Summary of Li Ning (2331.HK) Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Li Ning Company Limited - **Industry**: Sportswear Key Points 1. Downbeat 2H Outlook - Management expressed a pessimistic outlook for the second half of 2025, citing worse-than-expected retail performance in July and August, including a year-over-year increase in retail discounts and declining offline traffic compared to the second quarter [1][2][3] 2. Financial Guidance - The company maintained its full-year guidance for 2025, expecting flat sales growth year-over-year with a high single-digit net profit margin (NPM). This implies a wider year-over-year decline in net profit in the second half compared to the first half of 2025 [1][3] 3. Selling Expenses - Management anticipates a substantial rise in selling expenses both year-over-year and half-over-half due to back-end loaded advertising and promotional (A&P) expenses and increased staff costs in the second half [1][3] 4. Gross Profit Margin (GPM) Pressure - The company expects GPM to decline year-over-year in 2025 due to weaker retail sales and higher-than-expected retail discounts, with a worsening trend observed from the second to the third quarter [2][3] 5. Sales Performance by Category - In the first half of 2025, footwear sales (56% of group sales) grew by 5% year-over-year, while equipment/accessories (9% of group sales) rose by 24%. However, apparel sales fell by 3% year-over-year. Notably, basketball retail sales declined by 20% year-over-year [7] 6. Margins by Channels - In the first half of 2025, gross profit margins for direct retail, e-commerce, and wholesale channels were in the low-60s, mid-50s, and mid-40s respectively, reflecting a decline due to increased retail discounts [4][6] 7. Long-term Strategy - Despite the financial pressures in the second half, the company's long-term strategy to invest in branding and focus on professional categories remains unchanged [3] 8. Risks - Key upside risks include improved consumer confidence in China and lower-than-expected industry discounting. Downside risks involve volatile sales growth, competition with foreign brands, and execution risks in the mass market segment [9] 9. Valuation - The target price for Li Ning shares is set at HK$18.10, based on a 17x 2025E P/E, reflecting a 40% discount to Nike's historical trading P/E due to lower earnings visibility [8] 10. Market Position - The sector ranking remains: Anta (Buy) > Topsports (Buy) > Li Ning (Buy), indicating a competitive landscape within the sportswear industry [1] Additional Insights - The company is facing significant challenges in the current retail environment, with management's cautious tone reflecting broader industry trends in China. The focus on professional products and branding may provide a buffer against short-term volatility, but execution will be critical in navigating the competitive landscape.

HNI Corporation Overview - HNI Corporation's TTM (Trailing Twelve Months) revenue is $2.53 billion[8] - HNI Corporation's TTM Non-GAAP EBITDA is $322.7 million[8] - HNI Corporation's 2024 Cash Dividends totaled $63.6 million[8] - HNI Corporation's five-year average free cash flow is $137 million, exceeding $3.00 per share[8] Workplace Furnishings Segment - HNI expects total savings of $80-$85 million compared to 2022, with $45-$50 million benefiting 2025 and 2026, equating to $0.70-$0.80 of incremental EPS[6,34] - HNI anticipates KII (Kimball International) synergies to reach $60 million by the end of 2026, more than double the initial projection from mid-2023[6,34] - HNI expects total net savings from the Mexico facility ramp to reach $20-$25 million by the end of 2026[6,34] - HNI expects total savings of $11 million by the end of 2026 from Hickory consolidation, which are included in KII synergies[6,34] - Industry shipments remain 12% below pre-COVID levels[57,58] - 2024 industry volume (adjusted for pricing actions/inflation) is approximately 35% below 2019 levels[57,58] Residential Building Products Segment - Approximately 20-25% of HNI's new home business flows through its vertically-integrated installing distribution model[67] - 61% of all mortgage rates are below 4%, creating a "lock-in" effect that is positive for future remodel/retrofit activity[75]