Core Viewpoint - Here Group Ltd., formerly known as QuantaSing, has successfully transitioned from an adult education company to a pop toy maker, reporting significant revenue growth in its new business segment [1][2][4]. Business Transformation - The company entered the pop toy market in 2023 by acquiring Shenzhen Yiqi Culture Ltd., which owns the Wakuku franchise [3]. - Here Group has rebranded itself, dropping the QuantaSing name and ticker symbol, and began trading under the Here Group name on November 11 [4]. Financial Performance - In the latest quarter, Here Group reported revenue of 127 million yuan ($18 million), nearly doubling from 65.8 million yuan in the previous quarter [10]. - The company anticipates revenue growth to between 150 million yuan and 160 million yuan in the current quarter, with a projected total revenue of 750 million yuan to 800 million yuan for the fiscal year [11]. Market Position and Strategy - Here Group's revenue is primarily driven by its proprietary intellectual properties (IPs), with 97% of the latest quarter's revenue coming from three IPs, including 71% from Wakuku [8]. - Unlike competitors, Here Group focuses on self-developed and exclusively licensed IPs, which can lead to higher margins but also requires significant marketing efforts to establish brand recognition [9]. Stock Performance and Valuation - The stock price of Here Group has shown volatility, initially rising sixfold before experiencing a decline of over 60%, yet it remains more than double its starting value for the year [12]. - The current price-to-sales (P/S) ratio for Here Group is approximately 2.5, significantly lower than Pop Mart's 10.3, indicating potential upside if growth targets are met [13][16]. Marketing and Expansion Plans - The company is actively marketing its products through various initiatives, including a themed street in Shanghai and partnerships with state-run media [14]. - Here Group has opened its first offline stores in Beijing and Chongqing, with plans for further expansion into 20 other markets [14]. Profitability and Margins - The gross margin for Here Group's toy business improved to 41.2% from 34.7% in the previous quarter, although it remains below Pop Mart's 66.8% [15]. - The company reported an adjusted net loss of 17.1 million yuan for the latest quarter, showing slight improvement from a 19.3 million yuan loss in the previous period [15].

Summary of Damai Entertainment Holdings Ltd Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Damai Entertainment Holdings Ltd - **Industry**: Greater China Media - **Stock Rating**: Overweight - **Price Target**: HK$1.20 - **Market Capitalization**: US$3.435 billion - **Current Share Price**: HK$0.90 Key Financial Highlights - **F1H26 Total Revenue**: Rmb4.0 billion, up 33% year-over-year (YoY) and 11% half-over-half (HoH) [2][10] - **GAAP Net Profit**: Rmb520 million, exceeding profit alert of >Rmb500 million [2] - **IP Revenue Growth**: +105% YoY, surpassing forecasts by 2% and 6% [2] - **Live Content Business Revenue Growth**: +13%, beating forecasts by 1% and consensus by 10% [2] Core Insights - **IP Expansion**: Damai is positioned as a key gateway for global IPs entering the Chinese market, with a solid multiyear growth outlook [2][4] - **Sanrio's Performance**: Sanrio's brand demand remains strong in China, ranking second only to Disney, with a purchase interest of 35% and a repurchase rate of 61% [9][14] - **Alifish's Diversification**: Alifish's reliance on Sanrio is decreasing, with Sanrio expected to contribute about 30% of FY26 IP revenue [9][17] - **China's Sub-Licensing Market**: The market is under-penetrated but projected to double to Rmb280 billion by 2030, with licensing spending currently at only 0.1% of consumer spending [9][24] Financial Projections - **Revenue Forecasts**: F2026-27 IP revenue forecasts increased by 5% due to strong growth momentum, while film-related revenue forecasts decreased by 2% [36] - **Normalized Net Profit Forecasts**: Expected to fall by 11-13% for F2026-28 [37] Valuation Metrics - **SOTP Valuation**: 15x EV/EBITDA for Damai business and 30x EV/EBITDA for Alifish business [4][40] - **Implied P/E**: 25x for F2027e, with a PEG ratio of 0.8 [4][40] Market Trends - **Consumer Behavior**: 83% of consumers plan to expand purchases across various categories, indicating sustained demand for IP products [30] - **Growth Drivers**: The growth of China's IP derivative market is supported by young consumers seeking uniqueness rather than brand premiums [26] Risks and Considerations - **Concentration Risks**: While Alifish's revenue concentration on Sanrio is manageable, the company is diversifying its IP portfolio to mitigate risks [19][21] - **Market Penetration**: The potential for growth in the sub-licensing market is significant, but current spending levels are low compared to global averages [24][34] Conclusion Damai Entertainment Holdings Ltd is well-positioned for growth in the expanding Chinese IP market, supported by strong financial performance and a diversified IP portfolio. The company’s strategic partnerships and market positioning as a gateway for global IPs enhance its investment appeal.

Summary of Global IP Collectibles Conference Call Industry Overview - The global IP collectibles market has rapidly evolved into a mainstream market exceeding US$100 billion, outpacing most consumer discretionary categories in growth [2][21] - The market is expected to maintain a strong ~6% CAGR from 2024 to 2027, following an ~8% CAGR from 2019 to 2024 [2][25] - Character- and entertainment-driven collectibles, including toys, trading cards, apparel, and lifestyle products, are gaining consumer wallet share, particularly in China and the Asia-Pacific region [2][25] Key Players - Recommended leading IP plays include Pop Mart, Sanrio, Hasbro, and Damai [2][65] - North America accounts for nearly 50% of the global character IP licensing market, making it a focal area for Asian companies [2][25] Core Insights - The rise of "kidults" (adults embracing play and nostalgia) is driving over 25% of global toy sales, expanding the total addressable market (TAM) [3][41] - Seven structural amplifiers are identified as key growth drivers: 1. Consumer cohort expansion 2. IP creation 3. Gamified sales 4. Social media evolution 5. Product upgrade 6. Channel evolution 7. IP versatility [3][30] Consumer Behavior - A survey indicates robust purchase intent in both China and the US, with young, financially stable, family-oriented consumers at the core [4][41] - Chinese consumers average 6-7 purchases per year, while US consumers show higher repurchase rates, reflecting market maturity [4][42] - Purchase drivers differ: Chinese consumers prioritize design and emotional resonance, while US consumers value gifting, nostalgia, and affordability [4][43] Market Risks - Macro risks such as economic uncertainty and price sensitivity are significant constraints, but the "lipstick effect" supports resilience in moderate downturns [4][45] - The IP collectibles category is sensitive to severe economic downturns, with historical precedents showing outsized shocks during crises [4][46][56] Growth Projections - The leading group of IP collectibles is expected to grow at ~7% in 2025, with a moderation to 5-6% in 2026-27 [25][50] - The total retail sales value under Character/Entertainment IP is estimated to reach US$150 billion in 2024 [26] Investment Opportunities - Pop Mart is positioned to capitalize on expanding kidult demand, with a focus on strategic investments and localized crossovers [65][67] - Sanrio's growth story remains intact despite short-term concerns, particularly in the US market [72][73] - Hasbro's strategic pivot towards higher-growth franchises is expected to drive a multi-year growth trajectory [74][76] Conclusion - The IP collectibles market is characterized by structural growth drivers that extend beyond cyclical trends, with leading players well-positioned to capture incremental demand [32][63] - Investors are encouraged to focus on companies with strong product design and consumer engagement strategies to capitalize on the long-term growth potential of the IP collectibles sector [64][70]

K-pop virtual idol group PLAVE has teamed up with Sanrio for their recent single album, PLBBUU, released this past Monday. https://t.co/87pmaX8vkt#KPOP ...

K-pop virtual idol group PLAVE has teamed up with Sanrio for their recent single album, PLBBUU, released this past Monday. https://t.co/87pmaX8vkt ...

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley forecasts that Pop Mart (09992) will experience multiple consumption peaks in the coming months, driven by sufficient inventory of popular products, new product launches, and store expansions [1] Group 1: Sales Forecast - The firm expects sales for Pop Mart in Q3 to grow over 180% year-on-year, compared to 235% in the previous quarter [1] - Morgan Stanley maintains a target price of HKD 382 for Pop Mart, corresponding to projected P/E ratios of 42x, 32x, and 26x for 2025 to 2027 [1] Group 2: Market Sentiment and Demand - Despite recent cautious sentiment in the market towards Pop Mart, Morgan Stanley's outlook remains positive, drawing parallels to Pokémon's strategy in 2021-2022 to increase card production to address speculation and enhance customer experience [1] - The report addresses investor concerns regarding the sustainability of Pop Mart, asserting that the IP collectibles market is substantial and continues to grow, with Pop Mart's differentiated business model poised to capture the increasing "kidult" consumer demand [1] Group 3: Earnings Projections - Morgan Stanley projects adjusted earnings per share for Pop Mart to be HKD 2.58, 9.90, 11.87, and 14.67 for the years 2025 to 2027 [2] - The company is estimated to hold a 5.7% market share in the global IP products market this year, compared to Disney's 43.1% and Sanrio's 8.2% [2]

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley's report indicates that Pop Mart (09992) is expected to experience multiple consumption peaks in the coming months, driven by sufficient inventory of popular products, new product launches, and store expansions [1] Group 1: Sales Forecast - The firm anticipates that Pop Mart's sales will grow over 180% year-on-year in Q3, compared to 235% in the previous quarter [1] - Morgan Stanley maintains a target price of HKD 382 for Pop Mart, corresponding to projected price-to-earnings ratios of 42x, 32x, and 26x for 2025 to 2027 [1] Group 2: Market Sentiment and Demand - Despite recent cautious sentiment in the market towards Pop Mart, Morgan Stanley's outlook remains positive, drawing parallels to Pokémon's strategy in 2021-2022 to increase card production to address speculation and enhance customer experience [1] - The report counters investor concerns regarding the sustainability of Pop Mart, asserting that the market for IP collectibles is substantial and continues to grow, with confidence in Pop Mart's differentiated business model and competitive advantages to capture the rising "kidult" consumer demand [1] Group 3: Earnings Projections - Morgan Stanley projects adjusted earnings per share for Pop Mart to be HKD 2.58, 9.90, 11.87, and 14.67 for the years 2025 to 2027 [1] - The company is estimated to hold a 5.7% market share in the global IP products market this year, compared to Disney's 43.1% and Sanrio's 8.2% [1]

Company Overview - Pop Mart, a Chinese toymaker, reported a near-400% surge in net profit, driven by global demand for its LABUBU dolls [1][11] - The company’s adjusted net profit reached CNY4.71 billion, with revenue at CNY13.88 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 204.4% [3] Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Pop Mart's revenue from China was CNY8.28 billion, up 135.2%, while revenue from Asia-Pacific (excluding China) was CNY2.85 billion, rising 257.8% [4] - Revenue from the Americas surged to CNY2.26 billion, up 1,142.3%, and revenue from Europe and other regions rose 729.2% to CNY480 million [4] Product and Market Expansion - LABUBU generated revenue exceeding CNY4.8 billion, becoming one of the world's most popular IPs in the first half of 2025 [5] - The company plans to launch a miniature LABUBU that can be clipped onto phones [6] Strategic Initiatives - Pop Mart established four regional headquarters in April to enhance its globalization strategy [7] - The company opened its first stores in landmark locations such as Cambridge in the UK and Bali in Indonesia, with plans to expand into markets including the Middle East, South Asia, Central and South America, and Russia [8] Market Position - Pop Mart's market cap surpassed HKD400 billion, with shares rising more than 200% in the last year, making it worth more than Mattel, Hasbro, and Sanrio combined [2]

Core Insights - Pop Mart's net profit surged nearly 400% in the first half of the year, reaching $636 million, significantly exceeding estimates of a 350% rise for the entire year [1][5] - Revenue increased by 204.4% to approximately $1.93 billion, outperforming the 62% growth from the same period last year [1] - The explosive demand for Labubu dolls, particularly in overseas markets, has driven this growth, with the toys selling for higher prices and generating larger margins in regions like North America [2] Sales and Market Performance - Labubu sales are projected to exceed 10 million units per day by September, with foreign sales expected to surpass domestic sales this year [7] - "The Monsters" intellectual property, which includes Labubu dolls, accounted for 34.7% of Pop Mart's total revenue [8] Product and Marketing Strategy - Labubu dolls are sold in "blind boxes," creating a collectible market where certain rare designs can fetch high prices, with one figurine recently selling for $150,000 at auction [3] - Celebrity endorsements from figures like K-pop singer Lisa, Rihanna, and David Beckham have contributed to the popularity of Labubu dolls [4] Expansion and Retail Presence - Pop Mart operates 571 retail stores and 2,597 robot shops across 18 countries and regions, with plans to open 100 new outlets outside mainland China this year [11] - The company recently opened a megastore in Iconsiam, a large shopping center in Bangkok [10]

Group 1: China's Image Transformation - China is improving its global image, moving away from associations with cheap exports and censorship, aided by domestic businesses [1][7] - The rise in soft power rankings reflects China's strategic efforts to enhance its global image and focus on sustainable development [7] Group 2: Pop Mart's Success - Pop Mart's Labubus keychains have gained international popularity, being featured by celebrities and expanding its global presence with over 500 stores [2][3] - The company forecasts a 350% year-on-year profit increase in the first half of the year, with long-term sales potential reaching $11.3 billion [3][4] - Pop Mart's sales rose 107% in 2024, outperforming traditional brands like Sanrio, which saw a 45% increase [4] Group 3: Broader Cultural Impact - The success of Pop Mart is part of a broader trend of Chinese brands gaining traction globally, appealing to emotional spending amid economic uncertainty [4][5] - Video games from China, such as Black Myth Wukong and Genshin Impact, are achieving significant global sales, with Genshin Impact generating $2 billion in its first year [5][6] Group 4: Changing Perceptions - Young consumers are increasingly viewing Chinese products positively, moving past negative stereotypes associated with the country [8] - The shift in perception is attributed to the visibility of Chinese brands and their ability to resonate with global audiences [8]