
Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Haidilao, with a target price adjusted to HK21.52 [2][12]. Core Insights - Haidilao's 2024 half-year performance was generally in line with expectations, showing a same-store sales growth rate of approximately 15%, despite a 10% decline in net profit due to higher-than-expected employee costs [6][17]. - The company is expected to face challenges in the second half of 2024, including macroeconomic pressures and high baseline comparisons, but potential growth could come from accelerated new store openings and efficiency improvements [1][2]. - The report highlights Haidilao's strong performance in customer service and marketing, which has contributed to its superior same-store sales recovery compared to industry averages [1][6]. Financial Summary - Revenue for FY24E is projected at HK4,627.2 million, reflecting a slight increase of 2.4% [3][9]. - The report anticipates a gross profit margin improvement to 60.1% by FY24E, driven by lower raw material costs and enhanced supply chain efficiency [16][17]. - The company plans to continue expanding its store count, with a focus on new brand development and operational efficiency [1][16]. Key Metrics - The report provides key financial metrics, including a projected P/E ratio of 14.6x for FY24E and a dividend yield of 6.1% [2][3]. - The same-store sales growth rate for the first half of 2024 was supported by a 27% increase in table turnover, despite a 5% decline in average spending per table [6][17]. - The report notes that Haidilao's stock is currently trading at a P/E of 15x for FY24, which is considered reasonable given the attractive dividend yield [2][12].