Kouzijiao(SH:603589) Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-07-21 09:25Core Viewpoint - The announcements from Kuozi Jiao indicate significant operational pressures and market challenges faced by the company, highlighted by the major shareholder's plan to reduce holdings and the cancellation of stock options due to unmet performance targets [1][3][9]. Shareholder Actions - Major shareholder Liu Ansheng plans to reduce his holdings by up to 10 million shares, representing 1.67% of the total shares, between August 12, 2025, and November 11, 2025, potentially cashing out approximately 336 million yuan based on the latest closing price [1][3]. - Liu Ansheng has previously reduced his holdings, totaling 9.8999 million shares and cashing out around 528 million yuan since September 2018 [6]. Market Reaction - Following the announcements, Kuozi Jiao's stock price fell by 0.5%, with a current price of 33.56 yuan per share and a total market capitalization of 20.136 billion yuan [2]. Performance Challenges - Kuozi Jiao's recent financial performance shows stagnation, with 2024 revenue at 6.015 billion yuan (up 0.89% year-on-year) and net profit at 1.655 billion yuan (down 3.83% year-on-year) [8]. - The company failed to meet the performance targets set for its stock incentive plan, leading to the cancellation of nearly 1.88 million restricted shares due to not achieving a 30% growth in either net profit or revenue compared to 2022 [9][10]. Industry Context - Kuozi Jiao faces intense competition in the high-end liquor market, particularly from leading brands like Gujing Gongjiu, and struggles with brand recognition and positioning outside its home province [11]. - The current challenges reflect broader systemic issues within the regional liquor industry, exacerbated by changing consumer preferences and increased competition, indicating a narrowing window for regional brands to adapt [11].