Core Viewpoint - The company expects a revenue growth of 3.2% in 2025, with e-commerce channels growing by 5.3% and offline channels accelerating from H2 2025, focusing on store efficiency [1] - The net profit margin for 2025 is projected to be 9.9%, reflecting effective cost control despite a slight decline of 0.6 percentage points [1] - The company anticipates a high single-digit revenue growth and net profit margin in 2026, with increased marketing expenses and a decrease in the tax rate expected [1] Revenue and Profit Overview - In 2025, the company reported a revenue of 29.6 billion yuan, a 3.2% increase; operating profit was 3.9 billion yuan, up 6%; net profit attributable to shareholders was 2.94 billion yuan, down 2.6% [1] - Operating cash flow was 4.85 billion yuan, a decrease of 7.9% [1] - The proposed dividend is 0.24 yuan per share, maintaining a payout ratio of 50% year-on-year [1] Channel Performance - Direct sales revenue in 2025 was 6.65 billion yuan, down 3.3%, with H1 and H2 revenues of 3.38 billion yuan and 3.27 billion yuan, respectively [2] - Wholesale revenue reached 13.77 billion yuan, an increase of 6.3%, with H1 and H2 revenues of 6.88 billion yuan and 6.89 billion yuan, respectively [2] - E-commerce revenue was 8.743 billion yuan, growing by 5.3%, with H1 and H2 revenues of 4.3 billion yuan and 4.44 billion yuan, respectively [2] Product Category Insights - The running category showed strong performance, while the basketball category continued to face challenges [3] - Retail sales for running, training, basketball, and sports leisure categories accounted for 31%, 16%, 17%, and 28% of total sales, respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of +10%, +5%, -19%, and -9% [3] - The company sold over 26 million pairs of professional running shoes, with key series achieving sales of over 11 million pairs [3] Cost Management and Profitability - The gross profit margin for 2025 was 49%, a slight decrease of 0.4 percentage points, attributed to a decline in direct sales channel proportion and increased discounting [3] - The operating profit margin improved to 13.2%, up 0.4 percentage points, due to effective cost control measures [3] - The company’s tax expense was 1.253 billion yuan, an increase of 256 million yuan, leading to a tax rate of 29.9%, up 2.2 percentage points [3] Inventory and Discount Strategy - The inventory turnover ratio was approximately 4 months, indicating a healthy inventory level [4] - Discounts increased by about 1 percentage point across channels, with offline and e-commerce discounts deepening [4] - The company maintained a stable inventory of 2.694 billion yuan, with an average turnover period of 64 days [4] 2026 Outlook - The company plans for high single-digit revenue growth and profit margin in 2026, focusing on brand building and technological investment [5] - The strategy includes enhancing efficiency in existing stores and testing new store formats [5] - Expected revenue for 2026 is projected at 31.9 billion yuan, with net profit of 3.08 billion yuan, reflecting growth rates of +7.8% and +5.0%, respectively [6]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the company [1]. Core Insights - The company reported better-than-expected performance for 2025, with revenue growth of 3% to 296 billion RMB and a net profit decline of 3% to 29.4 billion RMB, primarily driven by professional sports categories and effective cost control [4]. - The company expects high single-digit revenue growth for 2026, with improvements in gross margin due to enhanced brand and product strength, although expenses are anticipated to rise due to Olympic sponsorship and new channel development [4]. Financial Data and Profit Forecast - Revenue projections (in billion RMB): - 2024: 287 - 2025: 296 - 2026E: 317 - 2027E: 337 - 2028E: 353 [2] - Net profit projections (in billion RMB): - 2024: 30.1 - 2025: 29.4 - 2026E: 28.5 - 2027E: 31.6 - 2028E: 34.0 [2] - Gross margin is expected to be around 49% for 2026, with a slight improvement anticipated in subsequent years [4]. - The company’s PE ratios are projected to be 17 for 2026, 15 for 2027, and 14 for 2028 [4]. Operational Performance - The company maintained a healthy inventory turnover ratio and product age structure, with a sell-through rate for new products between 70% and 80% [4]. - Professional categories such as running, cross-training, and badminton led growth, while basketball and lifestyle segments saw declines [4]. - E-commerce performance outpaced offline sales, with a total of 6,091 stores by the end of 2025, reflecting a strategic focus on channel innovation [4].

Core Viewpoint - The company reported stable performance in H1 2025 despite external environmental disturbances, with a slight increase in revenue and gross profit but a decline in net profit [1] Financial Performance - In H1 2025, the company achieved revenue of 14.817 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.3% - Gross profit reached 7.415 billion yuan, up 2.5% year-on-year - Net profit attributable to shareholders was 1.737 billion yuan, down 11.0% year-on-year - The gross margin for H1 2025 was 50.0%, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points year-on-year, attributed to a decline in direct sales channel revenue and increased discounting - The net profit margin was 11.7%, down 1.9 percentage points year-on-year, due to increased advertising and marketing expenses as the company focused on core resource investment [1] Dividend Policy - The company declared an interim dividend of 0.3359 yuan per share, with a payout ratio of 50%, indicating a strong willingness to distribute dividends [1] Business Segments - E-commerce contributed the largest revenue growth in H1 2025, with a 7.4% year-on-year increase, accounting for 29.0% of total revenue, up 1.1 percentage points from H1 2024 - Revenue from authorized dealers increased by 4.4% year-on-year, making up 46.5% of total revenue, up 0.5 percentage points from H1 2024 - Revenue from footwear products reached 8.231 billion yuan, a 4.9% increase year-on-year, with sales of key running shoe IPs exceeding 5.26 million pairs - Revenue from equipment and accessories grew significantly by 23.7% year-on-year, reaching 1.393 billion yuan, with a revenue share of 9.4% [2] Market Development - The company signed player Yang Hansheng, who was selected in the first round of the NBA draft, which is expected to enhance the company's brand and product sales in the basketball category - Retail sales for running and cross-training categories showed strong performance, both increasing by 15% year-on-year, while basketball retail sales declined by 20% [3] Growth Outlook - The company is positioned as a leading domestic sports apparel brand, focusing on a "single brand, multiple categories, and multiple channels" development strategy - Continued investment in R&D is expected to enhance core technologies in footwear and apparel, maintaining a balance between professionalism and fashion in product design - Profit forecasts for net profit attributable to shareholders are projected at 2.645 billion yuan, 2.845 billion yuan, and 3.104 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively [3]

Core Viewpoint - Li Ning's Q2 2025 operational performance shows mixed results, with adult sales under pressure due to a challenging consumption environment and store closures, while e-commerce sales growth has slowed compared to Q1 [1][2][3] Group 1: Sales Performance - Adult sales in Q2 2025 experienced low single-digit year-on-year growth, with offline channel sales declining low single digits and e-commerce sales growing in the mid-single digits [1] - Direct sales channels faced pressure with a year-on-year decline in Q2 2025, attributed to a significant number of store closures in the second half of 2024, resulting in 1,278 direct stores by the end of H1 2025, a net closure of 19 stores compared to the beginning of the year [1] - Wholesale channel sales grew low single digits year-on-year, with 4,821 wholesale stores by the end of H1 2025, indicating a stable performance and potential acceleration in store openings in the second half of the year [1] Group 2: E-commerce and Children's Segment - E-commerce sales growth in Q2 2025 slowed compared to Q1, attributed to a weaker overall sales performance during the 618 shopping festival, with Q2 e-commerce sales growing in the mid-single digits compared to low double digits in Q1 [2] - Li Ning's children's clothing segment, Li Ning YOUNG, is expected to outperform adult sales with steady growth, having 1,435 stores by the end of Q2 2025, a net closure of 33 stores since the beginning of the year [2] Group 3: Financial Outlook - The company is projected to have flat revenue growth in 2025, with a 21% decline in net profit attributable to shareholders, primarily due to increased marketing expenses [3] - Li Ning is focusing on product and marketing strategy optimization, including signing with the Olympic Committee for brand marketing, which may enhance brand influence [3] - The company aims to strengthen its core categories of running and basketball while expanding into other sports categories, which is expected to support long-term growth [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the company [2][7][25] Core Insights - The company has shown a steady recovery in sales during Q1 2025, with overall demand continuing to improve, aligning with expectations [7][8] - The company plans to enhance brand marketing and product innovation, aiming to strengthen its long-term competitiveness [7][8] - The company is expected to maintain its annual performance guidance, projecting flat revenue for 2025 and a high single-digit net profit margin [7][8] Financial Data and Profit Forecast - Revenue projections (in billion RMB): - 2023: 27.6 - 2024: 28.7 - 2025E: 28.8 - 2026E: 30.1 - 2027E: 31.2 - Year-on-year growth rates: - 2023: 7% - 2024: 4% - 2025E: 0% - 2026E: 4% - 2027E: 4% [3][16] - Net profit projections (in billion RMB): - 2023: 3.19 - 2024: 3.01 - 2025E: 2.48 - 2026E: 2.64 - 2027E: 2.78 - Year-on-year growth rates for net profit: - 2023: -22% - 2024: -5% - 2025E: -18% - 2026E: 7% - 2027E: 5% [3][16] Market Data - Closing price as of April 29, 2025: HKD 14.62 - Market capitalization: HKD 37.79 billion - 52-week high/low: HKD 24.60 / HKD 12.56 [4][8] Operational Performance - Q1 2025 sales growth was driven by a strong performance in the footwear category, particularly in running shoes, which saw over 20% growth [7][8] - The company has optimized its channel structure, resulting in a net reduction of 201 direct stores in 2024, with a focus on improving average store productivity [7][8] - Inventory levels remain healthy, with a target inventory turnover ratio of 4-5 months by year-end [7][8] Future Outlook - The company aims to leverage its partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee to enhance brand visibility and professional image [7][8] - Continued investment in product development and marketing is expected to drive future growth, particularly in the outdoor and new product categories [7][8]