Core Insights - The beauty industry in China is experiencing a significant performance divergence among leading companies, with a notable emphasis on quality improvement amidst a deep industry adjustment [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Performance - In the first half of 2025, retail sales of cosmetics in China increased by 2.9% year-on-year, with domestic brands capturing over 55% market share [2]. - Exports of cosmetics surged by 12% to 25.8 billion yuan, indicating strong overseas growth potential [2]. Group 2: Leading Companies - Leading companies like Proya, Mao Geping, and Shangmei continue to excel, while others like Huaxi Biological and Fulejia are lagging behind [2]. - Proya reported revenue of 5.362 billion yuan, a 7.21% increase, and a net profit of 799 million yuan, up 13.8% [4]. - Mao Geping achieved a revenue of 2.588 billion yuan, with a remarkable growth rate of 31.3%, and a net profit of 670 million yuan, reflecting a 36.1% increase [5]. - Shangmei's revenue reached 4.108 billion yuan, growing by 17.3%, with a net profit of 556 million yuan, up 34.7% [5]. - Juzhi Biological reported revenue of 3.113 billion yuan, a 22.5% increase, and a net profit of 1.182 billion yuan, up 20.2% [5]. Group 3: Underperforming Companies - Huaxi Biological reported a significant decline, with revenue dropping nearly 19.57% to 2.261 billion yuan and net profit falling 35.38% to 221 million yuan [6]. - Fulejia's revenue decreased by 8.15% to 863 million yuan, with a net profit decline of 32.54% to 230 million yuan, largely due to increased marketing expenses [9][11]. Group 4: Second-Tier Companies - Second-tier companies like Shanghai Jahwa, Marubi, and Shuiyang are showing improved performance [13]. - Shanghai Jahwa's revenue was 3.478 billion yuan, up 4.8%, with a net profit of 270 million yuan, increasing by 11.7% [14]. - Marubi achieved revenue of 1.769 billion yuan, a 30.83% increase, but net profit growth was only 5.21% [14]. - Shuiyang reported revenue of 2.5 billion yuan, a 9.02% increase, and a net profit of 123 million yuan, up 16.54% [14].

Core Viewpoint - The beauty industry in China is experiencing a significant performance divergence among leading companies, with a notable increase in quality, as evidenced by the half-year reports of domestic beauty brands [2]. Group 1: Leading Companies Performance - Leading beauty companies such as Proya, Mao Geping, and Shangmei continue to outperform, while Huaxi Biological and Fulejia are lagging behind [2][4]. - Proya reported a revenue of 5.362 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.21%, and a net profit of 799 million yuan, up 13.8%. However, its main brand experienced a slight revenue decline of 0.08% [5][6]. - Mao Geping, known as the "first stock of high-end domestic beauty," achieved a revenue of 2.588 billion yuan, with a net profit of 670 million yuan, both showing over 30% growth. The gross margin reached 84.2% [6]. - Shangmei's revenue was 4.108 billion yuan, growing 17.3%, with a net profit of 556 million yuan, up 34.7%. The "newpage" brand saw a revenue increase of 146.5% [6][7]. - Juzhi Biological reported a revenue of 3.113 billion yuan, a 22.5% increase, and a net profit of 1.182 billion yuan, up 20.2%, although growth rates have slowed compared to the previous year [7]. Group 2: Underperforming Companies - Huaxi Biological, referred to as the "first stock of hyaluronic acid," reported a revenue decline of 19.57% to 2.261 billion yuan and a net profit drop of 35.38% to 221 million yuan, marking its worst interim report since listing [9]. - The decline in Huaxi's revenue is attributed to a significant drop in its functional skincare business, which saw a 31.62% year-on-year decrease in 2024 [9]. - Fulejia's revenue was 863 million yuan, down 8.15%, with a net profit of 230 million yuan, a decrease of 32.54%. The company faced a substantial increase in sales expenses, which rose by 39.56% [11][12]. Group 3: Second-Tier Companies - Second-tier beauty companies such as Shanghai Jahwa, Marubi, and Shuiyang are showing improved performance [13][14]. - Shanghai Jahwa achieved a revenue of 3.478 billion yuan, a 4.75% increase, and a net profit of 266 million yuan, up 11.66%, attributed to online channel growth [15]. - Marubi reported a revenue of 1.769 billion yuan, a 30.83% increase, but its net profit only grew by 5.21%, indicating a potential profitability challenge [15][16]. - Shuiyang's revenue reached 2.5 billion yuan, a 9.02% increase, with a net profit of 123 million yuan, up 16.54%. The company is transitioning to a global high-end beauty brand management model [16].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Add" [4] Core Views - The company reported a strong revenue growth of 30.83% year-on-year, reaching 1.769 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, but the net profit growth was lower than expected, increasing by only 5.21% to 186 million yuan [1][12] - The online channel showed impressive growth with a revenue increase of 37.85%, accounting for 88.87% of total revenue, while the offline channel faced challenges with a revenue decline of 7.07% [1][2] - The company is transitioning from a traditional cosmetics enterprise to a biotechnology cosmetics company, focusing on technological research and development, which enhances its competitive edge in the beauty market [11][12] Revenue and Profitability - In Q2 2025, the company achieved a revenue of 923 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 33.53%, but the net profit decreased by 23.08% to 51 million yuan [1] - The gross margin slightly decreased to 73.28% in Q2 2025, while the net margin fell significantly to 5.51% due to increased marketing expenses [3][10] - The company plans to maintain its previous profit forecasts, expecting net profits of 411 million yuan, 476 million yuan, and 537 million yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with corresponding EPS of 1.03, 1.19, and 1.34 yuan per share [12][15] Channel and Product Strategy - The main brand, Marubi, generated 1.250 billion yuan in revenue, a 34.36% increase year-on-year, while the second brand, PL, achieved 516 million yuan, up 23.87% [2] - The company is focusing on a big product strategy, concentrating on core products to build a synergistic product matrix [2][11] Financial Forecast - The company is projected to have a revenue of 3.612 billion yuan in 2025, with a growth rate of 21.62%, and a net profit of 411 million yuan, reflecting a growth rate of 20.40% [12][15] - The price-to-earnings ratio is expected to decrease from 49.57 in 2024 to 41.17 in 2025, indicating a more attractive valuation over time [15]

Core Insights - The company reported a revenue of 1.769 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 30.83% [1] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 186 million yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 5.21% [1] - The company plans to distribute a cash dividend of 2.50 yuan for every 10 shares to all shareholders [1] Financial Performance - The company's cash flow from operating activities increased by 97.41% year-on-year [1] - Online channels accounted for 88.87% of total revenue, driving the overall performance [1] - The overall gross margin remained stable at 74.60% [1] Brand Performance - The "Marubi" brand generated revenue of 1.250 billion yuan, up 34.36% year-on-year [1] - The "Lianhuo" brand achieved revenue of 516 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 23.87% [1] Research and Development - R&D expenses reached 40.6958 million yuan, an increase of 13.53% year-on-year [1] - The company developed multiple innovative recombinant functional proteins and launched new products like the "Super Mask" [1] - A total of 25 new patent applications were filed, bringing the total authorized patents to 365, including 255 invention patents [1] Strategic Initiatives - The company adopted a "multi-platform collaboration and refined operation" strategy, achieving user growth and sales efficiency [2] - The flagship store on Tmall saw core product sales account for 73%, with member transaction amounts increasing by 28% [2] - The brand's search index on Douyin increased by 72.07% due to the "planting and harvesting" strategy [2] - Digital transformation efforts included the launch of a product operation system and MES system, creating a closed-loop system for business data and intelligence [2] Future Outlook - The company aims to continue focusing on the beauty and health sectors, strengthening R&D barriers and promoting multi-brand and multi-channel collaborative development for sustainable growth [2]

Core Insights - The domestic beauty industry in China is entering a phase of deeper development, with market competition shifting from channel expansion to R&D innovation and precise positioning [1][2] - The performance of domestic beauty companies shows significant divergence, reflecting the competitive landscape and the impact of consumer awareness and purchasing power on functional skincare products [1][3] Company Performance - Shanghai Jahwa reported revenue of 3.48 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%, and a net profit of 270 million yuan, up 11.7% [2] - Marubi achieved revenue of 1.769 billion yuan, a 30.83% increase, with a net profit of 186 million yuan, growing by 5.21% [2] - Up Beauty Holdings expects revenue between 4.09 billion and 4.11 billion yuan, a growth of 16.8% to 17.3%, with net profit projected between 540 million and 560 million yuan, an increase of 30.9% to 35.8% [2] Market Trends - The functional skincare market in China is projected to reach approximately 48.743 billion yuan in 2024, with Betaini holding an 11.71% market share at 5.707 billion yuan [3] - The sensitive skin market is becoming a hot sector, with an expected consumer base nearing 100 million and a market size of around 45 billion yuan, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 21.7% over the past three years [4] Innovation and Consumer Demand - There is a growing emphasis on "skin-specific care" rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, with brands focusing on personalized solutions for different skin types [5] - The sensitive skin market faces challenges in achieving effective and gentle whitening solutions, as traditional ingredients often irritate sensitive skin [5] - Brands that can address advanced needs such as whitening and anti-aging while ensuring scientific validation will be better positioned to capture market share in this expanding sector [5]

Core Insights - The company reported a revenue of 1.769 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 30.83% [1] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 186 million yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 5.21% [1] - The net cash flow from operating activities saw a significant increase of 97.41% year-on-year [1] - A cash dividend of 2.50 yuan per 10 shares is proposed for all shareholders [1] Revenue Growth Drivers - The online channel accounted for 88.87% of total revenue, serving as the main driver for growth [2] - The "Marubi" brand generated 1.250 billion yuan in revenue, up 34.36% year-on-year, while the "Lianhuo" brand achieved 516 million yuan, growing by 23.87% [2] - The overall gross margin remained stable at 74.60% [2] R&D and Innovation - R&D expenses reached 40.6958 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 13.53% [2] - The company successfully established a yeast expression platform and developed several innovative recombinant functional proteins, including the launch of the "Super Mask" [2] - A total of 25 new patent applications were filed, bringing the cumulative authorized patents to 365, including 255 invention patents [2] - The establishment of the Zhuhai Hengqin laboratory supports cutting-edge life science research [2] Digital Transformation and Multi-Platform Strategy - The company adopted a "multi-platform collaboration and refined operation" strategy, achieving user growth and sales efficiency on platforms like Tmall and Douyin [3] - The Tmall flagship store's top 5 core products accounted for 73% of sales, with member transaction amounts increasing by 28% year-on-year [3] - Douyin's brand search index improved by 72.07% due to a "seed and harvest" strategy [3] - Digital initiatives included the launch of a product operation system and MES system, creating a closed-loop system for "business dataization - data intelligence" [3] - The company aims to continue focusing on beauty and health, strengthening R&D barriers and promoting multi-brand and multi-channel collaborative development for sustainable growth [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the cosmetics and medical beauty sector, particularly highlighting companies like Shiseido and Up Beauty for their strong performance and growth potential [12][14]. Core Insights - The cosmetics and medical beauty sector underperformed the market during the week of August 1 to August 8, 2025, with the Shenwan Beauty Care Index growing by 1.7%, which is lower than the overall market performance [5][6]. - There is a notable divergence in the performance of domestic beauty brands in July, with strong growth observed in skincare brands like Han Shu and Marubi, while color cosmetics lagged due to weather and promotional timing [11][12]. - Up Beauty's H1 2025 performance exceeded expectations, with revenue projected between 4.09 to 4.11 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 16.8% to 17.3% [12][13]. Summary by Sections Industry Performance - The Shenwan Cosmetics Index increased by 1.3%, underperforming the Shenwan A Index by 0.6 percentage points, while the Shenwan Personal Care Index rose by 4.2%, outperforming the Shenwan A Index by 2.3 percentage points [5][6]. - The top-performing stocks in the sector included Up Beauty (+18.4%), Reliable Shares (+13.7%), and Lafang Home (+11.3%) [7]. Key Company Updates - Up Beauty's H1 2025 earnings report indicated a significant profit increase, with net profit margins improving due to optimized channel structures and a higher proportion of high-margin brands [12][13]. - Shiseido reported a 7.6% decline in sales for H1 2025, marking the largest drop in five years, with a notable decrease in the Chinese market [24]. E-commerce Insights - In July 2025, domestic beauty brands showed varied performance on major e-commerce platforms, with Han Shu achieving a 58% increase in GMV on Douyin, while color cosmetics faced challenges [20][21]. - The overall retail sales of cosmetics in June 2025 saw a decline of 2.3%, attributed to the pre-promotion of the 618 shopping festival [21][24]. Market Trends - The report highlights a shift in market dynamics, with domestic brands gaining market share against international competitors, particularly in the skincare segment [34][35]. - The Chinese skincare market is projected to reach 271.2 billion yuan in 2024, despite a 3.7% decline in growth [34][35].

Group 1 - The stock price of Marubi Biotechnology closed at 40.04 yuan on July 30, 2025, down 0.15% from the previous trading day, with a trading volume of 0.87 billion yuan and a turnover rate of 0.54% [1] - Marubi Biotechnology operates in the beauty care industry, focusing on anti-aging eye products, with main brands "Marubi" and makeup brand "PL Love Fire" [1] - The company is transitioning towards the biotechnology sector by restructuring its collagen research and plans to expand into the medical beauty and healthcare industries [1] Group 2 - Marubi Biotechnology has commenced construction of a Class III medical device pilot base in Zhuhai International Health Port, focusing on the research and industrialization of recombinant collagen [1] - The company has set a ten-year research plan aiming to obtain a registration certificate for injectable recombinant collagen Class III medical devices by 2026 [1] - In 2024, the company plans to invest 73.54 million yuan in research and development, employing 94 research personnel [1] Group 3 - On July 30, 2025, the net outflow of main funds for Marubi Biotechnology was 12.24 million yuan, accounting for 0.08% of the circulating market value [2]

Core Viewpoint - The domestic beauty brand market in China is experiencing strong growth, driven by increasing consumer recognition and confidence in local brands, as stated by the CEO of Marubi Biotechnology during the 2024 annual and Q1 2025 earnings presentation [1] Financial Performance - Marubi Biotechnology achieved a net profit attributable to shareholders of 342 million yuan for the fiscal year 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 31.69%, while the net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses was 327 million yuan, up 73.86% year-on-year [1] - In Q1 2025, the company reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of 135 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 22.07%, with the net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses at 134 million yuan, up 28.57% year-on-year [1] - The stock price of Marubi Biotechnology has increased by over 150% since September 2024, with a closing limit up on May 15 [1] Strategic Transformation - The company has undergone a strategic transformation from a traditional beauty enterprise to a biotechnology beauty company, as indicated by the renaming of its stock from "Marubi Co., Ltd." to "Marubi Biotechnology" in 2024 [2] - Marubi Biotechnology emphasizes the importance of biotechnology in its current and future operations, particularly in the development and industrial application of key technologies such as recombinant collagen protein [2] Research and Development - In 2024, Marubi Biotechnology was recognized as a "National Research Center for Recombinant Functional Protein Technology," conducting 20 specialized studies on recombinant functional proteins throughout the year [2] - The company has made significant advancements in the development of various types of recombinant collagen proteins and has filed for 10 invention patents related to key technologies [2] Industry Trends - The beauty industry is witnessing accelerated penetration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and smart manufacturing, which are driving industry upgrades [3] - Consumer demand is becoming more diverse and personalized, leading to higher expectations for quality, efficacy, and added value in beauty products and services [3] Sales and Distribution Strategy - Marubi Biotechnology is pursuing a multi-channel collaborative development strategy, with its brands already present in duty-free stores and actively exploring other channel opportunities [3]

Group 1 - The beauty industry in China is witnessing a shift in the top 10 revenue rankings, with Proya leading at 10.778 billion, marking a significant milestone as the first domestic beauty brand to surpass 10 billion in revenue [1][8] - The entry of Mao Geping into the top 5 and the drop of Shanghai Jahwa from the top 10 indicates a dynamic change in the competitive landscape [1][3] - The revenue threshold for entering the top 10 has increased to nearly 2.5 billion, reflecting a more competitive environment compared to previous years [1] Group 2 - The top five companies have experienced a turnover, with companies like Shiseido and Juzhibio showing over 30% growth, while others like Huaxi and Beitaini have faced declines or stagnant profits [3] - Proya's main brand revenue ceiling has been raised to 8.581 billion, with a notable gap of nearly 3 billion between it and the next highest brand [8] - Han Shu has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 5 billion in revenue, reaching 5.591 billion with an impressive growth rate of 80.9% [8] Group 3 - Online sales channels are crucial for the success of domestic beauty brands, with Proya, Shiseido, and Water Sheep achieving over 90% of their revenue from online sales [14] - Despite the strong online performance, the offline sales channels have seen a decline, with companies like Mao Geping and Shiseido managing to achieve double-digit growth in offline sales [15][14] - The overall sales structure indicates a need for brands to balance their online and offline strategies to sustain growth [11] Group 4 - Research and development (R&D) investments among the top 10 companies have increased, with total R&D spending rising from 1.559 billion to 1.753 billion [19] - Companies like Huaxi and Beitaini are leading in R&D expenditures, with Huaxi investing 466 million, representing 8.68% of its total revenue [19][20] - The competitive landscape is evolving, with an emphasis on scientific innovation and new product development becoming essential for maintaining market position [21][22] Group 5 - The beauty industry is expected to face challenges in 2024, with increased competition and a more complex market environment [21] - The competitive dynamics are shifting, as companies like Shiseido leverage innovative marketing strategies to secure their positions [22] - The future of the industry will require continuous evolution and adaptation from all players to remain relevant and competitive [23]