Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for China Feihe (6186.HK) with a target price of HKD 6.65, indicating a potential upside of 13.3% from the current price of HKD 5.87 [3][6]. Core Views - China Feihe's net profit for 2H24 fell short of market expectations due to short-term inventory clearance in functional nutrition products, including adult milk powder, which affected overall gross margin performance. However, the infant formula business showed revenue growth in line with expectations, and profit margins remained robust. Management is confident that revenue growth in 2025 will exceed that of 2024, with a slight increase in gross margin expected year-on-year [1][6]. - As a leader in the infant formula market, China Feihe is expected to continue driving industry consolidation. The company is actively investing in brand marketing and product technology development to enhance brand strength and meet consumer demands with higher-end products [1][6]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - For 2023, the company reported revenue of RMB 19,532 million, with a year-on-year decline of 8.3%. In 2024, revenue is expected to increase by 6.2% to RMB 20,749 million, and further growth is projected for 2025 with an estimated revenue of RMB 21,817 million, reflecting a 5.1% increase [8][10]. - The net profit for 2023 was RMB 3,390 million, down 31.4% year-on-year, but is expected to recover with a 5.3% increase in 2024 to RMB 3,570 million and a further 10.5% increase in 2025 to RMB 3,944 million [8][10]. Product Strategy - The company is focusing on high-end product offerings, with ultra-high-end products seeing a revenue increase of 17% in 2024, accounting for 69% of total revenue. The management anticipates continued growth in this segment, particularly for the Zhuorui brand, which has become the largest revenue contributor [6][11]. - A RMB 12 billion maternity subsidy plan is set to launch in April 2025, expected to have a limited negative impact on overall profit margins due to its structure and the company's marketing adjustments [6][11]. Dividend Policy - China Feihe plans to increase its dividend payout, with a projected dividend of HKD 0.3264 per share for 2024, raising the payout ratio to 76.1%. The management aims for a 10% annual increase in absolute dividend amounts over the next two years, assuming no major acquisitions [6][11].
中国飞鹤：持续加大品牌投入，引领行业整合-20250401