Core Insights - The beer market is experiencing intensified competition as it enters a phase of stock competition, with contrasting performance driven by events like the European Cup and the Paris Olympics, alongside adverse weather and weak recovery in dining demand [1][3] - The overall beer industry remains highly fragmented, with major players like Budweiser APAC, China Resources Beer, Tsingtao Brewery, and Yanjing Beer generating over 150 billion yuan in total revenue, while smaller companies struggle with revenues below 1.3 billion yuan [1][3] Industry Performance - In 2024, the beer industry in China saw a 0.6% decline in production among large-scale enterprises, with industry revenue decreasing by 5.7%, marking it as the only category in the food and beverage sector to experience a revenue drop [3][8] - Major companies such as Budweiser APAC, Tsingtao Brewery, and China Resources Beer reported revenue declines of 8.8%, 5.3%, and 2.45% respectively, while Yanjing Beer and Zhujiang Beer managed to achieve revenue growth [3][10] Financial Results - Among the six major beer companies, Budweiser APAC, China Resources Beer, and Chongqing Beer all faced declines in both revenue and net profit, while Tsingtao Brewery saw a slight increase in net profit despite a revenue drop [5][6] - Yanjing Beer and Zhujiang Beer reported significant growth in both revenue and net profit, with Yanjing's net profit increasing by 63% [5][6] Q1 2025 Performance - In Q1 2025, major beer companies showed resilience with revenue and net profit growth, particularly Yanjing Beer, which achieved a net profit increase of over 60% [13][14] - Qingdao Beer led in revenue with approximately 10.446 billion yuan, while Zhujiang Beer had the highest revenue growth rate at 10.69% [14][16] Market Trends - The beer market is shifting towards high-end products, with companies focusing on premium offerings to attract consumers [15][17] - Yanjing Beer has launched new beverage products, indicating a strategic move towards diversification and tapping into the beverage market [17][18] - Qingdao Beer is also exploring beverage integration through its strategic merger with Qingdao Beverage Group, enhancing its product offerings and market reach [19]

Industry Overview - The beer industry in 2024 is experiencing a significant divergence, with some companies thriving while others struggle, reflecting a structural adjustment within the market [2][3] - The National Bureau of Statistics reported a 0.6% year-on-year decline in beer production and a 5.7% decrease in industry revenue, making beer the only category in the food and beverage sector to see a revenue drop [2] Market Dynamics - The Chinese beer market is characterized by oligopolistic competition, with the top six companies (CR6) holding a market share of 92.6% [3] - Beer production has been declining since its peak in 2013, leading to a contraction in the overall consumption market, which directly impacts the performance of leading companies [3] Financial Performance - Major companies like Budweiser APAC, China Resources Beer, and Tsingtao Brewery reported revenue declines of 8.89%, 0.76%, and 5.3% respectively in 2024 [4][5] - Net profits for Budweiser APAC, China Resources Beer, and Chongqing Beer also fell by 14.8%, 8.03%, and 17.05% respectively, attributed to weak consumer demand and challenges in traditional sales channels [4][5] Growth Segmentation - Yanjing Beer and Zhujiang Beer are exceptions, showing positive growth in both revenue and profit, with Yanjing's revenue increasing by 3.20% and net profit by 54.87% [5] - Yanjing U8 has successfully penetrated the mid-to-high-end market, achieving a 31.40% increase in sales volume [6] Strategic Shifts - Companies are shifting focus towards operational efficiency and market segmentation to find sustainable profit growth in a saturated market [8][9] - Budweiser APAC is reallocating resources from super-premium products to the core price segment of 8-10 yuan, which is performing better in the current consumption environment [7][8] Cost Management - Several companies, including Budweiser APAC and China Resources Beer, have reduced their sales costs by 8.93% and 2.93% respectively, due to lower barley prices and improved cost control measures [9][10] - Qingdao Beer managed to achieve a slight net profit increase despite revenue decline by reducing various operational costs [10][12] Marketing Innovations - Companies are adopting innovative marketing strategies to engage younger consumers, such as emotional and scenario-based marketing [13][14] - Budweiser APAC is focusing on expanding non-drinking channels and targeting new consumption scenarios, while China Resources Beer has seen over 30% growth in online business [15][16]

Financial Reporting - Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited will hold a board meeting on May 7, 2025, to consider and approve the unaudited results for the three months ending March 31, 2025[2] - The unaudited results announcement is expected to be released on May 8, 2025, at 7:00 AM Hong Kong time[2]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a NEUTRAL rating for Budweiser Brewing Co APAC with a target price of HK$7.90, down from HK$10.1 [2][12]. Core Insights - The Chinese market is under pressure, with a projected annual sales volume decline of 11.8% in 2024 and a market share contraction of 149 basis points [3][9]. - The company aims to reverse the downward trend in market share through inventory management optimization, channel expansion, and product innovation, although challenges remain [3][9]. - The South Korean market shows strong growth with a 3.6% increase in sales volume and an 8.7% increase in average selling price (ASP) in 2024, alongside a market share expansion of 349 basis points [4][10]. - In India, the high-end product portfolio is expected to see nearly 20% net income growth, with Budweiser's market share doubling over the past five years [4][10]. - The company is undergoing a strategic adjustment period due to leadership changes and external trade challenges, focusing on channel transformation and management efficiency [5][11]. Financial Summary - Revenue for 2024 is projected at US$6.246 billion, with a net profit of US$750 million, reflecting a decline in both revenue and profit compared to previous years [2][8]. - Earnings per share (EPS) for 2025-2027 are forecasted at $0.05, $0.05, and $0.06 respectively, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 19x for 2025 [6][12]. - The company has implemented hedging operations for annual costs to manage risks associated with supply chain stability and currency fluctuations [5][11].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese beer industry is facing multiple challenges in 2024, including consumption segmentation, cost pressures, and localized competition from international brands, leading to a trend of "volume decline and price increase" [2] Industry Overview - The overall revenue of the beer industry in 2024 has decreased by 5.7% year-on-year, making it the only category in the food and beverage sector to experience negative growth [2] - The performance of the six major listed beer companies—Budweiser APAC, China Resources Beer, Tsingtao Brewery, Yanjing Beer, Chongqing Beer, and Zhujiang Beer—has shown further differentiation [2][3] Company Performance - Budweiser APAC reported a revenue of 62.46 billion RMB, down 8.90%, and a net profit of 7.26 billion RMB, down 14.79% [9] - China Resources Beer achieved revenue of 38.635 billion RMB, a slight decline of 0.76%, with net profit down 8.03% to 4.739 billion RMB [9] - Tsingtao Brewery's revenue was 32.138 billion RMB, down 5.30%, but net profit increased by 1.81% to 4.345 billion RMB [9] - Chongqing Beer reported revenue of 14.645 billion RMB, down 1.15%, and net profit of 1.115 billion RMB, down 16.61% [9] - Zhujiang Beer and Yanjing Beer were the exceptions, with Zhujiang Beer achieving revenue growth of 6.56% to 5.731 billion RMB and net profit growth of 29.95% to 810 million RMB [11] - Yanjing Beer also saw revenue growth of 3.20% to 14.667 billion RMB and net profit growth of 63.74% to 1.055 billion RMB [11] Market Trends - The market is experiencing a shift towards high-end products, with Zhujiang Beer and Yanjing Beer benefiting from product structure adjustments and capturing high-end consumption scenarios [3][12] - Analysts suggest that the beer industry must continue to pursue high-end strategies and expand online channels to find new growth opportunities [3][15] - The competition in the high-end market is intensifying, prompting companies to innovate and refine operations to discover new growth points [15] Strategic Adjustments - Companies are adjusting their product structures towards high-end offerings, with Zhujiang Beer reporting that 90% of its revenue comes from mid-to-high-end products [14] - Yanjing Beer has successfully launched its flagship product, Yanjing U8, achieving a sales volume of 696,000 kiloliters, a year-on-year increase of 31.40% [14] - Budweiser APAC, despite being a high-end market leader, has seen a significant decline in sales, down 11.8%, attributed to weak consumer spending [14] - China Resources Beer reported that mid-range and above products accounted for over 50% of its sales for the first time, indicating a commitment to high-end strategies [14]

港股啤酒股持续走强，华润啤酒(00291.HK)涨超3%，青岛啤酒股份(00168.HK)涨超2%，百威亚太 (01876.HK)涨超1%。 ...

Financial Performance - In 2024, Budweiser APAC experienced a mixed year, with strong growth in South Korea and India offsetting weak performance in China, where sales were impacted by reduced consumer spending and foot traffic in on-premise channels[6]. - For 2024, Budweiser APAC reported revenue of $6,246 million, reflecting a normalized EBITDA growth of -6.3%[13]. - Total sales decreased by 8.8% to 848.11 million liters in FY2024, compared to 927.67 million liters in FY2023[22]. - Revenue fell by 7.0% to $6.246 billion in FY2024, down from $6.856 billion in FY2023[22]. - Normalized EBITDA decreased by 6.3% to $1.807 billion, with a normalized EBITDA margin of 28.9%, a decline of 21 basis points[22][24]. - In Q4 2024, total sales and revenue decreased by 12.7% and 11.0%, respectively, influenced by performance in China but partially offset by strong performance in Korea[25]. - In China, sales decreased by 18.9% in Q4 2024, with revenue down 20.1% due to inventory reduction and unfavorable channel mix[28]. - The company maintained a strong balance sheet with a net cash position of $2.9 billion, a decrease of $274 million from FY2023[25]. - The board proposed a dividend of $750 million for FY2024, representing an increase of 7% from the previous year[25]. Market Performance - In South Korea, Budweiser APAC achieved its highest market share in over a decade, with double-digit revenue growth and high single-digit revenue per hectoliter growth driven by effective revenue management and a strong brand portfolio[6]. - In India, the high-end and super premium product portfolio grew nearly 20%, solidifying the country as one of Budweiser's top four global markets[7]. - The number of distribution cities for the Budweiser brand expanded from 220 in 2023 to 235 in 2024, enhancing market presence[29]. - High-end and super high-end product revenue in India grew nearly 20% in both Q4 2024 and FY2024, solidifying its position as one of Budweiser's top four global markets[30]. - Cass Light "Zero Sugar" beer sales increased by over 30%, making it one of the top three local beers in the non-immediate consumption channel[33]. Sustainability Initiatives - The company increased its carbon-neutral breweries in China from three to six, including new facilities in Ziyang, Zhangzhou, and Jinshiba, as part of its sustainability goals[7]. - Budweiser APAC reduced its operational carbon emissions intensity by approximately 65% per hectoliter compared to 2017, and water usage per hectoliter decreased from 2.03 hectoliters in 2023 to 1.89 hectoliters in 2024, a 37% reduction from 2017[7]. - The company aims for a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per hectoliter produced by 2025 compared to 2017 levels[71]. - The company achieved a 32% reduction in carbon emissions intensity across its entire value chain compared to the 2017 baseline[71]. - 100% of the electricity purchased by the company comes from renewable sources[71]. - The company aims to achieve zero wastewater discharge in production facilities[74]. - The company collaborates with local governments and organizations to improve water resource accessibility in communities[74]. - 100% of product packaging is recyclable or contains at least 50% recycled materials, with 63.4% of packaging using recyclable materials and primarily containing recycled content[77][78]. - 100% of direct farmers are skilled, well-connected, and receive financial support, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices[79]. Leadership and Governance - The CEO, Mr. Yang, will step down on April 1, 2025, after seven years in the role, with Mr. Cheng taking over, who has extensive experience within the AB InBev Group[9]. - The new CEO, Cheng Yanjun, will take over on April 1, 2025, bringing over 40 years of experience in the beverage industry[106]. - The company has a clear succession plan, with the current CEO, Yang Ke, stepping down in 2025[103]. - The board consists of a balanced mix of executive and non-executive directors, with seven members during the reporting period[100]. - The company has established a robust governance framework to integrate sustainability principles into its operations[66]. - The board is focused on maintaining transparency and constructive communication among its members[96]. - The company emphasizes its commitment to corporate governance with various committees, including audit, risk, and compensation committees, ensuring oversight and accountability[129]. - The board's diversity policy considers factors such as gender, age, cultural background, and professional experience to enhance decision-making quality[141]. - The board includes independent directors with extensive experience in finance and corporate governance, such as Mr. Guo Peng, who has held significant positions in Swire Group and Cathay Pacific[132]. Risk Management - The risk committee evaluates the company's risk tolerance and monitors the implementation of mitigation measures[99]. - The company has a robust framework for risk management and compliance, led by experienced professionals in the finance and legal sectors[134]. - The audit and risk committee supervises the financial reporting system, internal controls, and risk management[184]. - The group plans to review its internal controls, risk management updates, and compliance with tax and legal matters[186]. Employee and Community Engagement - 100% of full-time employees have received training, averaging 47 hours of training per employee[82]. - The company promotes a culture of safety with a focus on zero-risk exposure and regular safety training sessions[83]. - The company emphasizes responsible marketing and communication standards to promote moderate drinking among consumers[85]. - The company is expanding its non-alcoholic and low-alcohol product offerings to provide consumers with more choices for moderate drinking[85]. - 23 responsible drinking projects launched in the Asia-Pacific region, with 675,210 kilograms of limes sold through the "Corona Select Lime" project in 2024[85].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommendation" rating for the food and beverage industry, particularly highlighting the white wine sector as it is expected to clear and stabilize, with gradual improvements in the mass market [1]. Core Insights - The white wine sector is currently in a clearing and bottoming phase, with expectations for marginal improvement in the second half of the year. The industry has seen risks transition from off-balance sheet channels to on-balance sheet for most listed companies, leading to a slight slowdown in payment and delivery progress in Q1. However, leading companies have largely completed their initial targets for the year [4][9]. - In the mass market, beer shows signs of marginal improvement, with standout performance in the snack category, particularly for konjac products. The dairy sector is expected to rebound in Q2 after a period of adjustment [19][25]. Summary by Sections White Wine Sector - The white wine sector is in a clearing and bottoming phase, with expectations for improvement in the second half of the year. Q1 saw a slowdown in payment and delivery, but leading companies have met their initial targets [4][9]. - High-end brands like Moutai and Wuliangye are expected to see revenue and profit growth of approximately 9% and 10%, and 4% and 3% respectively in Q1 [10][12]. - The mid-range segment is experiencing varied performance, with brands like Fenjiu and Gujing showing growth, while others like Yanghe are facing challenges [10][12]. Mass Market - The beer sector is showing signs of recovery, with leading brands like Qingdao and Yanjing achieving revenue growth of 4% and 6% respectively in Q1 [26][29]. - The snack segment, particularly konjac products, is performing well, with brands like Salted and Wei Long seeing significant growth [19][25]. - The dairy sector is expected to improve as inventory levels stabilize, with companies like Yili and Mengniu showing resilience [25]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests bottom-fishing in the white wine sector, with a focus on brands like Moutai, Wuliangye, and Fenjiu, while also recommending attention to the mass market for potential turning points in beer and dairy [5][19].

Core Viewpoint - Budweiser Asia Pacific is facing unprecedented challenges in the Chinese market, marked by significant revenue and profit declines, layoffs, and a leadership change aimed at revitalizing the business [2][4][5]. Financial Performance - In 2024, Budweiser Asia Pacific reported revenues of $6.246 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 7%, and net profits fell by 14.8%, with total sales down by 8.8% [2][7]. - The fourth quarter saw even steeper declines, with total sales and revenue decreasing by 12.7% and 11.0%, respectively, due to inventory destocking [7]. Workforce Reduction - The company has reduced its workforce from over 28,000 employees at the end of 2019 to approximately 21,000 by the end of 2024, representing a 25% reduction [3][14]. - Reports suggest that Budweiser Asia Pacific plans to cut operational costs by 15% by further layoffs in 2025, although the company has denied these claims [2][14]. Leadership Change - In February 2024, Budweiser Asia Pacific appointed Cheng Yanjun, the first Chinese CEO, to replace Yang Ke, who had been with the company for 23 years [4][19]. - The leadership change is perceived as a strategic move to rejuvenate the company's performance in the Chinese market [4][19]. Market Position and Strategy - Budweiser's market share in the high-end beer segment has declined to around 40%, as competition from local brands like Yanjing and craft beers increases [11][12]. - The company has attempted to stabilize prices by raising the cost of certain products by 3 to 7 yuan per case, reflecting its struggle to maintain profitability [9][10]. Challenges Ahead - Analysts predict that the demand for beer in China will not see significant improvement by 2025, and Budweiser's high-end product mix may continue to hinder sales [19]. - The company is urged to focus on product innovation, channel restructuring, and organizational changes to create higher value with fewer resources [19].

Core Viewpoint - The beer industry is experiencing a decline in sales volume, but there is a positive trend in cost optimization, particularly due to falling raw material prices and a shift towards high-end products. Group 1: Company Performance - Chongqing Beer reported a revenue of 14.645 billion yuan and a net profit of 1.222 billion yuan for 2024, with sales volume reaching 2.9749 million kiloliters [1] - High-end product sales for Chongqing Beer increased by 1.37% year-on-year, accounting for nearly 49% of total sales [1] - The proportion of canned products in Chongqing Beer’s sales rose to 26%, an increase of 3.5 percentage points [1] Group 2: Cost Optimization - Major beer companies, including China Resources Beer, Budweiser APAC, Qingdao Beer, and Chongqing Beer, have all seen reductions in operating costs [2] - Qingdao Beer’s operating costs decreased by 7.72%, while Chongqing Beer’s operating costs saw a slight reduction of 0.03% [2] - The decline in costs is attributed to lower prices for barley, packaging materials, and effective cost control measures [2][4] Group 3: Raw Material Trends - The price of imported barley in China is expected to decline by approximately 20% compared to 2023, with a 10% decrease anticipated by the end of 2024 [7] - Glass prices in China are at a relative low over the past three years, and the average market price for corrugated paper has also seen a decline [8] - The overall trend of decreasing raw material costs is expected to continue into 2025, benefiting the beer industry [8]