Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a revenue of RMB950 million for the first half of 2025, with over RMB300 million coming from commercialized drugs, marking a significant achievement in its first year of commercialization [50][51] - Gross profit was RMB660 million, comparable to the previous year, while the net loss for the first half was RMB145 million, with an adjusted loss of RMB69 million after one-off budget adjustments [52][53] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has three main products ready for the market, with significant progress in approvals and commercialization efforts [12][21] - The commercialization team has expanded to nearly 400 personnel to support the increasing number of products [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has covered over 30 provinces, 300 cities, and over 1,000 hospitals across China, with partnerships established with over 400 pharmacies [28][32] - The company is actively working towards gaining medical insurance coverage for its products, which is expected to enhance market access [33][34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to advance differentiated pipelines targeting significant medical needs, optimizing payload linker strategies, and exploring applications in non-oncology areas [26] - The focus is on expanding global partnerships and strengthening strategic collaborations to maximize the value of its pipelines [26] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future income from sales revenue, anticipating continued cash flow generation from both R&D partnerships and commercialized drugs [51] - The company is preparing for the implementation of new medical insurance policies, which could significantly impact product sales strategies [97][100] Other Important Information - The company completed a follow-on financing of US$250 million and is included in several global equity indexes, enhancing its financial stability [25] - The company is involved in ongoing litigation regarding IP disputes with several founders, which has been accepted for review by the Sichuan Provincial High Court [101] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the breakdown of sales revenue for breast cancer and lung cancer? - Lung cancer is the biggest contributor to sales revenue, consistent with patient numbers and indications. The sales expenses are expected to decrease once products are included in medical insurance coverage [62][63] Question: What is the focus for R&D going into the next stage? - The focus is on developing differentiated products targeting clinical demands, with an emphasis on bispecific targets and new payload strategies [68][70] Question: Can you provide guidelines on the sales trend for Q3? - The company expects quarter-over-quarter growth, with significant contributions anticipated from lung cancer indications [72] Question: What is the rationale behind the clinical trial design for PD L1 positive and negative patients? - The company is focusing on first-line treatment for wild-type non-small cell lung cancer, with ongoing projects in development [88] Question: How is the company planning to navigate the new medical insurance policy? - The company is prioritizing entry into the medical insurance catalog and is actively preparing to comply with the new policy [97][98]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a revenue of RMB 950 million for the first half of 2025, with over RMB 300 million coming from commercialized drugs, marking a significant achievement in its first year of commercialization [52][53]. - The gross profit was RMB 660 million, comparable to the previous year, while the net loss for the first half was RMB 145 million, with an adjusted loss of RMB 69 million after one-off budget adjustments [54][55]. - Cash and financial assets totaled RMB 4.5 billion, indicating a healthy financial status to support upcoming R&D and innovation [58]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has three main products ready for the market, with significant progress in commercialization, covering over 30 provinces and 300 cities, and engaging over 10,000 doctors [32][34]. - The commercialization team has expanded to nearly 400 personnel to support the increasing number of products ready for market [14][15]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has successfully partnered with over 400 pharmacies across China, enhancing its market access and professional services [32][34]. - The company is actively pursuing medical insurance coverage for its products, with seven provinces already covered under specific affordable care programs [36][37]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to advance differentiated pipelines targeting significant medical needs, optimizing payload linker strategies, and exploring applications in non-oncology areas [30]. - The focus is on developing ADCs and small molecules, with an emphasis on bi-specific targets and innovative payloads to replace traditional chemotherapy [70][72]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future income from sales revenue, anticipating continued cash flow generation from both R&D partnerships and commercialized drugs [53]. - The company is preparing for the implementation of new medical insurance policies, which are expected to enhance market access and sales volume [100][101]. Other Important Information - The company has completed a follow-on financing of USD 250 million and is included in major global equity indexes, enhancing its market presence [29]. - The company has made significant advancements in clinical trials, with multiple pivotal trials initiated both domestically and globally [25][26]. Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the breakdown of sales revenue for breast cancer and lung cancer? - Lung cancer is the biggest contributor to sales revenue, consistent with patient numbers and indications. The sales expenses are expected to decrease once products are included in the national medical insurance catalog [60][64]. Question: What is the focus for R&D going into the next stage? - The focus is on developing differentiated products targeting clinical demands, with an emphasis on bi-specific targets and innovative payloads [70][72]. Question: Can you provide guidelines on the sales trend for Q3? - The company has recorded quarter-over-quarter growth of several dozen percentage points, indicating a positive sales trend [76]. Question: What is the rationale behind the clinical trial design for PD L1 positive and negative patients? - The company is focusing on developing effective treatments for both PD L1 positive and negative patients, with ongoing trials to assess efficacy [91]. Question: How does the company plan to navigate the new medical insurance policies? - The company is prioritizing entry into the medical insurance catalog and is actively preparing to comply with new policies to enhance market access [100][101].

Tongcheng Travel Holdings (00780) Q2 2025 Earnings Call August 18, 2025 07:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsKylie Yeung - Director - IRJoyce Li - VP & Head - Capital MarketsFan Lei - CFOBrian Gong - Internet & Media ResearchYang Liu - Executive DirectorThomas Chong - Managing DirectorConference Call ParticipantsWei Xiong - Equity Research AnalystJia Wei Lee - Summer AnalystOperatorGood day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to Tongcheng Travel twenty twenty five Second Quarter and Interim Results Announcem ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net revenue of RMB4.7 billion, marking a 10% year-over-year increase from the same period in 2024 [26] - Adjusted net profit rose to RMB775 million, reflecting an 18% year-over-year growth, with adjusted net margin expanding to 16.6% compared to 15.5% in the same period last year [26] - Gross profit increased by 10.6% year-over-year to RMB3.0 billion, with gross margin rising slightly to 65% [29] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 29.7% to RMB1.2 billion, with a 25.4% margin compared to a 21.5% margin in the same period last year [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The accommodation reservation business achieved RMB1.4 billion, representing a 15.2% increase from the same period in 2024 [27] - Transportation ticketing revenue reached RMB1.9 billion, marking a 7.9% year-over-year increase [28] - The hotel management business sustained healthy expansion, with over 2,700 hotels in operation and nearly 1,500 in the pipeline [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international air ticketing volume reached a historical high, delivering nearly 30% year-over-year growth [14] - The cumulative number of passengers served on the platform reached 2 billion, suggesting a stable user purchase frequency of 8 times per year [20] - The twelve-month annual paying users climbed to over 250 million, representing a 10% year-over-year increase [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its core OTA business while enhancing its brand awareness and market share [34] - There is a commitment to leveraging technology, including AI, to drive growth and improve user experience [21][23] - The company aims to deepen its presence in the hotel management sector, targeting over 3,000 hotels in operation by the end of 2025 [73] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the Chinese travel market, anticipating steady year-over-year growth in both top line and bottom line [33] - The shift in consumer preferences towards experiential travel is seen as a significant opportunity for growth [56] - The company plans to maintain a disciplined approach to sales and marketing spending to ensure optimal returns [56] Other Important Information - The company announced the acquisition of a 100% stake in Wanda Hotel Management, which is expected to diversify brand metrics and strengthen market presence [17] - The balance of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments was RMB13.5 billion as of June 30, 2025 [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can management provide more color regarding the volume growth, ADR, and take rate in the accommodation business? - Management noted that the domestic ADR has stabilized year-over-year and is expected to continue growing, driven by a shift in user behavior towards higher quality products [41][43] Question: How does the company balance strategic resource allocation between core OTA and pursuing a diverse business portfolio? - Management emphasized that the OTA business remains the foundation and strategic focus, while also pursuing organic growth opportunities and selective M&A [46][48] Question: What are the reasons for the low growth in domestic airline ticketing volume? - Management indicated that the industry has returned to a normalized growth trajectory after two exceptional years, but expects the OTA business to outpace overall market growth [52][54] Question: Can management share more details on outbound travel performance? - Management reported significant growth in international air ticketing and accommodation volumes, with a focus on improving marketing efficiency and ROI [58][59] Question: How does management view the impact of JV and BaBa's investments in the OTA market? - Management believes that the competitive landscape remains stable, as new entrants face challenges in replicating established relationships and operational efficiencies [64][66] Question: What is the expected margin outlook for the OTA business? - Management expects steady year-over-year improvement in margins, driven by reduced sales and marketing expenses and improved operational efficiency [69][70] Question: What is the latest development plan for the hotel management business? - Management aims to operate over 3,000 hotels by the end of 2025, with a focus on enhancing quality and brand recognition [73][74] Question: Can management comment on the standalone app's user base and revenue contribution? - Management reported that the app accounted for over 8% of core OTA revenue in Q2, with ongoing efforts to grow the user base and engagement [82] Question: How is AI evolving within the company? - Management highlighted the integration of AI into the travel planning process, improving operational efficiency and user experience [85][86]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the first half of 2025, the company achieved a net profit of 30 million RMB, marking its first interim profitability and becoming the second EV startup to do so [6][9] - The gross profit margin reached a historical high of 14.1% in the first half of 2025, attributed to economies of scale, cost management, and product mix optimization [6][8] - Total income as of June was 24.25 billion RMB, with operating net cash increasing to 2.86 billion RMB compared to 270 million RMB in the same period of 2024 [9][10] - Free cash flow improved to 860 million RMB from a negative 480 million RMB year-on-year [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales in the first half of 2025 were 221,664 units, up 155.7% compared to the same period in 2024, making the company the top startup EV brand in China [10] - In July, deliveries reached a new high of 50,129 vehicles, maintaining the number one position for five consecutive months [10][11] - The company marked cumulative deliveries of 800,000 vehicles since its IPO, with over 100,000 units delivered globally [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - As of June, the company expanded its sales network to cover 286 cities, an increase of 88 cities from the previous year [19] - The company deployed 806 sales outlets, with same-shop performance exceeding 82% [20] - In June, the company's market share in Germany surpassed 1%, with over 4,000 European users placing orders in July, a historical high [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue investing in R&D, with a focus on achieving urban assisted driving by the end of 2025 [15][16] - New product launches include facelifts of existing models and the introduction of a high-quality sedan targeting young families [13][14] - The company aims to penetrate tier one and tier two cities while expanding into areas where it currently lacks presence [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving sales guidance of 580,000 to 650,000 units for the full year, adjusting from the previous guidance of 500,000 to 600,000 units [33] - The company anticipates a slight increase in gross profit margin in the second half of the year, aiming for around 15% [49] - Management believes that the impact of the removal of purchase tax incentives will be minimal, similar to the previous year's experience with subsidy removal [90][92] Other Important Information - The company received an MSCI ESG double A rating for the second consecutive year, reflecting its commitment to environmental protection and corporate governance [27][28] - The company is exploring capital collaboration opportunities to enhance industrial resource synergies [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the sales outlook for August and September? - Management expects significant growth in sales for August and September, with Q3 sales projected to be between 170,000 to 180,000 units [33] Question: What is the outlook for gross profit margin in subsequent quarters? - Management believes the gross profit margin will improve in the second half compared to the first half, maintaining above 14% [34] Question: How does the company plan to handle pricing strategy amid regulatory changes? - The company supports government efforts to curb industry chaos and will not engage in excessive competition, maintaining a strong gross profit margin through cost control [40][41] Question: What is the guidance on expenses as sales grow? - Management did not provide specific guidance on expenses but noted that the expense ratio is dropping as sales revenue increases [43] Question: What are the expectations for overseas sales and localized production? - The company expects to double overseas sales next year, with localized production in Europe planned for the B series model [44][45] Question: How will the removal of purchase tax incentives impact sales? - Management anticipates minimal impact from the removal of purchase tax incentives, similar to the previous year's experience with subsidy removal [90][92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the first half of 2025, the company achieved a net profit of 30 million RMB, marking its first interim profitability and becoming the second EV startup to do so [6][9] - The gross profit margin reached a historical high of 14.1% in the first half of 2025, attributed to economies of scale, cost management, and product mix optimization [6][8] - Total income for the first half was 24.25 billion RMB, with operating net cash increasing to 2.86 billion RMB compared to 270 million RMB in the same period of 2024 [9][10] - Free cash flow improved to 860 million RMB from a negative 480 million RMB year-on-year [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales in the first half of 2025 were 221,664 units, a 155.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, making the company the top startup EV brand in China [10] - In July 2025, deliveries reached a new high of 50,129 units, maintaining the number one position for five consecutive months [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expanded its sales network to cover 286 cities, an increase of 88 cities from the previous year, with 806 sales outlets established [19][20] - In June 2025, the company's market share in Germany exceeded 1%, with over 4,000 orders placed by European users in July [25][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue investing in R&D, with a focus on smart driving technologies and expanding its product lineup [15][16] - The company aims to achieve localized production in Europe and Malaysia by 2026, enhancing its global market presence [27][71] - The strategy includes deepening market penetration in tier three to tier five cities in China, capitalizing on the growing demand for new energy vehicles [66] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a revised full-year sales guidance of 580,000 to 650,000 units, based on strong performance in the first half and positive outlook for the second half [33][34] - The company anticipates a slight increase in gross profit margin in the second half, aiming for around 15% as it scales operations [49][50] - Management noted that the impact of the removal of the new energy vehicle purchase tax would be minimal, similar to the previous year's experience with subsidy removal [90][92] Other Important Information - The company has received an MSCI ESG double A rating for its commitment to environmental protection and corporate governance [28] - The company is exploring capital collaboration opportunities to enhance industrial resource synergies [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the sales outlook for August and September? - Management expects significant growth in sales for August and September, with Q3 sales projected to be between 170,000 to 180,000 units [33] Question: What is the outlook for gross profit margin in subsequent quarters? - Management believes the gross profit margin will improve in the second half compared to the first half, maintaining above 14% [34] Question: How does the company plan to handle pricing strategy amid regulatory changes? - The company supports government efforts to curb industry chaos and will not engage in excessive competition, maintaining a strong gross profit margin through cost control [40][41] Question: What is the guidance on expenses as sales grow? - Management indicated that while absolute expenses are rising, the expense ratio is dropping rapidly due to increased sales revenue [43] Question: What are the expectations for overseas sales and carbon credit purchases? - Management expects overseas sales to double next year, with Stellantis likely to continue purchasing carbon credits [44][47] Question: How will the removal of the purchase tax impact sales and profitability? - Management anticipates minimal impact on sales due to the removal of the purchase tax, similar to the previous year's experience with subsidy removal [90][92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The total revenue for the first half of 2025 reached RMB 1,820,000,000, representing a year-on-year growth of 12.3% [3][12] - The overall gross profit increased by 27.3%, with adjusted net profit attributable to owners reaching RMB 470,000,000, a year-on-year increase of 71.3% [3][20] - Operating expenses grew by 43.1% to RMB 290,000,000, while administrative expenses increased by 23.2% to approximately RMB 220,000,000 [17][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The photo, video, and design (PVD) products segment grew by 45.2% year-on-year to RMB 1,350,000,000, making it the largest revenue contributor [3][12] - The number of paying subscribers for leisure products increased by 42% year-on-year, reaching 15,400,000 [12] - The productivity tools segment saw a 69% year-on-year increase in paying subscribers, with KAIPEI achieving a remarkable 330% growth [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Monthly Active Users (MAU) grew by 8.5% to 280,000,000, with users outside Mainland China reaching 98,000,000, growing at 15.3% [4][16] - Revenue from outside Mainland China grew by 35.9%, accounting for 36.6% of total revenue, indicating progress in globalization initiatives [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on productivity and globalization while embracing AI technology to enhance user experiences and accelerate growth [21] - Strategic collaboration with Alibaba is expected to enhance product capabilities, particularly in e-commerce and cloud services [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the advertising segment and emphasized the importance of core PVD products [15][21] - The collaboration with Alibaba is meeting expectations, although significant outcomes may take time to materialize [26][27] Other Important Information - The company plans to maintain a consistent dividend ratio, now distributing dividends semi-annually instead of annually [21] - The AI agent Roboneo surpassed 1,000,000 MAUs shortly after launch, indicating strong initial user engagement [8][40] Q&A Session Summary Question: What strategies are planned for the second half and adjustments for the whole year? - Management highlighted the importance of core products and the need to invest in leisure products while not fully transitioning to productivity tools [25] Question: What is the update on collaboration with Alibaba? - The collaboration is progressing positively, with ongoing efforts to build trust and find synergies [26][27] Question: How does the company define competition with generative AI companies? - The company focuses on leveraging its strengths and integrating various models to enhance product offerings [32][33] Question: What are the plans for productivity tools outside Mainland China? - The company aims to target specific verticals with productivity tools, adapting to regional needs [48][50] Question: How does the company plan to budget for R&D? - The marketing budget remains fixed at around 16% of PVD products, with a focus on optimizing resources for talent and smaller model training [35][37] Question: What is the business progress of Roboneo? - Roboneo has gained over 1,000,000 MAUs, with plans for a complete subscription model to be launched soon [40] Question: How does the company view its market value and future growth? - The company emphasizes product quality and user growth as the primary drivers of market value, rather than focusing on stock price [58]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the first half of 2025, total revenue reached RMB 1,820 million, a year-on-year growth of 12.3% [3] - The overall gross profit increased by 27.3%, with adjusted net profit attributable to owners reaching RMB 470 million, a year-on-year increase of 71.3% [3][20] - Operating expenses grew by 43.1% to RMB 290 million, while administrative expenses increased by 23.2% to approximately RMB 220 million [17][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The photo, video, and design (PVD) products segment grew 45.2% year-on-year to RMB 1,350 million, making it the largest revenue contributor [3][12] - The number of paying subscribers for leisure products increased by 39% year-on-year, reaching 15.4 million [12] - Productivity tools saw a 69% year-on-year increase in paying subscribers, with KAIPEI achieving 330% year-on-year growth [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Monthly Active Users (MAU) grew by 8.5% to 280 million, with users outside Mainland China reaching 98 million, growing at 15.3% [4] - Revenue from outside Mainland China grew by 35.9%, accounting for 36.6% of total revenue [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on productivity and globalization while embracing AI technology to enhance user experiences [21] - Strategic collaboration with Alibaba is expected to enhance product capabilities and improve training frameworks [9][21] - The company plans to integrate AI features into existing products to empower vertical use cases [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the advertising segment and emphasized the importance of focusing on core PVD products [15][21] - The collaboration with Alibaba is progressing positively, although immediate large profit increases are not expected [26] - The company aims to maintain a competitive edge by leveraging its strong market channel advantage and focusing on user pain points [64][66] Other Important Information - The company plans to maintain its dividend policy, distributing dividends twice a year while keeping the same ratio [21] - AI technologies are seen as a key driver for user interaction and monetization, with new features enhancing user willingness to pay [5][20] Q&A Session Summary Question: What strategies are planned for the second half regarding products for leisure? - Management indicated that products for leisure are foundational for user acquisition and will continue to invest in them while not fully transitioning to productivity tools [24][25] Question: What is the update on the collaboration with Alibaba? - The collaboration is meeting expectations, but significant outcomes will take time as both teams build trust [26][27] Question: How does the company plan to handle competition from generative AI companies? - The company focuses on leveraging its strengths and collaborating with various AI companies to enhance its product offerings [32][33] Question: What are the plans for productivity tools outside Mainland China? - The company aims to focus on targeted, vertical scenarios for productivity tools outside Mainland China, adapting to regional needs [48][50] Question: How does the company view its market value and future growth? - The company does not focus on market value but emphasizes building world-class products to drive growth [58] Question: What is the approach to R&D budgeting? - The marketing budget remains around 16% of PVD products, with a focus on optimizing resources for different markets [35][37]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The group's total revenue increased by 7.1% to JPY 6,838 million [6][9] - Operating profit rose by 9.1% to JPY 1,305 million, with an operating profit margin improvement of 0.4 percentage points to 19.19% [7][11] - Net profit for the first half of the year was JPY 914 million, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 21.5% [8][11] - Annualized return on equity increased by 3.3 percentage points to 19.7% [8] - Operating cash flows were CHF 774 million, with net cash increasing by 94.3% to CHF 1.913 billion [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from the XTEP core brand increased by 4.5% to JPY 6,053 million, while the professional sports division, including Saucony and Merrell, saw revenue growth of over 32% to JPY 785 million [7][16] - The mass market segment's gross profit increased by 4% to JPY 2,641 million, with a slight decrease in gross margin [15] - The professional sports division's operating profit surged nearly 2.4 times to JPY 79 million, with an operating profit margin improvement to 10% [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Over 300 marathons were held in China in the first half of the year, with more than 3 million participants, indicating a growing interest in running [22] - The group's brands maintained high wear rates in major marathon events, with Saucony achieving second place in overall wear rates at the Wuxi Marathon [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strengthening its core strategy of running, enhancing synergies among its brands, and expanding its product portfolio [21][33] - Plans include optimizing retail channel management, improving customer experience, and expanding into shopping malls and outlets [25][30] - The company aims to reinforce its position as China's leading running brand through flagship products and a professional to mass influence strategy [33][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term development of the sports industry, supported by government investments in public health and sports activities [2][4] - The company plans to implement refined operational management to improve efficiency and create greater returns for investors [5][20] - The outlook remains positive, with expectations for continued growth in the running sector and a focus on sustainable development [32][34] Other Important Information - The company declared an interim dividend of HKD 0.18 per share, a year-on-year increase of 15.4%, maintaining a dividend payout ratio of 50% [8] - The company achieved an AA rating in the 2025 MSCI ESG rating, marking its fourth consecutive year of rating improvement [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for the second half of the year? - Management indicated plans to capitalize on the peak season for marathons and running events, leveraging synergies between the XTAP core brand and Saucony to expand market share [4][33] Question: How is the company addressing the increase in inventory levels? - The increase in inventory is attributed to preparations for the peak season and the launch of new products, with expectations for inventory levels to return to a healthy state by year-end [14] Question: What are the company's plans for e-commerce growth? - E-commerce operations are expected to continue driving growth, with a focus on refining the product portfolio and enhancing supply chain capabilities [28]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The group's total revenue increased by 7.1% to JPY 6,838 million [7] - Operating profit rose by 9.1% to JPY 1,305 million, with an operating profit margin improvement of 0.4 percentage points to 19.19% [8] - Net profit for the first half of the year was JPY 914 million, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 21.5% [9] - Annualized return on equity increased by 3.3 percentage points to 19.7% [9] - Operating cash flows were CHF 774 million, with net cash increasing by 94.3% to CHF 1.913 billion [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from the XTEP core brand increased by 4.5% to JPY 6,053 million, while the professional sports division, including Saucony and Merrell, saw revenue growth of over 32% to JPY 785 million [8][16] - The mass market segment's gross profit increased by 4% to JPY 2,641 million, with a slight decrease in gross margin by 0.3 percentage points [15] - The professional sports division's operating profit surged nearly 2.4 times to JPY 79 million, with an operating profit margin improvement to 10% [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Over 300 marathons were held in China in the first half of the year, with more than 3 million participants, indicating a growing interest in running events [24] - The group's brands maintained high wear rates in major marathons, with Saucony achieving second place in overall wear rates at the Wuxi Marathon [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strengthening its core strategy of running, enhancing synergies among its brands, and expanding its product portfolio [23][35] - Plans include optimizing retail channel management, improving customer experience, and expanding into shopping malls and outlets [27] - The company aims to reinforce its position as China's leading running brand through flagship products and a professional to mass influence strategy [35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term development of the sports industry, supported by government investments in public health and sports activities [3][5] - The company plans to implement refined operational management to improve efficiency and create greater returns for investors [6] - The outlook remains positive, with expectations of continued growth driven by the popularity of running and marathon events in China [24][36] Other Important Information - The company declared an interim dividend of HKD 0.18 per share, a year-on-year increase of 15.4%, maintaining a dividend payout ratio of 50% [9] - The company achieved an AA rating in the 2025 MSCI ESG rating, marking its fourth consecutive year of rating improvement [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for the running market in China? - Management highlighted the increasing popularity of marathons, with over 300 events and 3 million participants in the first half of the year, indicating strong growth potential in the running market [24] Question: How does the company plan to enhance its brand image? - The company will continue to reinforce its high-end sports brand image through flagship products and marketing campaigns, particularly for Saucony [31][36] Question: What are the expectations for the professional sports division? - The professional sports division is expected to maintain a mid to high single-digit operating profit margin for the full year, with continued product launches and marketing efforts [17][36]