Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Outperform" rating to Amer Sports with a target price of $46, indicating a 22% upside potential. Anta Sports is rated "Market-Perform" with a target price of HKD 89, suggesting an 8% upside. Li Ning is rated "Underperform" with a target price of HKD 17, indicating a 16% downside potential [6][7]. Core Insights - China's sportswear market is transitioning from high-growth expansion to mature growth, with total market growth moderating to approximately 6% CAGR through 2030E. The outdoor segment is expected to maintain a structural outperformance at around 12% CAGR [1][10]. - The market is shifting from "land-grab" growth to share reallocation and premiumization, with success increasingly reliant on brand differentiation, technical innovation, and channel efficiency [1][19]. - Technical specialists are gaining market share within the outdoor category, with brands like Arc'teryx projected to increase their share from approximately 7% in 2019 to around 20% by 2025E [3][23]. Market Dynamics - The outdoor segment is now the largest category, with growth moderating to +12% YoY from a previous CAGR of 29% (2021–2025E). Apparel is leading category performance at +18% YoY, while sneakers grew +14% YoY [2][13]. - The sportswear market is expected to normalize to mid-single-digit growth through 2030E, structurally outperforming broader retail by approximately 2 percentage points annually [11][21]. - The exercising population in China is projected to reach 630 million by 2035E, supporting long-term structural demand for sportswear [11][37]. Competitive Landscape - Market share is fragmenting away from generalists toward specialized brands, with Anta maintaining approximately 21% share and Li Ning around 9% by 2030E. The "Others" category is expected to decline significantly [15][51]. - Premium brands are forecasted to hold a stable share of around 54% through 2030E, while mass brands will remain at approximately 46% [12][48]. - Brand performance is highly polarized, with technical specialists like Arc'teryx and Salomon capturing significant growth, while many established brands stagnate or decline [4][16]. Brand Performance - Top performers in 2025 include Arc'teryx (+167%), Salomon (+150%), and Descente (+84%), while established brands like Li Ning and Nike are underperforming with growth rates below the market average [4][17]. - The report highlights that premium positioning alone is insufficient for success; continuous innovation and strong local relevance are critical [18][30]. Outlook and Implications - The sector is expected to shift from category expansion to share reallocation, with winners being those who can defend premium positioning and expand into adjacent categories [19][25]. - The outdoor segment is projected to continue outpacing overall sportswear growth, with a forecasted CAGR of approximately 13% from 2025 to 2030E [22][26].

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the performance of various sectors in the Chinese consumer market, particularly focusing on e-commerce platforms like Tmall, Taobao, and JD. The overall growth across most sectors is described as muted, with specific categories showing significant declines in year-over-year (YoY) growth rates [1][12]. Category Performance - **Supplements/Infant Milk Formula/Dairy**: - Supplements grew by 9% YoY, Infant Milk Formula (IMF) by 2%, and Dairy by 1% [1][12]. - **Declining Categories**: - Beer saw a decline of 19%, Beauty products declined by 9%, Small kitchen appliances by 7%, Sportswear by 6%, and Sports shoes by 4% YoY [1][12]. - **Flat Performance**: - Pet foods and Women's clothing remained flat YoY [1][12]. Brand Performance - **Domestic vs. MNC Brands in Cosmetics**: - Multinational Corporations (MNCs) outperformed local brands in October, attributed to easier bases and favorable platform support. Estee Lauder and Kose led with 33% and 32% YoY growth, respectively [2][29]. - Local brands like Mao Geping and Botanee grew by 33% and 11% YoY, while Proya and Giant saw declines of 24% and 25% YoY [2][28][29]. Sportswear Insights - Niche MNC brands continued to outperform larger brands, with product cycles playing a significant role in performance disparities. For instance, Adidas showed solid momentum, while Nike did not perform as well [3]. - Weather-sensitive brands like Bosideng and Uniqlo experienced growth due to colder weather in Northern China [3]. Sales Recognition Practices - The growth rates for October may be distorted due to sales recognition practices related to pre-sales and returns during the Double-11 shopping festival. A combined analysis of October and November data is recommended for a clearer picture [7]. Notable Brand Performers - **Outperforming Brands**: Lululemon, Adidas, Roborock, Pop Mart, and Maogeping [8]. - **Underperforming Brands**: QuadHA, Nutrilon, Fancl, Carlsberg, and Comfy [8]. Additional Insights - The report highlights the importance of omni-channel strategies being executed by brands, indicating that online sales may not fully reflect overall performance due to offline sales channels [3]. - The performance of various categories is further detailed in the exhibits, showing YoY trends and market share changes for key brands in the infant milk formula and supplements sectors [19][20][22][25]. Conclusion - The overall consumer market in China is experiencing stagnant growth with significant variances across categories and brands. MNCs are generally outperforming local brands, particularly in cosmetics, while certain sectors like sportswear are seeing a bifurcation in performance based on brand strategies and external factors like weather.

Core Viewpoint - TIAN RUIXIANG Holdings Ltd. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire REN Talents Inc., enhancing its presence in the U.S. and European markets and diversifying its business beyond insurance services [1][3]. Company Overview - TIAN RUIXIANG Holdings Ltd. is an insurance broker based in Beijing, China, offering a variety of insurance products, including property and casualty insurance, health insurance, and life insurance [4]. - REN Talents Inc. is a creative brand agency founded in 2021, with offices in New York and Paris, specializing in brand strategy, marketing, and content development for clients in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and technology [2][5]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition involves the issuance of 3,211,010 Class A ordinary shares at a price of $2.18 per share, with the transaction expected to close around November 5, 2025 [1]. - REN Talents Inc. has worked with over 100 clients across various industries, including notable brands like ANTA, Xiaomi, and Miniso, and manages high-profile talents [2][5]. Strategic Implications - The acquisition is part of TRX's globalization strategy, aiming to integrate insurance services into consumer and lifestyle sectors, thereby creating an "Insurance + Brand + Lifestyle" ecosystem [3]. - The U.S. and Europe are identified as critical markets due to their mature financial systems and strong consumer spending, which will support TRX's growth and brand influence [3].

Core Viewpoint - TIAN RUIXIANG Holdings Ltd. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire REN Talents Inc., enhancing its international presence and diversifying its business beyond insurance services [1][3]. Company Overview - TIAN RUIXIANG Holdings Ltd. is an insurance broker based in Beijing, China, offering a variety of insurance products, including property and casualty insurance, health insurance, and life insurance [4]. - REN Talents Inc. is a global creative brand agency founded in 2021, with offices in New York, Shanghai, and Paris, specializing in brand strategy, marketing, and content development for clients in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and technology sectors [2][5]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition involves the issuance of 3,211,010 Class A ordinary shares at a price of $2.18 per share, with the transaction expected to close around November 5, 2025 [1]. - REN Talents has served over 100 clients across various industries, including notable brands like ANTA, Xiaomi, and Miniso, and manages high-profile talents [2][5]. Strategic Implications - The acquisition is part of TRX's globalization strategy, aiming to integrate insurance services into consumer and lifestyle sectors, thereby creating an "Insurance + Brand + Lifestyle" ecosystem [3]. - The U.S. and Europe are identified as critical markets for innovation, consumer spending, and branding, which will enhance TRX's global brand influence [3].

Summary of Southbound Trading Tracking for China/Hong Kong Consumer Sector Industry Overview - The report focuses on the China/Hong Kong consumer sector, specifically tracking Southbound trading activities in major Hong Kong-listed consumer stocks through the Shanghai/Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect [1][6]. Key Trends and Data - **August Performance**: - Average Southbound holdings as a percentage of free float increased by 0.8 percentage points month-over-month for the 66 major HK-listed consumer stocks eligible for Connect trading [1][6]. - For the month of August (August 1-29), 35 stocks recorded inflows, while 30 experienced outflows, and one stock showed zero net flows [2][6]. - **Year-to-Date (YTD) Performance**: - As of 2025 YTD, average net flows from Southbound trading increased by 4.3% compared to the end of 2024 [2][6]. - A total of 42 stocks have shown inflows, while 24 have shown outflows, with none showing zero net flows [3][6]. Top Stocks Analysis - **Top Five Stocks with Inflows**: - Tianli Education: 10.7 percentage points increase - Xiaocaiyuan: 10.6 percentage points increase - China Modern Dairy: 7.4 percentage points increase - H&H: 6.2 percentage points increase - Youran Dairy: 5.9 percentage points increase [9][10]. - **Top Five Stocks with Outflows**: - Hope Education: -5.0 percentage points decrease - JS Global: -3.6 percentage points decrease - Xtep: -3.1 percentage points decrease - ZHY: -2.1 percentage points decrease - Giant Biogene: -1.8 percentage points decrease [9][10]. Category Performance - During August, categories such as Beer, Apparel & Sportswear, Toys, Education, Cosmetics, Luggage, and Duty Free recorded average outflows, while other categories experienced average inflows [9][10]. - For 2025 YTD, categories including Beer, HPC (Household and Personal Care), Home Improvement, Education, and Luggage recorded outflows, while other categories had average inflows [9][10]. Additional Insights - The report highlights the importance of monitoring Southbound trading trends as they can indicate investor sentiment and potential shifts in market dynamics within the consumer sector [6][7]. - The data presented can serve as a valuable tool for investors looking to identify potential investment opportunities and risks in the Hong Kong consumer market [7][8]. Conclusion - The Southbound trading activity in the China/Hong Kong consumer sector shows a positive trend in inflows, particularly for specific stocks, while certain categories are experiencing outflows. This information is crucial for investors to make informed decisions in the evolving market landscape [1][2][3].

Summary of Southbound Trading Tracking for China/Hong Kong Consumer Sector Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China/Hong Kong Consumer** sector, specifically analyzing **Southbound trading** trends for major HK-listed consumer stocks during July 2025 and year-to-date (YTD) 2025. Key Findings 1. **Overall Trends in July 2025** - Average Southbound holdings as a percentage of free float increased by **0.8 percentage points (ppt)** month-over-month (MoM) for the **66 major HK-listed consumer stocks** eligible for Connect trading, with **35 under coverage** [1][6] 2. **Year-to-Date Performance** - Average net flows from Southbound trading were up **3.6%** compared to the end of 2024 [2][6] - A total of **41 stocks** recorded inflows, while **25 stocks** experienced outflows, and none showed zero net flows [3][6] 3. **Inflows and Outflows in July** - **27 stocks** recorded inflows, **38 stocks** recorded outflows, and **1 stock** showed zero net flows [2][6] - **Top five stocks with inflows**: - CR Beverage: **20.8ppt** increase - Xiaocaiyuan: **15.2ppt** - Chervon: **9.5ppt** - H&H: **7.3ppt** - Tianli Education: **5.9ppt** [9][10] - **Top five stocks with outflows**: - Jiumaojiu: **-5.0ppt** - CR Beer: **-3.7ppt** - Popmart: **-3.2ppt** - Xtep: **-2.9ppt** - Samsonite: **-2.8ppt** [9][10] 4. **Category Performance** - Various categories such as **Beer, Apparel & Sportswear, Agriculture, Gold, Home Appliance, Home Improvement, Toys, Education, and Luggage** experienced average inflows during July [9][10] - Categories like **Beer, HPC, Home Appliances, Home Improvement, Education, and Luggage** recorded outflows YTD 2025, while other categories had average inflows [9][10] 5. **Detailed Stock Performance** - The report includes detailed statistics on Southbound stakes as a percentage of free float for various companies, highlighting significant changes in investor interest [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] Additional Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of monitoring Southbound trading trends as they reflect investor sentiment and potential shifts in market dynamics within the consumer sector in Hong Kong and China [6][7][8]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a consistent sector preference, favoring sports brands, diversified retailers, dairy, beverages, and restaurants, while being less favorable towards apparel/footwear OEM, furniture, projectors, discretionary small kitchen appliances, jewelry, and non-super-premium spirits [11]. Core Insights - Consumption in China has shown signs of recovery, with retail sales growth improving to +4.6% year-over-year in 1Q25, and companies in the coverage reporting an average growth of 14% compared to 12% in 4Q24 [1]. - Despite the positive growth, companies remain cautious about the outlook due to ongoing volatility and external factors such as US-China tariff developments impacting consumer confidence [2][1]. - Margin performance in 1Q25 was mixed, with some companies benefiting from favorable raw material prices and cost control, while others faced risks from marketing investments and competition [1]. - Companies are generally maintaining disciplined pricing strategies and healthier inventory levels, although some categories like spirits and sportswear are experiencing challenges due to demand pressures [1]. - The impact of tariffs on earnings and consumer sentiment is significant, with companies cautious about the second half of 2025 amid uncertainties [2]. Summary by Sections Key Findings from 1Q25 Results - Retail sales growth improved to +4.6% year-over-year, with coverage companies reporting an average growth of 14% [1]. - Labor Day consumption growth accelerated, indicating a potential rebound in consumer spending [1]. Expectations for 2Q25 - Companies are cautious about the outlook for 2H25 due to tariff uncertainties, although those with market share gain opportunities may be more resilient [2]. Sector/Stock Preferences - Preferred sectors include sports brands, diversified retailers, dairy, beverages, and restaurants, while least preferred sectors include apparel/footwear OEM and furniture [11]. Macro Data Points - The report notes that macroeconomic data points are solid, but ongoing tariff developments and policy support need to be monitored [11]. Valuation Methodology - The report emphasizes the importance of understanding the valuation methodology and the potential risks associated with it [11].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a BUY rating for Anta Sports, with a target price trimmed to HK$ 119.08, based on a 24x FY25E P/E ratio [1][3]. Core Insights - The acquisition of Jack Wolfskin is viewed positively, with the acquisition price considered attractive and significant potential for expansion in the mid-priced outdoor industry and European markets [1][11]. - Despite a slight decline in retail sales growth in March-April 2025, the outlook for Q2 2025 remains cautiously optimistic due to various growth drivers [11][12]. - The company's retail sales growth in Q1 2025 was satisfactory, with improvements in inventory management and a better-than-expected profit margin [10][11]. Financial Summary - Revenue projections for FY25E are set at RMB 78,235 million, with a year-on-year growth of 10.5% [2][12]. - Net profit for FY25E is estimated at RMB 14,961.4 million, reflecting a decrease of 12.7% year-on-year [2][12]. - The earnings per share (EPS) for FY25E is projected at RMB 4.66, down from RMB 5.34 in FY24A [2][12]. Market Performance - The current market capitalization of Anta Sports is approximately HK$ 226.67 billion, with a current stock price of HK$ 83.85, indicating a potential upside of 42% to the target price [3][4]. - The stock is trading at a P/E ratio of 17x for FY25E, which is considered attractive compared to its 5-year average of 25x [1][12]. Acquisition Details - Anta Sports announced the acquisition of Jack Wolfskin for USD 290 million (approximately RMB 23.5 billion), with expected sales of EUR 325 million and adjusted EBITDA of EUR 12 million for FY25E [11][18]. - The valuation metrics for the acquisition indicate a P/S ratio of approximately 0.8x, which is lower than both Anta's group average and the global sports industry average [11][18].