Topsports International Holdings (SEHK:06110) H1 2026 Earnings Call October 22, 2025 09:00 PM ET Company ParticipantsHuijing Zhang - VPQiang Zhang - VPRebecca Zhang - Head of Investor RelationsWu Yu - CEOConference Call ParticipantsSammy Wang - AnalystWei Xiaopo - AnalystDustin Wei - Research AnalystNone - Analyst 1Wu YuWe continue to stabilize the business. You can say that now, besides the price, we can also see that value has already become a key focus of the majority of the consumers. Whereas, you can s ...

Financial Performance and Key Indicators - Overall revenue declined by 5.8% to RMB 12.3 billion, with retail business down by 3% and wholesale business down by 20.3% [3][5] - Gross profit margin decreased by 0.1% to 41%, while total expenses decreased by 5.5%, leading to a slight increase in expense ratio to 33.2% [5][9] - Net profit declined by 6% on a worldwide basis, with a net profit rate of 6.4%, reflecting a slight reduction of 0.3% [9][13] Business Line Performance - Core brand sales revenue decreased by 4.8% to RMB 10.8 billion, while other brand sales revenue declined by 12.2% to RMB 1.4 billion, primarily affected by lifestyle sports brands [3][5] - Online sales discounts have increased, contributing to a rise in online channel sales but negatively impacting overall gross profit margin [4][5] Market Data and Key Indicators - The textile and apparel industry grew by 2.5%, slightly faster than the previous year, but the recovery pace was lower than the total social consumer goods retail sales growth [15] - Consumer segmentation in the sports industry has become more diverse, with a shift towards specialized vertical interest communities [16][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Topsports is committed to advancing its core strategy, focusing on omnichannel retail agility and operational efficiency [2][17] - The company aims to enhance its role within the industrial ecosystem by expanding brand partnerships and optimizing operational capacities [2][17] - Future strategies include reinforcing expansion into emerging scenarios and high-potential areas, with a focus on product R&D and operational lean management [17][34] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management acknowledges the challenging external environment but remains optimistic about achieving planned performance [2][34] - The company is focused on maintaining a flat net profit for fiscal year 2026, with an improved net profit rate [49] - Management emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing consumer behaviors and market dynamics [30][34] Other Important Information - Free cash flow was RMB 1.22 billion, with a dividend payout of RMB 868 million, representing 34% of the beginning cash [13][15] - The company has reduced its employee headcount by 16% worldwide, contributing to cost efficiency [6][7] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future of Nike in China and partnership strategies - Management acknowledges Nike's investment in the offline channel and ongoing negotiations to optimize store operations and reduce costs [36][37] Question: Sustainability of brand support and order placements - Management believes that as a key partner, Topsports will continue to receive strong support from brands, despite a decrease in orders [47][48] Question: Outlook for H2 of fiscal year and product orders from Nike - Management expects to fulfill full-year guidelines and maintain a healthy inventory level, with 70% to 80% of products being new [49][50] Question: Development plans for Aptus - Aptus is positioned as a social infrastructure for runners, focusing on community engagement and brand collaborations [51][52]

Financial Performance and Key Indicators - Overall revenue declined by 5.8% to RMB 12.3 billion, affected by weak consumer demand and flight traffic fluctuations [4] - Retail business revenue decreased by 3% year-over-year [4] - Wholesale business revenue declined by 20.3% [5] - Gross profit margin declined by only 0.1 percentage points to 41% despite deeper discounting [7] - Total expenses decreased by 5.5%, with expense ratio slightly increasing to 33.2% [7] - Net profit declined by 6% year-over-year, with net profit rate at 6.4% [11] Business Line Performance - Core brand sales revenue decreased by 4.8% to RMB 10.8 billion, while other brand sales revenue declined by 12.2% to RMB 1.4 billion [5] - Specialized vertical brands performed best, particularly in comprehensive sports and live sports categories [5] Market Data and Key Indicators - The textile and apparel industry grew by 2.5%, but the recovery pace was slower than the overall retail sales growth [20] - Consumer segmentation in the sports industry has become more diverse, with a shift towards specialized vertical interest communities [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on refining its omni-channel retail agility and operational efficiency [2] - Plans to expand brand partnerships and enhance product R&D to capture segmented demand [22] - Emphasis on building a digital intelligence strategy to improve operational efficiency [23] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management remains optimistic about the second half of the fiscal year, aiming for flat net profit and improved net profit rate year-over-year [70] - The company acknowledges challenges in the market but is committed to fulfilling its performance guidelines [70] Other Important Information - Free cash flow was RMB 1.22 billion, representing 1.5 times the net profit for the same period [19] - The company maintains a robust cash generation capacity, with a dividend payout ratio consistent with the previous year [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future of Nike in China and partnership strategies - Management noted that Nike's recovery in China is slower than in other markets, and they are supportive of Nike's initiatives to reduce discounts and invest in offline channels [48][49] Question: Sustainability of brand support - Management believes that as a major partner, they will continue to receive strong support from brands, especially in challenging market conditions [65] Question: Outlook for H2 and next fiscal year - Management is committed to fulfilling full-year guidelines and expects net profit to be flat with an improved net profit rate year-over-year [70] Question: Product order breakdown and discount updates - Approximately 70% to 80% of Nike products are new, and the discount rate has stabilized [71][72] Question: Actos project and its future development - Actos is evolving into a community hub for running enthusiasts, emphasizing social interactions and brand collaborations [75][76]

Core Insights - DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. (DKS) is focusing on digital transformation as a primary growth driver, enhancing its position as a leading omnichannel player in the sports industry [1][9] - The GameChanger platform and Dick's Media Network are crucial for generating long-term digital revenue streams [1][9] Digital Strategy - GameChanger acts as a high-margin growth engine, achieving 7.4 million unique users and 5.5 million monthly users in Q2 of fiscal 2025, reflecting a 16% year-over-year increase [2][9] - Dick's Media Network leverages customer data and loyalty programs to enhance retail media capabilities [2] Technology Investments - DKS is investing significantly in technology to create a seamless omnichannel experience, which is expected to increase engagement across digital platforms [3] - The company offers access to top-tier products from both national and emerging brands, enhancing demand and sell-through rates [3] Market Performance - DICK'S Sporting is experiencing broad-based growth in key categories such as footwear, apparel, team sports, and golf, driven by strong consumer demand and brand partnerships [4] - Management reports that customers are shopping more frequently and spending more per trip, indicating healthy engagement across demographics [4] Financial Performance - DKS shares have increased by 2.2% year-to-date, while the industry has risen by 5.2% [7] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for DKS is 15.3X, compared to the industry average of 17.89X [8] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DKS' fiscal 2025 and 2026 earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 2.4% and 6.5%, respectively [10] - Current estimates for fiscal 2025 and 2026 EPS are stable, with a consensus of 14.39 and 15.33, respectively [11]

Core Viewpoint - JD Sports has released its interim results, prompting a reassessment of the investment case for the British-based retailer, which also owns the Hibbett chain [1] Group 1 - The interim results of JD Sports indicate the company's current financial performance and market position [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a positive comparable sales growth in Q2, with mid-single digits comp growth for new stores opened in the past couple of years [4][5] - E-commerce sales accelerated by nearly 18% in Q2 compared to Q1, indicating a strong performance in the online segment [5] - Gross margin increased by 30 basis points year-to-date, attributed to effective merchandising strategies [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The introduction of the Jordan brand has contributed to double-digit growth in the combined Nike and Jordan categories, with Jordan being a significant contributor [12] - The company has expanded its Nike assortment, increasing the square footage dedicated to Nike products by 10-15% in stores [21] - The company has seen a mid-teens acceleration in sales from customers earning over $100,000 annually, indicating a shift towards higher-income consumers [7][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Traffic from the lowest income quintiles (under $50,000) has declined in the high single digits, while the middle income quintile remains stable [6][7] - The company has successfully attracted higher-income customers, with a notable increase in sales from those making over $100,000 [7][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to sustain top-line growth and positive comparable sales through strategic initiatives and investments in new stores and e-commerce [27][33] - The focus remains on providing value, with a commitment to maintaining competitive pricing despite potential tariff impacts [28][29] - The company is exploring new brand partnerships and expanding its product offerings to enhance customer engagement and drive sales [25][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the consumer's resilience and the company's positioning to benefit from trade-down behavior among consumers [44][45] - The company anticipates that tariff impacts will become more pronounced in the second half of the year, but believes it can manage these challenges effectively [44][45] - There is a belief that the initiatives currently in place are gaining traction and will lead to sustained comparable sales growth [27][40] Other Important Information - The company has successfully pulled forward inventory to mitigate tariff impacts, resulting in an 8% increase in inventory dollars and a 4.5% increase in units on a per-store basis [50][52] - The capital allocation strategy includes share buybacks and investments in store expansion, with a focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet [42][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for the environment in the second half of 2025? - Management expects the environment to remain the same, with potential for low single-digit inflation and resilient consumer behavior [44] Question: Have there been any elasticity responses to price increases? - The company has observed no unit erosion for certain items despite price increases, while some categories experienced unit fall-off when crossing price thresholds [46][47] Question: What are the expectations for inventory growth into the second half? - The company has pulled forward inventory and expects to manage inventory growth effectively, guiding for 20 to 25 new stores for the full year [50][51] Question: How does the company view margins outside of tariff costs? - Management sees upside opportunities in supply chain efficiencies and has implemented a new warehouse management system to improve operations [54][56] Question: What is the outlook on market share consolidation? - Management believes market share consolidation may accelerate, particularly among companies with weaker balance sheets facing tariff pressures [57]

Core Insights - DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. (DKS) reported strong second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with both sales and earnings exceeding expectations and improving from the previous year [1][2] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $4.38, slightly up from $4.37 year-over-year, and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.29 [3] - Net sales amounted to $3.65 billion, a 5% increase year-over-year, exceeding the consensus estimate of $3.59 billion, driven by robust comparable sales and transaction growth [4] - Consolidated comparable sales grew by 5% year-over-year, supported by a 4.1% increase in average ticket and a 0.9% rise in transactions, reflecting strong two-year and three-year comp stacks of 9.5% and 11.5%, respectively [5] Margin and Expenses - Gross profit increased by 5.9% year-over-year to $1.35 billion, surpassing the estimate of $1.31 billion, with gross margin expanding by 33 basis points to 37.1% due to improved merchandise margins and occupancy cost leverage [6][9] - Adjusted selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses rose by 9.9% year-over-year to $864 million, with an adjusted SG&A expense rate of 23.7%, up 110 basis points from the previous year [7] Strategic Initiatives - Management raised the full-year fiscal 2025 guidance, projecting net sales between $13.75 billion and $13.95 billion, compared to $13.4 billion in the previous fiscal year, and expects comparable sales growth of 2-3.5% [14][15] - The company is progressing towards the acquisition of Foot Locker, Inc., valued at approximately $2.5 billion, which is expected to be accretive to earnings per share post-close and deliver $100-$125 million in cost synergies [13] Capital Management - DICK'S Sporting ended the fiscal second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.2 billion and total debt of $1.5 billion, with no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility [10] - The company repurchased 1.4 million shares for $299 million in the 26 weeks ended August 2, 2025, and paid quarterly dividends totaling $196 million during the same period [11][12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a consolidated sales increase of 5% to $3.65 billion for Q2 2025, with comparable sales (comps) also increasing by 5% [16][11] - Gross profit for Q2 was $1.35 billion, representing 37.06% of net sales, an increase of 33 basis points from the previous year [17] - Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $4.38, slightly up from $4.37 in the previous year [19] - The company ended Q2 with approximately $1.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with no borrowings on its $2 billion unsecured credit facility [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened one additional House of Sport location in Q2 and plans to open 13 more in Q3, marking the highest number of openings in a single quarter [12] - The e-commerce business continues to grow faster than the overall company, driven by a strong product pipeline and app engagement [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to gain market share from online-only and omni-channel retailers, with a two-year comp stack of 9.5% and a three-year comp stack of 11.5% [16] - The average ticket increased by 4.1%, while transactions rose by 0.9% in Q2 [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on four strategic pillars: differentiated product assortment, omni-channel athlete experience, teammate experience, and deep engagement with the Dick's brand [10] - The pending acquisition of Foot Locker is expected to create a global leader in the sports retail industry, enhancing partnerships with leading sports brands and expanding the total addressable market [7][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business's resilience and the effectiveness of long-term strategies, raising full-year comp sales growth expectations to 2% to 3.5% [21] - The company is navigating a complex macroeconomic environment, including tariff impacts, while maintaining strong consumer demand and sales momentum [38][21] Other Important Information - The company anticipates closing the Foot Locker acquisition on September 8, 2025, and is enthusiastic about the strategic benefits it will bring [7] - The company is investing in digital and in-store initiatives to position itself for long-term growth, with a focus on enhancing the athlete experience [18][21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on Foot Locker acquisition and revitalization plans - Management sees a tremendous opportunity with Foot Locker and plans to invest in stores and marketing to turn the business around, with more details expected in the Q3 call [34][33] Question: Impact of tariffs on demand and pricing - Management reported strong performance despite tariff impacts, with surgical price increases and no significant demand slowdown observed [38][36] Question: Consumer behavior and category performance - Management noted broad-based growth across all key segments, with no signs of consumer slowdown, and highlighted the importance of innovation in driving sales [41][42] Question: Gross margin expectations - Management expects gross margin to expand for the full year, driven by product assortment quality and strategic investments, despite balancing various economic factors [73][72] Question: Game Changer performance - Game Changer continues to perform well with 7.4 million unique active users in Q2, and the integration with Dick's Media Network is enhancing personalization and engagement [80][81] Question: Private brands and tariff impacts - Management did not provide specific details on private brand performance but acknowledged ongoing discussions with brand partners regarding pricing strategies in light of tariffs [122]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a consolidated sales increase of 5% to $3.65 billion for Q2 2025, with comparable store sales (comps) also increasing by 5% [16][11] - Gross profit for Q2 was $1.35 billion, representing 37.06% of net sales, an increase of 33 basis points from the previous year [17] - Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $4.38, slightly up from $4.37 in the previous year [19] - The company raised its full-year comp sales growth expectation to a range of 2% to 3.5%, up from a prior expectation of 1% to 3% [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened one additional House of Sport location in Q2 and plans to open 13 more in Q3, marking the highest number of openings in a single quarter [12] - The e-commerce business continues to grow faster than the overall company, driven by a strong product pipeline and app engagement [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to gain market share from online-only and omni-channel retailers, with a two-year comp stack of 9.5% and a three-year comp stack of 11.5% [16] - There was broad-based strength across key categories, including footwear, apparel, team sports, and golf, with no signs of consumer slowdown [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strategic investments in digital, in-store, and marketing to position itself for long-term growth [21] - The pending acquisition of Foot Locker is expected to create a global leader in the sports retail industry, enhancing partnerships with leading sports brands and expanding the total addressable market [7][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the complex macroeconomic environment, including tariff impacts, while maintaining strong sales momentum [36][21] - The company is optimistic about the future growth potential of both DICK'S and Golf Galaxy businesses, as well as the opportunities presented by the Foot Locker acquisition [14] Other Important Information - The company ended Q2 with approximately $1.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with no borrowings on its $2 billion unsecured credit facility [19] - The company expects to incur preopening expenses in the range of $65 million to $75 million for the full year, primarily in Q3 [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on Foot Locker acquisition and revitalization plans - Management sees a tremendous opportunity with Foot Locker and plans to invest in stores and marketing to revitalize the business [32][33] Question: Impact of tariffs on demand and pricing - Management reported strong performance despite sporadic price increases, indicating that consumers are responding well [36] Question: Consumer behavior and potential slowdown - Management noted no signs of consumer slowdown, with growth across all key segments [39] Question: Gross margin expectations - Management expects gross margin to expand for the full year, balancing various factors including tariffs and strategic investments [70][71] Question: Game Changer performance - Game Changer continues to perform well with 7.4 million unique active users in Q2, indicating strong growth [78] Question: Private brands performance and tariff impacts - Management did not provide specific details on private brands but acknowledged the impact of tariffs on cost of goods sold [122]

Core Viewpoint - Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. is enhancing its merchandising, RFID technology, and operational capabilities to achieve more consistent performance amid fluctuating sales trends. The positive outlook is supported by Telsey Advisory Group analyst Cristina Fernández, who has raised the price forecast from $58 to $65 while maintaining an Outperform rating [1]. Group 1: Operational Improvements - The company is focusing on supply chain enhancements, e-commerce, marketing, loyalty programs, and customer data management [2]. - Key hires, including Chad Fox as Chief Commercial Officer and Sumit Anand as Chief Information Officer, are expected to advance the company's infrastructure and online capabilities [3]. - New warehouse and inventory systems are being implemented to improve truckload efficiency over time [3]. Group 2: Marketing and Customer Engagement - The loyalty program enrollment is currently low but has the potential to enable personalized marketing as it grows [4]. - The "Fun Can't Lose" marketing campaign launched for summer targets young families and includes a broader social media reach and new Nike products [4]. - Recent store tours indicated enhancements in merchandise assortment and in-store experience [4]. Group 3: Merchandise and Sales Performance - Academy has significantly upgraded its merchandise assortment, particularly through an expanded Nike product offering and the successful launch of the Jordan brand in 145 stores, which accounts for about 50% of total locations [5]. - The deployment of RFID scanners has improved inventory location efficiency, leading to better conversion and sales [6]. - Despite a forecasted decline in comparable sales of 2.0%, the expanded product range and effective inventory management are seen as positive factors [7][9]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The analyst forecasts 2025 EPS of $5.85, slightly above the FactSet consensus of $5.83, while projecting a mixed picture for sales trends amid inconsistent consumer spending [7]. - Significant improvements in merchandise offerings and a clear strategy to counteract tariff effects are noted, although the timing for a positive sales turnaround remains uncertain [8].