Core Viewpoint - Company reported a low single-digit year-on-year growth in retail sales for Q2 2025, continuing the trend from Q1 2025 [1] Group 1: Operational Performance - For Q2 2025, retail sales (excluding Li Ning YOUNG) showed low single-digit year-on-year growth, consistent with Q1 performance [1] - Offline channel sales experienced a low single-digit year-on-year decline, with direct sales down in the mid-single digits and wholesale channel sales up in the low single digits [1] - E-commerce channel sales grew in the mid-single digits, outperforming offline retail growth [1] - The running and fitness categories continued to lead market performance, with expected high single-digit year-on-year growth in sales [1] - Basketball category remains under pressure, while sports lifestyle category sales were flat year-on-year; smaller categories like outdoor and badminton showed rapid growth [1] Group 2: Channel and Store Strategy - As of June 30, the number of sales points (excluding Li Ning YOUNG) decreased by 18 to 6099, with a net increase of 11 from Q1 [2] - Li Ning YOUNG sales points decreased by 33 to 1435, with a net decrease of 18 from Q1 [2] - Company maintains a steady store strategy focused on optimizing individual stores amid a fluctuating consumer environment [2] - The company expects to see stable store expansion throughout the year, entering a peak opening season in the second half [2] Group 3: Marketing and Future Outlook - Company plans to focus marketing efforts around themes of Yang Hansheng and the Olympics, leveraging his NBA selection for promotional activities [2] - The company has resumed its role as the official sportswear partner for the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Chinese sports delegation, with a marketing focus on "Olympics + Technology" in the second half [2] - Company forecasts revenue growth of 1.7%/5.3%/4.5% for 2025-2027, reaching 29.15/30.69/32.07 billion yuan, with net profit projections of -12.6%/+6.6%/+6.1% to 2.63/2.81/2.98 billion yuan [3] - The company maintains a "buy" rating with corresponding valuations of 15/14/13 times for the years 2025-2027 [3]

Core Viewpoint - In Q2 2025, Li Ning's overall revenue experienced low single-digit growth, with offline revenue declining primarily due to the impact of store closures; e-commerce revenue showed mid-single-digit growth, influenced by competition and consumer sentiment [1][2] Revenue Performance - Q2 2025 revenue growth for Li Ning brand (excluding Li Ning YOUNG) was low single-digit, with offline channels (including retail and wholesale) recording a low single-digit decline; direct retail channels saw a mid-single-digit decline, while wholesale channels experienced low single-digit growth; e-commerce business recorded mid-single-digit growth [1][2] - Revenue performance in Q2 was affected by weather conditions in April, gradual improvement in May, and weak performance in June due to holiday misalignment; July continued the weak trend seen in Q2 [1][2] Inventory Management - Inventory management was effective, with the inventory-to-sales ratio improving to approximately 4 months, down from 5 months in Q1 2025; discounts were deepened both online and offline to ensure healthy channel inventory [2] Store Operations - The number of Li Ning sales points totaled 6,099 (excluding Li Ning YOUNG), a net decrease of 18 from the beginning of the year; direct retail business saw a net decrease of 19, while wholesale business increased by 1; the number of children's clothing sales points (Li Ning YOUNG) was 1,435, a net decrease of 33 [2] Marketing Strategy - In H2 2025, the company plans to increase marketing investments around the NBA (Yang Hansheng) and the Olympics, launching limited edition products and personal logo products in line with the NBA Summer League and the Milan Winter Olympics [3] - The marketing expense ratio in H2 is expected to be higher than in H1 due to increased spending [3] Financial Forecast - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are set at 28.93 billion, 30.51 billion, and 32.08 billion yuan, with year-on-year growth of 0.9%, 5.4%, and 5.2% respectively; net profit forecasts are 2.43 billion, 2.62 billion, and 2.78 billion yuan, with year-on-year changes of -19.5%, +7.8%, and +6.2% respectively [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [3] Core Views - The company is focusing on high-quality development in the new Olympic cycle, despite short-term revenue slowdown [1] - The company has adjusted its earnings forecasts for 2025-2026 and introduced a forecast for 2027, expecting EPS of 0.92, 1.05, and 1.20 RMB respectively [2][8] - The target price is set at 20.07 HKD, based on a 20x valuation for 2025 [2][8] Financial Performance Summary - Revenue for 2023 is projected at 27,598 million RMB, with a year-on-year growth of 7.0% [2] - Operating profit is expected to decline to 4,256 million RMB in 2023, reflecting a decrease of 21.4% year-on-year [2] - Net profit attributable to the parent company is forecasted at 3,187 million RMB for 2023, down 21.6% year-on-year [2] - The company anticipates a net decrease of approximately 10 direct stores and an increase of around 40 franchise stores in 2025 [7] - The gross margin is expected to be 48.4% in 2023, with a slight increase to 49.1% by 2027 [2][11] - The net profit margin is projected to decline from 11.5% in 2023 to 8.2% in 2025, before recovering to 9.5% in 2027 [2][11] Market and Competitive Landscape - The retail environment is becoming increasingly competitive, with intensified discounting pressures from international brands [7] - The company is expected to increase marketing expenditures in the second half of 2025 and throughout 2026 to support sustainable growth [7] - The major shareholder has shown confidence in the company's long-term prospects by increasing their stake by approximately 1.11% [7]

Summary of Li Ning Company Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Li Ning Company - **Date**: July 16, 2025 Key Points Industry Performance - June sales showed a month-on-month decline, with both online and offline channels experiencing negative growth due to base effects, holidays, and weather conditions [2][3] - Discounts deepened in Q2, particularly in e-commerce, impacting direct wholesale channels [2][4] - Overall gross margin faced challenges in the first half of the year, making it difficult to maintain flat margins for the entire year [2][4] Product Performance - Functional products outperformed lifestyle products, with running and fitness categories achieving double-digit growth in H1 2025, while basketball and lifestyle categories performed poorly, particularly basketball sales [2][5] - The growth in H1 was primarily driven by professional categories, with footwear performing better than apparel [2][5] - Key running shoe IPs such as "Ultra Light," "Chi Tu," and "Fei Dian" met expectations, with "Fei Dian" and "Chi Tu" performing well, while "Ultra Light" showed weaker performance [2][5] Strategic Partnerships - Li Ning signed a long-term contract with Yang Hanshen in 2023, planning to quickly launch related products during key competition periods [2][6] - No signature shoe plans currently exist, but future consideration will depend on performance, alongside enhanced personal marketing efforts [2][7] Marketing and Branding - The company is focusing on Olympic-related marketing, with the "Rong Rong Yao" series as a direct product line for the Olympics [3][7] - Future product launches will include more technology-enhanced products, expanding into other functional categories and lifestyle areas [3][7] Retail and Distribution - Approximately 100 new children's clothing stores are planned for this year, primarily targeting mid-to-low tier markets [3][9] - The number of outlet stores remains stable at around 400, with no large-scale openings planned [3][9][10] - E-commerce growth was only in the mid-single digits in Q2, falling short of expectations due to the impact of the 618 shopping festival [3][12] Financial Outlook - The company maintains guidance for flat revenue and a high single-digit net profit margin for 2025, but faces significant challenges in the second half due to weak terminal trends and intense competition [3][29] - Future plans include gradually accelerating revenue growth over the next 3-5 years, aiming for a net profit margin of at least 10% [3][29] Competitive Landscape - The company acknowledges ongoing competition from international brands like Nike, which still holds the largest market share [3][17] - Domestic brands have made significant progress in operations, technology, and design, narrowing the gap with international competitors [3][17] Cost Management - Marketing expenses are expected to rise due to Olympic sponsorship and athlete endorsements, with the marketing expense ratio projected to increase from 9.5% to a low double-digit level [3][18] - Human resource costs are also anticipated to rise slightly due to team expansion and talent acquisition [3][19] Future Strategies - The company plans to optimize store locations to control rental costs and enhance same-store sales [3][21][22] - Product assortments will be adjusted based on market tier and store type to capture business opportunities effectively [3][23][24] Segment Growth Potential - The running category is projected to maintain a 30% share of overall business, with future growth opportunities balanced against risks associated with over-reliance on a single category [3][26][28] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the Li Ning Company conference call, highlighting the current performance, strategic initiatives, and future outlook within the competitive landscape of the sportswear industry.

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Li Ning with a target price of HKD 19.2 for 2025, based on a 20x PE ratio [1][4][7]. Core Insights - Li Ning's overall platform revenue (excluding Li Ning YOUNG) recorded low single-digit growth in Q2 2025, with offline channels experiencing low single-digit decline while e-commerce channels saw mid-single-digit growth [2][4]. - The growth in revenue is primarily driven by the running and fitness categories, both achieving high single-digit growth, while the basketball category faced a decline of over 20% due to market conditions [2][3]. - The company continues to optimize its channel structure, with a net decrease of 18 stores year-to-date, and plans to expand new store layouts as per strategy [3][4]. Financial Summary - Revenue projections for Li Ning are as follows: 2025E at RMB 28,698 million, 2026E at RMB 30,498 million, and 2027E at RMB 31,943 million, reflecting growth rates of 0.1%, 6.3%, and 4.7% respectively [5][12]. - The forecasted EPS for 2025 is RMB 0.88, with a decline in net profit expected to RMB 2,269 million, a decrease of 24.7% compared to the previous year [5][12]. - The gross margin is projected to remain stable around 49.2% for 2025, with a slight increase to 49.5% by 2027 [5][13].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [5] Core Views - The company's Q2 revenue growth is slightly slower than Q1 but meets expectations, with a small single-digit increase across all platforms [1] - The company has signed a formal agreement with the Chinese Olympic Committee, becoming the official sportswear partner for the Chinese Olympic team from 2025 to 2028, with marketing efforts expected to ramp up starting in May [3] - The company anticipates increased resource investment in professional research and sports sponsorships, aiming for long-term positioning in the sports market [4] Revenue and Profit Forecast - Revenue projections for 2025, 2026, and 2027 are estimated at 28.87 billion, 30.32 billion, and 31.75 billion CNY, reflecting year-on-year growth of 0.7%, 5.0%, and 4.7% respectively [4] - The forecasted net profit for the same years is 2.36 billion, 2.81 billion, and 3.22 billion CNY, with a significant drop of 22% in 2025 followed by recoveries of 19% and 15% in the subsequent years [4] Product Performance - In Q2, the running and cross-training categories continue to lead with high single-digit growth, while the basketball category faced a 20% decline [2] - The company is expected to gradually enrich its product offerings related to basketball, especially with the promotion of the "Yushua" series shoes following Yang Hansheng's selection for the NBA [2] Marketing and Sponsorship - The company has initiated its Olympic marketing strategy with the launch of the "Glory" series products, and further marketing activities are anticipated with upcoming events like the Chengdu World Games and the Milan Winter Olympics [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [5] Core Views - The company's retail revenue for Q2 2025 showed low single-digit year-on-year growth, consistent with Q1 performance. Offline channels experienced a low single-digit decline, while e-commerce channels grew at a mid-single-digit rate [2][3] - The running and fitness categories continue to outperform, with expected high single-digit growth in revenue for Q2. Basketball remains under pressure, while outdoor and badminton categories are growing rapidly [2][3] - The company is focusing on a stable store strategy, with a net decrease of 18 stores to 6099 by June 30. The company plans to maintain steady expansion in store numbers throughout the year [2][3] - Marketing efforts will focus on themes related to Yang Hansheng and the Olympics, aiming to boost sales in the basketball category and enhance brand recognition [3] Financial Summary - Projected revenue growth for 2025-2027 is 1.7%, 5.3%, and 4.5%, reaching 29.15 billion, 30.69 billion, and 32.07 billion yuan respectively. Net profit is expected to decline by 12.6% in 2025, followed by growth of 6.6% and 6.1% in the subsequent years [3][4] - The company’s earnings per share (EPS) is projected to be 1.02, 1.09, and 1.15 yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with corresponding price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios of 14.65, 13.75, and 12.96 [4][12] - The company maintains a healthy inventory level despite a challenging consumption environment [3]

Core Viewpoint - The sales trend for the Li Ning brand in Q2 2025 has weakened slightly, falling below the company's expectations, with a low single-digit year-on-year retail revenue growth across all platforms [1][2] Group 1: Sales Performance - In Q2 2025, the online channel outperformed the offline channel, with e-commerce recording a mid-single-digit year-on-year growth, while the offline channel experienced a low single-digit decline [1] - The wholesale channel performed better than the retail channel, with offline wholesale and retail channels showing low single-digit growth and mid-single-digit decline year-on-year, respectively [1] Group 2: Financial Forecasts - Based on more cautious sales assumptions, the company has revised its net profit forecasts for 2025-2027 downwards, with expected revenues adjusted to between 29.0 billion and 30.95 billion RMB, reflecting a decrease of 0.3% to 5.8% [2] - The gross margin and net margin forecasts for 2025-2027 have been lowered by 0.1% to 0.5% and 0.8% to 1.0%, respectively, leading to a revised net profit estimate of 2.68 billion to 3.40 billion RMB [2] Group 3: Market Conditions - The overall industry recovery has been weak, with a strong promotional atmosphere impacting sales, particularly noted during events like the 618 shopping festival [2] - The company anticipates that the sales recovery in the second half of the year will face headwinds due to ongoing industry promotions, which are expected to pressure gross margins [1][2]

Core Viewpoint - Li Ning's Q2 2025 operational performance shows mixed results, with adult sales under pressure due to a challenging consumption environment and store closures, while e-commerce sales growth has slowed compared to Q1 [1][2][3] Group 1: Sales Performance - Adult sales in Q2 2025 experienced low single-digit year-on-year growth, with offline channel sales declining low single digits and e-commerce sales growing in the mid-single digits [1] - Direct sales channels faced pressure with a year-on-year decline in Q2 2025, attributed to a significant number of store closures in the second half of 2024, resulting in 1,278 direct stores by the end of H1 2025, a net closure of 19 stores compared to the beginning of the year [1] - Wholesale channel sales grew low single digits year-on-year, with 4,821 wholesale stores by the end of H1 2025, indicating a stable performance and potential acceleration in store openings in the second half of the year [1] Group 2: E-commerce and Children's Segment - E-commerce sales growth in Q2 2025 slowed compared to Q1, attributed to a weaker overall sales performance during the 618 shopping festival, with Q2 e-commerce sales growing in the mid-single digits compared to low double digits in Q1 [2] - Li Ning's children's clothing segment, Li Ning YOUNG, is expected to outperform adult sales with steady growth, having 1,435 stores by the end of Q2 2025, a net closure of 33 stores since the beginning of the year [2] Group 3: Financial Outlook - The company is projected to have flat revenue growth in 2025, with a 21% decline in net profit attributable to shareholders, primarily due to increased marketing expenses [3] - Li Ning is focusing on product and marketing strategy optimization, including signing with the Olympic Committee for brand marketing, which may enhance brand influence [3] - The company aims to strengthen its core categories of running and basketball while expanding into other sports categories, which is expected to support long-term growth [3]

Company Overview - In Q2 2025, the retail revenue of the Li Ning brand (excluding Li Ning YOUNG) grew at a low single-digit percentage year-on-year, with a net increase of 11 retail points during the quarter [1] - The wholesale channel continued to outperform direct sales, with healthy inventory levels despite pressure on discounts due to market fluctuations [1] - The retail revenue from offline direct sales declined at a mid-single-digit percentage year-on-year, with a net decrease of 13 retail points, while the offline wholesale channel saw low single-digit growth and a net opening of 24 retail points [1] Product Performance - In terms of product categories, the running category saw high single-digit year-on-year growth, although the growth rate slowed compared to Q1 2025, which benefited from sponsorship of events like the Beijing Marathon [1] - The fitness category continued to perform well with high single-digit year-on-year growth, while the sports lifestyle category stabilized with flat year-on-year performance [1] - The basketball category experienced a decline in line with industry trends, while emerging categories such as outdoor and badminton maintained healthy growth [1] Discount and Inventory Management - Discounts in both online and offline channels deepened year-on-year at a low single-digit percentage, but the company maintained a healthy inventory level, with a channel inventory-to-sales ratio of approximately 4x as of the end of June [1] Future Outlook - Since July, retail has continued to fluctuate, with pressure on offline revenue and discounts for the Li Ning brand [2] - In the second half of the year, the company plans to increase marketing and product investment around the theme of "Olympics and Technology," including activities related to Olympic sponsorship and new product launches in various categories [2] - The management maintains guidance for 2025 revenue to be flat year-on-year and a high single-digit net profit margin [2] Earnings Forecast and Valuation - The company maintains its EPS forecasts for 2025 and 2026 at 0.92 and 1.07 HKD respectively, with the current stock price corresponding to 16x and 14x the 2025 and 2026 P/E ratios [2] - The target price remains at 20.82 HKD, implying a 30% upside potential compared to the current stock price, corresponding to 21x and 18x the 2025 and 2026 P/E ratios [2]