Thursday, July 31st, 2025

Global Soy‑Sauce Leader Haitian Flav Set for Soaring HK IPO Debut 19 June – +200× Demand, Strong Metrics & Major Bank Backing

IPO Details

Purpose of IPO

  • The company is raising approximately HK$9.27 billion net (HK$9.56 billion gross).

  • Funds will be used for international expansion, R&D, smart manufacturing, and global brand-building. Haitian Flav is pushing into overseas markets with its “global flavour” initiatives.

IPO Pricing

  • Price range: HK$35 to HK$36.30.

  • This is approximately a 20% discount to its Shanghai A-share price of about HK$45.58.

Oversubscription

  • Retail tranche saw 219× oversubscription.

  • Total retail oversubscription exceeded 200×, indicating extremely strong retail demand.

Dividend Commitment

  • The IPO prospectus includes a formal dividend policy committing to pay at least 20% of distributable profit annually, subject to shareholder approval and applicable laws.

  • Historical dividend payments:

    • 2022: RMB 3,201.6 million

    • 2023: RMB 3,243.7 million

    • First 9 months of 2024: RMB 3,660.4 million

  • This reflects the company’s long-term commitment to stable and healthy dividend payouts.


Placement & Listing Outlook

Placement Details

  • Initial offering of 263.2 million H-shares.

  • Additional 55.3 million shares may be issued via greenshoe option, bringing the maximum to 318.5 million shares.

Supply vs. Demand

  • Given the extreme oversubscription and limited share allocation, there is a high likelihood of a strong first-day performance with a significant price jump.


Investors & Subscriptions

Institutional and Anchor Investors

  • The offering is led by multiple top-tier global investment banks.

  • Institutional demand is reported to be very strong, likely mirroring retail demand.

Strength Signal

  • Broad-based and strong subscription across retail and institutional investors shows high market confidence.


Underwriters & Sponsors

Joint Sponsors and Underwriters

  • Morgan Stanley

  • CICC (China International Capital Corporation)

  • Goldman Sachs

Performance Outlook

  • Backing from these blue-chip banks enhances credibility and typically boosts first-day market performance due to strong international marketing, pricing, and book-building.


Company Overview

Business Model

  • Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co. is China’s largest condiment producer.

  • Brand: “Haday” — a leader in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other sauces.

  • The company offers over 1,450 SKUs (products).

Market Share

  • No. 1 in China for condiments with approximately 12.6% share in soy sauce category.

  • Global soy sauce market share of approximately 1.1%.

Financials (2024)

  • Revenue: RMB 26.9 billion (+9.5% year-on-year growth)

  • Net profit: RMB 6.34 billion (+12.8% year-on-year growth)

  • Profit margin: 23.6%

R&D Investment

  • R&D spending: RMB 840 million (~3.12% of revenue)

  • Focus on smart factory automation and product innovation.

Management Team

  • Chen Junyang (Chairman)

  • Guan Jianghua (Director)

  • Liao Changhui (Director)

  • Pang Kang (Honorary Chairman)

  • Wen Zhizhou (Independent Director)

  • Cheng Xue (Independent Director)


Market Conditions & Trends

a) Sector Trends

  • Asia’s condiment market growing at 5%–10% annually.

  • International demand supported by globalization and fusion cuisines.

b) Timing of IPO

  • Scheduled listing date: June 19, 2025.

  • Currently stable market window in Hong Kong.

c) Economic Climate

  • China’s economy is stabilizing.

  • Hong Kong market liquidity improving with stronger exchange fund inflows.

d) Recent Updates

  • Strong double-digit profit growth.

  • Advanced R&D in fermentation, intelligent production, and automation.

e) Market Conditions & Risks

  • Conditions are favorable with strong demand, high-quality underwriters, and robust company fundamentals.

  • Risks include:

    • Volatility in raw material (soybean) prices.

    • Exchange rate fluctuations.

    • Regulatory risks in China’s food safety and export sectors.

    • Market correlation between A-share and H-share prices.

f) Lock-up Period

  • Promoters hold approximately 70% of shares.

  • Lock-up period ranges from 6 to 12 months post-listing.


Peer Comparison Table

Company P/E Ratio P/B Ratio Revenue Growth Net Margin R&D % Revenue China Soy Sauce Market Share
Foshan Haitian Flavouring ~16× ~3× +9.5% 23.6% 3.12% 12.6%
Lee Kum Kee ~20× 2.5× +8% 21% 2% 4%
Sichuan Teway ~18× 3.2× +11% 25% 4% 3%

Peer Comparison Analysis:

  • Foshan Haitian trades at a modest P/E discount relative to its peers, while showing superior profit margins, steady revenue growth, and substantial market leadership.

  • Recent IPOs in the same sector have seen 10%–15% first-day gains; Haitian’s fundamentals suggest a stronger 20% potential upside.


Analyst Coverage & Targets

  • Citi target price: HK$42

  • Morgan Stanley target price: HK$45

  • Goldman Sachs target price: HK$46

Consensus:

  • Analysts expect 20%–30% upside from IPO price range.


IPO Allotment Result

  • Final allotment ratio approximately 1:200.

  • The extremely high oversubscription ratio signals strong aftermarket demand.


Investment Verdict

Recommendation:

  • Strong fundamentals, leading market position, consistent growth, blue-chip sponsors, and high investor demand.

Expected First-Day Price:

  • Estimated HK$43–HK$48 (~20%–30% premium on listing day).

Verdict:

  • Worth subscribing both for long-term growth investors and short-term IPO trading.


Prospectus Access

  • Prospectus can be downloaded from HKEX News website by searching:
    “佛山市海天調味食品股份有限公司” under the “New Listings” section.

    https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0611/2025061100017.pdf

    Bottom Line: Haitian Flav brings leading global scale, strong growth, advanced tech, deep investor appeal and blue-chip backing. Expect a strong debut in HK—potential 20–30% first-day upside.

    Thank you

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