安踏年内第三波并购风声再起

Core Viewpoint - Anta Group is reportedly close to finalizing an agreement to acquire the Reebok brand from Authentic Brands Group (ABG) after a four-year hiatus in acquisition talks [1] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The news of the potential acquisition gained traction on social media, receiving positive reactions from Anta Group executives [2] - However, Anta Group publicly stated that it does not comment on market rumors [3] - ABG quickly denied the acquisition rumors, with Steve Robaire, Executive Vice President of Reebok and Champion, asserting that ABG has no intention of selling Reebok now or in the future [4] Group 2: Background on Reebok - ABG acquired Reebok from Adidas in 2021 for approximately $2.5 billion, marking the largest acquisition in ABG's history [4] - ABG operates on a light-asset brand management model, rarely independently managing brands [5] Group 3: Reebok's Market Performance - Reebok's expansion in the Chinese market has been sluggish, with store openings slowing down from 15 in 2022 to 36 by the end of 2024, primarily in outlet channels [6] - In 2024, Reebok's revenue in China is expected to decline by 19% year-on-year, with online sales dropping nearly 50% compared to 2021, totaling only 160 million yuan [6] - Reebok's global market share is projected to be less than 1.5% in 2024, raising doubts about ABG's ambitious $10 billion sales target by 2027 [6] Group 4: Strategic Value for Anta - Despite challenges, Reebok holds potential value for Anta, as the brand could fill a gap in Anta's portfolio for a mid-to-high-end sports brand [7] - Reebok, once a competitor to Nike and Adidas, possesses established channels in mature markets and valuable brand equity [7] - Reebok has expanded its global partnerships with retailers like Foot Locker and JD Group, enhancing its market presence [8] Group 5: Financial Considerations - The acquisition could face significant financial challenges, with estimates suggesting that the transaction amount would not be less than $2 billion [10] - As of the end of 2024, Anta's net cash level is approximately 31.4 billion yuan, and the company has made two acquisitions in 2023, totaling around 2.64 billion yuan and 2.08 billion yuan respectively [11] - The difficulty of financing the acquisition is heightened compared to previous attempts, as market confidence and stock performance have fluctuated [11]