Core Viewpoint - New Era Group Holdings (00166) reported a significant increase in revenue but faced substantial losses due to various operational challenges and market conditions [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenue of HKD 7.086 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 56.85% [1] - The loss attributable to shareholders was HKD 61.1 million, an increase of 145.38% compared to the previous year [1] - The loss per share was HKD 0.007 [1] Operational Challenges - The after-tax loss was primarily influenced by weak natural gas prices and a decline in production from the company's Canadian energy operations, which compressed operating profit margins and resulted in negative EBITDA [1] - Unlike the first half of 2024, which was affected by wildfires, the first half of 2025's performance was impacted by pipeline delivery restrictions from Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) and ongoing shutdowns in the Horn River Basin due to low prices and reduced production [1] Business Segments - The precious metals refining and trading business continued to incur losses, despite an increase in overall sales compared to the same period last year, due to low refinery utilization rates and intensified competition from the Middle East [1] - The company reported a net investment income of HKD 9.3 million, reversing the losses from the same period last year, driven by improved market sentiment [1]

Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs reports that Master Kong Holdings (00322) has updated its full-year guidance, now expecting sales to be flat to low single-digit growth, down from low to mid-single-digit growth previously [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The management anticipates a double-digit growth in recurring net profit, with a 12% increase in the first half of this year [1] - The latest projections for net profit in 2025 and 2026 are RMB 4.3 billion and RMB 4.6 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 15% and 9% respectively, with net profit margins improving to 5.2% and 15.8% [1] Group 2: Business Segments - The management expects the instant noodle business to return to positive growth in the second half of the year, aiming for overall positive growth for the year [1] - For beverages, the management anticipates positive growth in carbonated drinks, while the decline in non-carbonated drinks is expected to narrow [1] Group 3: Cost and Investment Strategy - The management forecasts a low double-digit increase in palm oil prices for the year, while costs for plastic (PET), sugar, and flour are expected to decrease by mid-single digits [1] - The group will continue to focus on light investments and streamline administrative expenses to enhance operating profit margins by 2026 [1] Group 4: Valuation and Ratings - The target price has been adjusted from HKD 14.6 to HKD 13.8, while maintaining a "Buy" rating [1] - Due to increased competition leading to a rise in sales management expense ratios, the recurring net profit forecasts for 2025 to 2027 have been revised down by 4% to 6% [1]

Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs reports that Master Kong's management has updated its full-year guidance, expecting sales to remain flat to low single-digit growth, down from the previous low to mid-single-digit growth forecast [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The management anticipates a double-digit growth in recurring net profit, with a 12% increase in the first half of this year [1] - The expected net profits for Master Kong in 2025 and 2026 are projected to be 4.3 billion and 4.6 billion respectively, representing year-on-year growth of 15% and 9% [1] - The net profit margin is expected to improve to 5.2% and 15.8% for 2025 and 2026 [1] Group 2: Business Segments - The management expects the instant noodle business to recover to positive growth in the second half of the year, aiming for overall positive growth for the year [1] - Positive growth is anticipated for the carbonated beverage segment, while the decline in the non-carbonated beverage segment is expected to narrow [1] Group 3: Cost and Investment Strategy - Management forecasts a low single-digit increase in palm oil prices for the year, while costs for plastics (PET), sugar, and flour are expected to decrease by mid-single digits [1] - The group will continue to focus on light investments and streamline administrative expenses to enhance operating profit margins by 2026 [1] Group 4: Adjustments and Ratings - Due to increased competition leading to a rise in sales management expense ratios, the recurring net profit forecasts for 2025 to 2027 have been revised down by 4% to 6% [1] - The target price has been adjusted from HKD 14.6 to HKD 13.8, while maintaining a "Buy" rating [1]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for Anta Sports [1] Core Insights - Anta Sports has continued the stable trend observed in the first quarter of this year, supported by healthy inventory levels and optimistic sales and performance [1] - The target price for Anta Sports has been raised from HKD 140 to HKD 142 [1] - The retail sales guidance for Anta Sports remains unchanged, with expected growth rates of high single digits for Anta, mid single digits for Fila, and over 30% for other brands [1] - The operating profit margin guidance is maintained, with expected margins of 20% to 25% for Anta, approximately 25% for Fila, and 25% to 30% for other brands [1] - Due to increased investment in MaiaActive and the planned acquisition of JackWolfskin to be completed in June, the earnings forecast for Anta Sports for 2025 to 2027 has been raised by 1% to 2% [1]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for Super Hi International Holding [2][6][14] Core Views - In Q1 2025, the company's revenue reached USD 198 million, a year-on-year increase of 5.4%, with restaurant operations contributing USD 188 million, up 4.5% YoY [3][13] - The net profit attributable to owners was USD 11.94 million, a significant turnaround from a net loss of USD 4.46 million in Q1 2024, primarily due to a reduction in net exchange losses [3][13] - The operating profit margin at the restaurant level was 4.1%, a decrease of 2.5 percentage points YoY [3][13] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are USD 880 million, USD 980 million, and USD 1.08 billion, respectively, with YoY growth of 13%, 11%, and 11% [6][14] - Net profit projections for the same period are USD 46 million, USD 53 million, and USD 66 million, representing YoY growth of 111%, 15%, and 24% [6][14] - The diluted EPS is expected to increase from USD 0.03 in 2024 to USD 0.07 in 2025, USD 0.08 in 2026, and USD 0.10 in 2027 [6][14] Operational Insights - The company had a total of 123 restaurants at the end of Q1 2025, with a net increase of 4 locations YoY [4] - The average daily sales for same-store operations in East Asia increased by 16.3% YoY, while the overall average table turnover rate improved to 4.0 times per day [4][6] Cost Structure - Material and consumable costs increased by 7.0% to USD 67 million, accounting for 34% of revenue [5] - Employee costs rose by 9.8% to USD 70 million, making up 35.3% of revenue [5] - Rental and related expenses increased by 26% to USD 6 million, representing 2.8% of revenue [5]