Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, indicating an expected relative performance increase of over 15% compared to the benchmark index within the next 6 to 12 months [2][9]. Core Views - The cement prices are expected to stabilize and improve, leading to accelerated profit recovery in Q4. The company is positioned as a market leader, which may mitigate the impact of overall market declines [1][2]. - The company has shown resilience in profitability despite a challenging market environment, with a focus on optimizing supply-side factors [1][2]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In Q3 2024, the company achieved a gross margin of 20.8%, an increase of 4.6 percentage points year-on-year and 0.8 percentage points quarter-on-quarter, primarily due to lower costs of coal and other materials [1]. - The net profit margin for Q3 2024 was 8.2%, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.5 percentage points and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.4 percentage points [1]. - The company reported a net cash flow from operating activities of 10.35 billion, a year-on-year increase of 650 million [1]. Revenue and Profit Forecast - The company’s revenue for 2024-2026 is projected to be 131.82 billion, 136.67 billion, and 139.14 billion respectively, with corresponding net profits of 8.67 billion, 9.88 billion, and 10.68 billion [2][8]. - The expected earnings per share for 2024-2026 are 1.64, 1.86, and 2.02 respectively [2][8]. Market Position and Valuation - The company is recognized as a leading player in the cement industry, benefiting from strong cash flow and a commitment to shareholder returns, with a dividend payout ratio of around 50% in recent years [1][2]. - The current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios for 2024-2026 are projected at 16.4, 14.4, and 13.3, while the price-to-book (P/B) ratios are expected to be 0.8 for 2024 and 0.7 for 2025 and 2026 [2][8].
海螺水泥:水泥价格筑底修复,Q4盈利望加速改善