Financial Performance - The company reported a total revenue of HKD 1.2 billion for the fiscal year 2024, representing a 15% increase compared to the previous year[5]. - Revenue from continuing operations for 2024 was HKD 18,505,293, a decrease of 8.9% compared to HKD 20,322,478 in 2023[24]. - Net profit attributable to owners for 2024 was HKD 3,142,138, reflecting a slight increase of 0.6% from HKD 3,122,069 in 2023[24]. - Basic earnings per share for 2024 increased to HKD 0.4806 from HKD 0.4775 in 2023, marking a 0.6% growth[55]. - The gross profit margin improved to 40%, up from 35% in the previous year, due to better cost management[5]. - The total assets increased to HKD 5 billion, marking a 12% growth year-over-year[5]. - The total assets decreased by 3.1% to HKD 135,595,403 from HKD 139,965,972 in 2023[24]. - The company's equity totalled HKD 56,675,473 as of December 31, 2024, down from HKD 58,029,625 in 2023, indicating a decrease of 2.3%[133]. - The total liabilities decreased to HKD 78,919,930 in 2024 from HKD 81,936,347 in 2023, showing a reduction of 3.7%[133]. - The company reported a significant increase in distributable reserves to HKD 5,367,032,000 in 2024, up from HKD 3,484,663,000 in 2023, marking a growth of 54.0%[136]. Market Expansion and Strategy - The company expects a revenue growth guidance of 10-12% for the next fiscal year, driven by new product launches and market expansion[5]. - The company plans to expand its market presence in Southeast Asia, targeting a 30% increase in market share by 2025[5]. - The company aims to strengthen its core business in water resources while expanding into high-value areas and improving operational efficiency across all business segments[62]. - The company is actively investing in water resource management, property investment, and infrastructure, aiming to strengthen its core business and maintain industry leadership[183]. - The company plans to enhance project acquisition efficiency and expand new business capabilities to further scale its operations[183]. Dividends and Shareholder Returns - The company declared a final dividend of HKD 0.0727 per share, reflecting a 5% increase from the previous year[5]. - The proposed final dividend for the year ending December 31, 2024, is HKD 0.0727 per share, combined with an interim dividend of HKD 0.2397 per share, totaling HKD 0.3124 for the year (2023: HKD 0.3104)[57]. - The company reported a mid-term dividend of HKD 0.2397 per share, an increase from HKD 0.1871 in 2023[128]. - The board proposed a final dividend of HKD 0.0727 per share for the year ending December 31, 2024, down from HKD 0.1233 in 2023[128]. Operational Efficiency and Technology - Investment in new technologies increased by 25%, totaling HKD 300 million, focusing on sustainable water management solutions[5]. - The company introduced a new water purification technology that is expected to reduce operational costs by 20%[5]. - The company is focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and employee accountability to improve market competitiveness and achieve high-quality development goals[106]. - The company is committed to optimizing product offerings and operational management to mitigate competition risks and enhance project profitability[103]. Risk Management and Governance - The company is actively monitoring macroeconomic conditions and capital market trends to adapt its strategies and maintain competitiveness amid external economic pressures[101]. - The company has implemented a dynamic monitoring system for foreign exchange risk exposure and will adjust strategies based on market conditions[100]. - The company emphasizes the importance of effective risk management for success in a complex and rapidly changing environment[196]. - The independent non-executive directors and audit committee regularly review the financial and operational performance of the group to ensure independence from major shareholders[147]. Human Resources and Corporate Culture - The total employee count as of December 31, 2024, was 10,759, down from 11,495 in 2023, with total salary expenses approximately HKD 2.337 billion, a decrease from HKD 2.502 billion in 2023[106]. - The company is enhancing its employee training programs to foster a learning organization and improve compliance and professional skills[107]. - The company is committed to a corporate culture that promotes integrity and transparency, with a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and bribery[185]. Financial Liabilities and Loans - As of December 31, 2024, the total financial liabilities of the group were HKD 23.86 billion, a decrease from HKD 42.43 billion in 2023[94]. - The group recorded a net loss of HKD 25.27 million from fair value adjustments of investment properties, a decline from a net gain of HKD 230.12 million in 2023[90]. - The company is committed to ensuring compliance with loan agreements to avoid defaults and immediate repayment obligations[165]. - A loan of HKD 5 billion was secured on February 29, 2024, with an outstanding principal of HKD 4.5 billion as of December 31, 2024[172]. Corporate Governance - The board of directors consists of five executive directors, two non-executive directors, and four independent non-executive directors, with recent changes effective from March 25, 2025[191]. - The company emphasizes the importance of corporate governance and has adhered to the principles outlined in the Corporate Governance Code[186]. - The company has adopted a code of conduct for securities trading that aligns with the standards set out in the listing rules[189]. - Independent non-executive directors possess extensive experience in various industries, contributing valuable insights and governance knowledge[198].

Financial Performance - The group's unaudited revenue from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was HKD 4,617.39 million, a decrease of 0.7% compared to HKD 4,648.65 million in 2024[4] - The unaudited profit before tax from continuing operations increased by 2.0% to HKD 2,035.59 million, up from HKD 1,996.17 million in 2024[4] - The unaudited profit attributable to owners of the company from continuing operations was HKD 1,321.65 million, reflecting a slight increase from HKD 1,296.62 million in 2024[4] - The equity attributable to owners of the company decreased by 2.0% to HKD 40,812.24 million from HKD 41,658.02 million[4] - The net loss from fair value adjustments of investment properties was HKD 10 million, compared to a loss of HKD 21 million in 2024[6] Water Supply and Treatment - The total water supply for the East Shenzhen Water Supply Project was 549 million tons, a decrease of 8.8% from 602 million tons in 2024, generating revenue of HKD 1,734 million, down 1.5%[9] - The profit before tax for the East Shenzhen Water Supply Project increased by 2.1% to HKD 1,203 million compared to HKD 1,178 million in 2024[9] - The total water supply capacity of the group's subsidiaries and joint ventures reached 8,886,800 tons per day as of March 31, 2025, an increase from 8,786,800 tons per day in 2024[12] - The total wastewater treatment capacity of the group was 2,103,900 tons per day as of March 31, 2025, compared to 2,054,400 tons per day in 2024[12] - The total water supply capacity of ongoing projects is projected to reach 1,187,000 tons per day by March 31, 2025[13] Property Investment - Property investment income from Guangdong Tianhe City increased by 3.0% to HKD 429,018,000, compared to HKD 416,509,000 in 2024[14] - The pre-tax profit from property investment activities rose by 8.8% to HKD 270,631,000, up from HKD 248,632,000 in 2024[14] - The total income from the group's property investment business was primarily driven by rental income, reflecting improvements in average rental levels and occupancy rates[14] Department Stores and Hotel Management - The average occupancy rate of the group's department stores decreased to 94.3% from 97.1% in 2024, with total revenue dropping by 17.6% to HKD 107,934,000[17] - The revenue from department stores for the three months ended March 31, 2025, decreased by 17.6% to HKD 95,840,000 compared to HKD 107,934,000 in 2024[18] - The average room rate for the Yuehai Sheraton Hotel was HKD 1,168, down from HKD 1,248 in 2024, while the average occupancy rate was 94.8%, slightly down from 95.4% in 2024[19] - The hotel management business revenue increased by 6.0% to HKD 172,668,000, but the pre-tax profit decreased by 19.4% to HKD 30,021,000 compared to HKD 37,266,000 in 2024[20] Energy and Construction - Electricity sales volume from the Yuehai Energy project increased by 21.9% to 773 million kWh, but revenue decreased by 7.1% to HKD 362,952,000 due to lower electricity prices and currency exchange rate impacts[21] - The sales volume from Guangdong Yuedian Jinghai Power Company decreased by 36.5% to 2 billion kWh, leading to a 40.0% revenue drop to HKD 930,127,000, with a pre-tax loss of HKD 25,644,000[22] - The average daily toll traffic on the Xingliu Expressway decreased by 9.1% to 27,039 vehicles, resulting in a toll revenue decrease of 7.8% to HKD 154,318,000[23] - Cumulative construction costs for the Yinping project reached approximately RMB 2.08 billion (about HKD 2.25 billion), with a pre-tax profit decrease of 1.0% to HKD 33,572,000[25] - The construction services revenue for the period was HKD 94,889,000, significantly higher than HKD 68,903,000 in 2024[13] Market Conditions and Strategic Focus - The geopolitical tensions and trade protectionism have intensified since 2025, impacting global economic recovery[28] - China's export growth has slowed, but domestic macro policies are becoming more proactive, leading to a recovery in domestic demand[28] - The company aims to focus on core business stability and risk management while creating long-term value for stakeholders[28] - The company will extend its water resources segment into high value-added areas and promote business structure transformation[28] - The company is actively looking for investment and acquisition opportunities related to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development plan[28] Audit and Financial Reporting - The unaudited financial data for the three months ending March 31, 2025, has been reviewed by the company's audit committee[29] - Shareholders and potential investors are advised that the information provided is unaudited and should not be considered as an indicator of financial performance[30]

Core Viewpoint - Starlight Co., Ltd. (002076) will be subject to delisting risk warning starting April 29, following a one-day suspension on April 28, with its stock trading limit set at 5% [1][3]. Financial Performance - For the fiscal year 2024, Starlight reported an audited total revenue of 191.89 million yuan, a 27.22% increase from 150.83 million yuan in 2023, but still recorded a net loss of 30.98 million yuan, a 136.35% decline compared to a profit of 24.63 million yuan in 2022 [4][5]. - The company’s net profit attributable to shareholders was -30.98 million yuan, and the net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses was -26.97 million yuan, indicating a significant deterioration in financial health [5][11]. - The total assets at the end of 2024 were reported at 611.99 million yuan, reflecting a 15.62% increase from 529.31 million yuan in 2023, while the net assets attributable to shareholders decreased by 8.85% to 289.90 million yuan [5][6]. Regulatory Actions - The Guangdong Securities Regulatory Bureau issued a warning letter to Starlight for failing to disclose the risk of delisting within one month after the fiscal year-end, which is a violation of disclosure regulations [3][7][13]. - The warning letter highlighted discrepancies between the company's previous earnings forecast and the actual results, indicating a significant change in profit and loss status [7][13]. Business Operations - Starlight's business includes LED lighting, UV disinfection, automotive lighting, lithium battery production equipment, and information security and system integration [6]. - The company aims to revoke the delisting risk warning by focusing on core business areas, improving product profit margins, enhancing business cooperation, and increasing operational efficiency in 2025 [6].

Group 1 - The central government has issued opinions to optimize the pricing mechanism for water, electricity, and gas, emphasizing the need for a reasonable operation of price levels and important commodity prices [1] - The new pricing policy aims to enhance the profitability of water supply operators by implementing a progressive pricing system for non-residential water usage, which is expected to drive profit recovery and growth [1] - The 2021 urban water pricing management measures have been reiterated, focusing on cost auditing as the basis for setting water prices, ensuring that water supply companies can achieve reasonable returns [1] Group 2 - Shenzhen's water price adjustment hearing is scheduled for April 11, with proposed increases of 13.1% to a new price of 3.8991 yuan per cubic meter [2] - Historical trends indicate that price adjustments in major cities can catalyze water price reforms, potentially improving the long-term low returns in the domestic water supply industry [2] - Companies such as China Water Affairs (00855) are expected to benefit significantly from the ongoing improvements in water pricing policies, with a notable portion of their revenue derived from water supply operations [2]

Group 1: Xiangyuan Cultural Tourism - Xiangyuan Cultural Tourism has successfully created a "cultural IP + tourism + technology" full industry chain layout through asset restructuring and strategic transformation, promoting deep integration and innovation in the cultural tourism industry [2][11] - The company faced challenges in its animation business from 2019 to 2020, resulting in a 45.02% revenue decline in 2020. However, it leveraged its rich animation IP resources to achieve a strategic transformation and enhance profitability, with 2023 revenue reaching 722 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 55.81% [2][11] - The company has expanded its tourism assets across regions such as "Daxiangxi," "Dahuangshan," "Dachengyu," and "Danangling," forming a national chain of scenic spots and enhancing brand value through diversified offerings [3][11] Group 2: Lexin Technology - Lexin Technology is a small but robust IoT chip design manufacturer with a stable operating team and a concentrated shareholding structure, which enhances team motivation and operational stability [4][11] - The company has established a competitive advantage by developing low-power, high-performance chips based on the open-source RISC-V architecture, which better meets the needs of AI devices at the edge [4][12] - Lexin's ecosystem includes a rich developer community of over 3 million global developers, supporting mainstream IoT applications and creating a platform effect that drives growth [12] Group 3: Tonghua Jinma - Tonghua Jinma has shifted from relying on mergers and acquisitions to innovation-driven high-quality development, focusing on R&D breakthroughs and asset optimization [17][19] - The company is advancing a new drug for Alzheimer's treatment, with a projected peak sales potential of around 7 billion yuan, addressing a significant market need for new therapies [17][19] - The company has a target market capitalization of 22.2 billion yuan, indicating a potential upside of 26% from its current market value, with a "buy" rating assigned [19] Group 4: China Duty Free Group - China Duty Free Group reported a 16.38% decline in revenue for 2024, with net profit down 36.4%, reflecting challenges in the duty-free market [21] - The company is expanding its city duty-free store projects in response to policy changes, aiming to enhance its market presence [21][24] - Despite the challenges, the company is focusing on digital transformation and member engagement to improve customer experience and retention [24]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [5] Core Views - The performance of Yuehai Investment in 2024 was negatively impacted by Yuehai Land, which recorded an impairment of HKD 1.034 billion, although the dividend payout met expectations [2][5] - The company reported a net cash inflow from continuing operations of HKD 9.15 billion, indicating strong cash flow [2][5] - The company plans to divest Yuehai Land through a special dividend distribution, which is expected to enhance focus on its water assets [5] Financial Summary - Revenue for 2024 is projected at HKD 18.505 billion, a decrease of 24% from 2023 [4] - Net profit for 2024 is expected to be HKD 3.142 billion, a slight increase of 0.64% compared to the previous year [4] - The company’s PE ratio is projected to be 13.96 for 2024, with a PB ratio of 1.05 [4] Operational Insights - Water supply revenue from Hong Kong is expected to increase by 3% to HKD 5.136 billion, while revenue from Shenzhen and Dongguan is projected to decrease by 11% to HKD 1.224 billion due to exchange rate impacts [5] - The company’s net cash inflow from continuing operations, excluding Yuehai Land, is projected to be HKD 9.15 billion [5] - The company’s capital expenditure for 2024 is expected to be HKD 1.857 billion, significantly reduced from HKD 7.696 billion in 2023 [5]

Financial Performance - Revenue from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, was HKD 18,505,293 thousand, a decrease of 8.9% compared to HKD 20,322,478 thousand in 2023[3] - Profit before tax increased by 1.1% to HKD 6,493,854 thousand from HKD 6,425,773 thousand in the previous year[4] - The profit attributable to owners of the company from continuing operations was HKD 4,102,893 thousand, down from HKD 4,221,183 thousand, reflecting a decrease of 2.8%[5] - Basic earnings per share increased by 0.6% to HKD 48.06 cents from HKD 47.75 cents[6] - Total comprehensive income for the year was HKD 1,885,557 thousand, compared to HKD 2,041,687 thousand in 2023, indicating a decrease of 7.7%[7] - The company reported a loss from discontinued operations of HKD 1,493,331 thousand, an improvement from a loss of HKD 1,953,635 thousand in the previous year[4] - The fair value change of investment properties resulted in a loss of HKD 67,821 thousand, compared to a gain of HKD 100,198 thousand in 2023[4] - The company reported a total customer contract revenue of HKD 16,223,663 thousand in 2024, down from HKD 18,182,355 thousand in 2023, representing a decrease of about 11%[48] - The group's consolidated profit attributable to owners for 2024 was HKD 3.142 billion, a 0.6% increase from HKD 3.122 billion in 2023[81] - The group's total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, was HKD 18.505 billion, a decrease of 8.9% from HKD 20.322 billion in 2023[90] Dividends - The proposed final dividend is HKD 7.27 cents, down from HKD 12.33 cents in the previous year, while the interim dividend increased to HKD 23.97 cents from HKD 18.71 cents[3] - The company proposed a special dividend in the form of a distribution of shares in Yuehai Land Holdings Limited, amounting to 1,261,799,423 shares, representing about 99.9% of its holdings[13] - The board proposed a final dividend of HKD 0.0727 per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to HKD 0.3124, compared to HKD 0.3104 in 2023[82] - The company proposed a special dividend of 0.193 shares of Yuehai Land for every share held, pending shareholder approval[67] Assets and Liabilities - Non-current assets decreased to HKD 74,846,936 thousand from HKD 84,688,161 thousand, a decline of 11.6%[9] - Cash and bank balances stood at HKD 12,154,029 thousand, slightly down from HKD 12,593,616 thousand[9] - Total current assets increased to HKD 60,748,467 thousand in 2024 from HKD 55,277,811 thousand in 2023, representing an increase of approximately 9%[11] - Total current liabilities decreased significantly to HKD 55,737,907 thousand in 2024 from HKD 45,666,192 thousand in 2023, a reduction of about 22%[11] - Net current assets decreased to HKD 5,010,560 thousand in 2024 from HKD 9,611,619 thousand in 2023, a decline of approximately 48%[11] - Total non-current liabilities decreased to HKD 23,182,023 thousand in 2024 from HKD 36,270,155 thousand in 2023, a reduction of about 36%[11] - Total equity decreased to HKD 56,675,473 thousand in 2024 from HKD 58,029,625 thousand in 2023, a decline of approximately 2.3%[11] - The company’s total assets less current liabilities decreased to HKD 79,857,496 thousand in 2024 from HKD 94,299,780 thousand in 2023, a decline of approximately 15%[11] - The company’s bank and other borrowings decreased to HKD 16,531,830 thousand in 2024 from HKD 27,175,184 thousand in 2023, a reduction of about 39%[11] - The company’s reserves decreased slightly to HKD 32,691,847 thousand in 2024 from HKD 32,836,033 thousand in 2023, a decline of approximately 0.4%[11] - The company’s lease liabilities increased to HKD 294,378 thousand in 2024 from HKD 558,113 thousand in 2023, an increase of approximately 47%[11] Segment Performance - The water resources segment generated revenue of HKD 13,511,006, a decrease of 11.9% from HKD 15,329,381 in 2023[26] - The property investment segment reported revenue of HKD 1,576,863, an increase of 10.5% from HKD 1,426,843 in 2023[26] - The department store operations segment achieved revenue of HKD 861,612, up 13.6% from HKD 758,786 in 2023[26] - The total revenue from continuing operations for the water resources segment was HKD 13,593,359, compared to HKD 15,405,092 in 2023, reflecting a decline[26] - The total profit from continuing operations for the water resources segment was HKD 5,643,561, slightly up from HKD 5,593,782 in 2023[26] - The segment performance for power generation showed a profit of HKD 147,805 in 2024, up from HKD 105,664 in 2023, indicating an increase of about 39.8%[28] - The segment performance for the bridge and road segment showed a profit of HKD 438,316 in 2024, down from HKD 500,713 in 2023, a decline of approximately 12.5%[28] - The total revenue from the hotel management segment remained relatively stable at HKD 648,401 in 2024 compared to HKD 648,877 in 2023, a slight decrease of about 0.1%[28] - Revenue from the water resources segment in mainland China was HKD 4,539,512 thousand in 2024, slightly up from HKD 4,532,910 thousand in 2023[48] - Revenue from the water resources segment in mainland China decreased to HKD 12,637,331, down 12.8% from HKD 14,491,900 in 2023[49] - The total revenue from the property investment segment in mainland China increased to HKD 239,958, up 17.6% from HKD 203,992 in 2023[49] - The total revenue from the department store operations segment in mainland China rose to HKD 824,339, an increase of 15.7% compared to HKD 712,756 in 2023[49] Operational Insights - The company operates seven reportable segments, including water resources, property investment, department store operations, power generation, hotel management, road and bridge operations, and others[25] - The company aims to enhance transparency regarding supplier financing arrangements and their impact on liabilities and cash flow risks[22] - The company is focused on optimizing products and enhancing efficiency to mitigate market competition risks and improve project profitability[138] - The group plans to focus on enhancing operational management in the water resources sector and improving brand building[85] - The hotel management business is expanding efforts in the Hong Kong market, including leasing a high-end hotel[85] - The group aims to leverage the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Plan" for potential growth opportunities[88] - The outlook for 2025 anticipates continued economic resilience despite external challenges, with a focus on core business stability and new growth points[86] - The group will concentrate resources on high-tech and high-value areas within the water business while enhancing the operational level of existing assets[88] Financial Management - The financial expenses decreased to HKD (892,075) in 2024 from HKD (980,802) in 2023, indicating a reduction of approximately 9.0%[30] - The total tax expense for the year was HKD 1,852,764, an increase of 11.7% from HKD 1,658,283 in 2023[57] - The net loss from fair value adjustments of investment properties for the year was HKD 68 million, while net foreign exchange gains were HKD 39 million, and net finance costs decreased to HKD 698 million from HKD 832 million in 2023[91] - The company has implemented dynamic monitoring of foreign exchange risk exposure and will adjust strategies based on market conditions[137] - The total financial borrowings for ongoing operations as of December 31, 2024, were HKD 23.862 billion, down from HKD 42.428 billion in 2023, with 81.1% in RMB[129] - The group's capital debt ratio as of December 31, 2024, was 30.9%, a significant decrease from 77.3% in 2023, indicating improved financial stability[130] - The EBITDA to incurred financial expenses ratio for ongoing operations was 10.5 times as of December 31, 2024, compared to 9.4 times in 2023[130] Employee and Governance - The total number of employees as of December 31, 2024, is 10,759, a decrease from 11,495 in 2023[141] - The total salary expenditure for the year is approximately HKD 2,337,464,000, down from HKD 2,502,471,000 in 2023[141] - The company emphasizes a competitive salary policy aligned with its development goals and performance[142] - The company is committed to enhancing employee training and development to improve overall competency and compliance awareness[142] - The board of directors believes the company has complied with the corporate governance code during the fiscal year[144] Miscellaneous - The company did not engage in any sale and leaseback transactions, thus the recent accounting standards revisions had no significant impact on the financial statements[22] - The company has not applied any new accounting standards or interpretations that have not yet become effective during the reporting period[22] - The adjustments to the classification of liabilities as current or non-current have been applied retrospectively, clarifying the classification of liabilities that can be settled with equity instruments[22] - The company has not purchased, sold, or redeemed any listed securities during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024[146] - The annual performance announcement is available on the company's website and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange website[150]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [8] Core Viewpoints - The company plans to spin off its real estate business (Yuehai Properties) through a special dividend distribution, allowing it to focus on its core water business [7] - After the spin-off, the company's operating performance and overall value are expected to significantly improve, as it will no longer be affected by the volatility of the real estate business [7] - The company's water business is stable, with high-quality assets in the Dongjiang water project, and its valuation is expected to rise after the spin-off [8] Financial Performance - In 2023, the company's net profit attributable to shareholders dropped by 34% YoY to HKD 3.12 billion, mainly due to a HKD 1.81 billion impairment loss from Yuehai Properties [7] - Excluding the impact of the real estate business, the company's core profit in 2023 was HKD 4.93 billion [7] - The company's operating cash flow in 2023 was HKD 10.71 billion, with HKD 7.1 billion coming from the core business after excluding Yuehai Properties [9] - In H1 2024, the company's operating cash flow was HKD 4.88 billion, with HKD 3.59 billion from the core business after excluding Yuehai Properties [9] Valuation and Forecast - The report maintains the company's profit forecasts for 2024-2026 at HKD 4.003 billion, HKD 4.101 billion, and HKD 4.120 billion, respectively [8] - The current market capitalization corresponds to a PE ratio of 8.5x, 8.3x, and 8.3x for 2024-2026 [8] Debt and Dividend - As of H1 2024, the company's total assets were HKD 139.8 billion, with a debt-to-asset ratio of 58% [11] - After spinning off Yuehai Properties, which has a higher debt-to-asset ratio of 87%, the company's overall debt level is expected to decrease significantly [11] - The company's dividend payout ratio in 2024H1 was 65%, consistent with 2023 [12] Business Focus - The company will no longer hold any shares in Yuehai Properties after the spin-off, allowing it to fully focus on its water business [7] - The spin-off is expected to enhance the company's operational efficiency and valuation by eliminating the drag from the real estate sector [7][8]

Investment Rating - The report upgrades the company's investment rating to "Buy" with a target market capitalization of HKD 41 billion, representing a 24% upside from the current market capitalization [6] Core Views - The company's Q3 2024 unaudited financial results show revenue of HKD 18.142 billion, up 10.4% YoY, while net profit attributable to owners decreased 6.1% YoY to HKD 3.593 billion, slightly exceeding expectations [4] - Operating cash flow continues to improve, with H1 2024 operating cash flow (excluding Yuehai Properties) reaching HKD 3.584 billion, up from HKD 2.286 billion in H1 2023 [4] - The water business remains stable, with pre-tax profit increasing 0.3% to HKD 6.167 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, driven by steady growth in the water resources segment [5] - The real estate segment shows resilience, with no impairment in the first three quarters of 2024 and contracted sales of 212,000 square meters, slightly higher than the 209,000 square meters in the same period last year [5] - The company's dividend payout ratio remains stable at 65% in 2024, consistent with 2023, with an interim dividend of 23.97 HK cents per share announced [4] Financial Performance - The company's revenue for 2024E is projected at HKD 29.551 billion, a 22% YoY increase, with net profit attributable to owners expected to reach HKD 4.003 billion, up 28% YoY [7] - EPS for 2024E is forecasted at HKD 0.61, with a P/E ratio of 8.3x and a P/B ratio of 0.85x [7] - ROE is expected to improve to 10.3% in 2024E, up from 7.47% in 2023 [7] Industry Comparison - The company's 2024E P/E ratio of 8.3x is lower than the average P/E ratio of 12x for comparable companies with stable earnings and high dividends [6] - The company's dividend yield of 6.13% in 2023 is higher than the average dividend yield of 3.66% for comparable companies [10] Real Estate Segment Outlook - The real estate inventory is expected to decrease, with the book value of real estate inventory at HKD 32.8 billion at the end of 2023 and HKD 30 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, with prepayments of HKD 10.494 billion [5] - The report anticipates a reduction in real estate inventory impairment pressure in 2024 due to the decrease in inventory size and the implementation of macro policies [5]

Financial Performance - The unaudited consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was HKD 18,142.31 million, representing a 10.4% increase from HKD 16,435.34 million in the same period of 2023[2]. - The unaudited consolidated profit attributable to owners of the company decreased by 6.1% to HKD 3,593.95 million, down from HKD 3,827.69 million in 2023[4]. - The pre-tax profit for the period was HKD 5,287.76 million, a decline of 11.2% compared to HKD 5,953.39 million in the previous year[2]. - The net loss from changes in the fair value of investment properties was HKD 106.99 million, compared to a net gain of HKD 486.80 million in 2023[2]. - The pre-tax loss for the period was HKD 573,663,000, compared to a pre-tax profit of HKD 136,910,000 in 2023, primarily due to higher gross margins from properties delivered in the previous year[18]. - The pre-tax profit (excluding net finance costs) for the period was HKD 252,009,000, down 11.2% from HKD 283,877,000 in 2023[25]. Assets and Equity - The total assets as of September 30, 2024, were HKD 138,034.48 million, a decrease of 1.4% from HKD 139,965.97 million as of December 31, 2023[2]. - The equity attributable to owners of the company increased to HKD 43,248.04 million from HKD 41,802.21 million, reflecting a growth of 3.5%[2]. - The company held completed unsold properties valued at approximately HKD 98.28 billion and development properties valued at approximately HKD 201.92 billion as of September 30, 2024[19]. Water Supply Projects - The total water supply for the Dongshen Water Supply Project was 1,646 million tons, a decrease of 4.8% from 1,729 million tons in 2023, generating revenue of HKD 5,159.00 million, which is a 0.4% increase[7]. - The pre-tax profit from the Dongshen Water Supply Project increased by 3.8% to HKD 3,461.00 million, compared to HKD 3,334.00 million in the previous year[7]. - The total water supply capacity of the group's subsidiaries and joint ventures reached 8,786,800 tons per day as of September 30, 2024, with wastewater treatment capacity at 2,054,400 tons per day[10]. - The group has ongoing water resource projects with a total water supply capacity of 1,287,000 tons per day and wastewater treatment capacity of 50,000 tons per day as of September 30, 2024[11]. - The group operates several water supply plants with capacities ranging from 24,000 to 1,060,000 tons per day across various subsidiaries[9][10]. Property Investment - The property investment business revenue of Guangdong Tianhe City increased by 8.3% to HKD 1,204,167,000, up from HKD 1,111,978,000 in 2023[12]. - The pre-tax profit from property investment business rose by 14.2% to HKD 689,281,000, compared to HKD 603,318,000 in the previous year[12]. - The total rental income for the period reached HKD 1,204,167 thousand, an increase of 8.3% compared to HKD 1,111,978 thousand in the previous year[13]. - Tianhe City Plaza – Tianhe City Shopping Center reported a rental income of HKD 527,831 thousand, up 7.1% from HKD 493,031 thousand in the previous year[13]. - Guangzhou Animation Star City saw a significant increase in rental income, rising by 57.1% to HKD 68,729 thousand from HKD 43,738 thousand[13]. - The occupancy rate for Tianhe City Plaza – Tianhe City Shopping Center was 98.9%, while Tianhe City Plaza – Yuehai Tianhe City Building had a lower occupancy rate of 84.9%, down 6.0%[13]. - The new Yuehai Tiandi project, which opened in December 2023, generated an initial rental income of HKD 31,180 thousand, marking a 100% occupancy rate[13]. Development and Strategy - The company plans to continue enhancing its corporate governance and transparency by voluntarily disclosing financial information quarterly[3]. - The company plans to enhance its development strategy by focusing on high-value-added businesses and optimizing asset allocation in response to the economic recovery challenges[28]. - The company aims to leverage potential development opportunities arising from the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area" strategy and explore related market acquisition opportunities[28]. - The company will maintain a stable development strategy to ensure risk control and create long-term value for stakeholders[28]. Construction and Other Operations - The construction service revenue for the period was HKD 211,304,000, down from HKD 1,161,003,000 in 2023[11]. - The total revenue from the energy projects decreased by 8.1% to HKD 1,215,920,000, while the pre-tax profit increased by 37.0% to HKD 121,921,000 due to lower coal prices[24]. - The total revenue from the department store operations decreased by 1.7% to HKD 582,158,000, with a pre-tax profit decline of 30.8% to HKD 46,697,000[21]. - The total area of the department stores operated by the company was approximately 194,390 square meters, a decrease from 209,900 square meters in the previous year[21]. Traffic and Toll Revenue - The average daily toll traffic on the Xingliu Expressway decreased by 2.7% to 26,348 vehicles, down from 27,083 vehicles in 2023[25]. - Toll revenue for the period was HKD 479,085,000, a decrease of 5.3% compared to HKD 506,161,000 in 2023, impacted by a 1.3% decline in the RMB to HKD exchange rate[25].