Core Viewpoint - Proya Cosmetics has submitted an IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to become the largest domestic cosmetics group in China with a dual listing [6][7]. Group 1: Company Overview - Proya was founded in 2003 by Hou Junchen and his brother-in-law Fang Youyou, and has emerged as a leading domestic brand in the face of competition from international giants [6][13]. - The company achieved a revenue of 107.8 billion yuan in 2024, becoming the first domestic cosmetics brand to surpass the 100 billion yuan mark [6][18]. - Proya's stock price has increased from 15.3 yuan per share at its IPO in 2017 to around 70 yuan recently [7]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Proya's revenue from 2022 to 2025 is reported as follows: 63.85 billion yuan (2022), 89.05 billion yuan (2023), 107.78 billion yuan (2024), and 53.62 billion yuan in the first half of 2025 [18]. - The company's profit for the same periods was 8.31 billion yuan (2022), 12.31 billion yuan (2023), 15.85 billion yuan (2024), and 8.26 billion yuan in the first half of 2025 [18]. - However, in Q3 2025, Proya's revenue fell to 17.36 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 11.63%, marking the lowest growth in five years [19]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - Proya has launched a mid-term dividend plan, proposing to distribute 8 yuan per 10 shares, totaling approximately 315 million yuan, which is the highest mid-term dividend ratio since its listing [6][18]. - The company is focusing on a "Double Ten Strategy" to enter the top ten global cosmetics companies within the next decade, with plans for acquisitions and international expansion [23]. - Proya is actively pursuing a dual listing in Hong Kong to enhance its international financing capabilities and support overseas market expansion [23]. Group 4: Market Position and Trends - Proya's online sales have surged, with online revenue accounting for 95.06% of total sales by 2024, reflecting a significant shift towards e-commerce [14][20]. - The company has adopted a "big single product strategy" to upgrade its product line, with successful products like the Ruby Essence and Dual Anti-Aging Essence [14][15]. - The brand has also positioned itself as a scientific skincare leader, investing heavily in R&D, with expenditures of 1.28 billion yuan, 1.74 billion yuan, and 2.1 billion yuan over recent years [15]. Group 5: Leadership Transition - The next generation of leadership is emerging, with Hou Junchen's son, Hou Yameng, taking over as general manager in September 2024, marking a significant transition for the company [22]. - The management changes and performance fluctuations have led to a decline in Proya's stock price, which has dropped over 13% since the beginning of the year [23].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the growth and strategic developments of Proya Cosmetics, highlighting its recent IPO application and significant financial milestones, including its entry into the "100 billion club" in revenue, and the introduction of a substantial dividend plan [5][13]. Group 1: Company Overview - Proya Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Hou Junchen and his brother-in-law Fang Youyou, and has emerged as a leading domestic beauty brand in China [5][8]. - The company achieved a revenue of 107.8 billion yuan in 2024, becoming the first domestic beauty brand to surpass the 100 billion yuan mark [13]. - Proya's stock price has increased from 15.3 yuan per share at its IPO in 2017 to around 70 yuan recently [6]. Group 2: Business Strategy and Growth - Proya adopted a "rural encircling cities" strategy to differentiate itself from international brands, focusing on third and fourth-tier cities [8]. - The company successfully transitioned to e-commerce, with online sales accounting for 95.06% of its revenue by 2024 [9][15]. - Proya introduced a "big single product strategy" in 2020, focusing on high-demand products like the Ruby Essence and Dual Anti-Aging Essence, which align with the rising trend of ingredient-focused skincare [9][10]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Proya's revenue from 2022 to 2025 shows a growth trajectory with figures of 63.85 billion yuan, 89.05 billion yuan, and 107.78 billion yuan, but a decline is noted in 2025 with a revenue of 17.36 billion yuan in Q3, down 11.63% year-on-year [13][14]. - The main brand's growth has stagnated, with a slight decline of 0.08% in the first half of 2025, contrasting with previous growth rates of 37.46%, 36.36%, and 19.55% [13]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Leadership Transition - The company is entering a new era with the succession of Hou Junchen's son, Hou Yameng, who has been appointed as the general manager, indicating a shift towards a new generation of leadership [17]. - Proya aims to become one of the top ten global cosmetics companies within the next decade, with plans for international expansion and potential acquisitions [18]. - The company is actively pursuing an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to enhance its international financing capabilities [18].

Core Viewpoint - Proya, a leading Chinese cosmetics company, is preparing for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to become the first company in the beauty industry to be listed in both A-share and H-share markets, despite facing challenges such as declining performance and market value [1][2][3] Company Overview - Proya Cosmetics Co., Ltd. has submitted its listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with CICC and UBS serving as joint sponsors [1] - The company was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in November 2017, becoming the first domestic beauty stock [1] - Proya is currently the largest domestic cosmetics company in China, ranking fifth in the Chinese cosmetics market by retail sales as of 2024 [3][4] Financial Performance - Proya's revenue is projected to grow significantly, with estimates of approximately CNY 63.85 billion, CNY 89.05 billion, and CNY 107.78 billion from 2022 to 2024, respectively [4] - Net profit is also expected to increase from CNY 8.31 billion in 2022 to CNY 15.85 billion in 2024 [4] - However, in the first half of 2025, Proya's revenue growth slowed to 7.2%, with net profit growth at 13.8%, marking the lowest growth rates in five years [4][6] Strategic Initiatives - Proya's growth strategy includes a focus on "big single product" and "platformization," shifting from relying on popular product sets to developing high-priced, high-repeat purchase star products [3][4] - The company aims to enhance its research and development capabilities, brand building, sales channel expansion, and potential mergers and acquisitions through the funds raised from the IPO [2] Market Dynamics - The Chinese cosmetics market is the second largest globally, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2024 to 2029, driven by the rise of domestic brands and changing consumer preferences [7][8] - Proya faces intense competition from both international giants and emerging domestic brands, necessitating a balance between marketing and research and development [8][9] Challenges and Considerations - Proya's main brand revenue showed a slight decline of 0.08% in the first half of 2025, which has impacted overall performance [6] - The company has a high sales and distribution expense ratio, with sales expenses reaching CNY 26.59 billion, nearly 27 times its R&D spending of CNY 9.5 million [8][9] - The cosmetics industry is characterized by low entry barriers and high competition, requiring continuous investment in marketing and innovation to maintain market share [9] Investment Outlook - Proya is positioned in a growing market with strong operational capabilities, benefiting from both industry growth and its own competitive advantages [10] - However, investors should be cautious of the main brand's stagnation, the underperformance of its product matrix, and high sales expense ratios that may pressure profitability [10]

Core Viewpoint - Proya, a leading Chinese cosmetics company, is preparing for an IPO in Hong Kong, aiming to become the first A+H listed beauty brand, despite facing challenges such as declining performance and market value [1][2] Company Overview - Proya Cosmetics Co., Ltd. has submitted its listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with CICC and UBS as joint sponsors [1] - The company was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in November 2017, becoming the first domestic beauty stock [1] - Proya is currently the largest domestic cosmetics company in China and ranks fifth in the overall cosmetics market by retail sales [2][3] Financial Performance - Proya's revenue is projected to grow significantly, with estimates of approximately CNY 63.85 billion, CNY 89.05 billion, and CNY 107.78 billion from 2022 to 2024, respectively [3] - Net profit is also expected to rise from CNY 8.31 billion in 2022 to CNY 15.85 billion in 2024 [3] - However, in the first half of 2025, revenue growth slowed to 7.2%, with net profit increasing by 13.8%, marking the lowest growth rate in five years [3][5] Strategic Initiatives - Proya has implemented a "big single product" strategy, focusing on high-repurchase, high-user-engagement products, and a platform strategy to build a multi-brand matrix [2][3] - The company has successfully captured market trends through effective marketing strategies, including social media and live-streaming e-commerce [2] Market Dynamics - The Chinese cosmetics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2024 to 2029, driven by the rise of domestic brands and changing consumer preferences [6][7] - Proya faces intense competition from both international giants and emerging domestic brands, necessitating a balance between marketing and research and development (R&D) [6][8] R&D and Marketing Expenditure - In the first half of 2025, Proya's sales and distribution expenses reached CNY 26.59 billion, accounting for 49.59% of total revenue, while R&D spending was only about CNY 95 million [7][8] - The company’s heavy reliance on marketing over R&D raises concerns about long-term sustainability and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market [8] Investment Outlook - Proya is positioned well in the growing cosmetics market, benefiting from both industry trends and its operational capabilities [9] - However, challenges such as stagnant growth of the main brand and high sales expense ratios may impact profitability, warranting careful consideration from investors [9]

Core Viewpoint - Proya is initiating a Hong Kong listing to enhance its international strategy and overseas business development, aiming to increase its financing capabilities and support future global acquisitions [3][4]. Financial Performance - In the first three quarters of 2025, Proya achieved a 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% [3][4]. - The revenue for the first half of 2025 was 5.4 billion yuan, maintaining a leading position in the domestic beauty market [3][4]. - Proya's revenue growth from 2019 to 2024 was as follows: 32.28%, 20.13%, 23.47%, 37.82%, 39.45%, and 21.04% respectively, with net profit growth rates of 36.73%, 21.22%, 21.03%, 41.88%, 46.06%, and 30% [4]. Market Position and Competition - Proya is currently the leading domestic cosmetics brand, but faces increasing competition from brands like Maogeping, Shangmei, and others, making it challenging to maintain its market position [4][5]. - The phenomenon of Proya having the highest revenue but a declining stock price is attributed to concerns over its main brand's performance, leading to significant institutional investor withdrawals [3][4]. Research and Development Focus - Proya plans to use funds raised from the Hong Kong listing to enhance its R&D, brand building, and overseas market expansion [4][5]. - The company's R&D expenditure has been relatively low, hovering around 2%, with 2022 R&D expenses at 128 million yuan [4][5]. - Competitors like Huaxi Biological and Betaini have significantly higher R&D expenditure rates, indicating a potential area for Proya to improve [4][5].

Core Insights - Natural Hall, a domestic beauty brand, has officially submitted its IPO application, with Huatai International and UBS Group as joint sponsors [1] - The company is facing challenges such as slower growth compared to competitors and over-reliance on a single brand, leading to a "mid-life crisis" [2] Financial Performance - Natural Hall aimed for an 18% annual revenue growth but has not met this target in the past three years, with revenue growth rates of 7.2% from 2022 to 2024 [5] - Revenue figures for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024 were 4.29 billion, 4.44 billion, and 4.60 billion respectively, with a 6.4% year-on-year growth in the first half of 2025 [5] - The gross profit margin has shown a steady increase, reaching 70.1% in the first half of 2025, indicating strong pricing power and cost control [5] Profitability Issues - Net profit figures from 2022 to 2024 were 147 million, 302 million, and 190 million, with a significant 37.1% decline in net profit for 2024 [6] - The first half of 2025 saw a net profit of 191 million, reflecting a 7.3% year-on-year increase, indicating a phase of recovery [7] Brand Dependency - Natural Hall heavily relies on its main brand, which accounted for 94.9% of revenue in the first half of 2025, raising concerns about concentration risk [9] - The company has five brands, but the main brand's revenue dependency is significantly higher than competitors like Proya and Shiseido, which are also working on developing new brands [9] Market Position and Competition - Natural Hall is the third-largest domestic cosmetics group in China, with a strong brand presence established over nearly 25 years [2][3] - The company faces stiff competition from Proya, which has successfully launched high-selling products and achieved over 10 billion in revenue in 2024, while Natural Hall has struggled to create similar blockbuster products [11] Channel Strategy - Natural Hall has been focusing more on offline channels, with online revenue increasing from 59.7% in 2022 to 68.8% in the first half of 2025, while offline revenue has been declining [12] - The company plans to leverage its extensive offline network, which includes over 40,000 points of sale, to enhance brand experience and service [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - Proya Cosmetics Co., Ltd. is undergoing significant leadership changes aimed at enhancing research innovation, internationalization, and digitalization strategies to achieve its goal of becoming a top ten global cosmetics company in the next decade [2][6][12]. Leadership Changes - Proya has appointed Wang Yifeng as the new head of product development and vice general manager of incubated brands, marking the third high-level personnel change this year [2][4]. - Since the appointment of Hou Yameng as general manager in September 2022, Proya has seen a net addition of four new executives while two long-standing members have departed [4][8]. - The new hires include key figures focused on research and digitalization, such as Sun Peiwen as Chief R&D Innovation Officer and Hu Ningbo as Chief Digital Officer [5][6]. Strategic Focus - The recent appointments are closely aligned with Proya's strategic vision, emphasizing research innovation, internationalization, and digitalization [2][6]. - Proya has upgraded its talent requirements from "execution and expertise" to "learning ability, collaboration, and self-drive," aiming to attract cross-industry talent with backgrounds in internet and fast-moving consumer goods [2][6]. Organizational Structure - Proya's organizational structure has been adjusted to focus on brand or business-led project teams, with R&D, branding, supply chain, and digitalization as four key platforms [9][10]. - The company has made seven organizational adjustments since its listing, with the most significant changes occurring during the second board term [10]. Financial Performance - Proya's revenue growth has accelerated, with reported revenues of 6.385 billion yuan in 2022 and 8.9 billion yuan in 2023, reflecting year-on-year growth rates of 37.8% and 39.5%, respectively [12]. - The company's net profit also saw substantial increases, reaching 820 million yuan in 2022 and 1.19 billion yuan in 2023, with growth rates of 41.9% and 46% [12]. - Marketing expenses have risen significantly, with annual sales expenses reported at 1.992 billion yuan, 2.786 billion yuan, and 3.972 billion yuan from 2021 to 2023, indicating a focus on marketing strategies [12].

Core Insights - The article highlights the launch of the "High-Quality Consumption Observation" series by Southern Metropolis Daily, focusing on nine popular consumption sectors including beauty economy, sports and outdoor, food and health, smart consumer electronics, pet economy, experience economy, interest consumption, cross-border e-commerce, and consumption technology [1] - The report indicates a significant growth trend in the beauty and personal care market, particularly in the skincare segment, with a year-on-year retail sales increase of 4.4% in May and 4.1% from January to May [1] - The article emphasizes the shift towards efficacy-driven skincare products, with consumers increasingly demanding solutions for specific skin issues, leading to a notable rise in sales for products like sunscreen and hair care [1][12] Industry Trends - The beauty industry is witnessing a rise in "ingredient-focused" marketing, with brands emphasizing core ingredients to meet consumer demands for efficacy [11][25] - The competition in the high-end cosmetics market is intensifying, with international brands re-entering the Chinese market and dominating sales rankings during major promotional events like the 618 shopping festival [30][31] - Online sales channels have surpassed 50% of the market share in the cosmetics industry, with brands increasingly relying on e-commerce platforms for revenue growth [22][24] Brand Performance - Notable brands such as Proya and Han Shu have reported significant revenue growth, with Proya achieving over 10.7 billion yuan in 2024, while Han Shu's sales on Douyin reached 6.7 billion yuan [35][36] - The article mentions that brands like Huaxi Biological and Juzhibio have seen substantial revenue increases, with Juzhibio's revenue growing by 57.2% to 5.54 billion yuan in 2024 [7][33] - The performance of brands is increasingly tied to their ability to innovate and effectively market their products, particularly in the context of ingredient transparency and efficacy claims [11][25] Consumer Behavior - Consumers are becoming more rational in their purchasing decisions, focusing on product efficacy, ingredient transparency, and value for money, which is pushing brands to invest more in research and development [25][26] - The demand for specific skincare solutions, such as anti-aging and repair products, is driving growth in niche markets within the beauty sector [12][25] - The rise of content-driven e-commerce, including live streaming and social media sales, is reshaping how beauty brands engage with consumers and drive sales [24][30]

Summary of Conference Call Records Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the new consumption sector, focusing on industries such as daily chemicals, personal care, and health products, which are entering a product upgrade cycle with strong sustainability [1][5]. Key Points and Arguments - **New Consumption Drivers**: The current wave of new consumption is driven by product renewal and innovation rather than relying on traffic purchases. Companies need stronger content marketing capabilities and market insight, making innovation a key competitive factor [1][3]. - **Market Characteristics**: The new consumption market is characterized by a shift from functional needs to emotional value needs, with traditional products being revamped to meet these new demands [4][5]. - **Market Volatility**: Recent fluctuations in the new consumption market are considered normal after significant growth phases. The current cycle is less elastic compared to the previous one, with a focus on replacing and upgrading existing products [3][6]. - **Valuation Metrics**: Most new consumption companies have a PEG ratio between 1 and 1.3, indicating they may be slightly overvalued. However, there is potential for valuation recovery as risk appetite increases [7]. - **Impact of Shareholder Actions**: Shareholder sell-offs do not necessarily indicate a peak in stock prices, as they can be influenced by various factors. As long as risk appetite remains stable and innovation cycles continue, the new consumption sector still has growth potential [8]. Industry Trends - **Sustained Innovation**: Industries such as beauty, snacks, gold and jewelry, trendy toys, and tea drinks are expected to maintain high-frequency innovation, while stable categories like daily chemicals and personal care are entering a more robust upgrade cycle [5][9]. - **Investment Recommendations**: Traditional growth companies in sectors like beverages and beer are recommended for investment due to their lower valuations and higher cost-effectiveness. Emerging growth companies like Ruoyuchen and Jingbo Biological are also highlighted for their innovative capabilities [2][10]. Potential Investment Opportunities - **Specific Companies**: In the cosmetics sector, companies like Juzhi Biological and Runben Co. are noted for their stability and growth potential. In the food and beverage sector, companies such as Yanjinpuzi and Weilong Food are performing well, with others like Bailong Chuangyuan and Three Squirrels also identified as promising investments [11]. Conclusion - The new consumption sector may experience a consolidation phase, but this does not imply an end to growth. Traditional growth companies may outperform during this period, suggesting a need for dynamic adjustments in investment strategies to optimize returns [12].

Core Viewpoint - In 2024, Proya achieved a revenue of 10.778 billion yuan, becoming the first beauty company in China to enter the "100 billion club" [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Proya's new general manager, Hou Yameng, has set a strategic goal to enter the top ten global cosmetics companies within ten years [2] - From 2017 to 2024, Proya's revenue grew from 1.783 billion yuan to 10.778 billion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.31% [5] - However, Proya's growth rate has shown signs of slowing down, with revenue growth rates dropping from 39.45% in 2023 to 21.04% in 2024 [5][6] Group 2: Market Challenges - The slowdown in growth is attributed to the overall decline in the beauty industry and the saturation of core brands [6] - Proya's main brand accounted for nearly 80% of total revenue in 2024, but its growth rate decreased significantly, from 36.36% in 2023 to 19.55% in 2024 [7] - The brand "Caitang," acquired in 2019, only contributed about 10% to total revenue in 2024, with its growth rate plummeting from 132.04% to 19.04% [8] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Global leaders like L'Oréal and Estée Lauder have extensive brand portfolios that contribute to their high revenue, making it challenging for Proya to compete [9][10] - Proya's reliance on a single brand and the inability to effectively develop sub-brands hinder its growth potential [11] Group 4: Financial Strategy - Proya's online revenue share increased from 36.06% in 2017 to 95.06% in 2024, indicating a shift towards an online sales model [12] - The company's sales expenses grew significantly, from 636 million yuan in 2018 to 5.161 billion yuan in 2024, with a CAGR of 34.86% [13] - In 2024, Proya's sales expense ratio reached a historical high of 47.88%, reflecting the challenges in maintaining growth [14] Group 5: R&D and Brand Perception - Proya's R&D investment remains low compared to its sales expenses, with R&D expenses only 1.95% of total revenue in 2024 [15][16] - The company's heavy reliance on marketing has led to inconsistent brand reputation, with consumer complaints about product quality and pricing strategies [18] Group 6: Management Changes - Proya has experienced significant management turnover, including the resignation of key executives, which raises concerns about stability [20][21] - The appointment of new R&D leaders with backgrounds in international beauty giants indicates a strategic shift towards enhancing innovation [23]