Profits tumble at Shein, shares slide

(Sharecast News) - Shares in fast fashion giant Shein tumbled on Tuesday, after debut earnings disappointed.

Publishing its first set of results since debuting on the Hong Kong market at the start of the month, the China-founded, Singapore-based firm said revenues in the three months to 30 June were largely flat at $11.1bn, while adjusted profits tumbled 66% to $228m.

Over the full six months, total orders grew by 6.4% to 549m, while net revenues softened 1% to $20.1bn. Adjusted net income sank 56% to $499m.

Shein said the global macroeconomic, geopolitical and trade policy landscape had "shifted rapidly" during the first half, amid a "challenging" consumer backdrop.

"Retail trends softened as consumers faced higher inflation and became more selective, prioritising value, variety and products that quickly match their evolving preferences," chair and founded Yangtian Xu noted.

Looking to the rest of the year, Xu warned that conditions were set to remain uncertain, with tariff headwinds and logistics costs volatility set to persist, although he added: "The fourth quarter - encompassing 11/11 [Singles Day in China], Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas season - remains our most significant promotional window and should drive a meaningful uplift in orders."

However, that did not stop the shares tumbling, and the stock finished the session 11% lower.

Shein debuted with a valuation of around $26bn on 1 September, but the shares have come under considerable pressure ever since. The firm has been hit especially hard by Washington closing the de minimis loophole, which exempted low-value shipments from custom duties, as well as a spike in energy and logistic costs caused by the outbreak of war in the Middle East.