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>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc-0533692c-6dae-4014-baa1-ed0b050638f2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29259:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings (9987 HK)</a> posted robust year-over-year operating profit growth in 4Q2024 on the back of low single digit sales increase and operating efficiencies.</li>
<li>Despite significant sector headwinds, Yum China has managed to outperform peers and grow ahead of sector in 2024 by swiftly adapting  to shifting consumer preferences.</li>
<li>Yum China's value-for-money QSR model with mid-tier pricing amidst tough sector outlook implies limited margin upside, a likely single-digit sales growth outlook, and a modest dividend yield for 2025.</li>
</ul>



Yum China Holdings (9987 HK) posted robust year-over-year operating profit growth in 4Q2024 on the back of low single digit sales increase and operating efficiencies.
Despite significant sector headwinds, Yum China has managed to outperform peers and grow ahead of sector in 2024 by swiftly adapting  to shifting consumer preferences.
Yum China's value-for-money QSR model with mid-tier pricing amidst tough sector outlook implies limited margin upside, a likely single-digit sales growth outlook, and a modest dividend yield for 2025.


Yum China (9987 HK): 2025 Outlook. Modest Growth and Margin Upside Amid Sector Headwinds

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, 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.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/guzman-y-gomez" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43656:1" rel="noopener">Guzman Y Gomez</a> plans to raise around US$160m in its Australian IPO.</li>
<li>GYG is a quick service restaurant business with more than 200 restaurants globally. It mainly focuses on fresh, made-to-order, Mexican-inspired food.</li>
<li>In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.</li>
</ul>



Guzman Y Gomez plans to raise around US$160m in its Australian IPO.
GYG is a quick service restaurant business with more than 200 restaurants globally. It mainly focuses on fresh, made-to-order, Mexican-inspired food.
In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.


Guzman Y Gomez IPO - The Negatives - Lawsuits and Management Churn

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/giant-biogene-holding-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35950:1" rel="noopener">Giant Biogene (2367 HK)</a> aims to raise up to US$205m via a top-up placement.</li>
<li>We have followed the company since listing and its recent performance has been great. Although it doesn’t seem to need the cash.</li>
<li>In this note, we will run the deal through our ECM framework and talk about the recent updates.</li>
</ul>



Giant Biogene (2367 HK) aims to raise up to US$205m via a top-up placement.
We have followed the company since listing and its recent performance has been great. Although it doesn’t seem to need the cash.
In this note, we will run the deal through our ECM framework and talk about the recent updates.


Giant Biogene Placement - Has Been Doing Well but Doesn’t Need the Cash

Analyst

Steve

<ul>
<li>China's catering industry has changed compared to pre-COVID19, where overall average selling price (ASP) is continually under pressure, and customers are increasing seeking value-for-money options due to weaker consumer sentiment. </li>
<li>Yum China's same-store-sales growth could be under pressure if the company cannot raise ASP easily like in previous years.  </li>
<li>Yum China's historical valuation should not be used as a benchmark, given that the growth profile has changed (new store openings reaching a plateau; sustained increased competition; lower ASP pressure). </li>
</ul>


China's catering industry has changed compared to pre-COVID19, where overall average selling price (ASP) is continually under pressure, and customers are increasing seeking value-for-money options due to weaker consumer sentiment. 
Yum China's same-store-sales growth could be under pressure if the company cannot raise ASP easily like in previous years.  
Yum China's historical valuation should not be used as a benchmark, given that the growth profile has changed (new store openings reaching a plateau; sustained increased competition; lower ASP pressure). 


Yum China (9987 HK/YUMC US):  Earnings And Derating Risks Not Priced In

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mixue-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40623:1" rel="noopener">Mixue Group (2097 HK)</a> raised around US$450m in its Hong Kong IPO in March 2025. The lockup on its cornerstone investors is set to expire soon.</li>
<li>MIXUE Group (MIXUE) is a freshly-made drinks company providing affordable products to consumers, including freshly-made fruit drinks, tea, ice cream and coffee, typically priced at around one USD per item.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the lockup dynamics and possible placement.</li>
</ul>



Mixue Group (2097 HK) raised around US$450m in its Hong Kong IPO in March 2025. The lockup on its cornerstone investors is set to expire soon.
MIXUE Group (MIXUE) is a freshly-made drinks company providing affordable products to consumers, including freshly-made fruit drinks, tea, ice cream and coffee, typically priced at around one USD per item.
In this note, we will talk about the lockup dynamics and possible placement.


MIXUE IPO Lockup - US$480m Cornerstone Lockup Release

China

Yum China Holdings, Inc. operates chain restaurants. The Company offers pizza, entrees, pasta, rice dishes, appetizers, soups, vegetables, beverages, and desserts. Yum China Holding conducts its business worldwide.

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Yum China Holdings (YUMC US)

Yum China (9987 HK): 2025 Outlook. Modest Growth and Margin Upside Amid Sector Headwinds

Cautious Consumers, Fierce Competition, and the Guochao Trend are Key hurdles on Yum China's path in 2025. Its Value positioning could be a double...

Devi Subhakesan

Guzman Y Gomez IPO - The Negatives - Lawsuits and Management Churn

Guzman Y Gomez plans to raise around US$160m in its Australian IPO. In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.

Sumeet Singh

Giant Biogene Placement - Has Been Doing Well but Doesn’t Need the Cash

Giant Biogene (2367 HK) aims to raise up to US$205m via a top-up placement. In this note, we talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through...

Sumeet Singh

Yum China (9987 HK/YUMC US): Earnings And Derating Risks Not Priced In

According to public news, several sell-side have come out with reports adjusting down estimates for the name in the last few days, citing negative...

Steve

MIXUE IPO Lockup - US$480m Cornerstone Lockup Release

Mixue Group (2097 HK) raised around US$450m in its Hong Kong IPO in March 2025. The lockup on its cornerstone investors is set to expire soon.

Sumeet Singh

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Yum China (9987 HK): 2025 Outlook. Modest Growth and Margin Upside Amid Sector Headwinds

​Cautious Consumers, Fierce Competition, and the Guochao Trend are Key hurdles on Yum China's path in 2025. Its Value positioning could be a double...

Devi Subhakesan

Guzman Y Gomez IPO - The Negatives - Lawsuits and Management Churn

Guzman Y Gomez plans to raise around US$160m in its Australian IPO. In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.

Sumeet Singh

Giant Biogene Placement - Has Been Doing Well but Doesn’t Need the Cash

Giant Biogene (2367 HK) aims to raise up to US$205m via a top-up placement. In this note, we talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through...

Sumeet Singh

Yum China (9987 HK/YUMC US): Earnings And Derating Risks Not Priced In

According to public news, several sell-side have come out with reports adjusting down estimates for the name in the last few days, citing negative...

Steve

MIXUE IPO Lockup - US$480m Cornerstone Lockup Release

Mixue Group (2097 HK) raised around US$450m in its Hong Kong IPO in March 2025. The lockup on its cornerstone investors is set to expire soon.

Sumeet Singh

Cautious Consumers, Fierce Competition, and the Guochao Trend are Key hurdles on Yum China's path in 2025. Its Value positioning could be a double...