Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the contrasting performance of two beverage companies targeting young consumers in the Hong Kong stock market: Mixue Ice City and Helen's. While Mixue Ice City has shown significant growth post-IPO, Helen's has faced substantial declines in revenue and profitability, raising concerns about its business model sustainability in a competitive market. Group 1: Financial Performance - Mixue Ice City achieved a revenue growth of 22.29% in 2024, reaching 24.83 billion yuan, with a net profit increase of 41.41% to 4.44 billion yuan [1] - Helen's reported a revenue of 0.752 billion yuan in 2024, a significant decline of 37.8%, with alcohol beverage revenue dropping over 54% [3][5] - Helen's net profit for 2024 was a loss of 0.078 billion yuan, marking a stark contrast to its previous profitable years [3] Group 2: Market Position and Strategy - Helen's has expanded its store count to 579 by adding 81 new stores in 2024, with a significant portion located in lower-tier cities [5] - The company has shifted from a direct ownership model to a partnership model, indicating challenges in maintaining its previous direct control strategy due to rising costs [5] - The average daily sales per store have declined, with direct and franchise stores averaging 7,000 yuan, down 300 yuan year-on-year [5] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The small bar segment, where Helen's operates, has become increasingly competitive, with traditional breweries and new market entrants diluting its customer base [7] - Helen's price advantage is being eroded by competition from convenience store cocktails and craft beer bars, leading to a loss of its unique selling proposition [7] - The company's market capitalization has plummeted over 90% from its peak, reflecting investor concerns about its future viability [1][8] Group 4: Investor Sentiment - Helen's stock price has seen a drastic decline from its initial listing value of 31.88 yuan to just 1.50 yuan, indicating a loss of investor confidence [8] - The removal of Helen's from the Hong Kong Stock Connect list in March 2024 further underscores the waning trust in its business model [10]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a significant shift in fund managers' investment strategies towards the Hong Kong consumer sector, driven by extreme undervaluation and a strong demand for reallocation after a period of severe sell-off in consumer stocks [1][2][6]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The recent IPO of major milk tea brands like Gu Ming and Mi Xue Bing Cheng has sparked renewed interest in the Hong Kong consumer market, with Mi Xue Bing Cheng achieving a record subscription amount of HKD 1.83 trillion, reflecting a 5266 times oversubscription [2][4]. - Fund managers are increasingly optimistic about consumer stocks, as evidenced by the dramatic price increases of stocks like Nai Xue's Tea, which surged over 80% in just two days following the IPO news [2][3]. Group 2: Fund Manager Behavior - Fund managers have been actively reallocating their portfolios, moving from technology stocks to consumer stocks, as they seek to balance their positions and capitalize on the emerging opportunities in the consumer sector [5][6]. - The article notes that many previously high-weighted consumer stocks have been sold off to the point of being excluded from major fund portfolios, indicating a significant shift in investment focus [4][5]. Group 3: Valuation and Future Expectations - The decline in consumer stock valuations at the end of last year, exacerbated by the tech sector's performance, has created a favorable environment for fund managers to invest in consumer stocks, anticipating a rebound in consumer demand by 2025 [6][7]. - Fund managers are focusing on companies with solid fundamentals and attractive valuations, particularly in traditional consumer sectors like liquor, home appliances, and brand-name Chinese medicine, as they expect improved performance in the consumer market [7][6].