Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's total sales increased by 10.4% to RMB 7.203 billion, with gross profit up 18.5% to RMB 3.314 billion, resulting in a gross margin increase of 3.1 percentage points to 46% [8][11][9] - Net profit rose by 13% to RMB 752 million, with a net profit margin slightly increasing by 0.2 percentage points to 10.4% [9][12] - Operating cash inflow was RMB 826 million, exceeding net profit, indicating healthy cash flow [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales of the core brand (XTAP) increased by 6.6% to RMB 5.789 billion, while the professional sports segment (Saucony and Merrell) saw sales growth exceeding 72% to RMB 593 million [8][17] - The athleisure segment (K Swiss and Palladium) reported a sales increase of 9.7%, primarily driven by growth in China [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The macroeconomic environment remains challenging, with weak consumer sentiment impacting brand development [7][26] - Consumer demand for sports goods has remained stable, outperforming the overall consumer industry [26] - The number of marathon participants and events has recovered to approximately 85% of pre-pandemic levels, indicating a growing interest in running [28][29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a strategic disposal of K Swiss and Palladium to focus resources on high-profit brands like XTAP, Saucony, and Merrell, emphasizing running as a core strategy [4][30] - The multi-brand strategy aims to cater to various customer segments in different sports scenarios, enhancing market position [5][30] - The company aims to maximize shareholder value and create good returns for investors despite economic uncertainties [6][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term development of the group, citing a unique competitive advantage in the running market [6][43] - The company anticipates some growth driven by running products and kids' offerings, although it will adopt a more conservative target to avoid excessive inventory [18][24] - The focus will be on controlling expenses and inventory management in the second half of the year [24][25] Other Important Information - The company achieved an upgrade to A level in the Morgan Stanley ESG rating, becoming the first A-grade company in China's sports goods industry [6][10] - The interim dividend recommended is HKD 15.6 per share, with a total expected dividend of HKD 60.3 if approved [9][10] Q&A Session Summary - Questions regarding the impact of the macroeconomic environment on sales and strategies to mitigate risks were addressed, with management emphasizing a focus on running and cost-effective products [18][24] - Inquiries about the performance of new brands and their contribution to overall growth were met with positive feedback on Saucony's rapid expansion and profitability [36][37] - Concerns about inventory management and future sales targets were acknowledged, with management indicating a cautious approach to avoid excess stock [24][25]
XTEP INT'L(01368) - 2024 H1 - Earnings Call Transcript