Core Viewpoint - Qingdao Beer (SH600600) reported a decrease in revenue for 2024, while net profit showed a slight increase, indicating mixed financial performance amid challenges in production and sales volumes [1][2]. Financial Performance - In 2024, Qingdao Beer achieved an operating revenue of 32.14 billion yuan, a decrease of 5.3% compared to 2023 [2]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 4.34 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.81% [2]. - The net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses was 3.95 billion yuan, up 6.19% from the previous year [2]. Production and Sales - The total beer production in 2024 was 7.23 million kiloliters, a decrease of 2.39% year-on-year [3]. - The sales volume for the same period was 7.54 million kiloliters, down 5.85% compared to the previous year [3]. - The inventory level at the end of 2024 was 520,000 kiloliters, which represents a year-on-year increase of 0.78% [3]. Employee Statistics - The total number of employees at Qingdao Beer in 2024 was 29,870, a reduction of 817 employees or 2.66% from 2023 [3]. Leadership Changes - On December 25, 2024, the chairman Huang Kexing announced his resignation due to retirement age, and Jiang Zongxiang was elected as the new chairman and concurrently served as the president [5]. - Jiang Zongxiang's salary in 2024 was reported at 1.02 million yuan, a decline of 35.36% compared to the previous year [5][6].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" investment rating for Qingdao Beer [1][8] Core Views - The company's revenue slightly declined year-on-year due to environmental impacts, with total revenue and net profit attributable to shareholders for 2024 at 32.138 billion and 4.345 billion yuan, respectively, reflecting a year-on-year change of -5% and +2% [2] - The company has shown significant cost optimization effects, leading to a slight increase in gross margin, with gross margin and net margin for 2024 at 40% and 14%, respectively, both up by 1.6 and 1.2 percentage points year-on-year [2] - The company is focusing on product structure optimization and channel diversification, with a continued push for high-end and ultra-high-end products, and a notable increase in online sales [3] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In Q4 2024, total revenue was 3.179 billion yuan, up 7% year-on-year, while net profit attributable to shareholders was -645 million yuan, showing a slight increase in losses [2] - Operating net cash flow for 2024 was 5.155 billion yuan, a significant increase of 86% year-on-year, with sales receipts at 38.057 billion yuan, up 0.5% [2] - The company’s contract liabilities at the end of 2024 were 8.313 billion yuan, an increase of 2.868 billion yuan quarter-on-quarter [2] Product and Market Strategy - Overall beer sales volume and price per ton in 2024 decreased by 5.9% and increased by 0.4%, respectively, with the main brand's sales volume down by 4.8% [3] - The company is advancing its "1+1+1+2+N" product mix strategy, with mid-to-high-end product sales at 3.15 million kiloliters, a decrease of 2.7% year-on-year, but accounting for 73% of the main brand's sales [3] - The company has launched new products to meet diverse consumer needs, including the "A series of Aogute, Nikashi White Beer, and non-alcoholic beer series" [3] Earnings Forecast - The company is expected to have EPS of 3.55, 3.84, and 4.11 yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with corresponding PE ratios of 22, 20, and 19 times [8] - Revenue growth rates are projected at -5.3% for 2024, followed by 4.3%, 3.2%, and 2.9% for the subsequent years [10]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" investment rating for Qingdao Beer [1][8] Core Views - The company's revenue slightly declined year-on-year due to environmental impacts, with total revenue and net profit attributable to shareholders for 2024 at 32.138 billion and 4.345 billion yuan, respectively, reflecting a year-on-year change of -5% and +2% [2] - The company has shown significant cost optimization effects, leading to a slight increase in gross margin, with gross and net profit margins for 2024 at 40% and 14%, respectively, both up by 1.6 and 1.2 percentage points year-on-year [2] - The company continues to optimize its product structure and diversify its channels, with a focus on high-end and ultra-high-end products, which accounted for 73% of the main brand's sales in 2024 [3] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In Q4 2024, total revenue was 3.179 billion yuan, up 7% year-on-year, while net profit attributable to shareholders was -645 million yuan, indicating a slight increase in losses [2] - Operating net cash flow for 2024 was significantly improved, reaching 5.155 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 86% [2] - The company’s contract liabilities at the end of 2024 were 8.313 billion yuan, an increase of 2.868 billion yuan quarter-on-quarter [2] Product and Market Strategy - Overall beer sales volume and price per ton in 2024 decreased by 5.9% and increased by 0.4%, respectively [3] - The company launched new products such as the "A Series" and "Nika Xi White Beer" to meet diverse consumer needs [3] - The sales ratio of ready-to-drink and non-ready-to-drink markets was 41.2% and 58.8%, respectively, with online product sales increasing by 21% [3] Earnings Forecast - The company is expected to have EPS of 3.55, 3.84, and 4.11 yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with corresponding PE ratios of 22, 20, and 19 times [8] - Revenue growth rates are projected at -5.3% for 2024, followed by 4.3%, 3.2%, and 2.9% for the subsequent years [10]

Core Points - Qingdao Beer (600600) closed at 76.53 yuan as of March 28, 2025, up 5.31% from the previous week [1] - The company reported a total market capitalization of 108.754 billion yuan, ranking 1st in the non-baijiu sector and 126th among all A-shares [1] - The company’s shareholder count increased to 66,700 as of February 28, 2025, a rise of 29.02% from December 31, 2024 [1][4] Performance Highlights - In 2024, Qingdao Beer achieved product sales of 7.538 million kiloliters and revenue of 32.14 billion yuan [2][3] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 4.34 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 1.8% [2][4] - The net profit excluding non-recurring items was 3.95 billion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 6.2% [2] Dividend Announcement - The company proposed a cash dividend of 2.20 yuan per share (including tax) for the 2024 fiscal year [3][4] - The total cash dividend payout is approximately 3.00123 billion yuan (including tax) [4]

Core Viewpoint - Qingdao Beer continues to experience a trend of "profit growth without revenue growth," with a reported revenue decline despite a slight increase in net profit [1][3][6]. Financial Performance - In 2024, Qingdao Beer reported total revenue of approximately 32.138 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 5.3% [1][3]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders was about 4.345 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.81% [1][7]. - The company has achieved net profit growth for five consecutive years, despite declines in production, sales, and overall revenue [1][6]. Market Trends - The beer industry is facing challenges such as consumption downgrade and reduced consumption scenarios, leading to decreased sales [4][10]. - National beer production among large enterprises fell to 35.213 million kiloliters, a decrease of 0.6% year-on-year [4]. - Qingdao Beer’s main brand sales dropped by 4.84%, while the sales revenue also declined by 5.07% [4]. Seasonal Losses - Qingdao Beer reported a fourth-quarter loss of 645 million yuan, marking the sixth consecutive year of fourth-quarter losses [2][9]. - The winter season is traditionally a sales slump for the beer industry, impacting overall annual performance [9]. Strategic Responses - Experts suggest that Qingdao Beer should innovate product offerings and diversify strategies to address seasonal losses [2][10]. - The company has seen a 21% year-on-year increase in online product sales, maintaining growth for 12 consecutive years [10]. - Qingdao Beer is focusing on supply chain optimization and fresh delivery services to meet diverse consumer needs [10]. Product Strategy - The company has been launching high-end products, with mid-to-high-end product sales reaching 3.154 million kiloliters, accounting for 41.8% of total sales [7][8]. - Qingdao Beer aims to enhance brand loyalty among younger consumers through high-end beer strategies and marketing efficiency [8].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" [2][3] Core Views - The company reported a revenue of 32.14 billion yuan in 2024, a decrease of 5.30% year-on-year, while the net profit attributable to shareholders was 4.35 billion yuan, an increase of 1.81% year-on-year [2] - In Q4 2024, the company achieved a revenue of 3.18 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.44%, with sales volume increasing by 5.61% to 750,000 kiloliters [2] - The company’s main brand sales volume in Q4 2024 increased by 7.45% year-on-year, indicating a positive growth trend [2] - The company’s gross margin improved to 40.2% in 2024, up by 1.57 percentage points year-on-year, driven by a decrease in operating costs [2] - The company is expected to see earnings per share (EPS) of 3.48, 3.96, and 4.39 yuan for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with corresponding price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios of 23, 20, and 18 times [2] Financial Summary - Total revenue for 2024 was 32.14 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of -5.3% [3] - The net profit attributable to shareholders for 2024 was 4.35 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of 1.8% [3] - The gross margin for 2024 was 40.2%, an increase from 38.7% in 2023 [3] - The projected EPS for 2025 is 3.48 yuan, with a P/E ratio of 22.57 times [3]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" [2][3] Core Views - The company reported a revenue of 32.14 billion yuan in 2024, a decrease of 5.3% year-on-year, while the net profit attributable to the parent company was 4.35 billion yuan, an increase of 1.81% year-on-year [2] - In Q4 2024, the company achieved a revenue of 3.18 billion yuan, an increase of 7.44% year-on-year, with sales volume rising by 5.61% to 750,000 kiloliters [2] - The company’s main brand sales volume in Q4 2024 increased by 7.45%, indicating a positive growth trend [2] - The company’s gross profit margin improved to 40.2% in 2024, up by 1.57 percentage points year-on-year, due to a decrease in operating costs [2][3] Financial Performance Summary - Total revenue for 2024 was 32.14 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of -5.3% [3] - The net profit attributable to the parent company for 2024 was 4.35 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of 1.8% [3] - The gross profit margin for 2024 was 40.2%, an increase from 38.7% in 2023 [3] - The company’s EPS (Earnings Per Share) for 2024 was 3.19 yuan, with a projected EPS of 3.48 yuan for 2025 [3] Future Earnings Forecast - The company is expected to have EPS of 3.48 yuan in 2025, 3.96 yuan in 2026, and 4.39 yuan in 2027 [2][3] - The projected P/E ratios for 2025, 2026, and 2027 are 23, 20, and 18 times, respectively, based on the closing price of 78.51 yuan per share on April 2, 2025 [2]

Core Insights - The "2025 China Liquor Industry Listed Companies Brand Value Ranking TOP30" was jointly released by the "Daily Economic News" and Tsinghua University's Economic Management School, marking the first brand research result for listed liquor companies in China [1] - The total brand value of the listed companies in the liquor industry reached 1.6578 trillion yuan, an increase of 137.8 billion yuan compared to 2024, representing a growth rate of 9.1% [3][4] - The top three companies are Kweichow Moutai, Wuliangye, and Luzhou Laojiao, with brand values of 662.6 billion yuan, 306.0 billion yuan, and 107.7 billion yuan respectively [3][4] Brand Value Changes - Among the 30 companies, 15 experienced an increase in brand value while 15 saw a decrease [4][6] - Kweichow Moutai led the growth with an increase of 84.365 billion yuan, followed by Wuliangye and Shanxi Fenjiu with increases of 45.575 billion yuan and 18.715 billion yuan respectively [4][5] - The companies with the largest declines in brand value include Yanghe Brewery, which decreased by 11.101 billion yuan, and Jiu Gui Jiu, which saw a decline of 25.6% [4][5] Market Dynamics - The liquor industry is characterized by a concentration of resources towards leading brands, a trend that is unlikely to change in the short term without significant technological breakthroughs or major shifts in market perception and industry policy [2][6] - The beer segment, in contrast, is experiencing an overall decline in brand value, with a total decrease of 5% year-on-year, particularly affecting leading brands like China Resources Beer and Tsingtao Brewery [6][7] - The challenges faced by the beer industry include weakened overall consumer demand due to macroeconomic pressures and a shift in preferences among younger consumers towards diverse and low-alcohol products [6][9] Company Performance - Yanghe Brewery's strategy of "maintaining volume while controlling price" has negatively impacted its sales performance, contributing to its brand value decline [8][9] - The competitive landscape in the high-end liquor market is intensifying, with a clear "Matthew Effect" where top brands dominate market share [8][9] - The brand value of Yanghe has been affected by its lagging marketing innovations, despite its earlier success in brand modernization [9]

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]

Summary of Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd - **Industry**: Consumer (Beer) - **Market Cap**: Rmb87,933.7 million - **Stock Rating**: Equal-weight - **Price Target**: HK$50.00 - **Current Price**: HK$55.00 - **52-Week Range**: HK$67.00 - HK$40.00 - **Average Daily Trading Value**: HK$238 million [5][10] Key Financial Results - **2024 Core Sales**: Rmb31.6 billion, down 5% year-over-year (yoy) [8] - **Net Profit**: Rmb4.3 billion, up 2% yoy [8] - **Sales Volume**: 7.5 million KL, down 6% yoy, compared to industry decline of 1% [8] - **Gross Margin**: Expanded by 1.4 percentage points to 32.7% [4] - **Operating Margin**: Increased by 1 percentage point to 14.2% [8] - **Dividend Payout**: Rmb2.2 per share, with a payout ratio of 69% [8] Volume and Market Performance - **Main Brand Volume**: Dropped 4.8% yoy to 4.34 million KL in 2024; medium- to high-end volume down 3% to 3.15 million KL [3] - **4Q24 Volume Recovery**: Tsingtao brand volume up 7.4% yoy, other brands up 2.1% yoy; industry production volume up 9.8% yoy [3] - **Average Selling Price (ASP)**: Flattish yoy in 2024, with volume growth of 5.6% and ASP growth of 1.7% in 4Q24 [8] Cost and Expense Management - **SG&A Ratio**: Increased by 0.4 percentage points in 2024; S&D expense ratio up 0.5 percentage points [4] - **Net Cash Position**: Rmb20.0 billion at the end of 2024, down from Rmb21.2 billion in 2023 [4] Competitive Landscape - **Market Share**: Tsingtao holds a 21.4% market share, with a slight decline of 1.1% yoy [10] - **Comparison with Competitors**: Tsingtao's sales and volume performance compared to CRB and Budweiser APAC, with Tsingtao's sales down 5.5% yoy [10] Risks and Opportunities - **Upside Risks**: Successful premiumization strategy, favorable weather conditions, and better-than-expected cost control efficiencies [13] - **Downside Risks**: Increased competition leading to market share loss, slow capacity closure plans, and rising raw material prices [13] Conclusion - Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd has shown resilience with a slight increase in net profit and recovery in volume towards the end of 2024. However, challenges remain in maintaining market share and managing costs effectively in a competitive landscape. The company's strategic focus on premiumization and cost efficiencies will be crucial for future growth.