Mingyue Lens is actively collaborating with top brands in the industry, while Inpai is expanding into the smart sports equipment sector [6][75][76].

Market Overview - The entertainment products sector increased by 0.43% on January 23, with Qixin Group leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 4136.16, up 0.33%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 14439.66, up 0.79% [1] Stock Performance - Qixin Group (002301) closed at 8.38, up 3.08%, with a trading volume of 368,300 shares and a transaction value of 306 million yuan [1] - Tongda Chuangzhi (001368) closed at 28.90, up 2.30%, with a trading volume of 35,300 shares and a transaction value of 101 million yuan [1] - Huali Technology (301011) closed at 28.15, up 1.88%, with a trading volume of 28,800 shares and a transaction value of 80.81 million yuan [1] - Mingyue Optical (301101) closed at 44.80, up 1.86%, with a trading volume of 39,400 shares and a transaction value of 176 million yuan [1] - Zhejiang Zhengte (001238) closed at 57.41, up 1.79%, with a trading volume of 6,672 shares and a transaction value of 38.09 million yuan [1] Capital Flow - The entertainment products sector experienced a net outflow of 165 million yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors saw a net inflow of 145 million yuan [2] - The sector's overall capital flow indicates a mixed sentiment, with institutional investors withdrawing funds while retail investors are actively buying [2] Individual Stock Capital Flow - Qixin Group had a net inflow of 26.39 million yuan from institutional investors, but a net outflow of 2.38 million yuan from speculative funds [3] - Yingpais (002899) saw a net inflow of 12.42 million yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors had a net outflow of 16.35 million yuan [3] - Guangbo Co. (002103) had a net inflow of 5.94 million yuan from institutional investors, with a net outflow of 11.49 million yuan from retail investors [3]