Latest news with #PopMartInternationalGroup
Business Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Pop Mart says Labubu craze to spur 350% surge in profit
[SINGAPORE] Chinese toymaker Pop Mart International Group expects the soaring global popularity of its Labubu plush toys to drive a threefold increase in first-half revenue and an even bigger boost to profit. Labubu – a plush, pointy-eared, serrated-tooth monster – is the centre of a global collectibles craze, with celebrities like Rihanna and BlackPink's Lisa flaunting them. Last month, a human-sized toy sold for US$150,000 at an auction in Beijing. The company said on Tuesday (Jul 15) that it expects at least a 350 per cent gain in profit for the six months ended Jun 30 and at least a 200 per cent increase in revenue for the period. As well as the increased recognition of the brand's items, Pop Mart said cost optimisation and expense control had helped profitability. What began as an obsession among young Chinese has exploded internationally, with fans lining up for hours to get their hands on the cult toys. The surging popularity of Labubus has turned Pop Mart into a more than US$40 billion company and its Hong Kong-listed shares have jumped 588 per cent over the past year. The company's rare mainstream breakthrough into Western markets has also handed Pop Mart one of the biggest retail profit margins for a Chinese firm with major global reach. Its gross profit margin of nearly 67 per cent last year, compares with homegoods and toy retailer Miniso Group Holding's 45 per cent, and the roughly 20 per cent for Xiaomi and EV powerhouse BYD. BLOOMBERG
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Wang Ning becomes China's youngest top billionaire as Labubu dolls go from blind box toys to global collectibles in celebrity circles
Wang Ning, the founder of Chinese toy company Pop Mart International Group, has entered the ranks of China's top billionaires following the global success of Labubu dolls. At 38, Wang is now the tenth richest individual in the country—and the youngest on the list—after his net worth surged from $7.59 billion to $22.7 billion in just one year, according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List. The increase in Wang's fortune is tied directly to the growing international appeal of Labubu dolls, which are now being treated as collector's items and luxury art toys. Labubu dolls: From illustrated book to billion-dollar brand The Labubu characters were originally created in 2015 by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung for his illustrated book series The Monsters. The dolls, known for their wide eyes, pointed ears, and mischievous grins, were inspired by Nordic fairy tales. Pop Mart introduced these figures to its popular 'blind box' format in 2023. The model—where customers don't know which toy they'll get until they open the box—proved especially popular among Gen Z and millennial shoppers. By 2024, Labubu dolls had become a major driver of Pop Mart's success, especially after celebrities such as BLACKPINK's Lisa, Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa, Rihanna, and Bollywood's Ananya Panday were seen with them. Pop Mart's strategy turns collectibles into global craze Pop Mart capitalized on the trend by expanding the Labubu product line, offering hundreds of variants in different sizes—from small keychains to life-sized plush versions. The wide availability and constant new designs helped keep interest high. The toy's popularity evolved further in June 2024, when a human-sized Labubu was auctioned in Beijing for 1.08 million yuan (approximately $150,275). It was the first auction dedicated to a single Pop Mart toy, marking its transition from viral hit to collectible art. Wang Ning's rise and Pop Mart's market impact Founded in 2010, Pop Mart's unique blend of art, mystery packaging, and pop culture strategy has now made Wang Ning one of the most influential figures in China's consumer goods industry. The combination of youth appeal, celebrity endorsements, and blind box excitement continues to fuel both Pop Mart's sales and Wang's wealth. The company shows no signs of slowing down, with Labubu remaining its strongest franchise to date.
Malaysian Reserve
29-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
China fund beats 97% of peers by buying Pop Mart, dumping Moutai
A 30-YEAR old Chinese fund manager is trouncing peers this year with a portfolio stocked with Gen Z-favored names like Pop Mart International Group, betting that new-age shopping trends can help his fund overcome the country's economic sluggishness. Xie Tianyuan's Penghua Selected Return Flexible Allocation Mixed Fund has returned 24% this year, ranking in the top 3% among roughly 2,300 peers, data from fund tracker East Money Information Co. show. That's a turnaround from its recent past when holdings in traditional sectors like alcoholic beverages and farming dragged performance. A gauge for Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong has risen 20% this year. The Shenzhen-based fund manager, who took over early 2024, wasted little time in replacing what was then the fund's top holding Kweichow Moutai Co., a baijiu distiller, with the maker of smash-hit Labubu dolls, Pop Mart. His repositioning for the fund, which has about $7 million in assets under management, reflects how cultural shifts — brought on by digital influence and youth spending — are creating opportunities for Chinese investors navigating broader challenges in the world's second-largest economy. His conviction strengthened after witnessing the popularity of the toy maker's products in Thailand, which, he says, signaled 'non-linear growth with every metric showing breakout potential.' Growing up immersed in Japanese anime culture — his desk is adorned with Dragon Ball Z figurines — Xie said he developed an eye for identifying promising characters or designs, called 'IP brands,' by mixing personal fandom and online research. That he himself is demographically a member of Generation Z, the driving force behind China's new 'emotional spending' consumption trend, helps him understand what may resonate beyond advertising and go viral. 'Opportunities in the sector in the years to come will be on the single stock level as the population dividend comes to an end,' he said. 'I pick companies that have breakthrough products, new business models and innovative sales channels — products that are both visually appealing and fun.' His top pick, Pop Mart, accounted for 10.5% of the fund's total assets as of March, the top end of its maximum ownership in a single stock allowed, filings show. Other big bets include Mao Geping Cosmetics Co., up 83% this year, as well as Chongqing Baiya Sanitary Products Co., and Yantai China Pet Foods Co. Xie's strategy lies firmly in targeting the Gen Z consumption trend, where purchase decisions are driven by emotional triggers and hobby interest. Despite looming threats from Donald Trump's proposed tariff hikes, this behavioral change fueled rallies in pockets of China's stock market, especially after the momentum from artificial intelligence began to fade. Shares of the companies at the heart of this trend — including Pop Mart and Laopu Gold Co., known for distinctive gold pendants — have staged wild gains this year. Laopu is up more than 2,000% since its initial public offering in Hong Kong a year ago. The rally has expanded to include sectors like medical aesthetics, pet foods and even vape products. Another potential area for Xie: tapping into the rising popularity of sparkling yellow wine. 'The line between what is considered 'old' and 'new' consumption is blurring and more companies will join the new consumption pool once they realize that there's no future for them eking out a survival in their comfort zones,' Xie said. 'Even old trees can sprout new shoots.' Still, the consumption-driven rally is showing cracks. Pop Mart tumbled after a People's Daily commentary on June 20 that called for stricter regulation of 'blind-box' toys — products in sealed packaging designed to conceal content and induce surprise and greater desire to collect them. Laopu faces greater selling pressure after the lock-up period from its IPO expired Friday. Meanwhile, many Gen Z stocks are near or above their average price targets, and in turn, driving analysts to constantly find reasons to bump up their outlook. Xie acknowledged that valuations in the sector may be getting ahead of fundamentals, with some stocks already pricing in earnings three to five years ahead. Still, he remains overall bullish, particularly on the stocks he's heavily invested in. 'The gains may look incomprehensible to some people, but it's actually all rooted in earnings,' he says. 'Growth for some is underestimated, while others are just in the early stages of their life cycle.' –BLOOMBERG
Business Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
China fund beats 97% of peers by buying Pop Mart, dumping Moutai
[HONG KONG] A 30-year-old Chinese fund manager is trouncing peers this year with a portfolio stocked with Gen Z-favoured names such as Pop Mart International Group, betting that new-age shopping trends can help his fund overcome the country's economic sluggishness. Xie Tianyuan's Penghua Selected Return Flexible Allocation Mixed Fund has returned 24 per cent this year, ranking in the top 3 per cent among roughly 2,300 peers, data from fund tracker East Money Information shows. That's a turnaround from its recent past, when holdings in traditional sectors such as alcoholic beverages and farming dragged performance. A gauge for Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong has risen 20 per cent this year. The Shenzhen-based fund manager, who took over early 2024, wasted little time in replacing what was then the fund's top holding Kweichow Moutai, a baijiu distiller, with the maker of smash-hit Labubu dolls, Pop Mart. His repositioning for the fund, which has about US$7 million in assets under management, reflects how cultural shifts – brought on by digital influence and youth spending – are creating opportunities for Chinese investors navigating broader challenges in the world's second-largest economy. His conviction strengthened after witnessing the popularity of the toy maker's products in Thailand, which, he said, signalled 'non-linear growth with every metric showing breakout potential'. Growing up immersed in Japanese anime culture – his desk is adorned with Dragon Ball Z figurines – Xie said he developed an eye for identifying promising characters or designs, called 'IP brands', by mixing personal fandom and online research. That he himself is demographically a member of Generation Z, the driving force behind China's new 'emotional spending' consumption trend, helps him understand what may resonate beyond advertising and go viral. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 3 pm Thrive Money, career and life hacks to help young adults stay ahead of the curve. Sign Up Sign Up 'Opportunities in the sector in the years to come will be on the single stock level as the population dividend comes to an end,' he said. 'I pick companies that have breakthrough products, new business models and innovative sales channels – products that are both visually appealing and fun.' His top pick, Pop Mart, accounted for 10.5 per cent of the fund's total assets as at March, the top end of its maximum ownership in a single stock allowed, filings show. Other big bets include Mao Geping Cosmetics, up 83 per cent this year, as well as Chongqing Baiya Sanitary Products, and Yantai China Pet Foods. Xie's strategy lies firmly in targeting the Gen Z consumption trend, where purchase decisions are driven by emotional triggers and hobby interest. Despite looming threats from US President Donald Trump's proposed tariff hikes, this behavioural change fuelled rallies in pockets of China's stock market, especially after the momentum from artificial intelligence began to fade. Shares of the companies at the heart of this trend – including Pop Mart and Laopu Gold, known for distinctive gold pendants – have staged wild gains this year. Laopu is up more than 2,000 per cent since its initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong a year ago. The rally has expanded to include sectors such as medical aesthetics, pet foods and even vape products. Another potential area for Xie: tapping into the rising popularity of sparkling yellow wine. 'The line between what is considered 'old' and 'new' consumption is blurring and more companies will join the new consumption pool once they realise that there's no future for them eking out a survival in their comfort zones,' Xie said. 'Even old trees can sprout new shoots.' Still, the consumption-driven rally is showing cracks. Pop Mart tumbled after a People's Daily commentary on Jun 20 that called for stricter regulation of 'blind-box' toys – products in sealed packaging designed to conceal content and induce surprise and greater desire to collect them. Laopu faces greater selling pressure after the lock-up period from its IPO expired on Friday (Jun 27). Meanwhile, many Gen Z stocks are near or above their average price targets, and in turn, driving analysts to constantly find reasons to bump up their outlook. Xie acknowledged that valuations in the sector may be getting ahead of fundamentals, with some stocks already pricing in earnings three to five years ahead. Still, he remains overall bullish, particularly on the stocks he's heavily invested in. 'The gains may look incomprehensible to some people, but it's actually all rooted in earnings,' he said. 'Growth for some is underestimated, while others are just in the early stages of their life cycle.' BLOOMBERG
Mint
29-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
China Fund Beats 97% of Peers by Buying Pop Mart, Dumping Moutai
A 30-year old Chinese fund manager is trouncing peers this year with a portfolio stocked with Gen Z-favored names like Pop Mart International Group, betting that new-age shopping trends can help his fund overcome the country's economic sluggishness. Xie Tianyuan's Penghua Selected Return Flexible Allocation Mixed Fund has returned 24% this year, ranking in the top 3% among roughly 2,300 peers, data from fund tracker East Money Information Co. show. That's a turnaround from its recent past when holdings in traditional sectors like alcoholic beverages and farming dragged performance. A gauge for Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong has risen 20% this year. The Shenzhen-based fund manager, who took over early 2024, wasted little time in replacing what was then the fund's top holding Kweichow Moutai Co., a baijiu distiller, with the maker of smash-hit Labubu dolls, Pop Mart. His repositioning for the fund, which has about $7 million in assets under management, reflects how cultural shifts — brought on by digital influence and youth spending — are creating opportunities for Chinese investors navigating broader challenges in the world's second-largest economy. His conviction strengthened after witnessing the popularity of the toy maker's products in Thailand, which, he says, signaled 'non-linear growth with every metric showing breakout potential.' Growing up immersed in Japanese anime culture — his desk is adorned with Dragon Ball Z figurines — Xie said he developed an eye for identifying promising characters or designs, called 'IP brands,' by mixing personal fandom and online research. That he himself is demographically a member of Generation Z, the driving force behind China's new 'emotional spending' consumption trend, helps him understand what may resonate beyond advertising and go viral. 'Opportunities in the sector in the years to come will be on the single stock level as the population dividend comes to an end,' he said. 'I pick companies that have breakthrough products, new business models and innovative sales channels — products that are both visually appealing and fun.' His top pick, Pop Mart, accounted for 10.5% of the fund's total assets as of March, the top end of its maximum ownership in a single stock allowed, filings show. Other big bets include Mao Geping Cosmetics Co., up 83% this year, as well as Chongqing Baiya Sanitary Products Co., and Yantai China Pet Foods Co. Xie's strategy lies firmly in targeting the Gen Z consumption trend, where purchase decisions are driven by emotional triggers and hobby interest. Despite looming threats from Donald Trump's proposed tariff hikes, this behavioral change fueled rallies in pockets of China's stock market, especially after the momentum from artificial intelligence began to fade. Shares of the companies at the heart of this trend — including Pop Mart and Laopu Gold Co., known for distinctive gold pendants — have staged wild gains this year. Laopu is up more than 2,000% since its initial public offering in Hong Kong a year ago. READ: Labubu's Mega Markups Make Pop Mart a $43 Billion Export Giant The rally has expanded to include sectors like medical aesthetics, pet foods and even vape products. Another potential area for Xie: tapping into the rising popularity of sparkling yellow wine. 'The line between what is considered 'old' and 'new' consumption is blurring and more companies will join the new consumption pool once they realize that there's no future for them eking out a survival in their comfort zones,' Xie said. 'Even old trees can sprout new shoots.' Still, the consumption-driven rally is showing cracks. Pop Mart tumbled after a People's Daily commentary on June 20 that called for stricter regulation of 'blind-box' toys — products in sealed packaging designed to conceal content and induce surprise and greater desire to collect them. Laopu faces greater selling pressure after the lock-up period from its IPO expired Friday. Meanwhile, many Gen Z stocks are near or above their average price targets, and in turn, driving analysts to constantly find reasons to bump up their outlook. Xie acknowledged that valuations in the sector may be getting ahead of fundamentals, with some stocks already pricing in earnings three to five years ahead. Still, he remains overall bullish, particularly on the stocks he's heavily invested in. 'The gains may look incomprehensible to some people, but it's actually all rooted in earnings,' he says. 'Growth for some is underestimated, while others are just in the early stages of their life cycle.' This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
