Li Ning's First-Half Earnings Rose on Steady China Growth

By Amanda Lee and Megan Cheah

Li Ning's earnings climbed in the first half of 2026, bolstered by steady revenue growth in its China operations.

Net profit for the six months ended June rose 4.5% to 1.82 billion yuan, equivalent to US$270.7 million, from the same period a year ago, the Chinese sportswear brand said late Thursday.

Revenue added 2.8% from a year ago to 15.235 billion yuan. This was attributed to a higher top-line in both its franchised distributor and e-commerce channels under its China operations.

Revenue from directly-operated offline stores also increased thanks to Li Ning's improved membership system and consumer experience, despite pressure in the retail promotional environment, the company said.

Looking ahead, the Beijing-based company intends to boost its product quality with functional upgrades. It also aims to use collaborations, such as its partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee, to strengthen its brand reputation.

The company declared an interim dividend of 0.3512 yuan a share, up from 0.3359 yuan.

Shares closed 1.8% higher on Thursday at 14.46 Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to US$1.84, before the results.

Write to Amanda Lee at amanda.lee@wsj.com and Megan Cheah at megan.cheah@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 20, 2026 20:49 ET (00:49 GMT)