中国联通：AIDC强劲增长，派息比例稳步提升至60%-20250320

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating to the company with a target price of HKD 13, representing a potential upside of 38% from the current price of HKD 9.6 [4][7]. Core Insights - The company's revenue and profit performance are in line with expectations, with a steady increase in the dividend payout ratio to 60%. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, the company is projected to achieve a revenue of HKD 389.6 billion (+4.6% YoY) and a net profit of HKD 20.7 billion (+10.1% YoY) [3][7]. - The company is experiencing robust growth in its AIDC (Artificial Intelligence Data Center) orders, with a significant increase in its cloud and data center revenues driven by advancements in artificial intelligence [7]. - The capital expenditure structure is optimized, with a reduction in overall capital spending while maintaining growth in computing power investments [7]. Financial Summary - Revenue Projections: The company expects revenues to grow from HKD 372.6 billion in 2023 to HKD 389.6 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.6% over the next few years [3][12]. - Net Profit: The net profit is projected to increase from HKD 18.9 billion in 2023 to HKD 20.7 billion in 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 10.1% [3][12]. - Earnings Per Share (EPS): EPS is expected to rise from HKD 0.65 in 2023 to HKD 0.72 in 2024, indicating a growth of 11.8% [3][12]. - Dividend Growth: The company has consistently increased its dividend per share, with a projected dividend of HKD 0.43 for 2024, up 20.1% YoY, and a target payout ratio increasing to over 75% in the coming years [7][12]. - Capital Expenditure: The capital expenditure is forecasted to decrease from HKD 613.7 billion in 2024 to HKD 550 billion in 2025, while investments in computing power are expected to grow by 28% [7][12]. Market Position - The company holds a strong position in the telecommunications sector, with significant growth in its IoT (Internet of Things) connections and a leading position in the automotive IoT market [7]. - The report highlights the company's strategic focus on AI and cloud services, which are anticipated to drive future revenue growth [7].