Shoe Stocks Surge in June Ahead of 3-Nation World Cup

(Central News Agency, reporter Pan Zhiyi, Taipei, June 10) The first-ever joint World Cup soccer tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico is approaching, with the number of participating teams expanded from 32 to 48. This positive catalyst has driven up shoemaking stocks. Feng Tay hit a high of NT$93.5 during today's trading session, surging over 8%, and has gained 33% since the beginning of June. Lai Yih Footwear (Lai Yih-KY) reached a high of NT$285.5, up over 4%, with a gain of 70% since June.

In addition to Feng Tay and Lai Yih-KY, major shoemaker Pou Chen hit a high of NT$26.9 during today's session, up 1.5%, and has risen 5.69% since June. Professional soccer shoe maker Zhiqiang-KY (Zhiqiang International) fell over 2% during the session but is still up about 11% since June.

Zhiqiang-KY reported consolidated revenue of NT$5.357 billion for the first quarter, a decrease of 10.8% year-on-year but an increase of 8.2% from the previous quarter, with earnings per share (EPS) of NT$1.2. Lai Yih-KY reported net profit attributable to parent company owners of NT$188 million for the first quarter, with EPS of NT$0.75; its EPS for April was NT$1.44, a decrease of 27% year-on-year.

Pou Chen reported net profit attributable to parent company owners of NT$2.23 billion for the first quarter, with EPS of NT$0.76. Feng Tay reported net profit attributable to parent company owners of NT$1.209 billion for the first five months of this year, with EPS of NT$1.22. (Editor: Lin Jiaxian) 1150610