Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of HKD 18.68 [4][7]. Core Insights - The company reported a revenue of USD 19.9 million in Q3 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 14.6%. Operating profit reached USD 14.9 million, up 52.0% year-over-year, with an operating margin of 7.5%, an increase of 1.8 percentage points [1]. - The company has successfully balanced store opening speed with single-store quality, leading to improved same-store sales and turnover rates. The Southeast Asia region showed stable growth, while management adjustments in East Asia yielded significant results [1][2]. - The new CEO has focused on enhancing global store management and supply chain efficiency, which is expected to continue driving high turnover rates into the peak season [1][3]. Revenue and Profitability - Q3 2024 restaurant and takeaway revenue reached USD 19.1 million and USD 0.03 million, respectively, with year-over-year increases of 14.5% and 8.3%. The average daily sales per store were USD 17,700, up 9.9% year-over-year [2]. - The gross margin improved to 67.0%, an increase of 1.5 percentage points year-over-year, driven by higher average spending per customer and global supply chain optimization [2]. Store Expansion and Management - As of Q3 2024, the company operated 121 stores across various regions, with a net addition of 6 stores in the first nine months of 2024. The company is actively implementing the "Pomegranate Plan" to explore new store models, including halal hot pot and noodle shops [3]. - The management has introduced a dual-manager policy to enhance store performance and employee motivation, which has shown positive results in Q3 [3]. Financial Projections - The report revises the earnings per share (EPS) estimates for 2024, 2025, and 2026 to USD 0.06, USD 0.08, and USD 0.09, respectively, reflecting the company's growth potential and improved profitability [4][6]. - The target price of HKD 18.68 corresponds to a 30x price-to-earnings (PE) ratio based on the 2025 earnings estimates, indicating a premium valuation due to the company's leading position in the Chinese restaurant market [4][12].
特海国际：同店经营延续靓丽，盈利质量改善