IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chagee-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45011:1" rel="noopener">Chagee Holdings (CHA US)</a>, a leading premium tea drinks brand, is seeking to raise US$400-500 million through a Nasdaq IPO.</li>
<li>In <em><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/chagee-holdings-cha-us-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:181653" rel="noopener">Chagee Holdings (CHA US) IPO: The Bull Case</a></strong></em>, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.</li>
<li>The bear case rests on unsustainable growth rates, pressure on KPIs, signs of margin pressure, increasing S&amp;M expenses and weakening forward growth indicators.</li>
</ul>



Chagee Holdings (CHA US), a leading premium tea drinks brand, is seeking to raise US$400-500 million through a Nasdaq IPO.
In Chagee Holdings (CHA US) IPO: The Bull Case, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.
The bear case rests on unsustainable growth rates, pressure on KPIs, signs of margin pressure, increasing S&amp;M expenses and weakening forward growth indicators.


Chagee Holdings (CHA US) IPO: The Bear Case

HK/China Healthcare Analyst (ex-Fosun Pharma)

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

<ul>
<li>Chagee adopts the "1+1+9+N" business model, which ensures the successful replication of the single store model. However, we saw performance decline in 2024, and future performance growth sustainability is uncertain.</li>
<li>In terms of valuation, comparable companies include Starbucks and MIXUE. We think valuation of Chagee should be lower than MIXUE and Starbucks as both have proved themselves in the industry.</li>
<li>Future growth would inevitably slow down. Investors may need more 'safety margins' on valuation because despite short-term strong demand, investors need to be alert to the performance validation after IPO.  </li>
</ul>


Chagee adopts the "1+1+9+N" business model, which ensures the successful replication of the single store model. However, we saw performance decline in 2024, and future performance growth sustainability is uncertain.
In terms of valuation, comparable companies include Starbucks and MIXUE. We think valuation of Chagee should be lower than MIXUE and Starbucks as both have proved themselves in the industry.
Future growth would inevitably slow down. Investors may need more 'safety margins' on valuation because despite short-term strong demand, investors need to be alert to the performance validation after IPO.  


Pre-IPO Chagee Holdings - The Business Model, the Concerns Behind and Valuation Outlook

APAC IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Nicholas Tan

APAC IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chagee-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45011:1" rel="noopener">Chagee Holdings (CHA US)</a> is planning to raise up to US$500m through its upcoming US IPO.</li>
<li>Chagee is a leading premium tea drinks brand, serving healthy and delicious freshly-made tea drinks.</li>
<li>In this note, we look at the firm's past performance.</li>
</ul>



Chagee Holdings (CHA US) is planning to raise up to US$500m through its upcoming US IPO.
Chagee is a leading premium tea drinks brand, serving healthy and delicious freshly-made tea drinks.
In this note, we look at the firm's past performance.


Chagee Pre-IPO - Market Leading Growth but Showing Signs of Fatigue

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chagee-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45011:1" rel="noopener">Chagee Holdings (CHA US)</a>, a leading premium tea drinks brand, is seeking to raise US$400-500 million through a Nasdaq IPO. </li>
<li>According to iResearch, as of December 31, 2024, Chagee was the largest premium freshly made tea drink brand in China by the number of stores.</li>
<li>The bull case rests on a strong brand, leading market share, peer-leading revenue growth, top-tier profitability and cash generation.   </li>
</ul>



Chagee Holdings (CHA US), a leading premium tea drinks brand, is seeking to raise US$400-500 million through a Nasdaq IPO. 
According to iResearch, as of December 31, 2024, Chagee was the largest premium freshly made tea drink brand in China by the number of stores.
The bull case rests on a strong brand, leading market share, peer-leading revenue growth, top-tier profitability and cash generation.   


Chagee Holdings (CHA US) IPO: The Bull Case

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The comparison between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mixue-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40623:1" rel="noopener">Mixue Group (2097 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/guming-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40622:1" rel="noopener">Guming (1364 HK)'s</a> 2024 annual results highlight how their financial and operational performance diverged sharply.</li>
<li>Mixue's vertically integrated operations provide it a strong competitive edge and superior margins while Guming, operating in the mid-priced segment faced fierce competition</li>
<li>Mixue's high-quality earnings growth underscores a robust business model that attracts premium valuation multiples.</li>
</ul>


The comparison between Mixue Group (2097 HK) and Guming (1364 HK)'s 2024 annual results highlight how their financial and operational performance diverged sharply.
Mixue's vertically integrated operations provide it a strong competitive edge and superior margins while Guming, operating in the mid-priced segment faced fierce competition
Mixue's high-quality earnings growth underscores a robust business model that attracts premium valuation multiples.


Mixue Vs Guming: Valuation Premium. Comparing Earnings Growth in 2024

China

Guming Holdings Limited is a holding company primarily engaged in the production and sale of freshly made beverages through its "Good me" brand. It operates a franchised tea store retail network, offering fruit tea, milk tea, and coffee beverages. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Hangzhou, China.

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Guming (1364 HK)

Chagee Holdings (CHA US) IPO: The Bear Case

The bear case rests on unsustainable growth rates, pressure on KPIs, signs of margin pressure, increasing S&M expenses and weakening forward growth...

Arun George

Pre-IPO Chagee Holdings - The Business Model, the Concerns Behind and Valuation Outlook

Chagee's "1+1+9+N" model face uncertain future growth and should be valued lower than peers.Due to concerns, investors need more safety margins on...

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

Chagee Pre-IPO - Market Leading Growth but Showing Signs of Fatigue

Chagee (CG) is planning to raise up to US$500m through its upcoming US IPO. It is a leading premium tea drinks brand. In this note, we look at the...

Nicholas Tan

Chagee Holdings (CHA US) IPO: The Bull Case

The bull case rests on a strong brand, leading market share, peer-leading revenue growth, top-tier profitability and cash generation.

Arun George

Mixue Vs Guming: Valuation Premium. Comparing Earnings Growth in 2024

Annual results comparison reveals significant differences not only in growth pace but also in earnings quality and competitive pressure for both...

Devi Subhakesan

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Chagee Holdings (CHA US) IPO: The Bear Case

The bear case rests on unsustainable growth rates, pressure on KPIs, signs of margin pressure, increasing S&M expenses and weakening forward growth...

Arun George

Pre-IPO Chagee Holdings - The Business Model, the Concerns Behind and Valuation Outlook

​Chagee's "1+1+9+N" model face uncertain future growth and should be valued lower than peers.Due to concerns, investors need more safety margins on...

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

Chagee Pre-IPO - Market Leading Growth but Showing Signs of Fatigue

Chagee (CG) is planning to raise up to US$500m through its upcoming US IPO. It is a leading premium tea drinks brand. In this note, we look at the...

Nicholas Tan

Chagee Holdings (CHA US) IPO: The Bull Case

The bull case rests on a strong brand, leading market share, peer-leading revenue growth, top-tier profitability and cash generation.

Arun George

Mixue Vs Guming: Valuation Premium. Comparing Earnings Growth in 2024

Annual results comparison reveals significant differences not only in growth pace but also in earnings quality and competitive pressure for both...

Devi Subhakesan

Chagee's "1+1+9+N" model face uncertain future growth and should be valued lower than peers.Due to concerns, investors need more safety margins on...