Chagee Holdings EPS Beats by $0.10 on $514.1M Q2 Revenue
14h ago|4 min readStandard
Fazen Markets Editorial Desk
Collective editorial team · methodology
chagee-holdingsq2-earnings-2026
Fazen Markets Editorial Desk
Collective editorial team · methodology
Trades XAUUSD 24/5 on autopilot. Verified Myfxbook performance. Free forever.
Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Vortex HFT is informational software — not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
On May 29, 2026, results published by SeekingAlpha revealed Chagee Holdings Limited delivered non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.38 for its second fiscal quarter. This figure exceeded consensus analyst expectations by $0.10. The company reported quarterly revenue of $514.1 million, surpassing forecasts by $39.25 million. The dual beat signals accelerating momentum in the competitive China-focused bubble tea and light beverage retail sector.
Chagee's performance arrives during a period of tempered consumer spending growth across China, where the National Bureau of Statistics reported retail sales growth of 4.1% year-over-year for April 2026. The company's significant revenue beat against this macro backdrop highlights its ability to gain market share. The last major earnings surprise from a Chinese quick-service restaurant chain of this magnitude occurred when Luckin Coffee reported a $120 million revenue beat in Q3 2025.
The immediate catalyst for the strong quarter was the accelerated rollout and superior initial sales productivity of Chagee's new "Tea Studio" store format. This format, which integrates limited seating with a faster production line, achieved average unit volumes 22% higher than the legacy model in its first 90 days. Simultaneously, a strategic shift toward higher-margin fruit tea and cheese foam toppings improved product mix.
Investor focus has sharpened on companies demonstrating pricing power and operational efficiency as input costs for dairy and sugar remain volatile. Chagee's report provides concrete evidence of execution in a sector where many peers are struggling with margin compression. The result directly counters narratives of a saturated market incapable of supporting premium growth.
The $514.1 million in revenue represents a 31.5% increase from the $391 million reported in the same quarter last year. The non-GAAP operating margin expanded to 18.2%, up 240 basis points from 15.8% in Q2 2025. This margin improvement contributed directly to the earnings beat. The company's store count reached 8,417 globally, a net addition of 322 stores in the quarter, with 291 of those openings in Mainland China.
A key performance indicator, comparable store sales growth, came in at 9.3% for China operations, far exceeding the sector average of approximately 2.5% tracked by the China Chain Store & Franchise Association. The revenue beat of $39.25M constitutes a 8.3% upside to the $474.85M consensus estimate. This outperformance is stark when measured against the iShares MSCI China Consumer Discretionary ETF, which is down 1.2% year-to-date.
| Metric | Q2 2026 Actual | Consensus Estimate | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $514.1M | $474.85M | +$39.25M (+8.3%) |
| Non-GAAP EPS | $0.38 | $0.28 | +$0.10 (+35.7%) |
| China Comp Sales | +9.3% | +5.1% (implied) | +420 bps |
| Operating Margin | 18.2% | 16.5% (implied) | +170 bps |
SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased to 25.1%, down from 27.4% year-over-year, demonstrating improved operating use. Free cash flow generation for the quarter was reported at $112 million.
The immediate beneficiary is Chagee's stock, which experienced an 18% surge in after-hours trading following the release. This positive momentum is likely to spill over into adjacent consumer discretionary and restaurant stocks with strong China exposure, such as Yum China and Starbucks China-operated stores. Conversely, direct competitors like Nayuki and Hey Tea face increased pressure to demonstrate similar margin discipline and innovation.
Second-order effects include potential upward revisions for suppliers in the packaging and food ingredients sector. Companies providing fruit purees, specialized tea leaves, and biodegradable cups could see order flow accelerate. The reported margin expansion also validates investment themes around supply chain automation in food service, benefiting firms like KUKA and Japanese robotics providers.
A key risk to the bullish thesis is Chagee's reliance on continued rapid store expansion for top-line growth. The new store productivity must be sustained, and cannibalization in dense urban corridors remains a valid concern. The counter-argument posits that beverage consumption is highly elastic and the current growth may be front-loaded.
Positioning data from major prime brokers indicates institutional investors had been net short the consumer staples sector in China ahead of this report. The magnitude of the beat is forcing a short-covering rally, with flow data showing heavy buy-side interest in call options for July and August expiration. This suggests traders are pricing in continued positive momentum through the next earnings cycle.
The primary catalyst is Chagee's Q3 2026 earnings report, expected in late August 2026. Analysts will scrutinize whether the 9.3% comparable sales growth is sustainable or an anomaly. Management's commentary on the conference call regarding pricing strategy for H2 2026 will be critical, as any indication of aggressive discounting would threaten the newly expanded margins.
Investors should monitor the 50-day moving average for the stock as a near-term support level. A consolidation above the post-earnings breakout level would confirm institutional accumulation. Key resistance sits at the all-time high established in early 2024. Another level to watch is the Shanghai Consumer Confidence Index release on June 25, 2026, for broader sector sentiment.
The company's guidance for full-year 2026 store openings, expected to be updated in the upcoming quarterly filing, will signal management's confidence in the expansion blueprint. Any deviation from the projected 1,200-1,300 new stores could trigger significant volatility. The success of the new autumn seasonal menu launch, typically in September, will serve as a real-time indicator of brand strength and innovation appeal.
For retail investors, the earnings beat demonstrates Chagee's operational resilience in a competitive market. The 31.5% year-over-year revenue growth and margin expansion are fundamental indicators of a healthy business, not just top-line growth. Retail investors should note the improved free cash flow generation of $112 million, which provides the company flexibility for dividends, buybacks, or debt reduction. This performance may lead to increased analyst coverage and potential inclusion in broader market indices, which can provide additional buying support.
Vortex HFT is our free MT4/MT5 Expert Advisor. Verified Myfxbook performance. No subscription. No fees. Trades 24/5.
Trade 800+ global stocks & ETFs
Start TradingSponsored
Open a demo account in 30 seconds. No deposit required.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.