Core Viewpoint - Eight Horses Tea's IPO has received an overwhelming response, with a subscription rate of 2680.04 times and raised a net amount of HKD 390 million for expanding production facilities [3][4]. Company Overview - Eight Horses Tea was established in 1997 and has developed a comprehensive sales system combining direct sales, franchising, and online and offline channels [3]. - The company has a strong digital presence, empowering its retail stores through digital tools [3]. Financial Performance - Revenue projections for Eight Horses Tea from 2022 to the first half of 2025 are approximately CNY 1.818 billion, CNY 2.122 billion, CNY 2.143 billion, and CNY 1.063 billion respectively [3]. - Net profit for the same periods is expected to be around CNY 166 million, CNY 206 million, CNY 224 million, and CNY 120 million [3]. - The company's gross profit margins are relatively high, with rates of 53.3%, 52.3%, 55.0%, and 55.3% for the respective years [3]. Market Position and Strategy - Eight Horses Tea aims to address the "having categories but lacking brands" issue in the Chinese tea industry by implementing a "cultural elevation" strategy [7]. - The company has established a complete product matrix covering various tea types and related products, with its core brand "Eight Horses" leading in sales for several categories [7]. - The company has maintained a leading position in sales revenue for major tea categories, including Tieguanyin, Wuyi Rock Tea, and black tea [7]. Ownership and Governance - The controlling shareholders of Eight Horses Tea are members of the Wang family, with a combined voting power of 55.90% at shareholder meetings [5]. - The company has connections with the "Fujian business group," enhancing its market presence and credibility [6]. Industry Context - The traditional tea industry in China faces challenges in standardization, professionalization, branding, capitalization, and scaling [8]. - The choice to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is attributed to its flexible listing process and higher acceptance of tea companies [4].

Core Insights - Eight Horse Tea has finally moved closer to its IPO after a decade of attempts, with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange announcing its hearing on October 12 [1] - The company, founded by the Wang family, has transformed into a modern enterprise with annual revenues exceeding 2 billion yuan, focusing on popular tea varieties like Tieguanyin and black tea [1] Group 1: Business Model and Performance - As of June 2025, Eight Horse Tea operates 3,585 stores nationwide, with 3,341 being franchise stores, accounting for 93% of the total [4] - Franchisees contributed 1.09 billion yuan in sales in 2024, making up half of the total revenue, while direct stores' sales dropped to 354 million yuan, representing only 16.5% [4] - The franchise model has enabled rapid market penetration, particularly in lower-tier regions, leveraging local resources to reduce expansion costs [6] Group 2: Challenges and Risks - The extensive franchise model has led to management challenges, including quality control issues, as evidenced by complaints and lawsuits related to product expiration due to improper storage [8] - The Wang family's intricate "billion-dollar in-law network" consolidates 55.9% of voting rights, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest in decision-making [8][10] Group 3: Brand Strategy and Digitalization - Eight Horse Tea is attempting brand rejuvenation with new product lines targeting younger consumers, such as "Xinjihao" for high-end Pu'er tea and "Wanshanhong" for cold brew fruit tea [12][14] - The company's online sales have increased from 567 million yuan in 2022 to 838 million yuan, accounting for nearly 40% of total sales, indicating a growing trend among younger consumers to purchase tea online [14] - Post-IPO, Eight Horse plans to expand production facilities, open more direct stores, and enhance digital capabilities to address quality control issues [16] Group 4: Future Outlook - With an annual profit of approximately 224 million yuan, Eight Horse Tea is poised for its IPO, but it must balance franchise and direct store operations, maintain quality control, and engage younger consumers effectively to ensure long-term success [17]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Increase" rating for the industry, indicating a positive outlook for the sector in the next six months [5]. Core Viewpoints - Baima Tea, a leader in the high-end tea market, is expected to soon list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone for the company [8][9]. - The company has shown steady growth in revenue and profit margins, with 2023/2024 Q1-3 revenues of 2.122 billion and 1.647 billion yuan, representing year-on-year increases of 17% and 1% respectively [13][16]. - The tea market in China is projected to grow, with the high-end tea segment expected to outpace overall market growth, indicating a trend towards premiumization in consumer preferences [32][33]. Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The tea market in China was valued at 334.7 billion yuan in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2019 to 2023, and is expected to maintain a CAGR of 5.0% from 2023 to 2028 [32]. - The high-end tea market is projected to grow from 82.7 billion yuan in 2019 to 105.2 billion yuan in 2023, with a CAGR of 6.2% [32]. Company Performance - Baima Tea's revenue and profit margins have been consistently increasing, with gross margins reaching 55% in 2024 Q1-3 [16][19]. - The company has successfully expanded its online sales, which accounted for 34% of total revenue in 2024 Q1-3, up from 16% in 2019 [19][21]. - The number of offline stores has also increased, with total stores rising from 2,931 at the end of 2022 to 3,498 by 2024 Q3, while the proportion of franchise stores has grown significantly [25][30]. Market Trends - The report highlights a shift in consumer preferences towards high-end tea products, with Baima Tea's product sales structure showing that tea products accounted for 88% of total sales in 2024 Q1-3 [30]. - The company is focusing on enhancing its brand presence and product offerings to cater to younger consumers and women, reflecting a strategic shift in target demographics [8][9].

Group 1: Core Insights - Eight Horses Tea has submitted its prospectus for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with a maximum issuance of 29,133,400 shares and a total of 43,987,000 shares from existing shareholders to be converted for trading [1][3] - The company ranks first in the Chinese tea market by the number of specialty tea stores and in the high-end tea market by sales revenue, showcasing its strong market position [1][2] Group 2: Financial Performance - During the reporting period from 2022 to the first three quarters of 2024, Eight Horses Tea achieved revenues of 1.818 billion, 2.122 billion, and 1.647 billion yuan, with net profits of 166 million, 206 million, and 208 million yuan, respectively [2] - The company maintains a stable gross margin of 52%-55% and a net asset return rate around 24%, significantly above industry averages [2] Group 3: IPO Details - The IPO will involve a total of 73,120,400 shares available for trading, representing 25.1% of the total share capital post-IPO [3] - The company must complete the issuance and listing by July 17, 2026, or it will need to reapply [3] Group 4: Historical Context - Eight Horses Tea has attempted to go public multiple times, including plans for the SME board in 2013, New Third Board in 2015, and A-share applications in 2021 and 2023, before shifting focus to the Hong Kong market [4][5]