Daiwa said channel checks show sporting-goods retail sales value (RSV) slowed QoQ in Q2 and monthly volatility rose, reducing Xtep’s (1368.HK) near-term predictability. The bank flagged that a core-brand transformation will disrupt wholesale channels and require upfront investment, likely diluting near-term revenue and margins; Saucony can sustain high growth but Xtep’s core brand faces slowing growth and intensifying competition. Daiwa trims EPS forecasts by about 12%, lowers its PT to HKD3.9 f

Daiwa said channel checks show sporting-goods retail sales value (RSV) slowed QoQ in Q2 and monthly volatility rose, reducing Xtep’s (1368.HK) near-term predictability. The bank flagged that a core-brand transformation will disrupt wholesale channels and require upfront investment, likely diluting near-term revenue and margins; Saucony can sustain high growth but Xtep’s core brand faces slowing growth and intensifying competition. Daiwa trims EPS forecasts by about 12%, lowers its PT to HKD3.9 from HKD5.2 and downgrades the stock to Hold from Outperform.