Haidilao (06862.HK), a leading Chinese hot pot restaurant chain, saw its stock price soar 5.05% in intraday trading, reflecting broader gains in the catering sector. The surge comes amid positive economic indicators and industry analysts' optimistic outlook for the restaurant industry.

The rally in Haidilao's stock is part of a wider trend in the catering sector, with peers such as Jiumaojiu and Yum China also posting significant gains. This uptick is supported by recent data from China's National Bureau of Statistics, which showed a 0.2% year-on-year increase in the consumer price index (CPI) for October. The rise in CPI, particularly the core CPI's 1.2% year-on-year growth, suggests a strengthening domestic demand, partly attributed to government policies aimed at boosting consumption.

Industry analysts from Guojin Securities note that while the catering sector faced challenges in September, same-store sales have shown signs of recovery since the National Day holiday. With the sector currently in a phase of store expansion and efficiency improvement, there's potential for stronger growth if consumption continues to rebound. Additionally, CITIC Securities highlights that as food delivery subsidies decrease, factors such as core business models, overseas expansion, and supply chain development will become increasingly important for companies like Haidilao to maintain their competitive edge in the market.