Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Recommended" [9] Core Views - The economic landscape continues to show resilience, with GDP growth in the first three quarters reaching 101.50 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.2%. Despite a marginal decline in growth rate to 4.8% in Q3, the overall economic stability is supported by new productive forces and effective macro policies [4] - Retail sales growth has slowed down, with total retail sales from January to September at 36.59 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.5%. In September alone, retail sales were 4.20 trillion yuan, growing by only 3.0% [5] - The beverage sector is performing strongly, with a focus on new consumption opportunities driven by retail channel transformations. Key companies to watch include Huashang Auntie, Tea Baidao, and others [6] Summary by Sections Economic Overview - GDP growth has shown resilience despite external challenges, with a year-on-year increase of 5.2% in the first three quarters [4] - The Q3 GDP growth rate decreased by 0.4 percentage points, attributed to external tariff policy changes and transitional pains in various industries [4] Retail Sales Performance - Total retail sales for the first nine months reached 36.59 trillion yuan, with a growth rate of 4.5% year-on-year. September's retail sales were 4.20 trillion yuan, reflecting a slowdown to 3.0% growth [5] - The decline in growth is linked to the reduced impact of the "old-for-new" policy and the timing of the Mid-Autumn Festival [5] Investment Opportunities - The report highlights several companies with strong recovery expectations in the consumer goods sector, including Weilai Delicious, Ximai Foods, and Youyou Foods [6] - The beverage sector is noted for its robust performance, with a focus on companies like Dongpeng Beverage and others, as well as the impact of new birth policies on dairy demand, highlighting companies such as Yili and Mengniu [6]

Core Insights - The liquor sector experienced a slight increase of 0.14% on October 21, with *ST Rock leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3916.33, up 1.36%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13077.32, up 2.06% [1] Stock Performance Summary - *ST Rock (600696) closed at 5.84, with a rise of 5.04% and a trading volume of 47,600 shares, totaling 27.11 million yuan [1] - Other notable performers include Tianyoude Liquor (002646) at 9.80, up 1.34%, and Qingdao Wenzhou (000995) at 13.97, up 1.31% [1] - Major stocks like Luzhou Laojiao (000568) and Kweichow Moutai (600519) saw minor increases of 0.80% and 0.30%, respectively, with Moutai's closing price at 1462.26 and a trading volume of 25,400 shares, totaling 3.73 billion yuan [1] Capital Flow Analysis - The liquor sector saw a net inflow of 12.19 million yuan from major funds, while retail investors contributed a net inflow of 15.9 million yuan [2] - Conversely, speculative funds experienced a net outflow of 172 million yuan [2] Individual Stock Capital Flow - Kweichow Moutai (600519) had a significant net inflow of 1.26 billion yuan from major funds, while it faced a net outflow of 1.26 billion yuan from speculative funds [3] - Wuliangye (000858) reported a net inflow of 29.16 million yuan from major funds, but a net outflow of 39.27 million yuan from retail investors [3] - *ST Rock (600696) showed a net inflow of 6.38 million yuan from major funds, while retail investors withdrew 5.52 million yuan [3]

Core Viewpoint - The report from China Merchants Securities indicates a decline in participation and investor interest in the 2025 Autumn Sugar Exhibition, reflecting a decrease in industry enthusiasm, while the liquor sector's performance during the holiday season aligns with expectations [1][2]. Liquor Industry - The number of participating liquor companies at the Autumn Sugar Exhibition has decreased, with a shift in investment focus towards the consumer end, leading to a cautious attitude among liquor distributors [2]. - The performance of high-end liquor brands remains resilient, with Moutai's price stabilizing around 1800 yuan, which has positively impacted sales during the holiday season [3]. - The overall sales during the holiday season for liquor have declined, but leading brands have shown better performance compared to the industry average, indicating a trend towards increased industry concentration [3]. Food Industry - The beverage sector has shown significant inventory reduction during the holiday period, with leading brands like Nongfu Spring expected to achieve double-digit growth [4]. - The snack sector continues to expand, particularly in discount store formats, although same-store sales have seen a slight decline [4]. - The dairy sector remains under pressure, particularly for ambient liquid milk, with a need for structural improvements [4]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on leading liquor brands such as Kweichow Moutai, Shanxi Fenjiu, Luzhou Laojiao, and Wuliangye, as well as emerging brands like Zhenjiu Lidu and Yingjia Gongjiu, which are expected to contribute positively [5][6]. - In the food sector, recommendations include leading snack brands like Ximai Foods and beverage leaders like Nongfu Spring and Dongpeng Beverage, while also highlighting opportunities in the dairy sector with companies like Yili [6].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" rating for the food and beverage industry [1] Core Views - The overall sales of liquor during the recent double festival are weak, with a year-on-year decline of 20%-30%, aligning with previous expectations. High-end brands like Moutai and Wuliangye performed relatively well, while lower-tier brands faced significant pressure [5] - The price stability of liquor during the double festival is noted, with slight increases observed post-festival. The report suggests monitoring price trends as e-commerce promotions begin [5] - The upcoming Sugar and Wine Conference is expected to provide marginal feedback, with the industry showing signs of bottoming out. The report emphasizes the importance of this event for potential recovery opportunities [6][7] Summary by Sections Recent Trends - The food and beverage sector has underperformed the Shanghai Composite Index, with a 0.61% increase compared to the index's 1.80% rise over the past two weeks [14] - The soft drink segment saw the highest increase of 9.98%, while several companies like Zhuangyuan Pasture and Yangyuan Beverage led the gains [14] Key Companies and Earnings Forecast - The report highlights several key companies with their respective earnings per share (EPS) and price-to-earnings (PE) ratios, recommending stocks such as Kweichow Moutai, Wuliangye, and Luzhou Laojiao for investment [25] - The report provides a detailed table of key companies, their stock prices, and projected earnings for 2024, 2025, and 2026, indicating a bullish outlook for several firms [25] Investment Strategy - The report suggests that recent policy changes may improve macroeconomic expectations, potentially enhancing both valuation and performance in the food and beverage sector. The overall valuation remains low, justifying the "Recommended" rating [8][23] - Specific recommendations include high-end liquor brands and popular consumer goods, indicating a diversified investment strategy across different segments of the food and beverage industry [8][23]

Market Overview - The liquor sector experienced a decline of 0.87% on October 13, with *ST Rock leading the drop [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3889.5, down 0.19%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13231.47, down 0.93% [1] Individual Stock Performance - *ST Rock (600696) closed at 5.63, down 3.10% with a trading volume of 37,400 shares and a turnover of 20.94 million yuan [1] - Other notable declines include: - Si Gu Dian (000799) down 2.30% to 59.57 with a volume of 105,200 shares [1] - Gujing Gongjiu (000596) down 2.24% to 150.83 with a volume of 18,900 shares [1] - Huangtai Liquor (000995) down 2.12% to 13.83 with a volume of 39,700 shares [1] Capital Flow Analysis - The liquor sector saw a net outflow of 1.133 billion yuan from main funds, while retail funds had a net inflow of 579 million yuan [1] - The table of capital flow indicates that major stocks like Kweichow Moutai (6150009) had a net outflow of 4.91 million yuan, while retail investors contributed a net inflow of 29,500 yuan [2] - Luzhou Laojiao (000568) experienced a net outflow of 1.74 million yuan from main funds but saw a retail net inflow of 8.366 million yuan [2]

Core Viewpoint - The overall performance of the liquor industry in Q3 2025 is under pressure, with slow payment collection, increased inventory, and weak batch prices due to the impact of the "ban on alcohol" [1][2] Payment Collection - The payment collection progress for liquor companies in Q3 2025 has slowed down significantly, with only Kweichow Moutai expected to maintain a collection rate similar to previous years, while other companies face relative pressure [1][2] Sales Performance - The sales performance in Q3 2025 is under pressure, particularly in June and July due to the "ban on alcohol," although there has been some improvement in August and September. Kweichow Moutai has shown resilience with significant sales growth in August and September, with a year-on-year increase exceeding 20% [2][3] Inventory Levels - After a slight decrease in inventory levels in Q1 2025, the overall inventory in the liquor industry has accumulated due to a significant slowdown in sales since Q2 2025. The inventory is expected to decrease during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, but channel inventory may not see significant reduction [2][3] Batch Prices - Batch prices for most liquor products are under pressure due to the "ban on alcohol" and aggressive promotional activities during the festive season. High-end liquor prices, such as Feitian Moutai, have dropped to 1750-1800 RMB, while other products like Wuliangye have also seen price declines [2][3] Price Segment Analysis - High-end liquor: Kweichow Moutai is expected to maintain growth, while Wuliangye and Luzhou Laojiao may face slight pressure in Q3 2025 - Mid-range liquor: Significant differentiation is expected, with Shanxi Fenjiu showing stable performance, while other brands may benefit from low base effects - Regional leaders: Brands like Gujinggongjiu and Yingjia Gongjiu are still adjusting and may be significantly impacted by the "ban on alcohol" [3][4] Earnings Forecast - Overall, liquor companies are expected to face pressure, with most companies' performance in Q3 2025 projected to decline year-on-year. However, Kweichow Moutai is anticipated to achieve revenue and profit growth, while others like Wuliangye and Shanxi Fenjiu may perform relatively steadily [4] Investment Recommendations - The company suggests focusing on bottom-range allocation opportunities in the liquor sector, recommending leading brands like Kweichow Moutai, Shanxi Fenjiu, and Wuliangye, as well as other brands with growth potential and lower valuations [5]

Core Conclusions - The report emphasizes that the food and beverage industry is currently at a bottoming phase, with strong players continuing to thrive [4] - The market has underperformed due to weak domestic demand and consumer confidence, with A-share food and beverage sector down 4.7% year-to-date, while H-share food and beverage sector increased by 29.5% [4] - There is a notable divergence among product categories, with alcoholic beverages facing pressure while mass-market products show signs of improvement, particularly in leading brands [4] Market Indicators - The trading volume, open interest, and valuation of the food and beverage sector are at historically low levels, with the sector's trading volume in A-shares dropping below 2% [9][10] - The price-to-earnings (PE) ratio for food and beverage has been declining since 2021, with categories like liquor and beer at historically low percentiles [12][16] Fundamental Analysis - The report discusses the need for a top-down approach to assess the investment value of leading companies like Kweichow Moutai, which holds a 31% weight in the food and beverage sector [27] - A bottom-up approach is also suggested to identify rapidly growing segments or companies in recovery [27] Company Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on policy-sensitive sectors such as liquor and the restaurant supply chain, highlighting companies like Kweichow Moutai, Luzhou Laojiao, and Haidilao [4] - Strong brands in the mass-market segment are also recommended, including Nongfu Spring, Dongpeng Beverage, and Yili Group [4] Industry Outlook - The report anticipates a recovery in liquor consumption as the impact of recent policies diminishes, with positive signals expected from the supply side [4] - The fourth quarter is projected to see improvements in key indicators for the liquor sector, including the price of Moutai [4] Performance Forecast - For Q3 2025, Kweichow Moutai is expected to generate revenue of 1,863.3 billion yuan, reflecting a 7% year-on-year increase, while Luzhou Laojiao is projected to see a 10% decline in revenue [49][50] - The report provides detailed forecasts for various companies, indicating expected revenue and profit changes for the upcoming quarters [49][50]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a cautious outlook on the liquor industry, indicating a need for patience as the sector is still in a bottoming phase [5][8]. Core Insights - The overall demand for the liquor industry is expected to decline by 20-30% year-on-year during the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, with inventory increasing by 10-20% [5][8]. - The report highlights that the consumption scenarios, particularly banquet and gift demands, have underperformed expectations, while the business sector shows some improvement but still has a significant year-on-year gap [5][8]. - The report suggests that the stock price turning point may occur before the fundamental turning point, indicating that investors should remain patient and wait for the right opportunities [5][8]. Summary by Sections 1. Industry Perspective - The liquor industry is experiencing a downturn, with a projected demand drop of 20-30% and an increase in inventory levels [5][8]. - The report emphasizes the need for patience and suggests that high dividend yield stocks from leading companies may provide long-term value [5][8]. - Key recommendations include Guizhou Moutai, Shanxi Fenjiu, and Luzhou Laojiao, with a watch on Wuliangye, Jianshe, and Yingjia Gongjiu [5][8]. 2. Brand Performance - Moutai is performing the best, with expected sales decline in the single digits and stable pricing around 1780-1835 yuan [9][10]. - Wuliangye is expected to see a 15% decline in sales, with current pricing around 810-830 yuan [9][10]. - Guojiao 1573 anticipates a 20-30% sales drop, maintaining prices of 630 yuan for low-alcohol and 820-830 yuan for high-alcohol variants [9][10]. - Fenjiu is expected to see a 10-15% decline in sales, with pricing for Qinghua 20 around 330-360 yuan [10]. 3. Regional Insights - In Henan, overall sales volume dropped by 15%, with Moutai and Wuliangye showing declines of 6% and 8% respectively [11][12]. - In Jiangsu, the market is experiencing a 20% decline in sales, with Moutai maintaining stable pricing around 1800 yuan [19][20]. - The report notes that the business consumption scenario has been the most affected, with a recovery to only 70% of previous levels [18][22]. 4. Future Outlook - The report anticipates that the fourth quarter of 2025 will see stable prices, but inventory levels will need time to be digested [22][23]. - The 2026 Spring Festival is expected to face significant pressure due to high base effects from 2025, with overall performance likely to remain subdued [22][23].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Overweight" [3][4][59] Core Insights - The overall demand for the liquor industry during the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day is expected to decline by 20-30% year-on-year, with inventory increasing by 10-20% [3][7] - The industry is still in a bottoming phase, and patience is required for potential investment opportunities [3][7] - The report highlights that the stock price turning point may occur before the fundamental turning point, suggesting a need for cautious observation [3][7] Summary by Sections Industry Viewpoint - The report anticipates a significant decline in liquor demand, with banquet performance below expectations and gift demand decreasing [3][7] - The current high inventory levels in channels will require time to digest, and the consumption scenarios are still recovering, leading to weak demand [3][7] - Key recommendations include maintaining patience for high-dividend stocks and waiting for potential buying opportunities in quality stocks [3][7] Brand Performance - Moutai is performing the best, while Wuliangye is trading volume for price [8][9] - Moutai's expected sales decline is in single digits, with prices slightly down to around 1780-1835 yuan [8] - Wuliangye's sales are expected to drop by about 15%, with current prices around 810-830 yuan [8] - Guojiao 1573 is controlling inventory to maintain prices, with expected sales declines of 20-30% [8][9] Regional Liquor Situation - Feedback from various regions indicates a general decline in sales, with specific brands like Moutai and Wuliangye showing varying performance [11][19] - The report notes that the business and banquet consumption scenarios are under pressure, with overall sales expected to decline by 30-25% during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day [44][49] - The report emphasizes the need for careful monitoring of inventory levels and sales performance across different brands and regions [11][19] Valuation Table - The report includes a valuation table for key companies in the food and beverage sector, highlighting projected net profits and PE ratios for companies like Moutai, Wuliangye, and Luzhou Laojiao [53]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Outperform" rating to multiple companies in the consumer staples sector, including Guizhou Moutai, Wuliangye, and others, indicating a positive outlook for these stocks [1]. Core Insights - The wholesale prices of Baijiu have mostly declined, with notable decreases in prices for Guizhou Moutai and Wuliangye, while prices for most consumer goods remain stable [4][10]. - The report highlights a significant drop in the discount rates for liquid milk products, indicating a shift in consumer purchasing behavior [6][18]. - Overall, the report suggests that the impact of funds is greater, advising attention to low-position stocks and heavyweight stocks in the consumer staples sector [8]. Summary by Sections Baijiu Pricing - Guizhou Moutai's wholesale prices for Feitian (case and single bottle) are 1790 and 1770 yuan, respectively, reflecting a decrease of 55 and 70 yuan from the previous month [4][37]. - Wuliangye's eighth-generation price is 895 yuan, down 25 yuan from last month [4][37]. - Luzhou Laojiao's Guojiao 1573 price increased by 10 yuan to 850 yuan [4][37]. Consumer Goods Pricing - The average discount rate for liquid milk products decreased from 74.8% to 69.4% since the end of August [6][21]. - Discount rates for soft drinks, condiments, instant foods, and beer remained stable, with slight variations in average and median values [19][35]. - The report notes that the discount rate for infant formula products also showed a minor decrease from 89.5% to 88.7% [21][35]. Investment Strategy - The report emphasizes the importance of monitoring low-position stocks and heavyweight stocks due to the greater impact of funds on the market [8].