Core Viewpoint - Wei Long, known as the "King of Spicy Strips," is preparing for an IPO in Hong Kong, with plans to raise less than $150 million, a significant decrease from the initial target of $1 billion [2][3]. Group 1: IPO Timeline and Fundraising - Wei Long has delayed its IPO multiple times, initially aiming to raise $1 billion in 2021, but the target has now dropped by 85% to $150 million [3][4]. - The company first submitted its IPO application in May 2021 but did not receive approval until November 2021, after which it postponed the listing due to unfavorable market conditions [4][5]. - The latest update on November 23, 2023, indicates a further reduction in fundraising goals, with a projected market valuation of around $1.4 billion, down from previous estimates [5][6]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Valuation - Wei Long's revenue growth has slowed, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.1% from 2019 to 2021, while net profit growth has stagnated [6][7]. - The company's valuation has plummeted from 600 billion RMB to approximately 100 billion RMB, raising questions about whether it was previously overvalued [6][7]. - Comparatively, other companies in the snack food sector, such as Tao Li Bread and Three Squirrels, have lower price-to-earnings ratios, suggesting that Wei Long's current valuation may still be high [10][11]. Group 3: Market Challenges and Product Strategy - Wei Long's revenue declined by 1.8% in the first half of 2022, attributed to pandemic impacts and a drop in sales of its main products [11][12]. - The company has raised prices to counteract rising raw material costs, which has improved profit margins but negatively affected sales volume [11][12]. - Wei Long faces the challenge of shedding its "junk food" image, as consumer preferences shift towards healthier options, necessitating product innovation and reformulation [14][15][16].
卫龙“三闯”港交所：募资额缩水85%，高瓴、腾讯等机构“高位站岗”