Summary of Key Takeaways from the 2026 GCC Conference Industry Overview - The conference involved around 30 industrial companies, with notable participation from Hengli Hydraulic, Inovance, and Sany Heavy [1][2] - General sentiment indicates soft domestic demand but a strong outlook for overseas growth, particularly in sectors like AI data center equipment, embodied AI robots, commercial aerospace, and solid-state batteries [1] Positive Insights - **Export Growth**: Companies in construction/mining machinery, heavy-duty trucks, and solar equipment are optimistic about exports, driven by AI-related capital expenditures, US interest rate cuts, and supply chain relocations [2] - **Capex Upcycle**: Lithium battery equipment companies expect continued capital expenditure growth in 2026, with solid-state battery orders projected to increase by over 60% from Rmb1 billion in 2025 [2] - **New Opportunities**: Over half of the industrial companies are exploring new opportunities, particularly in humanoid robots, with companies like Ubtech and Dobot focusing on proof of concept validation [2] Negative Concerns - **Material Costs**: Rising prices for copper, aluminum, and battery cells are raising concerns about margin pressures for industrial companies, especially if costs cannot be passed on to end-users [3] - **EV Demand**: There are worries about slowing demand and capital expenditures in the electric vehicle sector, which could impact overall growth [3] Company-Specific Insights - **Hengli Hydraulic**: Expected revenue growth of 20-30% in 2026, with a focus on commercial aerospace and AI robotics [7] - **Sany Heavy**: Maintains a double-digit revenue growth outlook, with a global excavator market share of approximately 7% [8] - **Inovance**: Anticipates a slowdown in the EV segment but expects stable demand in automation and has announced price hikes of 5-20% on selective products due to rising material costs [9] - **Shuanghuan Driveline**: Positive outlook for NEV gear business growth, with expected revenue growth of around 40% in intelligent actuators driven by demand from robotic vacuum cleaners and e-bikes [15] Emerging Trends - **AI and Robotics**: Companies are increasingly focusing on AI-driven products and humanoid robotics, with significant investments in R&D and technology upgrades [14][11] - **Solid-State Batteries**: Companies like Wuxi Lead are seeing strong demand for solid-state batteries, with expectations of over 60% growth in orders for 2026 [10] Market Dynamics - **Foreign Exchange Risks**: Concerns about RMB appreciation could impact export volumes and margins for companies reliant on overseas markets [3] - **Investment Climate**: The macroeconomic environment remains a risk factor, with potential slowdowns in demand for industrial goods if the economy does not improve [19] Conclusion The 2026 GCC conference highlighted a mixed outlook for the industrial sector, with optimism surrounding export growth and new technologies, tempered by concerns over material costs and domestic demand. Companies are actively pursuing innovation in AI and robotics, positioning themselves for future growth despite potential economic headwinds.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the **humanoid robot industry**, particularly developments related to **Veichi Electric** and its collaborations with other companies in the sector [1][3]. Company Insights Veichi Electric (688698.SS) - Veichi Electric is a supplier of inverters, servo motors, and PLCs, and has recently expanded its offerings to include rotary joint modules, coreless motors, frameless motors, and dexterous hands for humanoid robots [1]. - The management expressed greater confidence in the production ramp of a leading **US humanoid robot maker** compared to its Chinese clients, citing rigorous product development progress [1]. - The US client's capacity requirement is projected to increase tenfold in 2027, from **1,000 units per week in 2026** to **10,000 units per week** [1]. Collaboration with Rongtai Electric (603119.SS) - Veichi is collaborating with Rongtai Electric to provide dexterous hand solutions for the US humanoid robot maker, establishing a joint venture in Thailand to meet the requirement of producing all components outside of China [3]. - The latest humanoid robot version requires **44 micro motors** for the hands, with a configuration of **22 Degrees of Freedom (DoF)** per hand [3]. Market Projections - The management indicated that the US client has requested Veichi to prepare its capacity by **1H26**, aligning with industry expectations [3]. - The initial capacity requirement is to support **1,000 units** of humanoid robot production per week, with potential growth to **10,000 units per week** by 2027 [3]. Investment Recommendations - Preference is given to component makers like **Hengli Hydraulic (601100.SS)** and **Leader Drive (688017.SS)**, with Hengli Hydraulic being highlighted for its strong market position [1]. Risks - Key risks identified for the humanoid robot industry include: - Weaker demand for excavator and non-excavator components [7]. - Profitability challenges in production plants due to economies of scale [7]. - Lower-than-expected gross profit margins due to product mix changes [7]. - For Leader Drive, risks include slower growth in the automation market, increased competition, higher raw material costs, and lower contributions from humanoid robots [9]. Valuation Insights - Target price for **Hengli Hydraulic** is set at **Rmb135.0**, based on a **52x 2026E P/E** [6]. - Target price for **Leader Drive** is set at **Rmb233**, reflecting a **233x 2026E P/E** due to stronger-than-expected earnings recovery [8]. Conclusion - The humanoid robot industry is poised for significant growth, particularly in the US market, with key players like Veichi Electric and its partners strategically positioned to capitalize on this trend. However, potential risks must be monitored closely to ensure investment stability and growth.

Summary of Hengli Hydraulic (601100.SS) Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Hengli Hydraulic - **Industry**: Hydraulic components and systems, humanoid robots, aerospace, and agricultural machinery Key Points Growth Drivers - **Revenue Growth**: Expected to accelerate to **20%-30% YoY** in 2026, up from mid-teens in 2025, driven by strong demand for excavator components and favorable product mix changes [1][1] - **New Business Contributions**: Anticipated revenue contributions from: - Aerospace - Brain-computer interface - Humanoid robots - **Revenue Contribution Order**: Aerospace > Brain-computer interface > Humanoid robot [1][1] Financial Guidance - **4Q25 Revenue Guidance**: Expected to exceed **Rmb3.0 billion**, with at least **30% YoY** growth. Management anticipates a **Rmb200 million** foreign exchange loss due to Rmb appreciation, but expects bottom-line growth to outpace top-line growth due to gross profit margin (GPM) expansion [1][1] - **2026 Product Revenue Growth**: - Excavator components: **40% YoY** - Pumps and valves: **~20% YoY** - Non-excavator components: **20%-30% YoY**, with pumps and valves potentially exceeding **30%** and cylinders at **10%** [1][1] Humanoid Robot Business - **Mexico Plant**: Set to be ready by March or April 2026, with production starting in **3Q26**. Expected revenue from humanoid robots to exceed **Rmb100 million** in 2026 [2][2] Aerospace Business - **Current Operations**: Supplies hydraulic systems for launch pads and rockets, with an average selling price (ASP) of **~Rmb15 million**. GPM for this segment is over **50%**. Expected revenue growth from less than **Rmb50 million** in 2025 to over **Rmb100 million** in 2026 [3][3] Brain-Computer Interface - **Revenue Forecast**: Expected to reach **Rmb100 million** in 2026, based on an ASP of **Rmb10,000** and **10,000 shipments** [6][6] Agricultural Machinery - **New Orders**: Secured orders from a global leader, increasing revenue by **Rmb500 million-600 million** in 2026. The total addressable market (TAM) for global mid-to-high-end agricultural machinery components is estimated to exceed **Rmb20 billion**. A new factory in Brazil is planned to mitigate high import tariffs [7][7] Ball Screw and Linear Guide - **Revenue Expectations**: Combined revenue was **~Rmb100 million** in 2025, lower than expected. Management believes revenue could reach **Rmb300 million-500 million** in 2026, with recent monthly shipments at **Rmb15 million** [8][8] Valuation and Risks - **Target Price**: Set at **Rmb135.00**, based on a **52x 2026E P/E**, which aligns with its average P/E since 2021 plus **2.0x** standard deviation [12][12] - **Risks**: Include weaker demand for excavator and non-excavator components, lower profitability from ball screw and Mexico plants, and lower-than-expected GPM due to product mix changes [13][13] Market Metrics - **Current Price**: **Rmb121.120** - **Expected Share Price Return**: **11.5%** - **Expected Dividend Yield**: **0.7%** - **Expected Total Return**: **12.1%** - **Market Cap**: **Rmb162.4 billion** (approximately **US$23.33 billion**) [4][4]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the news is that Hengli Hydraulic has shown fluctuations in stock price and trading volume, with a recent decline of 2.01% and a total market capitalization of 154.61 billion yuan [1] - As of January 26, the stock price of Hengli Hydraulic is reported at 115.31 yuan per share, with a trading volume of 290 million yuan and a turnover rate of 0.19% [1] - The company has experienced a year-to-date stock price increase of 4.91%, with a 1.59% decline over the last five trading days, a 7.55% increase over the last 20 days, and a 19.86% increase over the last 60 days [1] Group 2 - As of September 30, the number of shareholders for Hengli Hydraulic is 36,900, a decrease of 15.76% from the previous period, while the average circulating shares per person increased by 18.70% to 36,379 shares [2] - For the period from January to September 2025, Hengli Hydraulic achieved an operating income of 7.79 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 12.31%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 2.09 billion yuan, up 16.49% year-on-year [2] Group 3 - Hengli Hydraulic has distributed a total of 6.18 billion yuan in dividends since its A-share listing, with 3.11 billion yuan distributed in the last three years [3] - As of September 30, 2025, the largest circulating shareholder is Hong Kong Central Clearing Limited, holding 118 million shares, an increase of 15.19 million shares from the previous period [3] - Other notable shareholders include Huatai-PB CSI 300 ETF, which holds 9.12 million shares (a decrease of 412,000 shares), and E Fund CSI 300 ETF, holding 6.63 million shares (a decrease of 179,200 shares) [3]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the industry, but it suggests a positive outlook for specific sectors within the mechanical equipment industry, particularly commercial aerospace and humanoid robotics [5][11]. Core Insights - The commercial aerospace sector is highlighted as a key area of growth, with China completing 50 launches in 2025, accounting for 54% of total space launches, and a significant increase in commercial satellite deployments [5]. - Humanoid robotics is positioned as a transformative industry, with expectations for public sales of humanoid robots by 2027, indicating a pivotal moment for the sector [5]. - The agricultural machinery sector shows positive trends, with both domestic demand and exports improving, particularly for large tractors [5]. - The report identifies various mechanical sub-sectors with differing performance outlooks, including general machinery under pressure, engineering machinery accelerating upward, and stable growth in railway equipment and gas turbines [5]. Summary by Sections Market Review - The SW Mechanical Equipment Index rose by 2.57% during the week of January 19-23, 2026, ranking 13th among 31 primary industry categories [13]. - Year-to-date, the index has increased by 10.16%, ranking 9th among the same categories, while the CSI 300 Index rose by 1.57% [16]. Key Data Tracking General Machinery - The general machinery sector remains under pressure, with a PMI of 50.1% in December, marking the first increase above the threshold in eight months [23]. - Forklift sales in December totaled 111,363 units, with domestic sales down by 5.17% and exports up by 7.97% [23]. Engineering Machinery - The engineering machinery sector is experiencing upward momentum, with excavator sales reaching 23,095 units in December, a year-on-year increase of 17.6% [32]. Railway Equipment - The railway equipment sector shows steady growth, with fixed asset investment maintaining around 6% growth since 2025 [41]. Shipbuilding - The shipbuilding sector is experiencing a slowdown, with the global new ship price index at 184.65, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 2.38% [43]. Oilfield Equipment - The oilfield equipment sector is stabilizing, with high demand in the Middle East and OPEC+ balancing pressures expected to support oil prices [45]. Industrial Gases - The industrial gases sector is expected to benefit from improved steel profitability due to declining raw material prices, leading to increased demand [49]. Gas Turbines - The gas turbine sector is showing robust growth, with GEV reporting a 39% year-on-year increase in new orders for gas turbines in the first three quarters of 2025 [51].

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Accumulate" rating for the robotics industry [4]. Core Insights - The report highlights the deepening strategies of overseas giants, with OpenAI entering the robotics field and the acceleration of embodied intelligence in Europe. In China, new products and operational scenarios are flourishing, with breakthroughs in both production scale and data elements. The investment and financing market is robust, leading to an expansion of the robotics supply chain and production capacity [2][3]. Summary by Sections Industry News and Company Dynamics - Optimus is already operational in factories and is expected to begin consumer sales by the end of 2027. CEO Elon Musk confirmed this timeline at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stating that several units are currently performing simple tasks and will be ready for more complex operations soon [6][7]. - Yushutech announced that it exceeded 5,500 units in actual sales of humanoid robots for 2025, with over 6,500 units produced. The company clarified that this figure refers to actual sales delivered to end customers [7]. - Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Jieke Robotics have established a joint research center focused on general intelligent robots, aiming for breakthroughs in core technologies and industrial applications [7]. Investment and Financing Dynamics - The financing demand in the robotics sector is increasing, with Skild AI raising approximately $1.4 billion in funding led by SoftBank and NVIDIA, focusing on developing a general robotic "brain" [9]. - Zhejiang Human Robot Innovation Center completed a Pre-A round financing of 450 million yuan, with a strong lineup of investors, aimed at advancing core technologies and scaling production [9]. - Huari Technology plans to go public in Hong Kong, focusing on machine vision and autonomous mobile robots [9]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on both complete robotics manufacturers and core component suppliers. Key recommendations include: 1. Actuators and motors: Recommended companies include Zhaowei Electromechanical, with related companies being Mingzhi Electric and Jiechang Drive. 2. Reducers: Related companies include Ruidi Zhichu and Haoneng Co. 3. Screw components: Recommended company is Hengli Hydraulic, with related companies being Zhejiang Rongtai and Best. 4. Screw equipment: Recommended company is Qin Chuan Machine Tool, with related companies being Rifa Precision and Huachen Equipment. 5. Bearings: Recommended company is Longxi Co. 6. Sensors: Recommended companies include Donghua Testing and Anpeilong, with related companies being Lingyun Co. 7. Complete machines: Related companies include Ubtech and Yijiahe [10][12].

Group 1 - The engineering machinery sector increased by 0.9% on January 23, with Shaoyang Hydraulic leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 4136.16, up 0.33%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 14439.66, up 0.79% [1] - Shaoyang Hydraulic's stock price rose by 6.72% to 50.05, with a trading volume of 252,600 shares and a transaction value of 1.241 billion yuan [1] Group 2 - The engineering machinery sector experienced a net inflow of 187 million yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors saw a net outflow of 24.11 million yuan [2] - Major stocks like Yichang Heavy Industry and Hengli Hydraulic saw significant net inflows of 284 million yuan and 179 million yuan, respectively [3] - Shaoyang Hydraulic had a net inflow of 129 million yuan from institutional investors, but a net outflow of 77.53 million yuan from retail investors [3]

Market Overview - The engineering machinery sector experienced a decline of 0.93% on January 22, with Hengli Hydraulic leading the drop [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 4122.58, up 0.14%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 14327.05, up 0.5% [1] Stock Performance - Notable gainers in the engineering machinery sector included: - Tietuo Machinery (code: 920706) with a closing price of 31.90, up 6.83% and a trading volume of 85,600 shares, totaling 264 million yuan [1] - Shaoyang Hydraulic (code: 301079) closed at 46.90, up 4.25% with a trading volume of 118,700 shares, totaling 553 million yuan [1] - Tuoshan Heavy Industry (code: 001226) closed at 51.59, up 2.71% with a trading volume of 20,600 shares, totaling 107 million yuan [1] Fund Flow Analysis - The engineering machinery sector saw a net inflow of 177 million yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors experienced a net outflow of 263 million yuan [2][3] - Key stocks with significant fund flows included: - Shaoyang Hydraulic with a net inflow of 69.48 million yuan from institutional investors [3] - Hengli Hydraulic with a net inflow of 52.03 million yuan from institutional investors [3] - Tietuo Machinery with a net inflow of 26.28 million yuan from institutional investors [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the machinery industry, indicating a positive outlook for investment returns over the next 6-12 months [1]. Core Insights - The domestic sales of excavators continued to grow in December 2025, with a significant recovery in non-excavator categories. The total excavator sales (including exports) reached 23,095 units, a year-on-year increase of 19.2%, with domestic sales at 10,331 units, up 10.9% [3][4]. - The report highlights a robust recovery in the demand for construction machinery driven by ongoing infrastructure investments and the replacement cycle of machinery, projecting a compound growth rate of around 30% for replacement demand in the coming years [4][5]. - The export of excavators also showed strong growth, with December 2025 exports reaching 12,764 units, a 26.9% increase year-on-year, and total export value for the year at $64.2 billion, up 27.2% [6][10]. Summary by Sections Domestic Sales Performance - In December 2025, excavator sales reached 23,095 units, with domestic sales at 10,331 units, reflecting a 19.2% and 10.9% year-on-year growth respectively. For the entire year, total excavator sales were 235,257 units, up 17.0%, and domestic sales were 118,518 units, up 17.9% [3][14]. - Non-excavator machinery categories also saw significant growth, with loader sales increasing by 30.0% and motor grader sales by 14.0% in December 2025 [14]. Export Performance - The report notes that excavator exports in December 2025 reached 12,764 units, marking a 26.9% increase year-on-year, with total annual exports at 116,739 units, up 16.1% [6][14]. - The total export value of construction machinery for December 2025 was $64.2 billion, a 27.2% increase, with the annual total at $601.7 billion, up 13.8% [6]. Future Demand Drivers - The report emphasizes that active fiscal policies are expected to stimulate infrastructure investment, ensuring sustained demand for construction machinery in the medium term [5]. - The commencement of the Yaxia Hydropower Project, with an estimated investment of approximately 1.2 trillion yuan, is projected to significantly boost machinery demand, with equipment needs potentially reaching 120 to 180 billion yuan [9][10]. Electric and Intelligent Machinery Trends - Electric loader sales surged by 218.7% in December 2025, with an electricization rate of 22.2%, indicating a strong trend towards electrification in the machinery sector [7]. - The report also highlights the growth potential in the forklift market, driven by advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, with a projected 39.3% increase in sales of unmanned forklifts in 2025 [8]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends several leading manufacturers, including SANY Heavy Industry, XCMG, and Zoomlion, as well as component suppliers like Hengli Hydraulic, indicating a favorable long-term outlook for these companies [10].

Summary of China Industrials 2026 Outlook Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Industrials - **Core Themes**: AI technology diffusion, industrial upgrades, and globalization are central to the industrial sector's recovery in 2026. The government is focused on enhancing productivity through equipment upgrades, particularly in high-end equipment [1][4]. Key Insights - **Industrial Cycle**: The industrial cycle is characterized by strong global demand for capital goods, driven by AI technology applications and supply chain security concerns. China's trend of localizing high-end equipment remains strong, with specific sectors like data centers, electronics, and robotics expected to show growth, while processing markets may experience muted demand [3][10]. - **AI Applications**: 2026 is anticipated to mark the beginning of significant capital expenditure on physical AI, which will benefit automation and robotics companies. The government is supporting this through initiatives aimed at increasing the deployment of AI-powered robotics [4][11][12]. - **Localization and Supply Chain**: The localization rates for automation and industrial robots are projected to rise, with expectations of reaching 60-70% by 2030. This trend is expected to benefit companies involved in automation and precision components [21][22][23]. Market Dynamics - **Overseas Expansion**: Equipment exports from China have grown significantly, outpacing overall export growth. Companies are motivated to expand into international markets to capture larger total addressable markets (TAM) and improve margins [24][25]. - **Margin Expansion**: The overall net margin for China's industrials is expected to increase from approximately 13.0% in 2025 to around 14.6% in 2027, driven by overseas growth and advancements in AI technology [26][27]. Stock Recommendations - **Preferred Stocks**: The report highlights several stocks that are expected to benefit from cyclical strength and structural tailwinds, including: - **Geekplus (2590.HK)**: OW - **Sany Heavy (600031.SS)**: OW - **Leaderdrive (688017.SS)**: OW - **Han's Laser (002008.SZ)**: OW - **Inovance (300124.SZ)**: OW - **Hengli (601100.SS)**: OW - **Wuxi Lead (300450.SZ)**: OW - **Envicool (002837.SZ)**: OW - **Underweight Stocks**: Stocks such as **CSCEC (601668.SS)**, **CRRC-H (1766.HK)**, and **Maxwell (300751.SZ)** are rated as underweight due to various market challenges [5][8][46]. Additional Considerations - **Geopolitical Factors**: The geopolitical landscape is influencing supply chain security, which is a critical factor for capital goods demand globally [3]. - **Investment in AI**: The anticipated investment in AI infrastructure is expected to redefine smart manufacturing and create new opportunities within the industrial sector [10][11]. - **Sector Performance**: The report indicates that most industrial stocks are trading at or above their historical five-year average P/E ratios, reflecting a positive outlook for continuous upgrades and AI-related demand [26][38]. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into the expected recovery and growth opportunities within the China Industrials sector for 2026, highlighting key themes, market dynamics, and stock recommendations.