Haidilao's stock scaled a one-month high of HK$23.15, before easing to trade up 12% at HK$21.50. It was the biggest percentage gainer on Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, which was down 0.63% on the day due to geopolitical worries.

China started dismantling its 'zero-COVID' restrictions in December, in a boost to consumer and food companies that were battered during the pandemic, with Haidilao and peers Jiumaojiu International Holdings Ltd, LH Group Ltd and Cafe De Coral among those expected to benefit.

Haidilao said it expects to record a net profit of no less than 1.3 billion yuan (about $187 million) for 2022, compared to a loss of 4.16 billion yuan in 2021, also helped by a gain of 329 million yuan on the cancellation of its 2026 notes as well as its restructuring plan.

The company's business performance will be further improved, it said late on Friday, due to the easing of COVID curbs in mainland China.

Brokerage Nomura said the company's adjusted net profit margin in the second half of last year could return to the level seen in the second half of 2020, and the faster-than-expected margin recovery trend may boost sentiment on the stock.

The stock is up roughly 90% since the start of November, far outperforming the broader Hang Seng Index's gain of 35% in the same period.

Shares of Jiumaojiu International, LH Group, Cafe De Coral, China Resources Beer and Budweiser Brewing Co APAC all rose between 2% and 4% on Monday after Haidilao's forecast.

(Reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Singapore; Editing by Savio D'Souza)