Investment Rating - The report indicates a stable investment environment for the restaurant sector, with a focus on brand value growth and resilience despite economic pressures [20][23]. Core Insights - The global restaurant sector's brand value reached a record $190.1 billion in 2026, with McDonald's leading at $42.6 billion, marking a 5% increase [10][30]. - Chick-fil-A emerged as the fastest-growing brand, with a 44% increase in brand value to $8.1 billion, driven by strong revenue and expansion [36]. - Haidilao retained its title as the strongest brand with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 89.5/100, despite a slight decline in its score [49]. Sector Overview - The restaurant sector has shown resilience, with a collective brand value increase of approximately 20% since 2015, driven by changing consumer habits towards takeout and delivery [20][21]. - Technology investments, including AI-enabled forecasting and digital ordering, have become essential for growth, particularly in the US market [22]. - There is a noted disconnect between brand value growth and Brand Strength Index scores, indicating pressures on pricing and consumer trust [23]. Valuation Analysis - The top 10 restaurant brands remain stable, with minor shifts in rankings based on brand value growth rates rather than fundamental changes in competitive positions [25][34]. - McDonald's, Starbucks, and KFC maintain their top three positions, with brand values of $42.6 billion, $37 billion, and $16.5 billion respectively [30][31]. - Subway and Chick-fil-A showed significant growth, with Subway's brand value increasing by 18% and Chick-fil-A's by 44% [28][36]. Brand Strength Analysis - Haidilao is recognized as the strongest restaurant brand globally, followed closely by Greggs and McDonald's, with BSI scores of 89.5, 88.2, and 88.1 respectively [52][54]. - The report highlights the importance of local relevance and consumer perceptions in driving brand strength, as seen with Jollibee's performance in the Philippines [58]. Sustainability Analysis - Sustainability is increasingly influencing consumer choices, contributing to 6.4% of consideration in the restaurant sector [64]. - Brands like Chili's and Mixue are noted for their strong sustainability perceptions, which are linked to higher quality and credibility among consumers [65]. Brand Value Ranking - The report lists the top 10 most valuable restaurant brands for 2026, with McDonald's, Starbucks, and KFC leading the rankings [30][71]. - Notable newcomers include Mixue, valued at $4.6 billion, reflecting a strong focus on affordability and rapid expansion [44].

Summary of China/Hong Kong Consumer Strategy Conference Call Industry Overview - The consumer sector in China/Hong Kong entered 2026 with a mixed setup after three years of underperformance, with no immediate catalysts for a broad-based turnaround [1][3] - Headline consumption is expected to remain soft, necessitating flexible strategies across different sub-categories [1][3] Core Insights - **Macro Environment**: The macroeconomic backdrop has not turned decisively, with policy expected to be reactive rather than proactive regarding property and consumption. A property shock is anticipated to moderate but not end in 2026 [3][22] - **Consumer Dynamics**: Wage and employment levels remain subdued, contributing to ongoing household deleveraging and a drag on labor income dynamics. High precautionary savings and low spending confidence are prevalent [3][22] - **Consumption Growth**: Consumption in 2026 is likely to stabilize at a low growth rate rather than re-accelerate significantly. Focus is on selective segment pricing improvements and better supply discipline [3][23] Market Expectations - **Sales Growth**: Overall consumer sales growth is expected to be around 6% in 2026, with a mixed margin profile due to rising costs in certain areas like hard commodities [4][31] - **Valuation**: Consumer stocks' average P/E ratio is stabilizing around 16x, reflecting a cautious market outlook for 2026 [4][31] Investment Opportunities - Four key investment areas identified: 1. Recovery in offline services consumption (restaurants and beer in Q2-Q3 2026) 2. Supply recalibration in upstream dairy and likely liquor in H2 2026 3. Pricing recovery in restaurants, beer in H1 2026, and sports/cosmetics/liquor in H2 2026 4. Overseas growth in OEM and IP products in H1 2026 [5][21] Key Stock Picks - Recommended stocks include: - **YUMC**: Positive same-store sales growth and traffic - **Haidilao**: Recovery in dine-in demand - **CRB**: Expected growth driven by Heineken's market share gains - **Mengniu and Yili**: Anticipated margin improvements due to reduced raw milk supply [9][13] Macro Indicators - **CPI Trends**: Headline CPI is expected to show low inflation, with selective segments starting to see mild upward pricing revisions [24][27] - **Wealth Effect**: The wealth effect is differentiated across income cohorts, with higher-income groups showing improved spending intentions due to healthier balance sheets [27][31] Risks and Challenges - **Consumer Confidence**: The overall consumer sentiment remains fragile, with market sensitivity to marginal changes [20][22] - **Policy Limitations**: Current consumption-related policies are focused on protecting downside rather than stimulating growth, with limited fiscal support expected [22][27] Conclusion - The consumer sector is navigating a challenging macro environment with cautious optimism for selective recovery in certain segments. Investment strategies should focus on identifying pockets of resilience and potential growth areas while being mindful of the broader economic constraints.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the **China Consumer sector**, with insights gathered from approximately 70 institutional investors in **Hong Kong** and **Singapore** during late January and early February 2026. Investors are currently underweight in this sector and are more interested in discussing the outlook for 2026 rather than past earnings or government policies [1][1]. Company-Specific Insights Laopu - Investor sentiment towards **Laopu** has improved due to strong year-to-date sales, alleviating previous concerns about growth sustainability. Key discussions include: - Sales and margin dynamics affected by rising gold prices, which lower earnings visibility. - Promotion-driven sales impacting profitability and brand perception. - High gold prices potentially eroding consumer purchasing power. - Laopu is viewed as a beneficiary of rising gold prices, with sales increases offsetting temporary gross profit margin pressure [2][2]. Pop Mart - Investor debates regarding **Pop Mart** focus on its growth sustainability, particularly in the US market. Positive sentiment in China is noted due to successful new releases and decent store traffic, despite ongoing concerns about the US market. Key points include: - Uncertain US demand may lead to margin pressure through operating deleverage. - Success in China may not be replicable in overseas markets. - There is a decrease in investor concern regarding secondary price declines, which may not fully reflect consumer demand [3][3]. Anta vs. Li Ning - **Anta**'s sentiment shifted positively following the announcement of its acquisition of **Puma**, which was smaller than expected. This change is attributed to: - A previously negative outlook from management that improved post-announcement. - A low probability of equity financing for Anta. - Anta's valuation discount of approximately 15% compared to **Li Ning** [3][3]. Haidilao - **Haidilao** has stabilized its table turnover since Q4 2025, with investors viewing **YUM China**'s recent results as a positive indicator for Haidilao's outlook for 2026. Despite unchanged guidance, investors are more inclined to view Haidilao as a proxy for the recovery of the restaurant industry in China. Expectations are high for the founder's return as CEO to revitalize growth through new business expansion and innovation [6][6]. Mengniu - Investors believe that **Mengniu**'s cyclical net profit recovery in 2026 will be more substantial than its peers. The market's low expectations mean that any positive news could lead to a significant re-rating of the stock. Investors appreciate Mengniu's conservative approach to operating expenses and non-cash impairment loss assessments for 2025 [7][7]. Additional Notable Mentions - The call highlighted several companies of interest, including **Mengniu**, **Haidilao**, **Anta**, **Li Ning**, **Pop Mart**, and **Laopu**, among others. Each company has unique challenges and opportunities that investors are closely monitoring [8][8]. Conclusion - The overall sentiment in the China consumer sector is cautiously optimistic, with investors looking for signs of growth and recovery in specific companies. The discussions reflect a shift in focus towards future potential rather than past performance, indicating a dynamic investment landscape in the region.

Summary of the Conference Call on China Consumer Sector Outlook 2026 Industry Overview - The focus is on the **China consumer sector** with an emphasis on stock picking strategies for 2026E, balancing "value" vs "growth" investments [1][11] - Anticipation of a less inflationary environment and low expectations for immediate consumption boosts from government policies [1][11] Key Investment Themes 1. **Shift Towards Experience/Service Consumption** - Consumers are increasingly valuing emotional experiences over basic needs, seeking happiness and self-expression [2][23] - 66% of respondents in a survey indicated a willingness to spend more for special moments [23] - Notable examples include Pop Mart's affordable entertainment options and Haidilao's casual dining as social venues [2][23] 2. **Focus on Well-being** - Increased spending on wellness, including health, fitness, and nutrition [3] - Growth potential identified in sportswear (Anta), health supplements (H&H), beauty care (Mao Geping), and tourism (Atour) [3] 3. **Rising "Silver" Economy** - The aging population is creating demand for leisure and cultural experiences [4] - Industries like tourism (Atour, H World), sportswear (Anta), and health supplements (H&H) are expected to benefit [4] 4. **Emerging New Channels** - Growth in omni-channel operations and new offline channels such as membership stores and snack specialty chains [5] - Food companies like Eastroc and Nongfu are adapting to these changes [5] 5. **Multi-brand Strategy** - Industry leaders are expanding brand portfolios to meet diversified consumer demands [6] - Companies like Anta and Midea are revising growth targets to ease channel inventory pressure [6] Top Buys in Consumer Sector - **Consumer Discretionary**: Anta (2020.HK), Pop Mart (9992.HK), Haidilao (6862.HK), Atour (ATAT.O), Midea (300.HK) [1][14] - **Consumer Staples**: CR Beer (291.HK), Eastroc (605499.SS), Mao Geping (1318.HK) [1][14] Additional Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of sustainable profit growth amid a dynamic marketplace [1][11] - The analysis includes a pecking order of various consumer sub-sectors, highlighting the relative strengths of companies within those sectors [1][14] - The report also notes the potential for companies like Li Ning and Haitian to outperform in case of a better-than-expected recovery in consumption [1] Conclusion - The China consumer sector is poised for a transformation driven by changing consumer preferences towards emotional and experiential consumption, with significant opportunities identified across various industries and companies. The focus on well-being, the aging population, and the emergence of new channels are critical factors influencing investment strategies for 2026E [1][2][3][4][5][6]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report discusses the Chinese market, particularly focusing on the performance of the MXCN and CSI300 indices, which are key indicators of the Chinese equity market [2][11][13]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Market Performance**: The MXCN and CSI300 indices gained 31% and 16% year-to-date (YTD) in USD terms, ranking in the 81st and 65th percentiles respectively over the past 30 years [11][14]. - **Earnings Growth**: The I/B/E/S consensus estimates for EPS growth in 2025/26 are 4%/13% for MXCN and 15%/14% for CSI300, indicating a positive outlook for earnings in the coming years [10]. - **Sector Performance**: Materials, Pharma, and Retailing sectors performed the best YTD, while Energy and Consumer Services lagged behind [18][19]. - **Inflation Trends**: CPI inflation rose to 0.7% year-on-year in November, driven by higher food prices, while PPI inflation decreased to -2.2% year-on-year [2]. Regulatory and Policy Developments - The Central Economic Work Conference indicated a modestly pro-growth policy stance, suggesting potential easing of leverage limits for high-quality brokers [2]. - The Ministry of Commerce announced plans for licensing control on steel exports, reflecting ongoing regulatory adjustments in key industries [2]. Investment Flows - Southbound Connect recorded its first week of outflows since May, totaling -US$0.4 billion, indicating a shift in investor sentiment [2][5]. - Active mutual fund allocations in China globally moderated to 6.9%, placing it in the 18th percentile over the past decade [25]. Additional Insights - **H vs A Shares**: The A-H rotation model suggests that H shares are likely to outperform A shares in the next three months, driven by favorable economic growth and macro policy conditions [32]. - **US-China Relations**: The US-China Relations Barometer stands at 61, indicating a relatively stable relationship, which could influence market sentiment [34]. - **Retail Sentiment**: The retail sentiment proxy for A-shares is not stretched compared to previous periods of strong sentiment, suggesting room for growth [41]. Conclusion - The Chinese market shows signs of recovery with positive earnings growth forecasts and sector performance, although regulatory changes and inflation trends warrant close monitoring. The investment landscape is shifting, with notable outflows and changing fund allocations, indicating evolving investor sentiment.

Summary of Conference Call Notes Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the **China Consumer** sector, focusing on consumption trends and market dynamics in **2Q25** and the outlook for **2H25** [1][2]. Key Points and Arguments 1. **Consumption Trends**: - Demand softened in **2Q25**, with unexciting demand continuing into **3Q25**. Some categories like restaurants, sportswear, prepared food, and spirits showed minor sequential improvements in August, attributed to normalizing policy impacts [1][2]. - Companies maintain a prudent outlook due to demand uncertainty, with expectations for significant demand-side stimulus being unlikely in the near term [1]. 2. **Pricing Dynamics**: - There are downside risks to pricing in categories such as sportswear and spirits due to demand softness. The restaurant sector is experiencing intensified pricing activities driven by food delivery subsidies and market education on new categories [1][2]. 3. **Structural Growth Opportunities**: - Continued demand for experience-based consumption, particularly in IP retailers, freshly made drinks, and pet foods [2]. - Opportunities for category expansion and penetration in beverages, cosmetics, and pet foods, with companies like Laopu experiencing upward brand cycles [2]. - Overseas expansion remains a growth opportunity, especially in home appliances, despite demand uncertainties [2]. - Lower-tier cities present untapped potential for various categories [2]. 4. **Sector Preferences**: - Preferred sectors include sports brands, diversified retailers, beverages, and pet food. Least preferred sectors are apparel/footwear OEM, furniture, projectors, and non-super-premium spirits [3][8]. 5. **Stock Recommendations**: - Buy recommendations include companies like Anta, Eastroc, Midea, and WH Group, while jewelry has been upgraded to Neutral due to stabilized sentiment [8]. 6. **Market Sentiment**: - The market is showing interest in turnaround themes, with shareholder returns supporting stock prices [2]. Additional Important Content - The macroeconomic environment remains resilient, but consumption-related indicators are muted. The GS macro team anticipates limited significant demand-side stimulus due to the stable GDP numbers [1][9]. - The report highlights a divergence in performance among companies, with stronger brands gaining market share while weaker ones struggle [9]. - The conference call also touches on the impact of policy changes, including temporary interest and childbirth subsidies, which may influence consumer behavior [1]. Conclusion - The China Consumer sector is navigating a challenging landscape with softer demand and pricing pressures. However, structural growth opportunities and strategic sector preferences present potential investment avenues. The outlook remains cautious, with companies focusing on prudent strategies to manage uncertainties in demand and pricing.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Sector Focus**: The conference call primarily discusses the **AI application** and **overseas expansion** across various sectors in China, particularly in **healthcare equipment & services**, **automobiles**, and **internet and education** sectors [2][3][8]. Core Insights - **AI Adoption**: There is a significant increase in AI adoption across both new and traditional economies, with companies in sectors like automotive and online gaming targeting international markets for growth [3][8]. - **Investor Interest**: In August, the sectors that gained the most wallet share were **healthcare equipment & services**, **food & beverages**, and **semiconductors**. Conversely, **capital goods** saw the largest decline in wallet share [5][10]. - **Company Visits**: The top companies attracting investor interest included **Li Auto**, **Full Truck Alliance**, **NAURA**, and **Haidilao**, with notable performance in Q2 2025 results [3][5]. Sector-Specific Highlights - **Healthcare Equipment & Services**: This sector showed the highest wallet share gains and had a negative crowding factor, indicating strong investor interest [5][15]. - **Automotive Sector**: Companies like **Leapmotor** are planning significant sales targets for 2026, aiming for 1 million domestic and 100-150 thousand overseas sales, supported by new model launches [34][35]. - **Shipping Industry**: **COSCO Shipping** reported muted demand in a traditionally peak season, with a focus on cost control and optimizing operations through AI [31]. Additional Insights - **Game Development**: Chinese game companies are increasingly collaborating with Japanese IPs to enhance their global presence, driven by lower development costs and a lack of world-famous IP [25][26]. - **E-commerce Trends**: There is a noted acceleration in domestic ad revenue for platforms like **Kuaishou** and **Bilibili**, driven by AI improvements and new ad verticals [28]. - **Competitive Landscape in Video GenAI**: The competition among video genAI models is intensifying, with **Kuaishou** recognized as a leader in model quality and monetization strategies [29][30]. Risks and Challenges - **Macroeconomic Risks**: The industrial sector faces risks from potential economic downturns, which could impact demand for industrial goods and overall growth [36]. - **Competition**: Intense competition from both domestic and foreign enterprises poses a risk to market share for companies across various sectors [36]. Conclusion The conference call highlighted the dynamic landscape of various sectors in China, particularly the growing influence of AI and the strategic moves by companies to expand their market presence both domestically and internationally. The insights provided a comprehensive view of investor sentiment, sector performance, and the challenges ahead.

Bearish wagers on Haidilao have surged as investors scrutinize the Chinese hotpot chain’s long-term growth outlook https://t.co/GKfKw0flcy ...

Chinese hotpot restaurant chain Haidilao's reported a second consecutive drop in sales as consumers increasingly turned to cheaper food options in a slowing economy https://t.co/Urz7iEFtkq ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Retail Sector - **Key Markets**: Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia - **Investor Engagement**: Over 60 investors met during marketing trips in the past two weeks [2][3] Core Insights IP Retail Sector - **Pop Mart (9992.HK)**: - Positive feedback from consumer specialists regarding potential catalysts in its product pipeline and geographic expansion [2][3] - Management is exercising restraint with a strong new product pipeline that has not yet launched, including larger formats of Labubu and Zimomo [3] - Significant store expansion opportunities in Western markets [3] - **Miniso (MNSO.N)**: - Received broad pessimism due to intense competitive pressures and a history of earnings misses [2][3] Sportswear Sector - **Li Ning (2331.HK)**: - Share price appears to have stabilized, with limited shorting interest but not significant new buying conviction [4] - **ANTA Sports (2020.HK)**: - Generally positive views, with strong performance in FILA and outdoor segments offsetting misses in the core ANTA brand [4] - **Topsport International (6110.HK)**: - Favorable sentiment due to positive comments from Nike regarding new product initiatives [4] Dining Sector - **Haidilao (6862.HK)**: - Negative feedback due to high consensus earnings estimates and a decline in dine-in traffic attributed to aggressive food delivery discounting campaigns [4] Investment Recommendations - **Top Picks**: - **Pop Mart**: Recommended due to its rising global popularity [5] - **ANTA**: Strong demand from outdoor brands supports a buy recommendation [5] Risks and Valuation - **Key Risks for China Consumer Retail**: - Demand recovery variability, cost inflation or deflation, outcomes of reforms, and changes in competitive landscape [7] - **Valuation Methodology**: - DCF-based valuation methodology is used for Pop Mart, Miniso, Li Ning, ANTA, Topsports, and Haidilao [7] Additional Notes - **Market Sentiment**: There is a clear divergence in sentiment between specialists and generalists regarding the potential of companies in the retail sector [2][3] - **Earnings Estimates**: Concerns over high consensus earnings estimates for Haidilao indicate potential risks in the dining sector [4]