Zepp Health Corporation
Smartwatch Momentum Continues with New Launches and Tariff Mitigation Strategies
Published: May 22, 2025
Author: FRC Analysts
*This report and research coverage is paid for and commissioned by Zepp Health Corporation – See the bottom of this report for other important disclosures rating, and risk definitions. All figures in C$ unless otherwise specified.
Sector: Technology | Industry: Consumer Electronics
Ticker Symbols:ZEPP – NYSE
Report Highlights
- Q1 shipments of self-branded products rose 25% YoY, and revenue grew 10% — both in line with our estimates. However, EPS fell from -$0.06 to -$0.08, 9% below our forecast, primarily driven by higher marketing spend.
- In Q1, Zepp maintained its position as the seventh-largest global smartwatch maker by unit sales, trailing Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Samsung (KOSE: A005930), Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), Fitbit (Google/NASDAQ: GOOGL), Xiaomi (SEHK: 1810), and Huawei. For comparison, Apple sells ∼25M units annually, while Zepp sells ∼2-3M units.
- Global smartwatch shipments remained relatively flat YoY in Q1 2025. While Apple’s shipments declined 2%, other key players posted modest gains, with Zepp’s 10% growth standing out as one of the strongest. Consensus estimates forecast 2% growth in 2025, following a slight decline in 2024, fueled by more upgrades, rising health awareness, AI integration, and increased wearables popularity.
- Zepp’s Q1 revenue growth was primarily driven by the launch of the Amazfit Active 2, targeting fashion-conscious, health-oriented consumers. In March 2025, Zepp launched the Bip 6, a lightweight smartwatch with enhanced health monitoring features. We note that both products have garnered positive reviews as affordable alternatives to premium brands like Apple, Samsung, and Garmin. The company plans to release multiple product upgrades this year, which should drive organic growth. Management anticipates a 20–35% YoY increase in revenue in Q2.
- The tariffs introduced by Trump had little impact on Zepp’s Q1 results. North America represents 15% of Zepp’s shipments, with most U.S. exports manufactured in Vietnam. In April, Trump announced a universal 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S., along with a planned 46% tariff on Vietnamese imports effective July 2025. However, we believe the recent trade deal with the U.K., and the temporary agreement with China, indicate that Trump is likely to reverse or soften most of these new measures, given their potential negative impact on U.S. consumers and businesses.
- To mitigate the impact of higher tariffs, Zepp is planning to front-run shipments to the U.S. in the coming weeks ahead of the potential tariff hike in July.
- Smartwatch makers have yet to announce any tariff-related price increases, but we believe they are likely to pass on incremental costs to consumers. Zepp estimates a $2–$3M increase in costs this year due to the universal 10% tariff on all imports to the U.S. We believe this is a reasonable estimate.
- At the end of Q1, working capital, and investments, net of long-term debt, totalled $179M vs Zepp’s MCAP of $38M, implying that the shares are trading well below liquid assets.
Disclaimer
Fundamental Research Corp. Equity Rating Scale:
- Buy – Annual expected rate of return exceeding 5%; the expected return is commensurate with risk
- Hold – Annual expected rate of return is between 5% and 12%
- Sell – Annual expected rate of return is below 5% or the expected return is not commensurate with risk
- Suspended or Rating N/A – Coverage and ratings suspended until more information can be obtained from the company regarding recent events.
Fundamental Research Corp. – Risk Rating Scale:
- (Low Risk) – The company operates in an industry where it has a strong position (for example a monopoly, high market share etc.) or operates in a regulated industry. The future outlook is stable or positive for the future. The company generates positive free cash flow and has a history of profitability. The capital structure is conservative with little or no debt.
- (Below Average Risk) – The company operates in an industry where the fundamentals and outlook are positive. The industry and company are relatively less sensitive to systemic risk than companies with a Risk Rating of 3. The company has a history of profitability and has demonstrated its ability to generate positive free cash flows (though current free cash flow may be negative due to capital investment). The company’s capital structure is conservative with little to modest use of debt.
- (Average Risk) – The company operates in an industry that has average sensitivity to systematic risk. The industry may be cyclical. Profits and cash flow are sensitive to economic factors although the company has demonstrated its ability to generate positive earnings and cash flow. Debt use is in line with industry averages, and coverage ratios are sufficient.
- (Speculative) – The company has little or no history of generating earnings or cash flow. Debt use is higher. These companies may be in start-up mode or in a turnaround situation. These companies should be considered speculative.
- (Highly Speculative) – The company has no history of generating earnings or cash flow. They may operate in a new industry with new, and unproven products. Products may be at the development stage, testing, or seeking regulatory approval. These companies may run into liquidity issues and may rely on external funding. These stocks are considered highly speculative.
Disclaimers and Disclosure
The opinions expressed in this report are the true opinions of the analyst about this company and industry. Any “forward looking statements” are our best estimates and opinions based upon information that is publicly available and that we believe to be correct, but we have not independently verified with respect to truth or correctness. There is no guarantee that our forecasts will materialize. Actual results will likely vary.
Fundamental Research Corp. “FRC” owns shares of the subject company: No. The analyst owns shares of the subject company: No , and does not make a market or offer shares for sale of the subject company, and does not have any investment banking business with the subject company.
Fees have been paid to FRC by Zepp Health Corporation to commission this report and research coverage including update reports. This fee creates a potential conflict of interest which readers should consider. The purpose of the fee is to subsidize the high costs of research and monitoring. FRC takes steps to ensure independence including setting fees in advance and utilizing analysts who must abide by CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. Additionally, analysts may not trade in any security under coverage. Our full editorial control of all research, timing of release of the reports, and release of liability for negative reports are protected contractually. To further ensure independence, Zepp Health Corporation has agreed to a minimum coverage term including an initial report and three updates. Coverage cannot be unilaterally terminated. Distribution procedure: our reports are distributed first to our web-based subscribers on the date shown on this report then made available to delayed access users through various other channels for a limited time.
The distribution of FRC’s ratings are as follows: BUY (69%), HOLD (3%), SELL / SUSPEND (28%). Zepp Health Corporation
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