Core Insights - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the significant slowdown in the growth of Proya, a leading domestic beauty brand, with a notable decline in both revenue and net profit in the third quarter, raising concerns about its marketing-heavy strategy and lack of technological innovation [1][3][16]. Financial Performance - In the first three quarters, Proya achieved revenue of 7.098 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.89%, and a net profit of 1.026 billion yuan, up 2.65%. However, these growth rates have significantly slowed compared to the first half of the year [3][5]. - The third quarter saw a dramatic decline, with revenue dropping 11.63% year-on-year to 1.736 billion yuan and net profit plummeting 23.64% to 227 million yuan, marking a rare double-digit negative growth for the company [3][5]. - The main brand, Proya, reported a slight revenue decrease of 0.08% in the first half, which is the first negative growth in five years, indicating a troubling trend for the brand that contributes over 74% of total revenue [5][9]. Marketing and R&D Expenditure - Proya's sales expense ratio reached a historical high of 49.66%, meaning nearly half of every 100 yuan in revenue is spent on marketing, while R&D expenses accounted for only about 2% of revenue, highlighting a significant imbalance [1][7][9]. - In the first half of 2025, Proya's sales expenses amounted to 2.659 billion yuan, with a sales expense ratio of 49.59%, which did not improve in the third quarter [7][9]. - The company’s R&D expenses were only 141.89 million yuan in the first three quarters, representing about 2% of revenue, which is significantly lower than other domestic beauty brands and international giants [9][12]. Market Position and Consumer Behavior - Proya's attempt to transition to high-end products has been met with challenges, as consumer preferences are shifting towards medical beauty solutions rather than high-priced skincare products [1][16]. - The brand's reliance on low-margin categories like hair care to maintain growth reflects a weakening competitive position in its core skincare segment, which accounts for 78.31% of revenue [5][12]. - The average selling price of skincare products decreased by 1.37% year-on-year, indicating a need to lower prices to drive sales [6][9]. Corporate Governance and Market Reactions - Proya's announcement of its application for a Hong Kong listing raised questions about its financial health, especially given the frequent turnover of senior executives, including the resignation of the financial head just three months before the listing plan [1][19]. - The market reacted negatively to the listing news, with Proya's A-share price dropping over 4% following the announcement [19]. - Notably, Proya's executives and shareholders have collectively cashed out over 5 billion yuan, equivalent to the company's total net profit from 2016 to the third quarter of 2024, raising concerns about the company's commitment to its growth strategy [19].