Richemont(US:CFRUY) Cai Fu Zai Xian·2025-12-16 03:10Core Viewpoint - HSBC's report positions Lao Pu Gold as a high-end local brand capable of competing with global luxury giants like Tiffany and Richemont, suggesting it should be valued within the international luxury goods framework rather than as a traditional jewelry stock [1] Group 1: Company Comparison - HSBC's analysis highlights that while Richemont and Lao Pu Gold operate in similar high-end jewelry markets, their operational models differ significantly, with Lao Pu Gold showing a better growth outlook and an implied upside of approximately 52%, compared to Richemont's 30% [3][9] - Lao Pu Gold is expected to surpass Richemont's revenue in the Chinese market in the second half of 2025, with Richemont currently accounting for about 14% of its global revenue [5] - Lao Pu Gold's average single-store sales in mainland China are nearly double that of Cartier and triple that of Van Cleef & Arpels, indicating a strong market position [3] Group 2: Market Growth and Trends - China is projected to be the largest jewelry market, reaching a size of $114 billion by 2024, with luxury jewelry growth outpacing that of the U.S., Japan, and Europe at a rate of 10.6% [6][7] - The luxury jewelry sector is the fastest-growing category within the luxury goods industry, benefiting from better product value propositions and the ability to attract diverse generations [7] - The global jewelry industry remains fragmented, with a low brand penetration of only 33%, providing opportunities for both Lao Pu Gold and Richemont to capture market share from unbranded competitors [7] Group 3: Investment Outlook - HSBC maintains a "buy" rating for both companies, emphasizing that Lao Pu Gold has a higher implied upside and a projected return on investment of 62.6% by 2027, compared to Richemont's 31.8% [9] - Lao Pu Gold's success is attributed to its unique positioning in the high-end jewelry market and its transition from a "golden flywheel" to a "brand flywheel" model, focusing on cultural heritage, design innovation, and enhanced customer experience [9]