From viral toy monster to financial success: Labubu family soars 12% on the stock market

After the Sonny Angels craze , another type of surprise doll has once again taken over the internet, the streets, and the stock market. Labubus , little monsters with sinister smiles, sharp teeth, big eyes, and elongated ears, have become a new viral phenomenon with millions in profits .

Pop Mart , the Chinese company that markets these plush toys , closed the first half of the year with a net profit of 4.574 billion yuan (546 million euros), which is 374% more than the profits recorded in the first half of last year. In addition, after presenting its results, the company announced the imminent launch of a mini version of its popular collectible dolls, causing its shares to rise more than 12% on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange .

The Labubus , created in 2015 by artist Kasing Lung, made their first appearance as part of the picture book The Monsters . They didn't make their way into the toy world until 2019 with Pop Mart. But late last year, singer Lisa, from the Korean pop group (K-Pop) Blackpink and a supporting actress in the third season of White Lotus , turned them into a phenomenon by starting to use them as accessories. She's been joined by a diverse array of brainiacs: from David Beckham to Cher, Kim Kardashian and Marc Jacobs .

Given this scenario, the Chinese company's turnover reached a total of 13.876 billion yuan (1.656 billion euros) by June, which represents more than the series that includes the Labubu .

By region, the Chinese company's revenue growth was widespread, with a 135% increase in China , to 8.283 billion yuan (989 million euros); 258% in Asia Pacific , to 2.851 billion yuan (340 million euros); while in America, revenue increased 12-fold , to 2.265 billion yuan (270 million euros); and in Europe , it totaled 478 million yuan (57 million euros), almost eight times more than a year earlier.

Also, during the conference call following the presentation of its first-half results, Pop Mart founder and CEO Wang Ning said he is confident the company can easily exceed its annual sales projection .