Core Viewpoint - The decline in newborn numbers from 17.86 million in 2016 to approximately 9 million in 2024 poses a significant challenge for the maternal and infant industry, leading to growth limitations for key players like Kidswant [1] Company Performance - Kidswant's performance has been under pressure since its 2021 IPO, with both revenue and net profit declining in 2022, and revenue growth without profit increase in 2023. A net profit of 181 million yuan was achieved in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 72.44%, largely due to the acquisition of Leyou International, which contributed 105 million yuan to net profit [1] - The company initiated a "three expansion strategy" in 2023, focusing on expanding product categories, market segments, and business formats to counteract growth stagnation [1] Strategic Acquisition - The acquisition of Siyi Industrial is a key move for Kidswant, as it aims to penetrate the hair care market. Siyi, established in 2014, operates 2,503 stores and has over 2 million members, showcasing strong financial performance with 2024 revenue of 723 million yuan and a net profit of 183 million yuan, reflecting a net profit margin of 25.3% [1] - The acquisition is designed to leverage overlapping customer bases, with 78% of Kidswant's 94 million members being mothers aged 25-45, aligning well with Siyi's target demographic [2] Financial Engineering - Kidswant's acquisition strategy involves holding 65% of Siyi and bringing in partners like Juzhi Biotechnology and the founders to share ownership, which helps bind industry resources while alleviating financial pressure. The initial funding of 660 million yuan includes 429 million yuan from Kidswant's raised funds, with the remaining 990 million yuan financed through loans, resulting in a leverage ratio of 1:2.85 [3] - The estimated valuation based on 2024 net profit suggests a price-to-earnings ratio of 9, which is below the average for the consumer sector and significantly lower than the assessed value [3] Market Concerns - Following the announcement of the acquisition, Kidswant's stock price dropped by 6.33%, raising concerns about the high assessment increase rate of 583.35% without performance guarantees. The company attributes this to intense bidding and the original shareholders exiting management [3] - The integration challenges are significant, as 93% of Siyi's stores are franchises, complicating standardization and management for Kidswant [3] Industry Outlook - The acquisition reflects Kidswant's proactive strategy to navigate the industry's downturn, with the success of this venture hinging on the effective implementation of synergies. The personal care market is projected to reach 81.25 billion yuan by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%, indicating a dissolving boundary between maternal and personal care sectors [4]