Core Viewpoint - The Chinese collectible toy company 52TOYS has submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to capitalize on the booming market for IP-based toys and collectibles [1][3]. Group 1: Company Overview - 52TOYS, founded in 2015, has established itself as the third-largest player in the domestic collectible toy market, with a revenue of approximately 6 billion RMB [6][11]. - The company has undergone several funding rounds, raising 1 billion RMB in 2018 and 4 billion RMB in 2021, demonstrating steady growth despite challenges such as the pandemic [6][7]. Group 2: Financial Performance - 52TOYS reported revenues of approximately 4.6 billion RMB, 4.8 billion RMB, and 6.3 billion RMB for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of about 16.7% [7][8]. - The company has faced losses for three consecutive years, with a projected loss exceeding 1 billion RMB in 2024, but expects adjusted profits of 19.1 million RMB and 32.1 million RMB in 2023 and 2024, respectively [8][25]. Group 3: Market Position and Competition - As of May 27, 2023, 52TOYS has an estimated valuation of approximately 1.87 billion RMB based on a recent investment from Wanda Film, which holds a 7% stake in the company [5][3]. - The market capitalization of leading competitors, such as Pop Mart and Blok, is significantly higher, with Pop Mart valued at 313.17 billion HKD and Blok at 38.46 billion HKD [5][25]. Group 4: IP Strategy - 52TOYS generates a substantial portion of its revenue from licensed IPs, with the proportion of revenue from licensed IPs increasing from 50.2% in 2022 to 64.5% in 2024 [14][11]. - The company has developed over 30 proprietary IPs and collaborates with 85 experienced designers and 40 artists to enhance its product offerings [16][11]. Group 5: Future Plans - 52TOYS aims to expand its retail presence significantly, planning to establish over 100 self-operated stores in China and internationally within the next three to five years [26][25]. - The company is also focusing on increasing its overseas market revenue, which has grown from 7.6% in 2022 to 23.4% in 2024 [26][25].

Core Viewpoint - The market for IP toys in China is experiencing significant growth, with companies like Pop Mart and Blok increasing in value, while 52TOYS is preparing for an IPO despite its smaller market share and revenue compared to its competitors [1][5]. Company Overview - 52TOYS ranked third in GMV among Chinese IP toy companies in the previous year, with a GMV of approximately 0.93 billion RMB, which is about 1/9 of Pop Mart's GMV [5][6]. - The company was founded in 2015 by Chen Wei and Huang Jin, focusing on developing toys based on various IPs, including static figures, movable figures, and plush toys [3][5]. Financial Performance - 52TOYS has shown steady growth over the past three years, with revenues of 0.463 billion RMB in 2022, 0.482 billion RMB in 2023, and projected revenues of 0.630 billion RMB in 2024 [6][18]. - The company reported a net loss of 0.170 million RMB in 2022, 0.719 million RMB in 2023, and is projected to incur a net loss of 1.22 billion RMB in 2024 [6][18]. Market Position - In 2024, the GMV for Pop Mart, Blok, and 52TOYS is projected to be 8.72 billion RMB, 4.30 billion RMB, and 0.93 billion RMB respectively, indicating a significant gap between 52TOYS and its competitors [5][7]. - 52TOYS relies heavily on licensed IPs, with over 64.5% of its revenue coming from licensed products, particularly from the Crayon Shin-chan IP, which contributed over 40% of its GMV [10][12]. Sales Channels - The majority of 52TOYS' sales come from distribution channels, with over 66.8% of revenue generated through distributors, while direct sales account for 30.9% [14][15]. - The company has reduced its number of physical stores from 19 at the end of 2022 to 5 as of May 2024, while planning to open over 100 new stores in the coming years [15][17]. International Expansion - 52TOYS has been expanding its international presence since 2017, with a focus on establishing over 100 self-operated stores globally to enhance brand influence and profitability [19]. - The revenue from overseas markets has been increasing, with projections showing a rise from 0.353 billion RMB in 2022 to 1.47 billion RMB in 2024, accounting for 23.4% of total revenue [18].

Core Insights - 52TOYS is set to go public in Hong Kong, becoming the fifth trendy toy company to do so, following names like Miniso and Pop Mart [1] - The company operates with a dual model of self-owned IP and top-tier licensed IP, holding 35 self-owned IPs and 80 licensed IPs as of 2024 [2] - 52TOYS has shown significant growth in overseas markets, with revenue increasing from 35 million to 147 million yuan from 2022 to 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 100% [3] Group 1: Company Position and Financials - 52TOYS is the second-largest multi-category IP toy company in China, with projected revenues of 630 million yuan in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 16.7% from 2022 to 2024 [1] - The company reported losses of 1.71 million yuan in 2022, 71.93 million yuan in 2023, and 122 million yuan in 2024, although it achieved adjusted profits of 19.01 million yuan and 32 million yuan in 2023 and 2024 respectively [1] Group 2: Revenue Composition and IP Strategy - The revenue composition shows that licensed IP contributes 64.5% of total income, with self-owned IP accounting for 24.5% in 2024 [2] - Notable licensed IPs include popular franchises like Crayon Shin-chan and Disney characters, with Crayon Shin-chan toys alone generating over 380 million yuan in GMV in 2024 [2] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Challenges - 52TOYS has the lowest gross margin among its peers, at 39.9% in 2024, compared to Pop Mart's 66.8% and other competitors [4] - The reliance on distributors and online discounts has negatively impacted profit margins, with distributor sales accounting for 67% of revenue and online direct sales contributing only 31% [4] Group 4: User Loyalty and Product Development - Building user loyalty is essential for improving profit margins, as seen in competitors like Pop Mart, which avoids discounting and relies on strong direct sales [5] - 52TOYS focuses on developing its own IPs across various categories, including trendy, sci-fi, and cultural IPs, with a particular emphasis on the "Beast Box" series that expands into comics and novels [5][6] Group 5: Industry Outlook - The trendy toy industry is experiencing explosive growth, with the Chinese market expected to exceed 110.1 billion yuan by 2026 [6] - Recent investments and public listings in the sector indicate strong investor interest and potential for future growth, positioning trendy toy companies as valuable assets in the capital market [6]