According to Citigroup, HAIDILAO is expected to benefit from the central government's boost to service consumption, initiating a positive catalyst observation

Citigroup's research report indicates that during the recently concluded Central Economic Work Conference, the government emphasized plans to "eliminate unreasonable restrictions in the consumption sector and unleash the potential of service consumption." The bank expects the government to relax some anti-luxury consumption measures by 2026, with leisure dining companies like HAIDILAO (06862.HK) benefiting more than fast-food companies.

In terms of operations, the bank anticipates a positive momentum in HAIDILAO's table turnover rate in the first quarter of next year, expecting pressure on operating profit margins to gradually ease in the second half of this year and further recover next year, benefiting from the company's completion of store renovations this year and the termination of some loss-making pilot projects in the first quarter of next year.

The bank stated that HAIDILAO remains its top pick in the Chinese dining sector, with a more optimistic outlook for leisure dining companies rather than fast-food companies next year; it also initiated a 30-day positive catalyst observation for HAIDILAO, setting a target price of HKD 18.5 and a "Buy" rating