Looking for expansion opportunities with downside protection

Investment Rating - The report maintains a BUY rating for Haidilao with a target price (TP) of HK$ 21.52, reflecting a 25.1% upside from the current price of HK$ 17.20 [2][4][9]. Core Insights - Haidilao's downside is protected by a 5.6% dividend yield for FY24E and a 90% payout ratio, while the upside is linked to the acceleration of store expansion once the franchising model is finalized [2][7]. - The company has shown strong momentum in 2024, with table turnover increasing by over 30% in January-February, despite a slight seasonal retreat in March [2][7]. - Management is targeting a single-digit percentage increase in store counts for FY24E, focusing on a cautious expansion strategy after lessons learned from previous overexpansion [2][7]. Financial Performance - In FY23, Haidilao's revenue increased by 34% YoY to RMB 41.5 billion, and net profit surged by 175% YoY to RMB 4.5 billion, both in line with prior positive profit alerts [7]. - The company has revised its FY24E and FY25E net profit forecasts upward by 12% and 15%, respectively, due to improved table turnover recovery and better sourcing costs [2][8]. - The operating profit margin is expected to increase to 14.6% in FY24E from 14.3% in FY23, driven by a lower breakeven point for table turnover [2][8]. Earnings Summary - Revenue projections for FY24E are set at RMB 47,018 million, with a YoY growth of 13.4% [3][12]. - Net profit for FY24E is estimated at RMB 4,996.6 million, reflecting a 10.6% increase from FY23 [3][12]. - The earnings per share (EPS) for FY24E is projected at RMB 0.89, with a P/E ratio of 16.0x [3][12]. Store Expansion and Strategy - The company currently has 13 stores with signed lease agreements, primarily in tier 2 cities, and plans to refine its franchising model to enhance local knowledge and capital utilization [2][11]. - The total number of restaurants is expected to grow to 1,424 by FY24E, with a focus on maintaining quality over rapid expansion [11].