Q2 2026 Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings Ltd Earnings Call

August 26, 2026

Speaker #1: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the webinar for Health and Happiness International Holdings Limited's 2026 interim results presentation. Joining us today are Mr. Luo Fei, Chairman; Mr. Akash Bedi, Group CEO and CEO for North America, Middle East, and India; Mr. Jason Wang, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer; and Ms. Mavis Liu, Head of Investor Relations and Bank Relations.

Operator: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the webinar for Health and Happiness International Holdings Limited 2026 interim results presentation. Joining us today is Mr. Luo Fei, Chairman, Mr. Akash Bedi, Group CEO and CEO for North America, Middle East, and India, Mr. Jason Wang, Chief Financial Officer and Operating Officer, and Ms. Mavis Lu, Head of Investor Relations and Bank Relations. During today's presentation, Mr. Luo will first provide some opening remarks, after which Mr. Bedi will present the group's business review and outlook. Following this, Mr. Wang will present the group's financial review for the H1 of 2026. Following the presentation, we will be opening the floor for questions. You submit a text question at any time by clicking the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel. That is clicking the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel.

Operator: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the webinar for Health and Happiness International Holdings Limited 2026 Interim Results presentation. Joining us today is Mr. Luo Fei, Chairman, Mr. Akash Bedi, Group CEO and CEO for North America, Middle East, and India, Mr. Jason Wang, Chief Financial Officer and Operating Officer, and Ms. Mavis Lu, Head of Investor Relations and Bank Relations. During today's presentation, Mr. Luo will first provide some opening remarks, after which Mr. Bedi will present the group's business review and outlook. Following this, Mr. Wang will present the group's financial review for the H1 of 2026. Following the presentation, we will be opening the floor for questions. You submit a text question at any time by clicking the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel. That is clicking the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel.

Speaker #1: During today's presentation, Mr. Law will first provide some opening remarks, after which Mr. Bedi will present the Group's business review and outlook. Following this, Mr. Wang will present the Group's financial review for the first half of 2026.

Speaker #1: Following the presentation, we'll be opening the floor for questions. You can submit a text question at any time by clicking the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel—that's clicking the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel.

Speaker #1: Questions can be submitted in English or Chinese. I will now pass it over to Mr. Law Faye for his opening remarks.

Operator: Questions can be submitted in English or Chinese. I will now pass it over to Mr. Luo Fei for his opening remarks.

Speaker #2: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to H&H Group's 2026 interim results conference call. 2026 is the first year of the implementation of our three-year growth plan.

Luo Fei: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to H&H Group 2026 interim results conference call. 2026 is the first year of the implementation of our three-year growth plan. Thanks to our team's effort and our business partner, we are very happy to see that we have achieved a great start in the H1 of 2026. All the three business pillars of ANC, BNC, and PNC record growth, driving the group's revenue to increase by 23.7% year-on-year. More importantly, we believe that such growth is a structurally healthy development. At the same time, we maintain healthy profitability and high cash conversion rate so that we have enough cash to develop our business and reduce our net leverage ratio based on our plan. We are confident in the long-term development of our business.

Fei Luo: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to H&H Group 2026 Interim Results Conference Call. 2026 is the first year of the implementation of our three-year growth plan. Thanks to our team's effort and our business partner, we are very happy to see that we have achieved a great start in the H1 of 2026. All the three business pillars of ANC, BNC, and PNC record growth, driving the group's revenue to increase by 23.7% year-on-year. More importantly, we believe that such growth is a structurally healthy development. At the same time, we maintain healthy profitability and high cash conversion rate so that we have enough cash to develop our business and reduce our net leverage ratio based on our plan. We are confident in the long-term development of our business.

Speaker #2: Thanks to our team's effort and our business partners, we are very happy to see that we have achieved a great start in the first half of 2026.

Speaker #2: All three business pillars of ANC, BNC, and PNC recorded growth. Driving the group's revenue to increase by 23.7% year on year. And more importantly, we believe that such growth is a structurally healthy development.

Speaker #2: At the same time, we maintain healthy profitability and a high cash conversion rate. So, we have enough cash to develop our business and reduce our plan.

Speaker #2: We are confident in the long-term development of our business, so the board has announced the distribution of interim dividends of HK$0.82 per share to continue to demonstrate the long-term support of our shareholders.

Luo Fei: The board has announced the distribution of the interim dividends of HKD 0.82 per share to continue to reward the long-term support of our shareholder. This dividend payout ratio returns to historical dividend payout range of 50% of adjusted net profit. I will now pass it to our CEO, Akash, and CFO, Jason, to give you a more detailed introduction. Thank you.

Fei Luo: The board has announced the distribution of the interim dividends of HKD 0.82 per share to continue to reward the long-term support of our shareholder. This dividend payout ratio returns to historical dividend payout range of 50% of adjusted net profit. I will now pass it to our CEO, Akash, and CFO, Jason, to give you a more detailed introduction. Thank you.

Speaker #2: This dividend payout ratio returns to the historical dividend payout range of 50% of adjusted net profit. I will now pass it to our CEO, Akash, and CFO, Jason, to give you a more detailed introduction.

Speaker #2: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Faye, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to our first half 2026 results. Before I walk you through our results, I just want to remind you about our brands.

Akash Bedi: Thank you, Fei, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to our H1 2026 results. Before I walk you through our results, I just want to remind you about our brands. This is a very important page for us. This strategy started back in 2015 when we first made our overseas acquisition of Swisse and started creating the family nutrition company towards it. Today, with pet nutrition, today we can say we are the complete family health and wellness provider. Our brands remain the same, our strategies remain the same, which is also underpinned on this strategy. One of the key things that we always profess that strategy is not for short-term. Strategy is for long-term, and our strategy is delivering the results. How? We are focused. We are choiceful. We are winning in our core markets.

Speaker #1: This is a very important page for us. This strategy started back in 2015 when we first made our overseas acquisition of Swisse and started creating the family nutrition company towards it.

Speaker #1: And today, with pet nutrition, we can say we are the complete family health and wellness provider. So our brands remain the same. Our strategy remains the same.

Speaker #1: This is also underpinned by this strategy. One of the key things that we always profess is that strategy is not for the short term. Strategy is for the long term.

Speaker #1: And our strategy is delivering the results. How? We are focused. We are choiceful. We are winning in our core markets. As Jason and I will walk through in our results, we are driving incremental growth and revenue across our core markets through our global leading brands: Swisse, Biostime, and Zesty Paws, in China, Australia, and North America.

Akash Bedi: As Jason and I will walk through in our results, we are driving incremental growth and revenue across our core markets through our global leading brands, Swisse, Biostime, Bestie for in China, Australia, and North America. Globalization remains central theme, but globalization doesn't mean that we want to put the flag of H&H across markets. We are present in the key markets where our brands make sense, where we see the underlying consumption remains strong. We are present in more than 20 markets, and we are consolidating our footprint through, again, our global strategic brands of Swisse, Bestie Plus, and Biostime across Asia, Europe, which remains central to our growth in the coming years. We don't only want to diversify, we don't want to only globalize, but we also want to invest for the future. The future investment doesn't need to come from M&A.

Speaker #1: Globalization remains a central theme. But globalization doesn't mean that we want to put the flag of H&H across all markets. We are present in the key markets where our brands make sense, where we see the underlying consumption remains strong.

Speaker #1: We are present in more than 20 markets, and we are consolidating our footprint through, again, our global strategic brands of Swisse, Cestipos, and Biostime, supporting our growth in the coming years.

Speaker #1: We don't only want to diversify. We don't want to only globalize, but we also want to invest for the future. And future investment doesn't need to come from M&A.

Speaker #1: It needs to come in the form of innovation: in the form of product, in the form of channel, and in the form of communication.

Akash Bedi: It needs to come in the form of innovation, in the form of product, in the form of channel, and in the form of communication. We will continue to expand our addressable markets in our core three brands. We will diversify through these partnerships with our suppliers, with investment through our own resources into R&D and science. But before that remains that we want to be profitable, we want to drive growth, and we want to have a very strong balance sheet towards it. Again, if you look at on page 6 of the presentation, we are very pleased to see 23.7% like-for-like revenue growth rate. This is pretty much a strong growth rate given the external market context that we are today living in. All our three business units, as Faye has mentioned, has reported positive growth rate, and we will deep dive into this.

Speaker #1: We will continue to expand our addressable markets in our core three brands. We will diversify through partnerships with our suppliers, and with investment from our own resources into R&D and science.

Speaker #1: But before that, it remains that we want to be profitable. We want to drive growth, and we want to have a very strong balance sheet towards it.

Speaker #1: And again, if you look at page number 6 of the presentation, we are very pleased to see a 23.7% like-for-like revenue growth rate.

Speaker #1: This is pretty much a strong growth rate, given the external market context that we are living in today. All our three business units, as Faye has mentioned, have reported positive growth rates, and we will deep dive into this.

Speaker #1: This growth did not come at the expense of profitability. In fact, we increased our profitability, reaching an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.8%, which is a growth rate of 71.9%.

Akash Bedi: This growth did not come at the expense of profitability. In fact, we increased our profitability reaching an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.8%, which is a growth rate of 71.9. We were able to grow, we were able to drive our profitability. This is also driving our adjusted net profit margin to double digit, close to 10.6 percentage points. Couple this, as Faye mentioned, we have strengthened our P&L, our cash flows, and our balance sheet, and we are pleased to report a dividend of HKD 0.82 per share. We want to incentivize our shareholders because of the strong growth that we see. Going deeper into our business segments. ANC, led by our human supplements business. Today, nutritional supplements represents close to 60% of our business, and ANC is a key highlight of that. We are growing in H1 at 13.9%. What drove this growth?

Speaker #1: So we were able to grow, and we were able to drive our profitability. This is also driving our adjusted net profit margin to double digits, close to 10.6%.

Speaker #1: Coupled with this, as Faye mentioned, we have strengthened our P&L, our cash flows, and our balance sheet, and we are pleased to report a dividend of $0.82 per share.

Speaker #1: We want to incentivize our shareholders because of the strong growth that we see. Going deeper into our business segments, ANC is led by our human supplements business.

Speaker #1: Today, nutrition supplements represent close to 60% of our business, and ANC is a key highlight of that. We are growing in the first half at 13.9%.

Speaker #1: What drove this growth? It grew across all our existing markets and the growth markets. Our China ANC business grew by almost 20%, but also retained superior profitability as well.

Akash Bedi: It growth across all our existing markets and the growth markets. Our China ANC business grew by almost 20 percentage points, but also retained superior profitability. This growth rate was driven by both our cross-border business and normal trade, which grew by high teens level, showing the resilience of our brand. Our ANZ ANC business increased by 12 percentage points, and the category grew by low single digit points. Our highlight expansion markets are accretive to our growth. They are not contributing higher dollar sales, but they are accretive to our overall growth, growing at 20.5 percentage points. PNC, we are so pleased to see after 2 years such an accelerated growth. It required investment, it required commitment, and thanks to our suppliers, our partners, our banking partners to believe in our growth strategy. We reported growth rate of 45% on a like-for-like growth.

Speaker #1: And this growth rate was driven by both our cross-border business and normal trade, which grew by high teens level, showing the resilience of our brand.

Speaker #1: Our ANZ, ANC business increased by 12% when the category grew by low single digit points. And then our highlight: expansion markets. They are accredited to our growth.

Speaker #1: They are not contributing higher dollar sales, but they are accredited to our own growth, growing at 20.5%. BNC, we are so pleased to see after two years such accelerated growth.

Speaker #1: It required investment. It required commitment. And thanks to our suppliers, our partners, and our banking partners for believing in our growth strategy. We reported a growth rate of 45% on a like-for-like growth basis.

Speaker #1: But the key point to highlight, our China business, which grew by 58%, this was not a price-led growth. This was a volume-led growth. And as you can see, our market share reached an all-time high of 20.6.

Akash Bedi: The key point to highlight our China business, which grew by 58 percentage points. This was not a price-led growth, this was a volume-led growth. As you can see, our market share reached an all-time high of 20.6%. I want to share a very specific highlight of our stage 1 growth rate. It grew by almost 68.8% when the whole IMF market declined by 3.5 percentage points. Everyone should be comfortable that this growth is sustainable. We will continue to invest in. PNC, smaller business, but the key growth focus for us. Our pet supplements business, led by Zesty Paws, grew by almost 16.5% growth rate. This growth was sustained by our largest market, North America, but also underpinned by our expansion efforts that has now started to grow in UK, Europe, and Asia.

Speaker #1: I want to share a very specific highlight of our stage one growth rate. It grew by almost 68.8% when the whole IMF market declined by 3.5%.

Speaker #1: So, everyone should be comfortable that this growth is sustainable. We will continue to invest there. PNC is a smaller business, but it's the key growth focus for us.

Speaker #1: Our pet supplements business, led by Zesty Paws, grew at an almost 16.5% growth rate. This growth was sustained by our largest market, North America, but was also underpinned by our expansion efforts, which have now started to show growth in the UK, Europe, and Asia.

Speaker #1: We're also pleased to see that our turnaround strategy of Solid Gold has now started yielding results. In North America, we reported a 6.3% like-for-like growth rate.

Akash Bedi: We are also pleased to see that our turnaround strategy of Solid Gold has now started yielding results. In North America, we reported 6.3% like-for-like growth rate. We want to accelerate our efforts for Solid Gold, and we will be sharing more details in the coming quarters on the progress of the business. All this progress has led to strengthen our balance sheet. We reduced our grossness by RMB 1 billion, and we were able to improve our leverage ratio to 2.05, 18 months ahead of the time reaching that target. Jason Wang will share more details on the cash flow conversion as we progress onto that. Innovation remains central to our growth rate for the H1, and we want to be a growth-led business for that. In ANC, Swisse continued to outperform in innovative categories such as heart health, metabolism, and joint health.

Speaker #1: We want to accelerate our efforts for Solid Gold, and we will be sharing more details in the coming quarters on the progress of the business.

Speaker #1: All this progress has led to a strengthened balance sheet. We reduced our borrowings by $1 billion, and we were able to improve our leverage ratio to 2.05.

Speaker #1: Eighteen months ahead of the time, reaching that target. Jason will share more details on the cash flow conversion as we progress onto that. Innovation remains central to our growth rate for that.

Speaker #1: And we want to be a growth-led business for that. In ANC, Swisse continues to outperform in innovative categories such as heart health, metabolism, and joint health.

Speaker #1: For the last 12 months, almost 10.6% of NSR contribution came from NPD for our China business. In our ANZ business, magnesium and multivitamins remain our growth strategy for that.

Akash Bedi: For the last 12 months, almost 10.6% of NSR contribution came from NPD for our China business. In our ANZ business, magnesium multivitamins remains our growth strategy for that. That is us. We are able to grow ahead of the industry growth rate. PNC product innovation remains an important driver of our consumer engagement and market share. This is how we are able to drive accelerated retail scan sales growth compared to the market, which is in a decline. Pet nutrition, we want to drive innovation, but we want to be strategic in the segments that remains our area of strength.

Speaker #1: And that is us. We are able to grow ahead of the industry growth rate as well. BNC product innovation remains an important driver of our consumer engagement and market share.

Speaker #1: This is how we are able to drive accelerated retail scan sales growth compared to the market, which is in a decline. In pet nutrition, we want to drive innovation, but we want to be strategic in the segments that remain our area of strength.

Speaker #1: We are one of the few companies who are able to launch disruptive products in the form of whether it's cat diffuser through innovative patent pending technology, or one of the first few companies in the supplements to launch a native canine, which is essentially the strains coming from the gut of a pet.

Akash Bedi: We are one of the few companies who are able to launch disruptive products in the form of whether Cat Calming Diffuser through innovative patent pending technology or one of the first few companies in the supplements to launch a Native Canine, which is essentially the strains coming from the gut of a pet. We will continue to disrupt the market. We will continue to grow ahead of the market through this disruptive approach onto that. Let me take you to our full year outlook onto that. Because of the strength of our business, as a management team, we are happy to upgrade our guidance for the whole business. We expect for 2026 our overall NSR growth rate to grow to mid to high teens, and our EBITDA margin will be from mid to high teens.

Speaker #1: We will continue to disrupt the market. We will continue to grow ahead of the market through this disruptive approach. Let me take you to our four-year outlook.

Speaker #1: Because of the strength of our business, as a management team, we are happy to upgrade our guidance for the whole business. We expect, for 2026, our overall NSR growth rate to grow to mid- to high-teens.

Speaker #1: And our EBITDA margin will be from mid- to high teens. Below that, if we segment for our ANC business, we are upgrading our guidance from high single-digit to low teen growth rate, which is underpinned by the continued success that we have seen across our existing core markets—China and ANZ—due to its online leadership, superior execution, and the innovative product contribution as well.

Akash Bedi: Below that, if we segment for our ANC business, we are upgrading our guidance from high single digit to low teen growth rate, which is underpinned by the continued success that we have seen across our existing core markets in our ANZ due to its online leadership and the superior execution and the innovative product contribution as well. ANZ, while the market is slowing down, our pace of growth is not slowing down. We are launching products in our existing and which is central to our growth rate, and we remain confident as a management team to deliver this upgraded guidance. For our BNC business, as everybody know, this year market declined by 3.5 percentage points for the H1, but we were able to grow by 58%.

Speaker #1: ANZ, while the market is slowing down, our pace of growth is not slowing down. We are launching products in our existing lines and gummies, which is central to our growth rate.

Speaker #1: And we remain confident as a management team to deliver this upgraded guidance. For our BNC business, as everybody knows, this year the market declined by 3.5 percentage points for the first half, but we were able to grow by 58%.

Speaker #1: China remains 95% of our business. So, we are optimistic that we will deliver more than a 30% growth rate for the full year for our BNC business.

Akash Bedi: China remains 95% of our business, so we are optimistic that we will deliver more than 30% growth rate for the full year for our BNC business. In terms of our pet nutrition business, we expect that our overall business will grow by high single digits. There is no change in terms of our growth outlook, either for our Solid Gold or Zesty Paws. Our EBITDA margins will remain mid-single digits. All this growth rate will be driven primarily through Zesty Paws investment into high-margin pet supplement business for the year. If we move to ESG, during the H1 2026, we continued to translate our ESG commitments into very tangible outcomes. We are a purpose-led company, and we want to be focused where we invest our efforts onto that.

Speaker #1: In terms of our pet nutrition business, we expect that our overall business will grow by high single digits. There is no change in terms of our growth outlook, either for our Solid Gold or Zesty Paws brands.

Speaker #1: Our EBITDA margins will remain mid-single digit. All this growth rate will be driven primarily through Zesty Paws' investment into the high-margin pet supplements business for the year.

Speaker #1: If we move to ESG, during the first half of 2026, we continue to translate our ESG commitments into very tangible outcomes. We are a purpose-led company, and we want to be focused on where we invest our efforts.

Speaker #1: One of the key achievements was a 56% reduction in group-wide Scope 1 emissions, increased use of renewable electricity, and during the World Community Day, more than 50% of our employees participated in that.

Akash Bedi: One of the key achievements was 56% reduction in Group wide Scope 1 emissions, increased use of renewed electricity, and during the World Community Day, more than 50% of our employees participated into that. We also maintained our Hang Seng A+ and MSCI ratings, which were included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, China Edition for the second consecutive year. We remain committed to creating sustainable long-term value for all our stakeholders and partners. Now, I will pass the floor to Jason to walk you through the financial performance of the H1 2026.

Speaker #1: We also maintained our Hang Seng A+ and MSCI ratings, which were included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, China Edition, for the second consecutive year.

Speaker #1: We remain committed to creating sustainable, long-term value for all our stakeholders and partners. Now, I will pass the floor to Jason, who will walk you through the financial performance for the first half of 2026.

Jason Wang: Thanks, Akash. So, I would like to highlight certain financial highlights. As you can see from page 14, for the interim revenue mix of 2026, we are very happy that the two key categories of the group, the nutrition supplements and Infant Milk Formula, continue to be the key revenue and the profit contributors. Both categories achieved very healthy, strong double-digit growth. We continue to gain the market share for these two key categories in both the core markets and the new expansion markets. Within the nutrition supplement category, the two key segments, the VMS products and the flagship brand of the Swisse, and the pet supplement product category under the brand of the Zesty Paws and the Solid Gold, both also achieved double-digit growth.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Akash. So I would like to highlight certain financial highlights. As you can see from page 14, for the interim revenue mix of 2026, we are very happy that the two key categories of the group, the nutrition supplements and infant formula, continue to be the key revenue and profit contributors.

Speaker #2: Both categories achieved very healthy, strong double-digit growth, and we continue to gain market share in these two key categories in both the core markets and the new expansion markets.

Speaker #2: Within the nutrition supplement category, the two key segments, the VHMS products and the flagship brand of the Swiss and the pet supplement product category under the brands of the Zesty Paws and the Solid Gold, both also achieved the double-digit growth.

Speaker #2: Then, in terms of the revenue mix by geography, we continue to achieve strong growth in Mainland China, North America, and other new territory markets.

Jason Wang: Then in terms of the revenue mix by the geography, we continue to achieve strong growth in the China mainland, North America, and other new territory markets. Within that, we can see for our ANZ market, actually recorded a slight decline. However, this is a result of our strategic choice to deprioritize the corporate Daigou business. For the ANZ domestic business, we achieved very healthy 12% growth, outpacing the whole industry growth. So overall, we have more balanced and strong growth for all these core and the expansion markets. In terms of the business segment mix, we have maintained a kind of balanced mix among the three segments. In particular, for the ANC and the BNC segments, those achieved strong double-digit growth. Within the PNC segment, the high-margin pet supplement business also achieved 16.5% growth.

Speaker #2: Within that, we can see that our ANZ market recorded a slight decline. However, this is a result of our strategic choice to deprioritize the corporate DICO business.

Speaker #2: For the ANZ domestic business, we achieved very healthy 12% growth, outpacing the overall industry growth. So overall, we're seeing more balanced and strong growth across all these core and expansion markets.

Speaker #2: In terms of the business segment mix, we have maintained a kind of balanced mix among the three segments. In particular, for the ANC and the BNC segments, those achieved strong double-digit growth.

Speaker #2: Within the PNC segment, the high-margin pet supplement business also achieved 16.5% growth. Just to be clear, for the Solid Gold business, which is mainly focused on pet food, we are still in the middle of the proportional transformation, especially for the Solid Gold China business.

Jason Wang: Just for the Solid Gold business, which is mainly focusing on the pet food, we are still in the middle of the portfolio transformation, especially for Solid Gold China business. However, we are seeing this gradual turnaround, which we believe will contribute to the accelerated growth for the overall pet business going forward. Then in terms of the revenue mix by each segment in the regions we are operating. So we maintain the differentiated regional focus aligned with the market opportunities we have secured in those key markets where we are operating. In particular, we are happy to highlight a kind of positive development is that within the ANC, the new expansion market, the contribution further went up by 1 percentage point from last year.

Speaker #2: However, we are seeing this gradual turnaround, which we believe will contribute to accelerated growth for the overall pet business going forward. Then, in terms of the revenue mix by each segment in the regions we are operating, we have maintained a differentiated regional focus, aligned with the market opportunities we have secured in those key markets where we are operating.

Speaker #2: In particular, we are happy to highlight a very positive development, which is that within the ANC, the new expansion market's contribution further went up by 1 percentage point from last year.

Speaker #2: And this is really showing the positive results from the investments and efforts we have made to drive growth in those high-potential expansion markets.

Jason Wang: This showing really the positive result from the investments and efforts we have made to drive the growth in those high growth potential expansion markets. Then in terms of the gross margin by the category, we are quite happy to achieve close to 3 percentage point improvement for our gross margin for the whole group. This margin improvement is driven by the three positive factors. The first is the operating leverage based on the larger business scale of all three segments. Secondly is the continued product portfolio premiumization based on the rollout of the new innovative products with proven functional benefits to the consumers. This helps also to improve the overall gross margin for the category as well.

Speaker #2: In terms of the gross margin by category, we are quite happy to have achieved close to a 3-percentage-point improvement in our gross margin for the whole group.

Speaker #2: And this margin improvement is driven by three positive factors. The first is operating leverage based on the larger business scale of all three business segments.

Speaker #2: And secondly, is the continued product portfolio premiumization, based on the rollout of new innovative products with proven functional benefits to consumers.

Speaker #2: And this also helps to improve the overall gross margin for the category as well. Thirdly, thanks to supply chain excellence, we have achieved this for all three segments, with the slow-moving stock provision significantly reduced in the first half for all three segments.

Jason Wang: Certainly, it is thanks to the supply chain excellence we have achieved for all three segments, with the slow-moving stock provision significantly reduced in H1 for all three segments. Overall, this positive development of the gross margin, we will expect to continue for the rest of the year. For the selling and distribution expense ratio of the sales, we also managed to reduce by 3 percentage points in H1. This is mainly driven by two factors. The first is the scale benefit we have achieved for the BNC segment after the successful completion of the Infant Milk Formula GB transition for the China market last year. Secondly, also due to the certain spending phasing for the ANC and also the BNC and PNC segment.

Speaker #2: So overall, this positive development of gross margin, we expect to continue for the rest of the year. For the selling and distribution expense ratio to sales, we also managed to reduce it by 3 percentage points in the first half.

Speaker #2: This is mainly driven by two factors. The first is the scale benefit we have achieved for the BNC segment after the successful completion of the infant formula GB transition for the China market last year.

Speaker #2: And secondly, also due to certain spending phasing, both in the ANC and also the BNC and PNC segments. We see that investment will be necessary to drive further new product rollout as well as new market expansion in the second half.

Jason Wang: We see the investment will be necessary to drive the further new product rollout as well as the new market expansion in H2, so that then we face certain investments from H1 to H2. We believe this S&D ratio investment is necessary to drive the continued growth of product development and market expansion going forward. At the same time, still is to do it in a disciplined way in order to maintain a healthy profitability. Based on this positive development from the revenue growth margin and S&D, we achieved very high, healthy adjusted EBITDA margin for the overall group in H1.

Speaker #2: So then we faced certain investments from the first half to the second half. We believe this S&D ratio investment is necessary to drive the continual growth of product development and market expansion going forward.

Speaker #2: At the same time, it is important to do this in a disciplined way in order to maintain healthy profitability. Based on this positive development in revenue, gross margin, and S&D, we achieved a very healthy and high adjusted EBIT margin for the overall Group in the first half.

Speaker #2: And as you can see, right, with the development of the gross and EBITDA margin in the core markets, we have developed this proven track record to make the strategic investment in the new expansion market to win in the future as well.

Jason Wang: As you can see, with the development of the growth and EBITDA margin in the core markets, then we have developed this proven track record to make the strategic investment in the new expansion market to win in the future as well. So that then we expect the profitability of the new expansion market will also go up to get close to the core markets in the long run. Regarding the adjustment principle, as you can see, we have taken the consistent adjustment principles to adjust the non-cash and non-recurring items for H1 of this year. The purpose of this adjustment is to show you the actual underlying business performance after the adjustment. For the non-cash items this time, there are mainly two major items.

Speaker #2: So then we expect the profitability of the new expansion markets will also go up and get closer to the core markets in the long run.

Speaker #2: Then, regarding the adjustment principle, as you can see, we have followed consistent adjustment principles to account for non-cash and non-recurring items for the first half of this year.

Speaker #2: The purpose of this adjustment is to show you the actual underlying business performance after the adjustment. And for the non-cash items this time, there are mainly two kinds of major items.

Speaker #2: One is the net fair value loss of certain financial instruments. This is related to the cross-currency swap we put in place for our underlying US dollar term loan and the senior notes.

Jason Wang: One is the net fair value loss on our certain financial instruments, and this is related to the cross-currency swap we placed for our underlying US dollar term loan and the senior notes. Along with the RMB appreciation against the US dollars in H1, then we recorded the net fair value loss for those cross-currency swaps. However, the placement of those swaps is really to protect our underlying debt instrument currency exposure. Plus also, the company can enjoy the upfront tangible interest saving through this hedging arrangement. Another major fair value of loss is related to the FX change for our intragroup loans. This is also as a result of the RMB appreciation against the US dollars in H1. As you know, since this is the fair value loss for the intragroup loans, this is a purely accounting treatment.

Speaker #2: So, along with the RMB appreciation against the US dollar in the first half, we recorded a net fair value loss for those cross-currency swaps.

Speaker #2: However, the placement of those swaps is really to protect our underlying debt instrument currency exposure, and also, the company can enjoy the upfront, tangible interest saving through this hedging arrangement.

Speaker #2: And another major fair value loss is related to the FX change for our intergroup loans. So this is also as a result of the RMB appreciation against the US dollar in the first half.

Speaker #2: And as you know, since this is the kind of fair value loss for the intergroup loans, this is purely an accounting treatment. There's no actual cash loss to any third party.

Jason Wang: There is no actual cash loss to any third party. This is why we believe by adjusting those non-cash items, then we can show you on the adjusted base the true performance of the underlying business. Regarding the liquidity status, we have maintained a very healthy cash position for the whole group, so that then ending June cash balance reached close to RMB 2 billion. Plus also, we reserved the undrawn RMB credit lines of over RMB 1.26 billion available for drawdown for any kind of working capital needs later. Plus, we also have the $20 million revolving credit facilities available for the company to drawdown as well. Based on the strong liquidity position we have maintained, we do not foresee any kind of need to drawdown the revolving credit facility in any kind of short-term timeframe.

Speaker #2: So this is why we believe, by adjusting those non-cash items, we can show you on an adjusted basis the true performance of the underlying business.

Speaker #2: So regarding the liquidity status, we have maintained a very healthy cash position for the whole group. As a result, the ending June cash balance reached close to RMB 2 billion.

Speaker #2: Additionally, we have reserved ongoing RMB credit lines of over RMB 1.26 billion, which are available for drawdown for any kind of working capital needs in the future.

Speaker #2: Plus, we also have the $20 million U.S. dollars revolving credit facility available for the company to draw down as well. Based on the strong liquidity position we have maintained, we don’t foresee any need to draw down the revolving credit facility in the short-term.

Speaker #2: And we believe we will continue to maintain this healthy liquidity position for the rest of the year. In terms of leverage status, we have achieved very significant improvement in the overall leverage status in three areas.

Jason Wang: We believe we will continue to maintain this healthy liquidity position for the rest of the year. In terms of the leverage status, we have achieved very significant improvement of the overall leverage status in three areas. First, on the left-hand side of this page, you can see the total gross debt got reduced by RMB 1 billion. As you may recall, we guided to the market at the beginning of this year, the gross debt reduction target is RMB 500 million to RMB 700 million. Basically, for the H1 of this year, we already overachieved significantly this deleveraging target. Plus also, the mix of the debt instruments in the capital structure also got significantly optimized in the H1, so that now you can see the RMB and RMB hedged debt contribution reached close to 98% of the total borrowing.

Speaker #2: First, on the left-hand side of this page, you can see the total gross debt got reduced by RMB 1 billion. As you may recall, we guided the market at the beginning of the year that the gross debt reduction target is RMB 500 to 700 million.

Speaker #2: So basically, for the first half of this year, we already overachieved significantly on this deleveraging target. Plus, the mix of the debt instruments in the capital structure also got significantly optimized in the first half.

Speaker #2: So that now you can see the R&B and R&B hedged debt contribution reached close to 98% of the total borrowing. So this matched better with our underlying cash flow and also to enable us to enjoy the more favorable interest cost.

Jason Wang: This matched better with our underlying cash flow and also to enable us to enjoy the more favorable interest cost. Therefore, for our actual interest expense margin, we got further reduced now to 5.65%. As you may recall, two years ago, our weighted average interest expense margin was close to 7%. We managed to reduce by 1 percentage point last year. For H1 this year, we further reduced to 5.65%. For the full year, we expect to further reduce to close to 5.5%. This really shows the continuous improvement of the overall finance cost, which will also contribute to the improvement of the underlying net earnings. With this positive development of the capital structure, our net leverage ratio got also significantly reduced to 2.05 times.

Speaker #2: Then therefore for our actual interest expense margin, we got further reduced down to 5.65%. So as you may recall, right, two years ago, our weighted average interest expense margin was close to 7%.

Speaker #2: We managed to reduce by 1 percentage point last year. Then, for the first half of this year, we further reduced to 5.65%. For the full year, we expect to further reduce to close to 5.5%.

Speaker #2: So, this really shows the continuous improvement of the overall finance cost, which will also contribute to the improvement of the underlying net earnings. Then, with this positive development of the capital structure, our net leverage ratio was also significantly reduced to 2.05 times.

Speaker #2: So, as you may recall, our peak time for net leverage since COVID was close to 4 times, four years ago. And then, we have achieved this consistent deleveraging path over the last four years.

Jason Wang: As you may recall, our peak time for the net leverage since the COVID was close to four times, four years ago. We have achieved this consistent deleveraging path of the last four years. We also indicated to the market earlier that we would expect the net leverage to come down to close to two times by end of 2028. With this positive development in the H1, we are very confident that we are achieving this overall deleveraging target well ahead of our original plan.

Speaker #2: Plus, we also indicated to the market earlier that we would expect net leverage to come down to close to 2 times by the end of 2028.

Speaker #2: So, with this positive development in the first half, we are very confident that we are achieving this overall deleveraging target well ahead of our original plan.

Speaker #2: And with this strong underlying business performance, as well as the healthy profitability and high cash conversion just mentioned by our Chairman and also CEO, the whole management team is very confident we will continue this strong momentum.

Jason Wang: With this strong business underlying performance, as well as the healthy profitability and high cash conversion, as Jason mentioned, by our Chairman and also CEO, the whole management team is very confident we will continue this strong momentum so that we can generate the healthy, sustainable return to our shareholders, to our bond investors, banking partners, as well as other stakeholders. That is the quick overview of our financial performance in H1.

Speaker #2: So that, then, we can generate healthy, sustainable returns to our shareholders, our bond investors, banking partners, as well as other stakeholders. So that's the quick overview of our financial performance in the first half.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Jason. We are now ready to take your questions from the audience. As a reminder, you may submit a question by text by clicking the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel.

Operator: Thank you, Jason. We are now ready to take your questions from the audience. As a reminder, you may submit a question by text by clicking the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel. That is the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel. Questions can be submitted in English or Chinese. I will now pass it over to Mavis to commence the Q&A.

Speaker #1: That's the question mark symbol on the left-hand side of the webcast panel. Questions can be submitted in English or Chinese. I will now pass it over to Mavis to commence the Q&A.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Matt. Now we have questions come from our senior and her question. There are two questions. The first question is in the first half, are the expense increase by over 200 million R&B to from 200 million over 200 million R&B to 404 million R&B.

Mavis Lu: Thank you, Matt. Now we have questions from Xinlan Pan of Bloomberg. There are two questions. The first question is, in H1, other expense increased by over 200 million RMB to 404 million RMB. Can you help to break down the change? Her second question is, can the management have update on the ATO case?

Mavis Lu: Thank you, Matt. Now we have questions from Xinran Pan of Loomis, Sayles. There are two questions. The first question is, in H1, other expense increased by over 200 million RMB to 404 million RMB. Can you help to break down the change? Her second question is, can the management have update on the ATO case?

Speaker #3: Can you help break down the change? And her second question is also: Can management provide an update on the ATO case?

Speaker #2: Yeah, sure. I can answer these two financial-related questions. The first question regarding the increase of the other expenses in the first half—actually, this is mainly related to the non-cash net fair value loss on our derivative financial instruments.

Jason Wang: Yeah, sure. I can answer these two financial related questions. The first question regarding the increase of other expenses in H1. Actually, this is related to mainly the non-cash net fair value loss on our derivative financial instruments. As I just mentioned, this is one of the major adjustment items. Again, for this fair value kind of loss, it is mainly associated with the RMB appreciation against the U.S. dollars in H1 for the cross-currency swap we placed for our underlying U.S. dollar term loan and also the underlying U.S. dollar senior notes. As you know, the nature of this swap is really to lock in the company's underlying currency exposure for the debt instruments. So that it is a net-net, right?

Speaker #2: As I just mentioned, this is one of the major adjustment items. Again, for this fair value kind of loss, it's mainly associated with the RMB appreciation against the US dollar in the first half, for the cross-currency swaps we placed for our underlying US dollar term loan and also the underlying US dollar senior notes.

Speaker #2: So as you know, right, the nature of this swap is really to lock in the company's underlying currency exposure for the debt instruments. So that it's a net-net, right? While you have the other expenses for the fair value loss, you can enjoy the benefit of underlying principal protection, plus also the upfront interest kind of saving.

Jason Wang: While you have the other expenses for the fair value loss, you can enjoy the benefit of underlying principal protection, plus also the upfront interest kind of saving. Going forward, as just mentioned, we are going to continue to reduce our underlying US dollar denominated debt so that the need for the cross-currency swap should also get reduced. This is also from the source can reduce this kind of, say, the fluctuation of the non-fair value gain or loss impact on our P&L. Regarding the second question on the management update on the ATO situation. As we already announced on 3 July, we received the official decision paper from the ATO after their one year long objection review. The result is pretty much similar to their original audit position.

Speaker #2: Going forward, as just mentioned, we are going to continue to reduce our underlying U.S. dollar-denominated debt. So then, the need for the cross-currency swap should also be reduced.

Speaker #2: So this is also from the source, which can reduce this kind of, say, the fluctuation of non-fair value gain or loss impact on our P&L.

Speaker #2: Regarding the second question on the management update on the ATO situation, as we already announced on the 3rd of July, we received the official decision paper from the ATO after their one-year-long objection review.

Speaker #2: The result is pretty much similar to their original audit position. So then, according to the plan, the company filed the appeal statement to the federal court in Australia in early July.

Jason Wang: So that according to the plan, the company filed our appeal statement to the Federal Court in Australia in early July. As you can see, the company has the full confidence that we have a very strong position to maintain, and there is no expectation for any kind of further cash outflow for the final conclusion of this case. Therefore, based on the advice and the confirmation from our tax advisors, counsels, and also auditors, for this interim result, there is no any provision required to be made for our P&L. Plus also cash flow-wise, we already placed AUD 100 million in July last year as a kind of deposit to ATO, and there is no further cash flow required for any further deposit from now to the end of conclusion of this case. Therefore, there is no any further impact on the company's cash flow.

Speaker #2: So, as you can see, the company has full confidence that we have a very strong position to maintain, and there is no expectation for any kind of further cash outflow for the final conclusion of this case.

Speaker #2: Therefore, based on the advice and the confirmation from our tax advisors, counsels, and also auditors, for this interim result, there is no provision required to be made for our P&L.

Speaker #2: Plus, also, cash flow-wise, we already placed 100 million Australian dollars in July last year as the kind of deposit to ATO, and there is no further cash flow required for any further deposit.

Speaker #2: From now until the conclusion of this case, there will be no further impact on the company's cash flow. If there is any further progress in this appeal process with the federal court, we will also keep the market posted.

Jason Wang: If there is any further progress of this appeal process with the Federal Court, we will also keep the market posted.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Jason. The next question comes from and regarding the infant milk formula business, how did the management view the overall market competitive landscape and its future growth its growth going forward?

Mavis Lu: Thank you, Jason. The next question comes from Deng Xue from Dongwu Securities. Regarding the Infant Milk Formula business, how did the management view the overall market competitive landscape and its future growth going forward?

Speaker #1: Thank you, Mavis. We expect, on our way, that we buy ourselves time to sustain the growth momentum in 2026 and beyond. This will be coupled by many factors.

Akash Bedi: Thank you, Mavis. We expect on our way that we, Biostime, to sustain the growth momentum in 2026 and beyond. This will be coupled by many factors. One, product innovation. HMO, IMF, further strengthens Biostime's premium positioning and consumer engagement. We are one of the only few imported brands to have this innovation into the China market. New mother education is central to our volume-led growth rate, supporting strong early IMF performance and building healthy consumer pipeline. As I mentioned, our stage 1, stage 2 retail scans grew by 68.8% and 41.8%, significantly outpacing the market. Our number of new consumers for stage 1 in H1 2026 was 550,000. Compared to FY25, it was 750. So we have almost recruited 80% of that in H1. Then, if you look at our stage 1 and stage 2 conversion, it's closer to 40 percentage points.

Speaker #1: One, product innovation: HMO, IMF further strengthens Biostime's premium positioning and consumer engagement. We are one of the only few imported brands to have this innovation in the China market.

Speaker #1: New mother education is central to our volume-led growth rate, supporting strong early IMF performance and building a healthy consumer pipeline. As I mentioned, our stage one and stage two retail sales grew by 68.8% and 41.8%, significantly outpacing the market.

Speaker #1: Our number of new consumers for stage one in the first half of 2026 was 550,000. Compared to FY25, it was 750,000, so we have already recruited almost 80% of that in the first half.

Speaker #1: Then, if you look at our stage one and stage two conversion, it's closer to 40 percentage points. All the recruitment that we have done in the first half will underpin and drive the growth rate as we progress into the second half and also 2027.

Akash Bedi: All the recruitment that we have done in H1 will underpin and drive the growth rate as we progress into H2 and also 2027. Our channel replenishment, if you look at it, remains very healthy. Our POS is growing by 30 percentage points, and that will also maintain that we are able to drive accelerated growth. In terms of market share, as I mentioned, our market share reached all-time high of 20.6 percentage points compared to number 1, which is at 26.6%. So we still have room.

Speaker #1: Our channel replenishment, if you look at it, remains very healthy. Our POS is growing by 30 percentage points, and that will also ensure that we are able to drive accelerated growth.

Speaker #1: In terms of market share, as I mentioned, our market share reached an all-time high of 20.6 percentage points, compared to number one, which is at 26.6.

Speaker #1: So we still have room in the super premium segment to narrow the gap. Also, if you look at it, we are yet to become number one.

Jason Wang: In the super premium.

Akash Bedi: In the super premium segment to still narrow the gap. Also, if you look at, we are yet to become number 1. We are today number 3 imported IMF, and there are two more players. We can still narrow the gap with all the initiatives that we have outlined to reach to that level. The number 1 player holds 11.4% and number 2 at 9.1%. Biostime has the opportunity to go from 5.8% and three amongst the top two players in the coming years.

Speaker #1: We are close to where we are today, number three in imported IMF, and there are two more players. We can still narrow the gap with all the initiatives that we have outlined to reach that level.

Speaker #1: The number one player holds 11.4, and number two is at 9.1. BOS team has the opportunity to go from 5.8 and reach among the top two players in the coming years.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Akash. The next question is regarding the risk to our business in China related to cross-border e-commerce tightening policies. How does management view the potential impact of such cross-border e-commerce tightening policies going forward?

Mavis Lu: Thank you, Akash. The next question comes from Xu Teng from Dongwu Securities. It is regarding the Swisse business in China on the cross-border e-commerce tightening policy. How does the management view that such cross-border e-commerce tightening policies going forward? Will it be more tightened?

Speaker #3: Will it be more tightened?

Speaker #1: Thank you, Susan. Let me take this one. We, as a company, fully support the regulatory tightening. We believe it's a positive development for the long-term health of the industry and especially for well-established players like Swisse in the market.

Akash Bedi: Thank you, Xu Teng. Let me take this one. We, as a company, fully support the regulatory tightening. We believe it is a positive development for the long-term health of the industry, especially for well-established players like Swisse in the market. Our view, stricter oversight will raise the entry barriers and probably accelerate even consolidation, which is very similar to what we saw when the new GB standards in the Infant Milk Formula were implemented. It supports very sustainable and a quality-driven growth rate. From our business perspective, we see minimal disruption and potentially share gains as we remain fully compliant, science-backed market leader with superior regulatory capabilities.

Speaker #1: Our view is that stricter oversight will raise the entry barriers and probably accelerate even further consolidation, which is very similar to what we saw when the new GB standards in the infant milk formula were implemented.

Speaker #1: It supports very sustainable and quality-driven growth. From our business perspective, we see minimal disruption and potential share gains as we remain a fully compliant, science-backed market leader with superior regulatory capabilities.

Speaker #1: As you know, we as a business have been investing significant resources both upstream—which is in our supply chain, working closely with our contract manufacturers—but also downstream, knowing our consumer, working with regulators to develop robust traceability systems to ensure we are bringing the best products to the market.

Akash Bedi: As you know, we as a business have been investing significantly resources both in upstream, which is in our supply chain, working closely with our contract manufacturer, but also downstream, knowing our consumer, working with regulators to develop robust traceability systems to ensure we are bringing the best products to the market. So we remain in full compliance and see this as beneficial to our underlying business. Also, you can have seen that in terms of TikTok, as the market regulatory has tightening, Swisse has remained the beneficiary. Our H1 growth rate was 57 percentage points, and if you look at on a YTD basis, the market on TikTok only grew by low double digit of 12 percentage points. We gained share. We remain a strong number 3. We do not want to be a price-led brand.

Speaker #1: So we remain in full compliance and see this as beneficial to our underlying business. Also, you can see that in terms of TikTok, as the market regulatory has tightened, Swisse has remained the beneficiary. Our first half growth rate was 57 percentage points.

Speaker #1: And if you look at it on a by-TD basis, the market on TikTok only grew by low double digits, at 12 percentage points. We gained share.

Speaker #1: We remain a strong number three. We don't want to be a price-led brand. We want to be a fully science-backed, compliant brand in the China market and other markets as well.

Akash Bedi: We want to be a fully science-backed compliant brand into the China market and other markets as well.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Akash. So, the next question is regarding the dividend payout. We are seeing that the company has increased the dividend payout for the first half.

Mavis Lu: Thank you, Akash. The next question is regarding the dividend payout. We are seeing that the companies have increased the dividend payout for the H1. What do we expect the dividend payout for the full year? This is the first question. The second question is regarding the PNC business in North America. What do you see the growth driver going forward for the H2 and even for 2027?

Speaker #3: So, what do we expect the dividend payout for the full year to be? This is the first question. And the second question is regarding the PNC business in North America.

Speaker #3: What do you see as the growth driver going forward for the second half and even for 2027?

Speaker #1: Thank you, Mavis.

Jason Wang: Thank you, Mavis. I can take on the first question, and Akash will answer the second question on the PNC growth. For the dividend payout, based on the very strong healthy liquidity status of the company, as well as the accelerated deleveraging we already achieved, the company decided to increase the dividend payout for the H1 to 50% of the adjusted net profit. Actually, this is in line with our guidance to the capital market before. As you may recall, for last year and also earlier this year, we have been communicating to the market that after the company lower the net leverage ratio to below 2.5x, then our dividend payout will go back to the historical level of 50% to 70%.

Speaker #2: So, I can take on the first question and Akash will answer the second question on the PNC growth. So, for the dividend payout, based on the very strong, healthy liquidity status of the company, as well as the accelerated deleveraging we have already achieved.

Speaker #2: So, the company decided to increase the dividend payout for the first half to 50% of the adjusted net profit. Actually, this is in line with our guidance to the capital market before.

Speaker #2: As you may recall, for last year and also earlier this year, we have been communicating to the market that after the company lowered the net leverage ratio to below 2.5 times, our dividend payout will go back to the historical level of 50 to 70%.

Speaker #2: So, therefore, based on this very strong result for the first half, for both profitability and deleveraging, we will implement this return to the normal dividend payout of the policy.

Jason Wang: Therefore, based on this very strong result for the H1 of both profitability and deleveraging, then we will implement this return to a normal dividend payout of the policy, so that then H1 payout is 50%, i.e., RMB 460 million. For the H2 of this year, based on the very strong outlook of both the business growth and the cash flow generation, then we intend to maintain the same level of the payout for the full year. We believe this is the best way for us to use our cash resource. On one hand, to continue to generate the cash for the business growth needs, and also on the other hand, to continue to use the resource to further deleverage and also return to our shareholders. This is a quite balanced and efficient use of our cash resource.

Speaker #2: So the first half payout is 50%, that is, $460 million R&D. Then, for the second half of this year, based on the very strong outlook for both business growth and cash flow generation, we intend to maintain the same level of payout for the full year.

Speaker #2: And we believe this is the best way for us to use our cash resources: on one hand to continue to generate cash for the business growth needs, and also, on the other hand, to continue to use resources to further deleverage, and also return to our shareholders.

Speaker #2: So this is a quite balanced and efficient use of our cash resources.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Jason. I'll just echo the same thing from a Jason perspective, right? We are a growth-led company. As you can see, all our business units are profitable.

Akash Bedi: Thank you, Jason. I will just echo the same thing from a Jason perspective. We are a growth-led company. As you can see, all our business units are profitable. We generate significant cash flows to do that. We remain on track of deleveraging our balance sheet, and we are ahead of the track. We want to ensure that we have both the growth outlook, but also incentivizing our shareholders who have stuck to us for the longest period of time as well. We believe that thanks to our strong brands, we can continue to invest in accelerated growth. That is why you can see there is no tapering down our guidance. In fact, we remain confident in exceeding those expectations towards.

Speaker #1: We generate significant cash flows to do that. We remain on track in deleveraging our balance sheet, and we are ahead of that track. We want to ensure that we have both the growth outlook, but also incentivize our shareholders who have stuck with us for the longest period of time as well.

Speaker #1: We believe that, thanks to our strong brands, we can continue to invest in accelerated growth. That's why you can see there is no tapering down of our guidance.

Speaker #1: In fact, we remain confident in exceeding those expectations towards. So that's why we as a management team has recommended to increase our payout ratio back to historical levels to show the confidence that we have in our underlying business in the coming months and years towards it.

Akash Bedi: So that is why we as a management team have recommended to increase our payout ratio back to historical levels to show the confidence that we have in our underlying business in the coming months and years towards it. We believe that is our best utilization of capital, both internally and externally. Second question, from a PNC perspective. As I had mentioned, PNC is today our third largest vertical, representing 12.5%. Zesty Paws remains the biggest revenue contributor for us. We are today, majority, if you take a step back, Zesty Paws remains a North America team. Almost 86% of revenues come from North American market. Even in the very mature market, our growth rate is close to high teens, close to 17 percentage points. We are growing ahead of the category in the North America, which is growing at 7% to 8 percentage points.

Speaker #1: And we believe that's our best utilization of capital, both internally and externally. Second question, from a PNC perspective. As I had mentioned, PNC is today our third largest vertical, representing 12.5%.

Speaker #1: Industry post remains the biggest revenue contributor for us. Today, if you take a step back, Zesty Post remains a North America team—almost 86% of revenue comes from the North American market.

Speaker #1: And even in the very mature market, our growth rate is in the high teens, close to 17%. We are growing ahead of the category in North America, which is growing at 7% to 8%.

Speaker #1: So we are driving incremental growth through innovative products and distribution. Gaining into that, our strategy is to replicate the same playbook that we used when we acquired Swiss.

Akash Bedi: We are driving incremental growth through innovative products and distribution gain into that. Our strategy is to replicate the same playbook that we had when we had acquired Swisse. Strengthen our core business in North America and take the brand globally. Thanks to our footprint that we have built in the last 10 years in Asia, Europe, Australia, and China, we will be implementing the same playbook of extending the reach of Zesty Paws into other markets. For us, it is driving the penetration of pet supplements into other markets using Zesty Paws as the growth lever for that. Our longer-term ambition is to take this revenue contribution, which is in low double digit, closer to 20%. This, just for clarity, will not come at the expense of slowdown in any categories.

Speaker #1: Strengthen our core business in North America and take the brand globally. Thanks to the footprint we have built over the last 10 years in Asia, Europe, Australia, and China, we will be implementing the same playbook of extending the reach of Zesty Post into other markets.

Speaker #1: So for us, it's driving the penetration of pet supplements into other markets, using Zesty Paws as the growth lever for that. Our longer-term ambition is to take this revenue contribution, which is in the low double digits, closer to 20%.

Speaker #1: Just for clarity, this will not come at the expense of a slowdown in any categories. This will come at the expense of driving accelerated growth and investment into this business segment in the coming years.

Akash Bedi: This will come at the expense of driving accelerated growth and investment into this business segment in the coming years.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Akash. The next question is regarding the solid growth business in China. Are there any particular reasons for the decline of the solid growth business in the first half of 2026?

Mavis Lu: Thank you, Akash. The next question is regarding the Solid Gold business in China. Any particular reasons for the decline of the Solid Gold business for the H1 2026? What is the, any future growth plan for Solid Gold China? The third one is regarding the overall competitive landscape for the whole pet business in China. Can you share more color?

Speaker #3: And what's the future growth plan for Solid Gold China? And the third question is regarding the overall competitive landscape for the whole pet business in China.

Speaker #3: Can you share more color?

Speaker #1: Thank you. I believe, yes, the revenue growth rate of the PNC business has declined by 37.7%. From a management perspective, we can confirm this is, in fact, in line with our expectations.

Akash Bedi: Thank you. I believe, yes, the revenue growth rate of PNC business has declined by 37.7%. From a management perspective, we can confirm this is in fact in line with our expectation. As a background, I think we have communicated very transparently to the capital markets that we are in the midst of turnaround of our Solid Gold business to bring in terms of long-term growth and profitability. This restructuring started from North America 2 years ago, where we exited all the non-profitable or the ex-growth heavy intensive channels like mom and pop shops. We want to be channels where we can drive growth, consumer demand, and consumption into that. You could have seen that after a period of 2 years, North America has returned to positive growth rate of 6.3%.

Speaker #1: As a background, I think we have communicated very transparently to the capital markets that we are in the midst of a turnaround of our solid growth business to bring in long-term growth and profitability.

Speaker #1: These restructurings started from North America two years ago, where we exited all the non-profitable, or the ex-growth, heavy-intensive channels like mom-and-pop shops. We want to be in channels where we can drive growth, consumer demand, and consumption into that.

Speaker #1: You can see that after a period of two years, North America has returned to a positive growth rate of 6.3%. But this journey took place over a period of two years of implementation, because any portfolio supply chain transformation takes a longer period of time.

Akash Bedi: This journey was over a period of 2 years implementation, because any portfolio supply chain transformation takes a longer period of time. We as a management team also want to reserve our efforts capital by not doing two restructurings or turnaround in parallel. Given the success that we have seen in North America, we remain confident that the strategy that we are implementing of China to move away from low-margin products to high-margin segments is the right move. As you can see, for the H1, 46% of our revenue came from high-margin segments. This is the right strategy. What we need to drive is an incremental scale, and today we are in the investment phase of with the portfolio transformation completed, down to invest behind marketing consumer education and the channel efforts to drive scale towards it.

Speaker #1: We, as a management team, also want to preserve our efforts and capital by not doing two restructurings or turnarounds in parallel. Given the success that we have seen in North America, we remain confident that the strategy we are implementing in China—to move away from low-margin products to high-margin segments—is the right move.

Speaker #1: As you can see, for the first half, 46% of our revenue came from high-margin segments. This is the right strategy. What we need to drive is the incremental scale, and today we are in the investment phase. With the portfolio transformation completed, we are now set to invest behind marketing, consumer education, and channel efforts to drive scale towards it.

Speaker #1: I'm very pleased to see that today the underlying growth momentum, while the NSRCs are dropped, the innovation—we launched the first feline native probiotic product into the China market—and the overall consumer experience from the ground check has been positive and encouraging.

Akash Bedi: I am very pleased to see that today, the underlying growth momentum while the NSR sees a drop, the innovation relaunched the first Native Canine Probiotic product into the China market, and the overall consumer experience from the ground check has been positive and encouraging. Our strategy is working. It is question of next few months, we will be able to disclose much more positive underlying fundamental growth in terms of consumption, with you to show the progress of that. Our brand is in a good health. Our strategy is the right, as you can see from the North America turnaround that we saw in the H1 of 2026.

Speaker #1: So our strategy is working. It's a question of the next few months—we will be able to disclose much more positive underlying fundamental growth in terms of consumption with you, to show the progress of that.

Speaker #1: Our brand is right, as you can see from the North America turnaround that we saw in the first half of 2026.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Akash. The next question is about cost impact. We've noticed that fish oil raw material costs have been rising in recent months.

Mavis Lu: Thank you, Akash. The next question goes to the cost impact. Noticing the fish oil raw material cost has been rise for the recent months. What is the impact for the rising cost for the fish oil have impact on the group's overall GP margin in the H2? How will the management to mitigate such cost volatility?

Speaker #3: So how did the rising cost of fish oil impact the overall gross profit margin for goods in the second half?

Speaker #3: And how will the management mitigate such cost volatility?

Speaker #1: Sure. Yeah. Thanks for the question. So overall, as mentioned in this page 19, we have achieved very significant improvement in the gross margin. Despite the higher cost kind of pressure in the first half from certain kind of key ingredients such as like fish oil as well as the higher freight cost due to the geopolitical tension we have experienced in the first half.

Jason Wang: Sure. Thanks for the question. Overall, as mentioned in page 19, we have achieved very significant improvement in the GP margin despite the higher cost pressure in the H1 from certain key ingredients such as fish oil, as well as the higher freight cost due to the geopolitical tension we have experienced in the H1. The company, we have been working very efficiently to deploy a series of measures to mitigate the impact of this rising cost. For example, for fish oil, if you look at the market price, already doubled from the beginning of this year, right? Why the company can be very confident to maintain a stable GP margin, even with the gradual improvement, is that first, the continued product innovation and the premiumization.

Speaker #1: So, as a company, we have been working very efficiently to deploy a series of measures to mitigate the impact of these rising costs. For example, if you look at fish oil—early on, the market price nearly doubled from the beginning of this year, right?

Speaker #1: So while the company can be very confident to maintain a stable gross margin, even with the gradual kind of improvement, that is first, the continued product innovation and the premiumization.

Speaker #1: So, even in the fish oil category, as you can see, we have launched many new innovative products—for example, the high-strength fish oil with much higher concentrations of omega-3, DHA, and EPA.

Jason Wang: Even in the fish oil category, as you can see, we have launched many new innovative products. For example, the high strength fish oil with much higher concentration of omega-3, DHA, and the EPA. Also we launched the innovative formats such as mini fish oil. Those kinds of products can really, on one hand, meet the better needs of the consumers for more effective products, functional benefits wise. On the other hand, also can enable us to have a more premium mix in the overall product portfolios for the fish oil so as to mitigate this, the higher rising cost.

Speaker #1: And also, we launched innovative formats, such as, say, mini fish oil. So for those kinds of products, on one hand, we really meet the better needs of consumers for more effective products, functionally and benefits-wise.

Speaker #1: On the other hand, this also can enable us to have a more premium mix in the overall product portfolio for the fish oil, so as to mitigate this higher rising cost.

Speaker #1: And secondly, also in terms of the supply chain excellence, then for the company we have through the implementation of a new procurement kind of system to improve the overall forecast accuracy so that then we can lock in the procurement of certain key ingredients well ahead of the actual production.

Jason Wang: Secondly, also in terms of the supply chain excellence, for the company, we have, through the implementation of a new procurement system, to improve the overall the forecast accuracy so that then we can lock in the procurement of certain key ingredients well ahead of the actual production. So that then we can smooth the whole price volatility in locking the price for certain ingredients before it further went up. Therefore, this kind of approach will continue for the H2 as well. Based on the current latest outlook, despite this continued inflation and the rising cost pressure for the H2, we feel confident that we can still maintain this stable, healthy GP margin level throughout the year.

Speaker #1: So that then we can smooth the whole price volatility and lock in the price for certain ingredients before it further goes up. So, therefore, actually, this kind of approach will continue for the second half of Q2.

Speaker #1: Based on the current latest outlook, despite continued inflation and rising cost pressures for the second half, we feel confident that we can still maintain this stable, healthy gross margin level throughout the year.

Speaker #1: So I'll just add one point to that, right? As a company operating in a global environment, we are not insulated from any market disruptions. We will all be impacted in a similar way.

Akash Bedi: I will just add one point to that. As a company operating in global environment, we are not insulated to any market disruptions. We all will be impacted in a similar way to do that. As Jason Wang mentioned, one of the key things that we look at it, we are not going to be a price led. Folks increase price led. We want to be consumption led, and that is coming through underlying investment into our products, consumer education as a part of that. That will be the key differentiating. Across our three business verticals, innovation today is represented more than double digit of NSR contribution. This gives us the confidence, as Jason Wang mentioned, that we can maintain our GP margin despite this market hiccups at this level in the coming 2026 as well, and going beyond to that.

Speaker #1: As Jason mentioned, one of the key things that we look at is that we are not going to be a price lag. FOX increased price lag.

Speaker #1: We want to be consumption-led, and that is coming through underlying investment into our products and consumer education as a part of that, right? And that will be the key differentiator.

Speaker #1: Across our three business verticals, innovation today is represented more than double digit of NSR contribution. This gives us the confidence as Jason mentioned that we can maintain our gross profit margin despite this market hiccups at this levels in the coming 2026 as well and going beyond to that.

Speaker #3: Okay.

Jason Wang: Okay.

Mavis Lu: To global player can share.

Fei Luo: To global player can share.

Speaker #2: I can share ingredients.

Jason Wang: Ingredients.

Mavis Lu: Ingredients.

Fei Luo: Ingredients.

Akash Bedi: Correct. As I think Fay had mentioned, if you look at the common theme across our business verticals is nutrition supplement. We do know that between our human supplements and pet supplements, there is a good chunk of overlap in terms of ingredient sources, whether it comes in the form of herbs or it comes in the form of vitamins. We do leverage those learnings across our markets, even though production happens at different places, but we keep a good pulse as to what is the underlying driving factor towards it. So we are a global led company, but we follow a decentralized approach in terms of making sure that we are not adding more costs and also helps us to invest behind underlying marketing to drive consumption.

Speaker #1: Correct. And as I think Fay has mentioned, right, if you look at the common theme across our business verticals, it is nutrition supplements. We do know that between our human supplements and pet supplements, there is a good chunk of overlap in terms of ingredient sources, whether it comes in the form of herbs or comes in the form of vitamins.

Speaker #1: We do leverage those learnings across our markets, even though production happens at different places. But we keep a good pulse as to what is the underlying driving factor towards it.

Speaker #1: So, we are a globally led company, but we follow a decentralized approach to ensure that we are not adding more costs. This also helps us to invest behind underlying marketing to drive consumption.

Speaker #2: Yeah.

Mavis Lu: Yeah. Thank you, Jason and Akash. The next question is regarding the growth outlook. Can the management broadly share the growth outlook for the three business segments over the next few years? This is the first question. The second question is, how does the Infant Milk Formula business growth momentum, will such growth momentum can be sustainable? The third question is, how can we see the Swisse business future growth driver?

Speaker #3: Thank you, Jason and Akash. The next question is regarding the growth outlook. Can the management broadly share the growth outlook for the three business segments over the next few years?

Speaker #3: This is the first question. And the second question is: how does the infant milk formula business growth momentum look, and can such growth momentum be sustainable?

Speaker #3: And the third question is: how can we see the Swiss business's future growth driver?

Speaker #1: Sure. I think, as we have said at the onset of these results in the first half, we are very pleased to upgrade our outlook for 2026, which is now for the whole organization to grow at mid- to high-teens.

Akash Bedi: Sure. I think as we have said at the onset of these results in the H1, we are very pleased to upgrade our outlook for 2026, which is now for the whole organization to grow at mid to high teens. We do want to give an overall assurance to the capital market and our investors that we are a growth-obsessed and a profit-centered company. So we will maintain our growth into ahead of the industry outlook. At this moment of time, we are not yet in a position to give a very precise numbers or outlook for each of the business segments. But as we have guided in our previous results announcements and communication, the key way to measure our success is to drive ahead of the industry growth rate.

Speaker #1: We do want to give an overall assurance to the capital markets and our investors that we are a growth-obsessed and profit-center company.

Speaker #1: So we will maintain our growth ahead of the industry outlook. At this moment in time, we are not yet in a position to give very precise numbers or outlook for each of the business segments.

Speaker #1: But as we have guided in our previous results announcements and communications, the key way to measure our success is to drive ahead of the industry growth rate.

Speaker #1: And this can be seen in our all communications across Swiss price time and our pet nutrition business to grow ahead of the market share to look at that to reiterate we will continue to maintain a growth led market into that.

Akash Bedi: This can be seen in our communications across Swisse, Lifestyle, and our pet nutrition business to grow ahead of the market share. To reiterate, we will continue to maintain a growth-led market. Jason?

Speaker #1: Jason: Okay. In terms of IMF, as I have explained, our key theme remains—China accounts for 95% of our consumption. We have been investing, since the new GB transition, a lot of effort into new mother education.

Jason Wang: Okay.

Akash Bedi: In terms of IMF, as I have explained, our key theme remains China remains 95% of our consumption. We have been investing since the new GB transition, a lot of efforts into new mother education. As you can see, the way to look at IMF business is to see the underlying health of the stage 1 and stage 2. You can see on page 29 on the screen, stage 1 growth at 68.8%, stage 2 at 41.8%. Stage 3 remains the biggest chunk of the market, and we have seen a stable level of conversion of 40% between stage 1 to stage 2.

Speaker #1: As you can see, the way to look at the IMF business is to see the underlying health of Stage One and Stage Two.

Speaker #1: You can see on the page, on the screen, stage one growth at 68.8, stage two at 41.8. Stage three remains the biggest chunk of the market, and we have seen a stable level of conversion of 40% between stage one to stage two.

Speaker #1: As all these new mothers have been recruited during the course of this year, and we do see the trend into July and August that momentum is not slowing down, we do believe that we will enter into 2027 to grow ahead of the industry.

Akash Bedi: As all these new mothers have been recruited during the course of this year, and we do see the trend into July and August that momentum is not slowing down, we do believe that we will enter into 2027 to grow ahead of the industry. Our expectation is that IMF market will continue to slow down or to grow into low single digit, decline at low single digit. But we will be able to define that through our innovation and also accelerated investment into the new mother education behind it to drive growth for overall business.

Speaker #1: Our expectation is that the IMF market will continue to slow down or grow into low single-digit decline or slow single-digit growth. But we will be able to define that through our innovation and also accelerated investment into new mother education behind it to drive growth for the overall business.

Speaker #2: That's one point I want to add to. As I mentioned at the beginning, 2026 is the first year of our three-year growth plan. So, yeah, we—our company, as a growth company, is not looking to keep at a very normal level.

Luo Fei: One point I want to add, as I mentioned at the beginning, 2026 is the first year of our three-year growth plan. Our company as the growth company is more like keep the very normal level. I think for ANC and the PNC, the investor would believe there is a big room to grow. The question about the IMF, right? Because, generally, overall, China's IMFs decline. But if you look back to the detailed market share year-to-date, H&H, we are 6.5% of the market share. We rank number five. So we do see we still have a room to grow in this area. That is my point.

Fei Luo: One point I want to add, as I mentioned at the beginning, 2026 is the first year of our three-year growth plan. Our company as the growth company is more like keep the very normal level. I think for ANC and the PNC, the investor would believe there is a big room to grow. The question about the IMF, right? Because, generally, overall, China's IMFs decline. But if you look back to the detailed market share year-to-date, H&H, we are 6.5% of the market share. We rank number five. So we do see we still have a room to grow in this area. That is my point.

Speaker #2: So I think for ANC and PNC, the investor would believe there's a big room for growth. The question about the IMF, right?

Speaker #2: Because, yeah, generally overall the Chinese IMF declined. But if you look back to the detailed market share up year to today, H&H, we are at 6.5% market share.

Speaker #2: We ran number five, so we do see we still have room to grow in this area. So, yeah, that's my point.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Akash and Fay. So here we come to the final question. It's regarding the Douyin channel in China for Swisse. Can management share more color on the development in the Douyin channel for Swisse in China?

Mavis Lu: Thank you, Akash and Fei. Here we come to the final question from the floor. It is regarding the Douyin channel for Swisse China. Can the management share more colors on the development in the Douyin channel for Swisse in China? How can we expect a growth going forward?

Speaker #3: And how can we expect growth going forward?

Speaker #1: So, in terms of the Douyin channel, I'm very happy to say that for our mainland China business, it represented 20% of our NSR, which is a very meaningful contribution to our overall business.

Akash Bedi: Well, in terms of the Douyin channel, I am very happy to say that for our mainland China business, it represented 20% of our NSR, which is a very meaningful contribution to our overall business. If you look at on a YTD basis, the Douyin channel grew by almost 12.6 percentage points. Whereas if you look at our growth rate, it was high 57 percentage points. We are a number 3 player. What we have seen as we have outlined when we came with Jason in the Q1 operating update, we see a lot of weaker players or the non-compliant players exiting this channel because of the compliance and because of the investment that is required. Swisse, being one of the most professionally and well-run company, is taking the benefit of that in terms of driving it. As you can see, we are a number 3 brand into that.

Speaker #1: If you look at it on a year-to-date basis, the Douyin channel grew by almost 12.6 percentage points, whereas if you look at our growth rate, it was a high 57 percentage points.

Speaker #1: We are a number three player. What we have seen, as we outlined when we came with Jason in the Q1 operating update, is that a lot of weaker players, or the non-compliant players, are exiting this channel because of compliance and because of the investment that is required.

Speaker #1: Swiss, being one of the most professionally and well-run companies, is taking advantage of that in terms of driving it. As you can see, we are the number three brand in that.

Speaker #1: We are not participating in any price-led way. We are participating through launching our disruptive innovation. We launched AKK, which is a weight management brand.

Akash Bedi: We are not participating into any price-led way. We are participating through launching our disruptive innovation. We launched Akkermansia, which is a weight management brand, sorry, product into China through Douyin. We also launched our NAG, a mobility product, and all of these are a premium-led innovation that has helped us to secure this accelerated growth rate onto Douyin channel for our China business.

Speaker #1: Sorry, product into China through Douyin. We also launched our NAG, a mobility product. And all of these are premium-led innovations that have helped us secure this accelerated growth rate on the Douyin channel for our China business.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Akash. So, we still have one final question: Can the management share the latest guidance with the whole market?

Mavis Lu: Thank you, Akash. We still have one final question. Can the management share the latest guidance with the whole market?

Speaker #1: So, just to quickly recap: we are quite happy to share with you that, in comparison with the guidance we provided to the capital markets earlier this year, we would like to raise the guidance for both the Group and also for each of the three segments.

Jason Wang: This I can quickly recap. We are quite happy to share with you that in comparison with the guidance we provided to the capital market earlier this year, we would like to raise the guidance for both the group and also each of the three segments based on the strong growth momentum we have achieved in H1 and also the continued positive outlook for H2. On the group total, we target the top line to achieve mid to high teen growth, and then adjusted EBITDA margin for the full year to achieve mid to high teen level. As you may recall, the guidance earlier is to achieve the mid-teen level EBITDA margin. This time we raised to mid to high teen. Then the same for the adjusted net profit margin.

Speaker #1: Based on the strong growth momentum we have achieved in the first half, and also the continued positive outlook for the second half, on the group total we target the top line to achieve mid to high teen growth.

Speaker #1: And then it's just a bit of margin for the full year to achieve mid to high teens level. As you may recall, the guidance earlier is to achieve the mid teens level of margin.

Speaker #1: So this time, we raise to mid- to high-teens. Then, the same for the adjusted net profit margin. Also, we target to achieve mid- to high-single digit.

Jason Wang: Also we target to achieve mid to high single digit, which also we increased from the mid single digit earlier this year. Under the group for each segment, for ANC, we target the low teen growth and also the adjusted EBITDA margin to be around 20%, which also we lift up from high teen EBITDA margin earlier this year to now close to 20%. For BNC, we also lift up the top line growth for the full year to be over 30%. For the adjusted EBITDA margin, also to increase from before was just the mid-teen level now to mid to high teen level.

Speaker #1: We also increased this from the mid-single digits earlier this year. Then, under the group, for each segment for ANC, we target low teen growth.

Speaker #1: And also, the adjusted margin is around 20%, which also we lifted up from a high-teens margin earlier this year to now close to 20%.

Speaker #1: For BNC, we also lifted up the top line growth for the full year to be over 30%. And for the adjusted margin, we also increased it; before it was just the mid-teens level, now it is at the mid- to high-teens level.

Speaker #1: Then for PNC, the top-line growth will achieve high single digits. Especially within that, the Zesty Paws will continue to achieve high teen growth for the full year.

Jason Wang: For PNC, the top line growth will achieve high single digit, especially within that, Zesty Paws will continue to achieve high teen growth for the full year, while for Solid Gold, we will see just a flat or slight decline on the total base due to the need for the continuous recovery of the overall transformation of the portfolio. For the PNC EBITDA margin to achieve around mid-single digit. With the concrete building blocks from the three segments, we are quite confident for the whole group. We can achieve mid to high teen revenue growth and mid to high teen EBITDA margin, as well as the mid to high single digit net profit margin for the full year.

Speaker #1: While then, for the solid gold, we will see just a flat or slight decline on the total base due to the need for the continuous recovery of the overall transformation of the portfolio.

Speaker #1: Then for the PNC a bit of margin, to achieve around mid single digit. So with this concrete building blocks from the three segments, then we are quite confident for the whole group, we are can achieve mid to high team revenue growth and mid to high team EBITDA margin as well as the mid to high single digit net profit margin for the full year.

Operator: Thank you everyone for joining us this morning. This concludes today's webcast. Thank you.

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Q2 2026 Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings Ltd Earnings Call

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