Core Viewpoint - Li Ning Company Limited reported steady revenue growth for the first half of 2025, with a focus on solidifying its operational foundation and business development [2][4]. Financial Performance - The company's revenue reached 14.817 billion RMB, a 3.3% increase compared to 14.345 billion RMB in the same period of 2024 [2]. - Gross profit was 7.415 billion RMB, up 2.5% from 7.236 billion RMB year-on-year, with an overall gross margin of 50.0%, down 0.4 percentage points from 50.4% [2]. - Profit attributable to equity holders was 1.737 billion RMB, down from 1.952 billion RMB in the previous year, with a profit margin of 11.7% [2]. - Basic earnings per share were 0.6743 RMB, compared to 0.7580 RMB in the same period last year [2]. - The interim dividend declared was 0.3359 RMB per share, down from 0.3775 RMB in the previous year, with a payout ratio of 50% [2]. Cash Flow Management - Net cash generated from operating activities was 2.411 billion RMB, a decrease from 2.730 billion RMB in the previous year [3]. - As of June 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled 11.798 billion RMB, an increase of 4.299 billion RMB from December 31, 2024 [3]. - The total cash balance, including fixed deposits, was 19.190 billion RMB, a net increase of 1.050 billion RMB from the end of 2024 [3]. Operational Overview - The company continued to implement its "single brand, multi-category, multi-channel" strategy, focusing on product upgrades, brand marketing, and channel optimization [4]. - Li Ning signed a partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee for the 2025-2028 period, enhancing its brand image as a supporter of Chinese sports [4]. - The company is focusing on six core categories: running, basketball, cross-training, badminton, table tennis, and sports leisure, while also exploring new segments like outdoor sports and tennis [4]. Channel Development - The company is enhancing its multi-dimensional channel network, with a total of 7,534 sales points as of June 30, 2025, a net decrease of 51 from December 31, 2024 [5]. - Retail operations are being optimized through improved market models and consumer engagement activities [5]. - The company is also focusing on digital upgrades in its new retail business to enhance operational efficiency [5]. E-commerce and Supply Chain - The company is maintaining a steady operational strategy in e-commerce, leveraging online and offline synergies to drive growth [6]. - Supply chain optimization is a priority, focusing on quality control, delivery assurance, cost optimization, and sustainability [6]. - The logistics system is being enhanced to improve efficiency and reduce costs, with the launch of a national logistics network [6]. Children's Wear Business - Li Ning YOUNG is making steady progress in product optimization, channel development, and brand marketing, with a total of 1,435 sales points as of June 30, 2025, a net decrease of 33 from December 31, 2024 [7]. Future Outlook - The company plans to continue executing its core strategy while enhancing product competitiveness and deepening cooperation with the Chinese Olympic Committee [8]. - Focus areas include improving business quality and efficiency across channels, products, and supply chains [9]. - The company aims to strengthen its foundation for growth through talent development, financial governance, and digital empowerment [9].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Li Ning with a target price of HKD 19.2 for 2025, based on a 20x PE ratio [1][4][7]. Core Insights - Li Ning's overall platform revenue (excluding Li Ning YOUNG) recorded low single-digit growth in Q2 2025, with offline channels experiencing low single-digit decline while e-commerce channels saw mid-single-digit growth [2][4]. - The growth in revenue is primarily driven by the running and fitness categories, both achieving high single-digit growth, while the basketball category faced a decline of over 20% due to market conditions [2][3]. - The company continues to optimize its channel structure, with a net decrease of 18 stores year-to-date, and plans to expand new store layouts as per strategy [3][4]. Financial Summary - Revenue projections for Li Ning are as follows: 2025E at RMB 28,698 million, 2026E at RMB 30,498 million, and 2027E at RMB 31,943 million, reflecting growth rates of 0.1%, 6.3%, and 4.7% respectively [5][12]. - The forecasted EPS for 2025 is RMB 0.88, with a decline in net profit expected to RMB 2,269 million, a decrease of 24.7% compared to the previous year [5][12]. - The gross margin is projected to remain stable around 49.2% for 2025, with a slight increase to 49.5% by 2027 [5][13].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, with a target price not specified [4]. Core Insights - The company is experiencing a steady recovery with improved sales performance, particularly in e-commerce, and is gradually emerging from a low operational period [3]. - The company focuses on enhancing operational efficiency by closing underperforming stores, resulting in a net decrease of 29 sales points in China [1]. - The company is pursuing a strategy of deepening core categories while expanding into new categories, with significant growth in running, basketball, and training segments [2]. Financial Projections - Revenue forecasts for 2025-2027 are projected at 29.5 billion RMB, 31.7 billion RMB, and 34.0 billion RMB respectively [3]. - Net profit estimates for the same period are 2.8 billion RMB, 3.0 billion RMB, and 3.2 billion RMB respectively [3]. - Earnings per share (EPS) are expected to be 1.09 RMB, 1.16 RMB, and 1.23 RMB for 2025-2027 [3]. Market Position - The company has a total market capitalization of approximately 39.29 billion HKD and a total share capital of 2,584.80 million shares [4]. - The asset-liability ratio stands at 26.90%, indicating a relatively low level of debt [4]. Sales Performance - The company reported a low single-digit growth in overall retail sales, with a 10%-20% increase in e-commerce sales [1]. - The running category saw a retail sales increase of 25% in 2024, leading the growth among core categories [2].