LIGONG ENERGY TECH(002322) 甬兴证券·2024-07-25 11:00Investment Rating - The report initiates coverage with a "Buy" rating for the company, highlighting its position as a leading player in the power cost software sector and its potential to benefit from the growth in the power information industry [77]. Core Insights - The company's future growth is primarily driven by its power monitoring products, with significant demand expected due to national grid requirements for online monitoring devices for transformers [1]. - The total investment in the national grid during the 14th Five-Year Plan is projected to be nearly 3 trillion yuan, surpassing the previous plan's 2.57 trillion yuan, with a notable 35.7% increase in investment for ultra-high voltage projects [1]. - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the digitalization of the power industry, with its digital construction business expected to gain from increased investments in grid digitalization [1]. - The environmental protection business is anticipated to maintain stable growth, supported by innovative data procurement models and successful project bids [1]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - The company operates in three main segments: software information, environmental smart instruments, and power smart instruments [8]. - The software and information segment accounted for 50.47% of total revenue in 2023, with a revenue of 5.53 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 7.13% [25][28]. Market Potential - The market for transformer oil chromatography online monitoring devices is estimated to be around 23.047 billion yuan, driven by the need for upgrades and new installations [1]. - The core software and services market for power digitalization is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 19.3%, reaching 83.9 billion yuan by 2025 [17]. Financial Projections - The company is expected to achieve net profits of 338 million yuan, 419 million yuan, and 515 million yuan for the years 2024 to 2026, with year-on-year growth rates of 37.5%, 23.9%, and 23.0% respectively [77]. - Earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be 0.89 yuan, 1.10 yuan, and 1.36 yuan for the same period, with corresponding price-to-earnings (PE) ratios of 16.53, 13.34, and 10.85 [77]. Competitive Advantages - The company has a strong market presence in power cost software, with a market share exceeding 90% in regions outside Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan [1]. - The digital construction business is a key focus area, with significant market potential as the state grid continues to invest in digital transformation [1][43]. Recent Developments - The company has successfully secured multiple contracts for environmental monitoring projects, showcasing its competitive strength in the environmental smart instruments sector [70]. - The first quarter of 2024 saw a revenue of 166 million yuan and a net profit of 41 million yuan, indicating a year-on-year growth of 16.18% and 142.57% respectively [45].