Core Viewpoint - Proya, a leading Chinese cosmetics company, is preparing for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to become the first company in the beauty industry to be listed in both A-share and H-share markets, despite facing challenges such as declining performance and market value [1][2][3] Company Overview - Proya Cosmetics Co., Ltd. has submitted its listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with CICC and UBS serving as joint sponsors [1] - The company was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in November 2017, becoming the first domestic beauty stock [1] - Proya is currently the largest domestic cosmetics company in China, ranking fifth in the Chinese cosmetics market by retail sales as of 2024 [3][4] Financial Performance - Proya's revenue is projected to grow significantly, with estimates of approximately CNY 63.85 billion, CNY 89.05 billion, and CNY 107.78 billion from 2022 to 2024, respectively [4] - Net profit is also expected to increase from CNY 8.31 billion in 2022 to CNY 15.85 billion in 2024 [4] - However, in the first half of 2025, Proya's revenue growth slowed to 7.2%, with net profit growth at 13.8%, marking the lowest growth rates in five years [4][6] Strategic Initiatives - Proya's growth strategy includes a focus on "big single product" and "platformization," shifting from relying on popular product sets to developing high-priced, high-repeat purchase star products [3][4] - The company aims to enhance its research and development capabilities, brand building, sales channel expansion, and potential mergers and acquisitions through the funds raised from the IPO [2] Market Dynamics - The Chinese cosmetics market is the second largest globally, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2024 to 2029, driven by the rise of domestic brands and changing consumer preferences [7][8] - Proya faces intense competition from both international giants and emerging domestic brands, necessitating a balance between marketing and research and development [8][9] Challenges and Considerations - Proya's main brand revenue showed a slight decline of 0.08% in the first half of 2025, which has impacted overall performance [6] - The company has a high sales and distribution expense ratio, with sales expenses reaching CNY 26.59 billion, nearly 27 times its R&D spending of CNY 9.5 million [8][9] - The cosmetics industry is characterized by low entry barriers and high competition, requiring continuous investment in marketing and innovation to maintain market share [9] Investment Outlook - Proya is positioned in a growing market with strong operational capabilities, benefiting from both industry growth and its own competitive advantages [10] - However, investors should be cautious of the main brand's stagnation, the underperformance of its product matrix, and high sales expense ratios that may pressure profitability [10]
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