China's fresh-drink stocks leave investors thirsty for returns amid heated competition
A recent thirst among investors for Chinese makers of fresh drinks – after a slew of share offerings including the blockbuster Hong Kong listing of
Mixue Group – could mean that too much money is chasing the same growth story, according to S&P Global Ratings.
'China's demand for fresh-made drinks is growing fast as marketing, innovation and supply chains strengthen for this segment,' credit analyst Sandy Lim said in a report on Tuesday.
The trend could 'ratchet up competitive spending and strains', pressure margins and even dim the growth prospects of similar categories, Lim said.
The mainland market for fresh-made beverages – which includes juices, tea, milk, ice cream and coffee – could expand by close to 18 per cent a year between 2023 and 2028, the rating agency said, adding that the segment could reach 1 trillion yuan (US$139 billion) in sales by 2027.
Investor interest in the booming but increasingly competitive sector has been reflected in four initial public offerings (IPOs) by fresh-drink companies this year: Good Me operator Guming , Mixue, Chagee , and Auntea Jenny . Since 2021, mainland Chinese fresh-drink brands have raised more than US$2.5 billion via IPOs or private-equity funding rounds, according to S&P.
However, investor confidence quickly tumbled for beverage chains that lacked a clear edge in the fiercely competitive industry, where supply-chain capacity is of paramount importance. Shares in Auntea Jenny have lost 21.3 per cent from their May 8 debut. Naixue has plunged more than 92 per cent since its July 2021 listing, and US-listed Chagee is down over 5 per cent since April.
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