November Stock To Avoid (Pop Mart), Soar 300% Over Hype, No Margin of Safety!

Mickey082024
11-22

$POP MART(09992)$ is a prominent Chinese company, best known for its innovative designer toys, particularly its "blind box" collectibles. The company was founded in 2010 and has quickly become one of the leading players in the collectible toy industry, driven by its popular product lines, including figures from well-known artists and brands.

Earning Overview

For the first half of 2024, Pop Mart International Group Limited reported a notable increase in revenue and profitability. Total revenue for this period reached CNY 4.56 billion, a 93.23% increase from the previous year. Net income also showed significant growth, rising to CNY 921.33 million, up from CNY 476.58 million in the same period in 2023. Earnings per share from continuing operations were CNY 0.6949, compared to CNY 0.3546 the previous year.

This strong performance highlights Pop Mart's sustained momentum in the collectible toy market, driven by continued consumer demand and expansion into new markets, both locally and internationally. The company’s revenue growth for the trailing twelve months (TTM) also reached 58.61%, with annual revenue increasing to CNY 8.05 billion as of mid-2024. This growth reflects Pop Mart’s successful strategic initiatives and marketing efforts, reinforcing its position in the global designer toy market.

Valuation Analysis

As of 2024, Pop Mart International Group Ltd. has a current valuation of around $10.1 billion, with a share price recently around HKD 7.63. The company, headquartered in Beijing, has seen fluctuating investor sentiment and an ongoing valuation debate. Analysts believe that Pop Mart’s stock may still be undervalued by approximately 37% to 82% based on its long-term potential and intrinsic value, though its capital allocation strategy has faced challenges. Investor sentiment has been positive recently, reflected in substantial growth in Pop Mart’s stock price following favorable earnings reports. The company has a low-risk ESG rating of 18.8, highlighting its sustainable management practices in specialty retail.

Pop Mart operates primarily in the recreational goods industry, focusing on collectible toys and art. Comparisons are often drawn between Pop Mart and Funko, another collectibles company. While Pop Mart has a broad Chinese market presence, it has begun expanding globally, increasing its growth prospects significantly, though also adding complexity to its valuation given the volatile market​.

Analyst Price Target

The current trading price is around HK$83, aligning closely with these revised targets, which implies that the stock may be considered fairly valued at this level based on these analyst expectations. However, given Pop Mart’s high P/E ratio and significant recent price movements, investors may want to consider potential volatility alongside these recommendations.

Fundamental Analysis

Pop Mart International Group’s fundamental analysis reflects strong growth potential but also high valuation risks. The company's revenue grew 36.5% in 2023, reaching CNY 6.3 billion, while net earnings surged by 127.6% to CNY 1.08 billion, largely due to its dominance in the pop toy and “blind box” retail market. This high-growth outlook has made it a favorite among investors, with analysts frequently upgrading its earnings projections. However, Pop Mart’s valuation remains relatively high, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio around 65, which may limit upside potential and suggests it could be sensitive to future earnings disappointments.

The company's fundamentals are bolstered by a high gross margin (63.2%) and a debt-free balance sheet, which enhance its financial stability and potential for reinvestment in growth. Despite its robust revenue and earnings expansion, potential risks include high volatility in share price, significant recent insider selling, and market sensitivity to consumer spending trends in China and internationally​

valuation concerns has led analysts to a cautiously optimistic stance, with recommendations generally leaning toward "overweight".

Pop Mart International Group has recently shown growth momentum and strong valuation ratios, although it may be overvalued based on its current price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-sales (P/S) ratios. As of the latest analysis, Pop Mart’s P/E ratio stands at 64.8, and its P/S ratio is 12.3, which indicates a premium compared to typical market valuations. This valuation is driven partly by its rapid earnings growth, which was 146.5% over the past year, along with projected earnings growth of nearly 35% annually. However, some analysts view Pop Mart as overvalued by roughly 20%, especially after recent price surges in 2024.

Challenges

Pop Mart has shown characteristics of a “meme stock,” with significant price volatility influenced by retail investor interest and social media discussions. This surge of interest has driven stock gains, despite high valuation multiples that may not align with its financial fundamentals. Much like other meme stocks, Pop Mart's stock price can fluctuate widely due to investor sentiment rather than solely business performance. This speculative appeal may pose risks, especially if investor enthusiasm wanes or if market conditions change abruptly.

Technical Analysis

Pop Mart's recent technical analysis highlights a mixed performance, reflecting market fluctuations and investor sentiment. Its stock, listed on the Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX: 9992), has shown volatility, which is common among consumer-driven, collectible-focused companies. Technical indicators point to both potential upward and downward trends, influenced by external factors like changing consumer behavior, economic uncertainty, and specific growth strategies in overseas markets.

Pop Mart's stock price momentum shows sensitivity to broader market trends and investor interest in "meme stocks," yet it also exhibits periods of consolidation. As a highly speculative stock in the collectible industry, its price may remain volatile in the near term, driven by both technical and fundamental factors. Many analysts maintain a cautious outlook, suggesting that long-term investor decisions consider the company's evolving revenue, profit margins, and competitive landscape within the global collectible market.

Conclusion

Short interest

Due to Pop Mart’s surge in popularity and its retail niche, the stock has been compared to a "meme stock" at times, as social media interest has also impacted its valuation. However, in 22 Nov 24 short interest had increase to 15%+, investor should cautions with the stock entry price.

Despite strong financial performance and solid market positioning, the company faces risks such as high valuation, reliance on continued demand for collectibles, and the challenges of scaling globally.

Pop Mart Surges 300%: Are You Fan of Labubu?
Pop Mart hits all time high and surges over 300% YTD. Currently, Pop Mart has more than 100 overseas stores. This year, Pop Mart's overseas revenue has grown rapidly, primarily driven by the Asian market, particularly in Southeast Asia.
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