盈利能力增强，静待预镀镍业务成长

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, indicating an expected stock price increase of over 15% relative to the industry index in the next six months [1][7][24]. Core Views - The company has shown enhanced profitability, with a significant increase in net profit for 2023, which reached 644 million yuan, a year-on-year growth of 113.3% [1][2]. - The demand for pre-plated nickel materials in the short term is below expectations, but the company is well-positioned to benefit from the anticipated growth in the 4680 battery market [3][7]. - The company has achieved a leading position in the industry with its 20,000-ton lithium battery pre-plated nickel steel base project, which is now operational and has passed material performance verification from several well-known domestic enterprises [3][7]. Financial Performance Summary - In 2023, the company reported a revenue of 4.106 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.5%, while the net profit was 644 million yuan, up 113.3% [1][2]. - The sales gross margin for 2023 was 23.56%, an increase of 3.39 percentage points year-on-year, and the net profit margin was 15.72%, up 7.77 percentage points [2]. - The company expects net profits for 2024 to be 501 million yuan, with EPS projected at 0.34 yuan, and further growth anticipated in subsequent years [1][7]. Product Revenue Breakdown - In 2023, the revenue from various product segments was as follows: household electric heaters (1.267 billion yuan, -3.02% YoY), electric heaters for new energy vehicles (297 million yuan, +22.58% YoY), new energy equipment (1.963 billion yuan, +34.64% YoY), optical communication steel-aluminum-plastic composite materials (499 million yuan, -30.76% YoY), and lithium battery steel shell materials (44 million yuan, -22.59% YoY) [2].