Core Viewpoint - The competitive dynamics between Wahaha and Nongfu Spring have shifted dramatically, with Nongfu Spring recovering from a public relations crisis while Wahaha faces significant challenges [1][3]. Group 1: Market Performance - Nongfu Spring's stock price reached a three-year high of 48.2 HKD, marking an increase of over 110% from its lowest point of 22.73 HKD in September 2024, with a market capitalization exceeding 500 billion HKD [1][3]. - In contrast, Nongfu Spring's revenue from bottled water declined by 21.3% in 2024, with total revenue of 428.96 billion RMB, a mere 0.5% increase year-on-year [7][9]. Group 2: Public Relations and Reputation - The public relations crisis for Nongfu Spring began after the death of its founder, leading to a significant backlash and accusations against its founder, Zhong Shanshan, which resulted in a 51.8% drop in stock price from May to September 2024 [4][7]. - The narrative surrounding Zhong Shanshan shifted positively after the public learned about the legal disputes involving Wahaha's founder's trust assets, which contrasted sharply with Zhong's previously perceived image [8][9]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Analysts, including Citibank, have raised Nongfu Spring's target price from 38.6 HKD to 53.3 HKD, anticipating a recovery in its bottled water business by the second half of 2025 [3][9]. - The ongoing scrutiny of Wahaha's performance indicates a decline in sales, with reports of a nearly 20% drop in certain regions during peak sales seasons [9].