Core Viewpoint - The signing of the Chinese Olympic Committee by Li Ning in the first half of 2025 marks the beginning of a new product and marketing cycle for the company, with potential for stock price increase if there is improvement in revenue or profit in the medium to long term [1] Industry Trends - The demand for sports footwear and apparel remains resilient, with increasing diversification and specialization in sports participation among residents [2] - The market size for sports apparel in China is projected to reach 260.2 billion yuan by 2024, with a CAGR of 9% expected from 2025 to 2029 [2] Brand Highlights - The Olympic cycle is expected to enhance the company's brand strength, with increased sponsorship in niche categories [2] - Li Ning has signed with the Chinese Olympic Committee in the first half of 2025, aiming to boost brand awareness through diverse Olympic marketing [2] - The company is increasing support for running and basketball categories, with a growing number of marathon sponsorships and events in niche sports like badminton and pickleball [2] Product Highlights - Professional running shoes are driving growth, with running and training categories showing strong performance [3] - In the first half of 2025, the revenue shares for running, basketball, training, and lifestyle products were 34%, 17%, 16%, and 29% respectively, with running and training categories each growing by 15% [3] - The company is focusing on core products like Feidian, Chitu, and Chaoying to drive sales, while also enhancing R&D for the training series [3] Channel Highlights - The company has 4,821 franchise stores and 1,278 direct-operated stores as of the first half of 2025, with plans to open Olympic gold standard and outdoor series specialty stores [3] - E-commerce revenue grew by 7% year-on-year to 4.3 billion yuan, accounting for 29% of total revenue, indicating a stable growth strategy in the e-commerce channel [3] Profit Forecast and Investment Suggestions - The company is projected to achieve net profits of 2.742 billion, 2.901 billion, and 3.302 billion yuan for 2025 to 2027, with growth rates of -9%, +5.8%, and +13.8% respectively [4] - The current market valuation corresponds to a PE ratio of 17 times for 2026, with potential for valuation improvement as the company's Olympic marketing strategy and product optimization progress [4]

Summary of Li Ning Company Conference Call Industry Overview - The Chinese sports and outdoor market is experiencing a trend of decentralization in market concentration, with the CR2 dropping from 38% in 2019 to 24% in 2025, and CR10 decreasing from 76% to 68%, indicating rapid growth of niche brands and a shift in market share from international to domestic brands since 2021 [2][5] - The overall performance of the sports and outdoor industry is expected to stabilize in 2025, with growth rates around 6-7%, a decline from the 15-20% compound growth seen from 2014 to 2019. Professional categories are outperforming fashion categories, with running, outdoor, and badminton products showing faster growth [3] Company Performance and Strategy - Li Ning Company has gone through three phases: benefiting from the "Guochao" trend from 2019-2021, facing operational issues from 2022-2024, and starting to show positive signs in 2025, such as recovering direct channel profit margins and increased marketing investments [2][8] - The company has signed with the Chinese Olympic Committee, launched the "Super Pump Capsule" running shoes, increased marketing exposure at marathon events, and opened new stores featuring Olympic elements to improve operations and brand image [2][9] - The Li Ning family increased their stake in the company from 11.23% to 14.27%, involving over 1 billion yuan, and a stock incentive plan was announced with a vesting period from 2026 to 2029, indicating a solid bottom and preparation for a new growth cycle [2][10] Financial Health - Li Ning's financial status is strong, with stable EBITDA, high net cash exceeding 19 billion yuan, and a significant dividend increase reflecting financial strength and shareholder return intentions [4][11] - The revenue forecast for 2025 is estimated between 20.09 billion to 29.3 billion yuan, with footwear accounting for 55%, apparel 35%, and accessories 9% [7] Product Category Performance - The running category has become the largest segment, accounting for 34%, while the sports lifestyle category is at 29%. The basketball category has seen a decline, necessitating a repositioning strategy [4][12] - Li Ning's basketball products face competition from Nike, with the brand's share fluctuating. The running shoes, particularly the "Chitu" series, have shown significant growth, but the basketball segment requires revitalization [6][12] Marketing and Brand Strategy - Li Ning has increased its marketing expense ratio to over 10% to enhance brand image and consumer engagement, leveraging Olympic sponsorships and new product technologies [4][19] - In the recent Shanghai Marathon, Li Ning shoes had a 22.2% usage rate among runners under 3 hours, significantly up from 1.8% the previous year, showcasing effective marketing strategies [20] Future Outlook - The company anticipates a gradual recovery in revenue growth, with predictions of a 10-15% profit increase driven by new product launches and improved gross margins [23] - Li Ning's valuation is projected at 19-20 times earnings, reflecting market expectations for its future growth potential despite current challenges [24]

Company Overview - Li Ning opened its first global "Dragon Store" in Beijing's Sanlitun Taikoo Li on December 14, showcasing a new brand image linked to traditional culture and emphasizing its status as an official partner of the Chinese Olympic Committee [1] - The store features three themes: "Award Moment," "Competition Moment," and "Life Moment," which comprehensively interpret the brand culture and product professionalism for consumers [1] Product Launch - The new "Honor Gold Label" series integrates professional sports technology with daily commuting needs, offering stylish and minimalist designs for urban consumers [2] - This series is expected to enrich Li Ning's product matrix, extending beyond core sports functionality to attract a broader consumer base [2] - Li Ning has also introduced new running shoe midsole technology "Super Capsule" and updated versions of core running shoe products "Feidian" and "Chitu" [2] Performance and Forecast - With the new Olympic cycle beginning, Li Ning is experimenting with new product lines and store formats, which is likely to enhance its brand influence among consumers [2] - The EPS forecasts for 2025 and 2026 are maintained at 0.92 and 1.07 CNY respectively, with the current stock price corresponding to 18 and 16 times the 2025 and 2026 earnings [2] - Due to the launch of new store formats and products, the target price is raised by 4% to 23.61 HKD, implying a 29% upside potential compared to the current stock price [2]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the report is that with the new Olympic cycle beginning, Li Ning (02331) is gradually experimenting with new product lines and store formats, which is expected to enhance the brand's influence among consumers [1] - The company maintains its EPS forecast for 2025/26 at 0.92/1.07 HKD, with the current stock price corresponding to 18/16 times the 2025/26 earnings multiple; the target price has been raised by 4% to 23.61 HKD, indicating a 29% upside potential from the current stock price [1] - The report highlights the opening of Li Ning's first global "Dragon Store" in Beijing, which reinforces the company's positioning in the Olympic product matrix [2] Group 2 - The Dragon Store connects Li Ning's representative design symbols with traditional culture and emphasizes its role as the official partner of the Chinese Olympic Committee, showcasing the brand's culture and product professionalism through themes like "Award Moments," "Competition Moments," and "Life Moments" [3] - The newly launched "Honor Gold Label" series integrates professional sports technology with daily commuting needs, providing high-quality options for urban consumers and expanding Li Ning's product matrix beyond core sports functionality [4] - Li Ning has successfully iterated its core products, introducing new midsole technology "Super Capsule" and new versions of key running shoes "Flying Electric" and "Red Rabbit," while sponsored athletes frequently achieve podium finishes in major events, showcasing the brand's strength in the professional sports field [5]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that with the new Olympic cycle beginning, Li Ning (02331) is gradually experimenting with new product lines and store formats, which is expected to enhance the brand's influence among consumers [1] - The company maintains its EPS forecast for 2025/26 at 0.92/1.07 HKD, with the current stock price corresponding to 18/16 times the 2025/26 P/E ratio; the target price has been raised by 4% to 23.61 HKD, indicating a 29% upside potential from the current stock price [1] - The opening of Li Ning's first global "Dragon Store" in Beijing on December 14, along with the launch of the new "Honor Gold Label" product series, is seen as a further strengthening of the company's Olympic product matrix [2] Group 2 - The Dragon Store connects Li Ning's representative design symbols with traditional culture and emphasizes its role as the official partner of the Chinese Olympic Committee, showcasing brand culture and product professionalism through themes like "Award Moments," "Competition Moments," and "Life Moments" [3] - The new "Honor Gold Label" series integrates Li Ning's professional sports technology with consumers' daily commuting needs, offering high-quality options for urban commuting while expanding the product matrix beyond core sports functionality [4] - Li Ning has successfully iterated its core products, recently launching new running shoe midsole technology "Super Capsule" and new versions of core running shoe products "Flying Electric" and "Red Rabbit," demonstrating strong overall capabilities as sponsored athletes frequently reach podiums in top domestic and international events [5]

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a 3% revenue growth but an 11% decline in profit for the first half of 2025, with a focus on optimizing channel structure and investing in marketing resources for events like the Olympics, while maintaining a target for stable revenue and high single-digit net profit margin by 2025 [1][3] Revenue and Profit Performance - The company's revenue increased by 3.3% year-on-year to 14.817 billion, while net profit decreased by 11% to 1.737 billion; the board proposed an interim dividend of 0.3359 per share, with a payout ratio of 50% [1][3] Category Performance - In the first half of 2025, the running and training categories achieved a 15% growth, with professional running shoes sales exceeding 14 million pairs; however, basketball sales declined by 20% [1][2] Channel Performance - E-commerce revenue grew by 7% to 4.3 billion (29% of total), while offline direct sales fell by 3% to 3.4 billion (23% of total); franchise revenue increased by 4% to 6.9 billion (47% of total) [2] Store Performance - As of June 2025, the total number of stores was 7,534, a decrease of 143 stores year-on-year; the average store size for flagship stores was 242 square meters, with an average monthly sales of 300,000, slightly down from 310,000 in the first half of 2024 [2] Inventory Management - The company's channel inventory grew at a low single-digit rate year-on-year, maintaining a healthy inventory-to-sales ratio of 4 months, with 82% of channel inventory being new products within 6 months [2] Profitability Analysis - The gross margin decreased by 0.4 percentage points to 50%, while the management and sales expense ratio fell by 0.7 percentage points to 34.2%; the operating profit margin also declined by 0.2 percentage points to 16.5% [3] Future Projections - The management maintains a target for stable revenue by 2025, with projected revenues of 28.74 billion, 29.96 billion, and 31.11 billion for 2025-2027, reflecting growth rates of 0%, 4%, and 4% respectively; net profit projections are 2.38 billion, 2.53 billion, and 2.72 billion, with year-on-year growth rates of -21%, 7%, and 7% [1][3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a strong buy rating for the company [4][8] Core Views - The company experienced a revenue growth of 3% in H1 2025, but net profit declined by 11%. The running category showed good growth, and the management is committed to optimizing channel structure and investing in Olympic marketing resources. The management maintains a guidance for flat revenue and a high single-digit net profit margin for 2025 [1][8] - The projected net profit for 2025-2027 is estimated at 2.38 billion, 2.53 billion, and 2.72 billion yuan, with year-on-year growth rates of -21%, 7%, and 7% respectively. The current stock price corresponds to a PE of 20 times for 2025 [1][8] Revenue Breakdown - E-commerce revenue grew by 7% to 4.3 billion yuan in H1 2025, accounting for 29% of total revenue. Offline direct sales revenue decreased by 3% to 3.4 billion yuan, representing 23% of total revenue, while franchise revenue increased by 4% to 6.9 billion yuan, making up 47% of total revenue [2] Store Performance - As of June 2025, the total number of stores was 7,534, a decrease of 143 stores year-on-year. The average store area for flagship stores was 242 square meters, with an average monthly sales of 300,000 yuan, slightly down from 310,000 yuan in H1 2024 [2] Inventory Management - The company's channel inventory increased by a low single-digit percentage year-on-year, maintaining a healthy inventory-to-sales ratio for four consecutive months. New products within six months accounted for 82% of the channel inventory [2] Financial Performance - The company reported a revenue of 14.817 billion yuan in H1 2025, a 3.3% year-on-year increase, while net profit decreased by 11% to 1.737 billion yuan. The board proposed an interim dividend of 0.3359 yuan per share, with a payout ratio of 50% [7][8] - The gross margin slightly declined by 0.4 percentage points to 50%, while the operating profit margin decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 16.5% [8] Profitability Forecast - The company is expected to maintain its focus on Olympic and technological advancements to enhance brand influence and diversify product offerings. Revenue and profit are under pressure due to weak consumer demand and intensified market competition. The projected revenue for 2025-2027 is 28.744 billion, 29.956 billion, and 31.112 billion yuan, with growth rates of 0%, 4%, and 4% respectively [8][9]

Core Insights - Li Ning reported a revenue of 14.817 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 3.3% [1] - The footwear segment continues to grow, with badminton products achieving a structural breakthrough, supported by a strategic partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) [1] Footwear and Badminton Segment - Footwear revenue reached 8.231 billion yuan, up 4.9% year-on-year, accounting for 55.6% of total revenue, marking a 0.9 percentage point increase from the previous year [2] - The "超䨻" technology has been fully applied to core categories like running and basketball shoes, leading to significant product innovations [2] - The "越影5PRO" running shoe features a midsole bounce ratio of 10.8, balancing cushioning and rebound performance [2] - Total sales of three core running shoe IPs exceeded 5.26 million pairs, with the "飞电" family achieving an energy return rate of 89% after upgrading to the "超䨻" midsole [2] - The basketball shoe "ULTRALIGHT2025" has sold over 100,000 pairs since its launch, aided by marketing strategies [2] Apparel and Equipment - Apparel revenue was 5.193 billion yuan, accounting for 35% of total revenue, down 3.4% year-on-year [3] - Equipment and accessories revenue surged by 23.7% to 1.393 billion yuan, making it the fastest-growing segment [3] - The badminton category has transitioned from "apparel-driven" to "professional equipment-led," with a focus on technology and research [3] Strategic Partnerships and Marketing - The partnership with COC is seen as a long-term strategic move rather than a short-term marketing tactic, aimed at building brand professionalism [4] - Li Ning has made significant adjustments to its retail presence, enhancing consumer recognition of its partnership with COC [4] - The company is preparing for major upcoming events like the 2028 Olympics and 2026 Winter Olympics, aligning product development and marketing strategies accordingly [5] Channel and Sales Performance - As of June 30, the total number of Li Ning sales points was 7,534, with a slight net decrease but improved operational efficiency [6] - Online sales reached 4.3 billion yuan, growing 7.4% year-on-year, and accounting for 29% of total revenue [6] - The integration of online and offline channels has led to increased brand visibility and sales performance [6]

Core Viewpoint - Li Ning's 2024 financial report shows a revenue of 28.676 billion RMB, a 3.9% year-on-year increase, but a net profit decline of 5.5% to 3.013 billion RMB, attributed to impairment of investment properties. The overall gross margin improved to 49.4% [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - Revenue for 2024 reached 28.676 billion RMB, up from 27.598 billion RMB in 2023, reflecting a 3.9% increase [3]. - Net profit decreased to 3.013 billion RMB from 3.187 billion RMB, marking a 5.5% decline [3]. - Gross margin improved by 1 percentage point to 49.4% [3]. - EBITDA increased by 3.6% to 6.379 billion RMB [3]. - Basic earnings per share fell by 5.1% to 116.98 RMB [3]. Market Strategy - Li Ning emphasizes a "single brand, multiple categories" strategy, focusing on core categories such as running, basketball, and training, which accounted for 64% of retail sales in 2024 [4][5]. - The company aims to deepen its core categories while maintaining its professional sports brand positioning [4][5]. Product Performance - Retail sales for running increased by 25%, contributing 28% to total retail sales, with over 10.6 million pairs sold [5]. - Basketball retail sales declined by 21%, as the company aims to protect the core value of the category [6][7]. Channel Management - Li Ning's offline retail faced challenges, with daily customer traffic down 10% to 20%, leading to a slight decrease in overall offline retail sales [14]. - The company closed 123 main brand stores while increasing Li Ning YOUNG stores by 40, resulting in a total of 7,585 sales points [15]. - E-commerce sales increased by 2 percentage points to 31% of total revenue, with direct online sales growing by 10% to 20% [15]. R&D and Inventory Management - R&D expenditure accounted for 2.4% of total revenue, with total investment exceeding 3.5 billion RMB over the past decade [17]. - Inventory turnover days increased by one day to 64 days, maintaining a leading position in the industry [18]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates stable revenue growth for 2025, with net profit margins expected to increase in the high single digits [19]. - Li Ning has become the official sportswear partner for the Chinese Olympic Committee from 2025 to 2028, which may enhance its brand reputation and market opportunities [19].

Core Viewpoint - 2024 is a significant year for sports, with Li Ning demonstrating strong financial performance and brand improvement, positioning itself for future growth as a new sponsor for the Chinese Olympic Committee [1][8]. Financial Performance - Li Ning achieved revenue of 28.676 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 3.9% [2]. - The net profit reached 3.013 billion RMB, with a net profit margin of 10.5% [2]. - Gross profit was 14.156 billion RMB, up 6.0% from the previous year, with an overall gross margin of 49.4%, an increase of 1 percentage point [2]. Operational Highlights - Li Ning's operating cash flow was 5.27 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 12.4%, indicating strong risk resilience and efficient supply chain management [3]. - The inventory turnover days were 64 days, with a cash cycle of 35 days, reflecting healthy inventory management [3]. - R&D expenditure increased by 9.4%, outpacing revenue growth, highlighting a commitment to innovation and product competitiveness [3]. Strategic Focus - Li Ning is deepening its focus on professional fields and product categories, enhancing brand value and long-term competitiveness [5]. - The company is concentrating on six core categories: basketball, running, fitness, badminton, table tennis, and sports lifestyle, with a comprehensive product layout [6]. - In basketball, Li Ning launched several successful models, including the "伽马" series, which topped annual basketball shoe rankings [6]. Brand and Market Positioning - Li Ning became the official strategic partner of the Chinese Men's Professional Basketball League in 2024, enhancing its brand recognition [7]. - The company has achieved significant success in running, with retail sales increasing by 25% year-on-year, and has sold over 10.6 million running shoes [6][7]. - The upcoming Olympic cycle starting in 2025 is expected to further strengthen Li Ning's brand image and market position [8]. Conclusion - Li Ning's solid performance reflects a strategic recalibration, focusing on operational quality, technological depth, and brand potential, setting the stage for a new growth cycle [8][9].