Research from Water Tower Research, Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research

Research from Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research is a leading equity research firm that provides research on micro, small and mid cap companies.

Water Tower Research was founded by Wall Street veterans after witnessing a fundamental shift in the investment research industry with the result being a declining knowledge base among investors, a lack of awareness and a shrinking pool of fundamental research being conducted on companies across the small-cap and micro-cap spectrum. The same issues are now increasingly occurring in the mid-cap space. This sea change within the investment community is impacting not only the companies themselves but also current shareholders and potential investors. With significantly less active sell-side sponsorship by Wall Street, a substantial information gap has developed between companies and various constituents in the financial community. The net result is fewer channels for insight and information to flow between companies and investors.

Equity Research Firm

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>4Q results in line with pre-announcement. REAL delivered $504 million in gross merchandise volume (GMV), $164 million in revenue, $11 million in adjusted EBITDA, and for the first time in its history, generated positive FCF of ~$800k for the full year.</li><li>More importantly, the company restructured its debt, which extended maturities.</li><li>REAL expects HSD-LDD growth in the mid-term. For 2025, the company guided to GMV of $1.96-1.99 billion, up 7-9% Y/Y (versus the Street at $1.96 billion), revenue of $645-660 million, up 7-10% Y/Y (versus the Street at <span style="font-size: var(--content-font-size);">$655 million), and EBITDA of $20-30 million.</span></li></ul>

4Q results in line with pre-announcement. REAL delivered $504 million in gross merchandise volume (GMV), $164 million in revenue, $11 million in adjusted EBITDA, and for the first time in its history, generated positive FCF of ~$800k for the full year.More importantly, the company restructured its debt, which extended maturities.REAL expects HSD-LDD growth in the mid-term. For 2025, the company guided to GMV of $1.96-1.99 billion, up 7-9% Y/Y (versus the Street at $1.96 billion), revenue of $645-660 million, up 7-10% Y/Y (versus the Street at $655 million), and EBITDA of $20-30 million.

The RealReal, Inc - Expect Profitable HSD-LDD Top-Line Growth to Continue

<ul><li>We are initiating coverage of REAL. Post-COVID, almost all of the small-cap online apparel retailers have tried to restructure their businesses to focus on profitability.</li><li>REAL has been a standout case. After issuing a five-year outlook in March 2022 that emphasized growth (virtually at all costs), REAL reversed its strategy in a bid to become EBITDA and free cash flow (FCF) positive as quickly as possible.</li><li>In the process, it materially de- emphasized (1) its direct sales business, which was inherently lower-margin and exposed REAL to both pricing pressure and inventory risk, and (2) the lower-priced consignment items, which were loss-making from the get-go. </li></ul>

We are initiating coverage of REAL. Post-COVID, almost all of the small-cap online apparel retailers have tried to restructure their businesses to focus on profitability.REAL has been a standout case. After issuing a five-year outlook in March 2022 that emphasized growth (virtually at all costs), REAL reversed its strategy in a bid to become EBITDA and free cash flow (FCF) positive as quickly as possible.In the process, it materially de- emphasized (1) its direct sales business, which was inherently lower-margin and exposed REAL to both pricing pressure and inventory risk, and (2) the lower-priced consignment items, which were loss-making from the get-go. 

The RealReal, Inc. - Not REALly Out of the Woods Yet; Initiating Coverage

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/atrenew-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33426:1" rel="noopener">ATRenew (RERE US)</a> operates the largest pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform in China. It is listed in June 2021 at US$14 per ADS. </li>
<li>The shares are down 63% YTD largely due to the tech market sell-off. Unlike most tech companies, ATRenew is starting to deliver growth with profits, cash generation and share buybacks.</li>
<li>The valuation is undemanding compared to a peer group of pre-owned marketplaces and global online retail marketplaces. It will also appeal to investors with an ESG mandate.</li>
</ul>



ATRenew (RERE US) operates the largest pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform in China. It is listed in June 2021 at US$14 per ADS. 
The shares are down 63% YTD largely due to the tech market sell-off. Unlike most tech companies, ATRenew is starting to deliver growth with profits, cash generation and share buybacks.
The valuation is undemanding compared to a peer group of pre-owned marketplaces and global online retail marketplaces. It will also appeal to investors with an ESG mandate.


ATRenew (RERE US): Pre-Owned Satisfaction

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aihuishou" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33426:1" rel="noopener">Aihuishou (RERE US)</a> operates the largest pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform in China under the brand “ATRenew”, which stands for “all things renew.” The platform consists of <em>AHS Recycle</em> (an omnichannel business for the collection of pre-owned consumer electronics), <em>PJT Marketplace</em> (B2B channel) and <em>Paipai Marketplace</em> (B2C channel). </p></div><div>
<p>At the mid-point of the proposed IPO price range of $13.00-15.00 per ADS, AiHuiShou will have a market cap of $3.1 billion. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, the net proceeds are $205.7 million. The raise is materially below the rumoured target raise of $500 million to $1 billion, according to press reports.</p>
<p>Existing shareholders have indicated a total of $100 million of the IPO (44.0% of the ADSs at the mid-point of the IPO price range). The indications of interest from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc. (9618 HK)</a> and Tiger Global.</p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/aihuishou-ipo-initiation-turning-the-vicious-cycle-into-a-virtuous-one" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:52617" rel="noopener">AiHuiShou IPO Initiation: Turning the Vicious Cycle into a Virtuous One</a>, we stated that AiHuiShou as the largest player as measured by GMV and transacted devices, is well-positioned to capture its fair share of China's pre-owned consumer electronic devices market opportunity. AiHuiShou is delivering on this market opportunity through strong revenue growth, declining loss margin and improving cash burn. AiHuiShou’s business model will also appeal to investors with an ESG mandate. We concluded that AiHuiShou's story warrants a closer look.</p>
</div><div><div class="content-highlight">
<p>On a relative valuation basis and at the IPO price range, AiHuiShou is attractively valued on both an EV/Sales and growth adjusted EV/Sales multiples (an EV/Sales/Growth basis). Notably, the last funding round in May 2021 valued AiHuiShou at $19.43 per ordinary share, implying $12.96 per ADS which is broadly in line with the low-end of the IPO price range.</p>
<p>While the lower than expected raise suggest that AiHuiShou received lukewarm investor interest, yesterday's blistering first-day pop of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kanzhun-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33368:1" rel="noopener">Kanzhun (BZ US)</a> suggests that the market may be warming up again to high-growth Chinese ADRs. Overall, we are inclined to participate. </p>
</div></div>

Aihuishou (RERE US) operates the largest pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform in China under the brand “ATRenew”, which stands for “all things renew.” The platform consists of AHS Recycle (an omnichannel business for the collection of pre-owned consumer electronics), PJT Marketplace (B2B channel) and Paipai Marketplace (B2C channel). 
At the mid-point of the proposed IPO price range of $13.00-15.00 per ADS, AiHuiShou will have a market cap of $3.1 billion. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, the net proceeds are $205.7 million. The raise is materially below the rumoured target raise of $500 million to $1 billion, according to press reports.
Existing shareholders have indicated a total of $100 million of the IPO (44.0% of the ADSs at the mid-point of the IPO price range). The indications of interest from JD.com Inc. (9618 HK) and Tiger Global.
In AiHuiShou IPO Initiation: Turning the Vicious Cycle into a Virtuous One, we stated that AiHuiShou as the largest player as measured by GMV and transacted devices, is well-positioned to capture its fair share of China's pre-owned consumer electronic devices market opportunity. AiHuiShou is delivering on this market opportunity through strong revenue growth, declining loss margin and improving cash burn. AiHuiShou’s business model will also appeal to investors with an ESG mandate. We concluded that AiHuiShou's story warrants a closer look.

On a relative valuation basis and at the IPO price range, AiHuiShou is attractively valued on both an EV/Sales and growth adjusted EV/Sales multiples (an EV/Sales/Growth basis). Notably, the last funding round in May 2021 valued AiHuiShou at $19.43 per ordinary share, implying $12.96 per ADS which is broadly in line with the low-end of the IPO price range.
While the lower than expected raise suggest that AiHuiShou received lukewarm investor interest, yesterday's blistering first-day pop of Kanzhun (BZ US) suggests that the market may be warming up again to high-growth Chinese ADRs. Overall, we are inclined to participate. 


<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aihuishou" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33426:1" rel="noopener">Aihuishou (RERE US)</a> operates the largest pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform in China under the brand “ATRenew”, which stands for “all things renew.” The platform consists of AHS Recycle (an omnichannel business for the collection of pre-owned consumer electronics), PJT Marketplace (B2B channel) and Paipai Marketplace (B2C channel).  AiHuiShou is seeking to raise $500 million to $1 billion through an NYSE listing, according to press reports.   </p></div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/aihuishou-ipo-initiation-turning-the-vicious-cycle-into-a-virtuous-one" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:52617" rel="noopener">AiHuiShou IPO Initiation: Turning the Vicious Cycle into a Virtuous One</a>, we stated that AiHuiShou as the largest player as measured by GMV and transacted devices, is well-positioned to capture its fair share of China's pre-owned consumer electronic devices market opportunity. AiHuiShou is delivering on this market opportunity through strong revenue growth, declining loss margin and improving cash burn. AiHuiShou’s business model will also appeal to investors with an ESG mandate. We concluded that AiHuiShou's story warrants a closer look. In this note, we present our forecasts and take the first look at AiHuiShou's potential valuation range. </p></div></div>

Aihuishou (RERE US) operates the largest pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform in China under the brand “ATRenew”, which stands for “all things renew.” The platform consists of AHS Recycle (an omnichannel business for the collection of pre-owned consumer electronics), PJT Marketplace (B2B channel) and Paipai Marketplace (B2C channel).  AiHuiShou is seeking to raise $500 million to $1 billion through an NYSE listing, according to press reports.   In AiHuiShou IPO Initiation: Turning the Vicious Cycle into a Virtuous One, we stated that AiHuiShou as the largest player as measured by GMV and transacted devices, is well-positioned to capture its fair share of China's pre-owned consumer electronic devices market opportunity. AiHuiShou is delivering on this market opportunity through strong revenue growth, declining loss margin and improving cash burn. AiHuiShou’s business model will also appeal to investors with an ESG mandate. We concluded that AiHuiShou's story warrants a closer look. In this note, we present our forecasts and take the first look at AiHuiShou's potential valuation range. 

United States

The RealReal, Inc. owns and operates a members-only consignment marketplace for luxury goods. The Company specializes in curating and authenticating a full range of previously owned luxury products such as clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewelry that are sold on consignment. The RealReal markets its products and services throughout the United States.

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RealReal Inc (REAL US)

The RealReal, Inc - Expect Profitable HSD-LDD Top-Line Growth to Continue

4Q results in line with pre-announcement. REAL delivered $504 million in gross merchandise volume (GMV), $164 million in revenue, $11 million in...

Water Tower Research

The RealReal, Inc. - Not REALly Out of the Woods Yet; Initiating Coverage

We are initiating coverage of REAL. Post-COVID, almost all of the small-cap online apparel retailers have tried to restructure their businesses to...

Water Tower Research

ATRenew (RERE US): Pre-Owned Satisfaction

Unlike most tech companies, ATRenew is starting to deliver growth with profits, cash generation and share buybacks. The valuation remains undemanding.

Arun George

AiHuiShou IPO: Valuation Insights

While the lower than expected raise suggest lukewarm investor interest, yesterday's blistering first-day pop of Kanzhun points to improving market...

Arun George

AiHuiShou IPO: Valuation First-Look

AiHuiShou is seeking to raise $0.5-1.0 billion through an NYSE listing. In this note, we present our forecasts and take the first look at...

Arun George

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