Meituan Shares Hit Multi-Month Low as Moody’s Trims Outlook
Shares of Meituan tumbled to their lowest level since March 2024 on Thursday after Moody’s Ratings shifted its outlook for the Chinese food-delivery giant to negative. The stock dropped as much as 5.1% in Hong Kong, eventually closing 4.5% lower at HK$84.85, as analysts warned that escalating competition and heavy investment requirements would continue to weigh on the company’s profit margins.
The intraday slide to HK$84.30 reflects growing investor anxiety over the company's ability to maintain its dominant market position. While Meituan remains a leader in China’s gig economy, the revision from a stable to negative outlook by Moody’s Ratings signals that the path to a full recovery for its core food-delivery business is increasingly precarious.
Senior analyst Ying Wang noted in a Wednesday report that intense rivalry within the sector is forcing Meituan to sustain high levels of spending. This aggressive environment is expected to keep the company's leverage elevated for a longer period than previously forecasted. According to the report, subsidy-driven competition in the domestic market may eventually ease, though the timeline for such a shift remains unknown.
Resilience Beyond Delivery
Despite the negative outlook, Moody’s affirmed Meituan’s issuer rating, citing the company’s prudent financial management and a robust net cash position. Analysts expect the company's secondary segments—including in-store services, hotels, and travel—to maintain steady performance. These divisions are projected to provide a critical financial buffer while the primary food-delivery arm navigates its recovery.
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