Amer Sports(US:AS) Xin Hua Cai Jing·2025-09-23 01:52Core Viewpoint - The "fireworks show" incident involving the brand Arc'teryx has significantly impacted the stock prices of its parent company Anta Sports and its major shareholder Amer Sports, leading to substantial market value losses and raising concerns about brand image and marketing strategies [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Market Impact - On September 22, Anta Sports' stock opened down 4.6%, with an intraday drop exceeding 7%, resulting in a market value loss of 5.8 billion HKD by the end of trading [1]. - Amer Sports, listed on the NYSE and owned primarily by Anta Sports, saw its stock drop over 11% in pre-market trading on the same day [1]. Group 2: Brand Image and Marketing Concerns - The incident has led to negative public sentiment, with the China Advertising Association criticizing the brand for potentially harming the environment under the guise of creative marketing [1]. - Industry analysts suggest that the brand's image and popularity have been adversely affected, indicating that mere public relations efforts will not suffice to mitigate the damage; substantial actions are required [2]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Market Trends - The technical apparel segment of Amer Sports, which includes Arc'teryx, reported second-quarter revenues of approximately 509 million USD, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 24.94%, but a noticeable decline from previous quarters' growth rates of 30.08% and 35.45% [2]. - Analysts highlight that the high-end sportswear market is experiencing a slowdown in growth, suggesting that the outdoor market may not sustain its previous high growth rates due to economic and competitive pressures [2]. Group 4: Strategic Reflections - There are calls for Anta Sports to reconsider its aggressive acquisition strategy, questioning the sustainability of growth achieved through external acquisitions while the core brand management remains average [3].