New stock news | CKH HOLDINGS (00001) intends to conduct a dual listing in Hong Kong and the UK for its retail giant Watsons, with fundraising potentially reaching up to $2 billion.

According to reports from informed sources cited by the media, CKH HOLDINGS (00001) is considering a dual listing for its subsidiary Watsons, one of the world's largest health and beauty retail chains, with potential fundraising of up to $2 billion. The sources revealed that groundwork for Watsons Group's listing in Hong Kong and the UK is already in progress, with plans for an initial public offering (IPO) scheduled for the first half of next year. If successful, its valuation is expected to exceed $30 billion, making it one of the largest consumer retail IPOs in recent years in Hong Kong. Public information shows that Watsons Group, founded in 1841, is an internationally renowned health and beauty retail conglomerate, operating 12 brands in 31 markets with over 17,000 stores, serving more than 6 billion customers annually through offline and online platforms. According to CKH HOLDINGS' financial report for the first half of 2025, the retail division of Watsons Group generated total revenue of HK$98.84 billion, an 8% increase year-on-year. Despite strong global performance, its revenue in China was HK$6.66 billion, a 3.1% decrease year-on-year. The announcement stated that the health and beauty products business in China will continue to face resistance in the second half of the year. Watsons Group is a member of the multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited. CK Hutchison operates in 50 countries and regions, with core businesses in ports and related services, retail, infrastructure, and telecommunications. As of November 21, CKH HOLDINGS' total market value reached HK$205 billion. It is worth noting that there were rumors of Watsons' listing in 2024, and Temasek Holdings, which holds shares in Watsons Group, stated at the time that plans for Watsons Group's listing still exist, with the timing, location, fundraising amount, etc. ultimately decided by Watsons' board and management.