Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for international cosmetics and medical beauty companies [2]. Core Insights - The global beauty market is projected to grow at a rate of 4.5% in 2024, down from 8% in 2023, indicating a slowdown in growth [3][12]. - The European market outperformed the global average with a year-on-year growth of 7.5%, while the North Asia market saw a decline of 2% [3][12]. - Major international brands are facing challenges in the Chinese market, with a significant reliance on tourism retail channels, which have been underperforming [3][19]. - L'Oréal reported a 3% recovery in its Chinese market in Q2, while Estee Lauder and Shiseido continue to struggle with declining revenues [3][19]. Summary by Sections 1. Global Beauty Market Trends - The beauty market has shown a stable trend in 2024, with regional disparities in performance. The European market is robust, while North Asia is lagging [3][12]. - The overall performance of international groups is declining, with L'Oréal's growth slowing down [3][15]. 2. L'Oréal Performance - L'Oréal achieved a 3% growth in its Chinese market in Q2, despite ongoing challenges in tourism retail [3][19]. - The company's overall revenue growth for 25H1 was 1.6%, with a notable increase in operating profit by 3.1% [26][29]. 3. Estee Lauder Performance - Estee Lauder's revenue declined by 10.9% in 25H1, with the company facing significant operational challenges [3][44]. - The company has been undergoing a strategic restructuring to address its declining performance [44][48]. 4. Shiseido Performance - Shiseido's revenue fell by 7.6% in 25H1, with a focus on its ELIXIR brand for growth [3][44]. - The company is experiencing a K-shaped recovery, with some brands performing well while others struggle [3][44]. 5. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on companies with strong growth potential, such as Up Beauty and Maogeping, as well as established brands like Proya and Marubi [4][5]. - In the medical beauty sector, recommendations include Aimeike and Langzi [4].