Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Hysan Development (14 HK), Link REIT (823 HK), and Wharf REIC (1997 HK) [5][32][32] Core Insights - Hong Kong's retail sales grew by 2.4% year-on-year in May 2025, marking the end of a 14-month decline, with expectations for a full-year decline of only 3% in 2025 [2][8] - The positive wealth effect from financial markets and an increase in visitor arrivals, which rose by 12% year-on-year to approximately 24 million in the first half of 2025, are expected to support domestic spending [2][4] - Retailers focusing on discretionary spending, such as CTF Jewellery and Sa Sa International, have shown improved sales, while mall operators like Link REIT are expected to face ongoing rental pressures despite some tenant sales resilience [3][4] Summary by Sections Retail Market Overview - Retail sales in Hong Kong turned positive in May 2025 after a prolonged decline, with a 2.4% year-on-year increase, reversing a 2.3% decline in April [2][8] - The retail market is anticipated to stabilize, with a projected narrowing of the sales decline in the second half of 2025 [2][8] Retail Performance by Category - The largest increase in retail spending was seen in Cosmetics, which rose by 8.7% year-on-year, followed by Other categories at 7.6% and Department Store Sales at 6.3% [9][13] - Certain categories, including Jewellery and Fuels, experienced declines, with Jewellery down 3.2% year-on-year [9][13] Company-Specific Insights - Hysan Development's mall portfolio is expected to benefit from the positive wealth effect, with a target price of HKD 18.60, implying a 28.3% upside from the current price [5][32] - Link REIT is projected to maintain a resilient distribution per unit (DPU) supported by lower borrowing costs and its diversified portfolio, with a target price of HKD 45.00, indicating a 6.6% upside [5][32] - Wharf REIC is also rated as a "Buy," with a target price of HKD 30.00, reflecting a 33.0% upside, driven by expected growth in tourist spending [5][32]

Core Insights - Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both earnings and sales exceeding expectations, leading to a 17.5% increase in share price during after-market trading [1][5]. Financial Performance - Earnings per share reached $1.16, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents, marking a 78.5% increase year-over-year [5]. - Total net sales increased by 10.7% year-over-year to $1,329.5 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $1,286 million [5]. - The Retail segment's comparable sales grew by 4.8%, with notable increases in sales from both digital and physical stores [6]. Segment Performance - The Wholesale segment saw a significant 24.2% year-over-year growth in net sales, driven by a 25.6% increase in Free People's wholesale sales [7]. - Nuuly, the women's apparel subscription rental service, experienced a 59.5% increase in net sales, attributed to a 52.9% rise in average active subscribers [7]. Margin and Cost Insights - Gross profit rose by 19.8% year-over-year to $489.1 million, with gross margin expanding by 278 basis points to 36.8% [8][9]. - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by 8.1% year-over-year to $360.8 million, primarily due to higher marketing costs and store payroll expenses [10]. Operational Highlights - Operating income increased by 71.8% to $128.2 million, with the operating margin rising by 340 basis points to 9.6% [11]. - The company opened 13 retail locations during the quarter, including two Urban Outfitters and two Anthropologie stores [12]. Financial Health - As of April 30, 2025, URBN had cash and cash equivalents of $189.4 million and total shareholders' equity of $2.43 billion [14]. - The total inventory grew by 14.6% year-over-year, with the Retail segment's inventory increasing by 13.2% [14]. Future Outlook - For the fiscal second quarter, Urban Outfitters anticipates total company sales growth in the high-single-digit range, with the Retail segment expected to see mid-single-digit growth [18]. - The company plans to open 64 stores and close 17 in fiscal 2026, with a capital expenditure of $240 million [21].