Blue Lotus China New Economy Research, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Eric Wen

Blue Lotus China New Economy Research

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Luckin reported C1Q25 revenue in-line/6% vs. our estimate/consensus, and non-GAAP operating profit 9%/75% higher than our estimate/consensus, thanks to warmer weather and constrained marketing spending;</li>
<li>Despite Luckin pre-emptive lock-ins, rising coffee bean price shall still take its toll as Luckin's biggest rival Starbucks should be equally capable of managing the commodity price risk. </li>
<li>We keep Luckin as BUY rating but cut TP to US$39.</li>
</ul>


Luckin reported C1Q25 revenue in-line/6% vs. our estimate/consensus, and non-GAAP operating profit 9%/75% higher than our estimate/consensus, thanks to warmer weather and constrained marketing spending;
Despite Luckin pre-emptive lock-ins, rising coffee bean price shall still take its toll as Luckin's biggest rival Starbucks should be equally capable of managing the commodity price risk. 
We keep Luckin as BUY rating but cut TP to US$39.


[Luckin (LKNCY US, BUY, TP US$39) TP Change]: Coffee Bean Price Hike Hurts Margin but Boosts Sales

<ul>
<li>Luckin reported C4Q24 revenue 6%/1% higher than our estimate/consensus, and non-GAAP operating profit 11%/38% higher than our estimate/consensus, driven by SSSG recovery and cost material savings;</li>
<li>After turning around same-store-sales-growth (SSSG) via price hike in C3Q24, Luckin finetuned the cup sales to price ratio to reach an optimal point in C4Q24, </li>
<li>We upgrade Luckin from UR into BUY rating and set new TP at US$40.  </li>
</ul>


Luckin reported C4Q24 revenue 6%/1% higher than our estimate/consensus, and non-GAAP operating profit 11%/38% higher than our estimate/consensus, driven by SSSG recovery and cost material savings;
After turning around same-store-sales-growth (SSSG) via price hike in C3Q24, Luckin finetuned the cup sales to price ratio to reach an optimal point in C4Q24, 
We upgrade Luckin from UR into BUY rating and set new TP at US$40.  


[Luckin (LKNCY US, BUY, TP US$40) Rating Change]: Optimum Cup Sales and Price Mix Hit the Sweet Spot

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/luckin-coffee-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28046:1" rel="noopener">Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US)</a> concluded FY23 with a 203.3% surge in non-GAAP net profit to Rmb3.2bn, benefiting from higher store count and monthly transacting customers.</li>
<li>Luckin plans to lift store count by at least 23%, with total to reach over 20,000 in FY24. Product innovation, promotional discount reduction, and better store efficiency are profit drivers. </li>
<li>Net cash reached Rmb3.8bn, or 7% of market cap. With a consensus EPS forecast of 28% CAGR in the next two years, its 15.1x and 11.7x PERs are not stretched.</li>
</ul>



Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US) concluded FY23 with a 203.3% surge in non-GAAP net profit to Rmb3.2bn, benefiting from higher store count and monthly transacting customers.
Luckin plans to lift store count by at least 23%, with total to reach over 20,000 in FY24. Product innovation, promotional discount reduction, and better store efficiency are profit drivers. 
Net cash reached Rmb3.8bn, or 7% of market cap. With a consensus EPS forecast of 28% CAGR in the next two years, its 15.1x and 11.7x PERs are not stretched.


Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US): Feeling Lucky in a Challenging Market

<ul>
<li>In 4Q23, we expect Luckin Coffee revenue to increase 93% YoY to RMB7.1bn, and expect GPM/OPM to decline (5.8)/(1.3) ppt YoY to 19.0%/8.2%, respectively. </li>
<li>We cut 4Q23 operating income by 12%. In 2024, we raised our revenue estimate by 5% due to the speed up of new store opening schedule. </li>
<li>Furthermore, as price competition eased, we expect Luckin to offer less low-priced drinks, thus driving up OPM in 2024.</li>
</ul>


In 4Q23, we expect Luckin Coffee revenue to increase 93% YoY to RMB7.1bn, and expect GPM/OPM to decline (5.8)/(1.3) ppt YoY to 19.0%/8.2%, respectively. 
We cut 4Q23 operating income by 12%. In 2024, we raised our revenue estimate by 5% due to the speed up of new store opening schedule. 
Furthermore, as price competition eased, we expect Luckin to offer less low-priced drinks, thus driving up OPM in 2024.


[Luckin Coffee(LKNCY US, BUY, TP US$43) TP Change]: Weak Earnings in 4Q23 but Better Outlook in 2024

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.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/luckin-coffee-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28046:1" rel="noopener">Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US)</a> reported another quarter of strong growth and is now China’s leading coffee chain by a wide margin with operating margins outperforming even premium rival <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/starbucks-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7641:1" rel="noopener">Starbucks Corp(SBUX US)</a> .</li>
<li>Luckin’s disruptive model—centered on affordability, convenience, and accessibility—and the competition that followed has fueled a 2.5X rise in China’s per capita coffee consumption over the past five years.</li>
<li>​Luckin Coffee's strong growth, high operating margins, dominant market share contrasts with Starbucks, which is now adapting to changing customer preference for convenience and digital experiences.</li>
</ul>



Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US) reported another quarter of strong growth and is now China’s leading coffee chain by a wide margin with operating margins outperforming even premium rival Starbucks Corp(SBUX US) .
Luckin’s disruptive model—centered on affordability, convenience, and accessibility—and the competition that followed has fueled a 2.5X rise in China’s per capita coffee consumption over the past five years.
​Luckin Coffee's strong growth, high operating margins, dominant market share contrasts with Starbucks, which is now adapting to changing customer preference for convenience and digital experiences.


Luckin Coffee: Acing It in China's Racing Coffee Market

China

Luckin Coffee Inc. provides non-alcoholic beverages. The Company offers various types of coffee. Luckin Coffee serves customers in China.

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Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US)

[Luckin (LKNCY US, BUY, TP US$39) TP Change]: Coffee Bean Price Hike Hurts Margin but Boosts Sales

Luckin's revenue and operating profit beat estimates in Q1, but rising coffee bean prices pose a challenge despite pre-emptive measures; BUY...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

[Luckin (LKNCY US, BUY, TP US$40) Rating Change]: Optimum Cup Sales and Price Mix Hit the Sweet Spot

Luckin's strong revenue and profit performance in C4Q24 driven by SSSG recovery and cost savings leads to upgrade to BUY rating with TP of US$40.

Blue Lotus Research Institute