Guosen International·2025-08-25 11:57Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Li Ning with a target price of HKD 22.6 for 2025, reflecting a 22x PE ratio [1][4][7]. Core Insights - Li Ning's revenue for the first half of 2025 increased by 3.3% year-on-year, with total revenue reaching RMB 148.17 billion. However, the net profit attributable to shareholders decreased by 11% [1][2]. - The company declared a dividend of RMB 0.3359 per share, with a payout ratio of approximately 50% [1][4]. - The growth in revenue was primarily driven by the running and training categories, which saw a 15% increase in sales. In contrast, the basketball category experienced a 20% decline [3][4]. Revenue Performance - The wholesale business recorded a 5.0% increase in revenue to RMB 64.81 billion, while direct sales revenue fell by 4.3% to RMB 32.34 billion. E-commerce revenue grew by 6.5% to RMB 51.02 billion, indicating strong performance in online sales [2][3]. - The overall gross margin for the first half of 2025 was 50.0%, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points year-on-year, attributed to increased discounting pressures in both online and offline channels [2][4]. Product Category Analysis - The running and training categories led growth, with professional running shoe sales exceeding 14 million pairs in the first half of the year. The three core series—Ultra Light, Red Rabbit, and Flying Electric—together sold over 5.26 million pairs [3][4]. - The sports lifestyle category saw a decline of 7%, while the basketball category is undergoing adjustments, with expectations of future growth following the signing of a new brand ambassador [3][4]. Store and Channel Strategy - As of June 30, 2025, the total number of Li Ning's retail stores was 6,099, reflecting a net decrease of 18 stores since the beginning of the year. The company continues to optimize its channel structure and plans to expand new store layouts as per its strategy [3][4]. Financial Forecast - The report projects earnings per share (EPS) for 2025-2027 to be RMB 0.94, RMB 1.07, and RMB 1.18, respectively, with an upward revision from previous estimates [1][4][5]. - The expected revenue growth rates for the upcoming years are 0.2% for 2025, 6.3% for 2026, and 4.7% for 2027, indicating a cautious outlook [5][10].