
Investment Rating - Buy (First-time rating) with a target price of HKD 40.53 [2][4] Core Investment Thesis - The company is a leader in the packaged water and sugar-free tea industries, benefiting from rising health consciousness among consumers. Its flagship products, natural water and Oriental Leaf, have driven strong financial performance, with revenue and profit CAGR of 23% and 32% respectively from 2020 to 2023 [3] - The launch of "Green Water" has mitigated the impact of negative publicity on the company's core water business, with short-term pressure on gross margins expected to ease over the medium to long term [3] - The sugar-free tea market, led by Oriental Leaf, has significant growth potential, with penetration rates expected to rise to 50%-60% in the future [3] - The company is well-positioned to capture opportunities in emerging categories such as sports drinks and ready-to-drink coffee, leveraging its platform advantages [3] Financial Projections - Revenue is expected to grow from CNY 44.98 billion in 2024 to CNY 60.53 billion in 2026, with a CAGR of 14.9% [6] - Net profit attributable to shareholders is projected to increase from CNY 11.88 billion in 2024 to CNY 16.54 billion in 2026, with a CAGR of 18% [6] - The company's PE ratio is forecasted to decline from 27x in 2024 to 20x in 2026, reflecting strong earnings growth [4] Packaged Water Business - The packaged water industry is driven by health-conscious trends and expanding consumption scenarios, with long-term growth potential [12] - The company holds a leading market share in packaged water, with a 17.4% volume share and 23.6% value share in 2023 [21] - The launch of "Green Water" has impacted gross margins, but the company's strong brand and channel advantages are expected to stabilize market share and margins over time [36][37] Tea Beverage Business - The sugar-free tea market is poised for significant growth, with Oriental Leaf expected to double in size due to rising health awareness and favorable industry trends [3] - The company's tea beverage business has a strong competitive edge, with a leading gross margin and a well-established brand and supply chain [49][50] - Oriental Leaf's market share is expected to remain stable, supported by product innovation and competitive pricing [55] Other Beverage Categories - The company is focusing on high-growth segments such as sports drinks and ready-to-drink coffee, leveraging its platform advantages to capture market share [3] - The functional beverage and juice categories have shown steady growth, with the company outperforming industry averages [56] - The company is streamlining its product portfolio to improve efficiency and profitability, with a focus on zero-sugar and natural products [57][58] Industry Trends - The packaged water industry is expected to continue growing, driven by increasing per capita consumption and health-conscious trends [12][13] - The sugar-free tea market is projected to expand significantly, with penetration rates expected to rise to 50%-60% in the coming years [3][46] - Emerging categories such as ready-to-drink coffee and functional beverages present new growth opportunities for the company [57][58]