LI NING(02331) 信达国际控股·2024-03-21 16:00Investment Rating - The report maintains a "BUY" rating for Li Ning with a target price of HK21.25 [1]. Core Insights - Li Ning's FY23 results met expectations, with revenue of RMB27.6 billion, reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase, while net profit decreased by 21.6% to RMB3,187 million. The company declared a final dividend of RMB0.19, resulting in a payout ratio of 45% [1]. - Management provided conservative guidance for FY24, targeting a sales growth of approximately 5% and a net profit margin (NPM) of 12-13% [1]. - The company is focusing on operational improvements and quality enhancement, with a goal to drive NPM towards 15% in the mid-to-long term [1]. Financial Performance Summary - FY23 revenue was RMB27.6 billion, up 7% YoY, while net profit was RMB3,187 million, down 21.6% YoY. The gross profit margin (GPM) remained stable at 48.4% [2]. - The operating profit margin (OPM) contracted by 6.0 percentage points to 12.9%, primarily due to an increase in selling and distribution expenses [2]. - The cash conversion cycle extended by 5 days to 35 days, with operating cash flow reaching RMB4.7 billion, a 20% increase YoY [1][2]. Operational Highlights - Direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales mix improved to 25.0% from 20.7% in FY22, contributing positively to the GPM [1]. - The company reported a sell-through rate of 78%, significantly higher than 52% in FY22, indicating improved inventory management [1]. - Channel inventory decreased to 3.6 months, down from 4.2 months in December 2022, reflecting better inventory control [1]. Future Outlook - For FY24, Li Ning aims for a revenue target of RMB29.3 billion, with projected earnings of RMB3.52 billion [1]. - The company plans to optimize its store network, expecting to close over 20 directly operated stores while opening around 100 franchised stores [1]. - Management is implementing measures to control unauthorized sales activities, targeting a reduction of such activities by 50-60% by the end of FY24 [1].