Core Insights - The overall performance of the liquor industry is under pressure, with 20 listed liquor companies reporting a total revenue of 241.28 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, a slight decrease of 1.59% year-on-year, and net profits also facing challenges [1] - The industry is experiencing a significant divergence, with only 6 companies achieving both revenue and net profit growth, and only 4 companies maintaining positive revenue growth in the second quarter [1][2] - Major liquor companies are proactively adjusting strategies and innovating to strengthen core competitiveness and market share amid the industry's complex environment [1][4] Industry Performance - The liquor industry is currently in a "deep water zone" characterized by reduced volume, falling prices, and high inventory levels, leading to a cautious approach among companies [1][2] - Companies like Moutai and Gujing Gongjiu have acknowledged the industry's deep adjustment and the need for structural optimization to navigate the current cycle [1][2] Strategic Adjustments - "Proactive deceleration, controlling volume and stabilizing prices" has become a common strategy among liquor companies, with a focus on stability in their 2025 targets [2][4] - Nine companies have reduced contract liabilities to alleviate pressure on traditional channels, indicating a flexible market operation strategy [4] Inventory Management - The current "suspension of sales" trend is a significant market adjustment tool, with a broader product coverage and increased participation from both major and regional brands [5][7] - As of June 2025, the total inventory of 20 listed liquor companies reached approximately 170 billion yuan, reflecting a growing trend [7] Low-Alcohol Trend - The low-alcohol trend is gaining momentum, with companies like Wuliangye and Gujing Gongjiu launching new low-alcohol products to meet changing consumer preferences [8][10] - The low-alcohol market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 30%, with expectations to exceed 74 billion yuan by 2025 [11] Cross-Industry Innovations - Liquor companies are actively pursuing cross-industry innovations to expand their market reach and appeal to diverse consumer groups [14][18] - Collaborations with retail giants and the introduction of new product lines are strategies employed to enhance market penetration and operational efficiency [15][20]

Core Insights - The keyword "lower degree" has become the most popular term in the Chinese liquor industry for 2025, indicating a significant shift towards low-alcohol products [2][3] Industry Trends - The low-alcohol liquor market in China is rapidly expanding, with market size projected to grow from approximately 20 billion yuan in 2020 to 57 billion yuan by 2024, and expected to exceed 74.2 billion yuan in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% [4] - The shift towards low-alcohol products is driven by generational changes in consumer preferences, particularly among younger consumers born in the 1990s and 2000s, who show a strong preference for low-alcohol beverages over traditional high-alcohol options [5][6] Company Strategies - Major liquor companies are actively launching low-alcohol products to capture the young consumer market. For instance, Wuliangye's 29-degree "Yi Jian Qing Xin" product has gained significant attention and sold out quickly during a live-stream event [3][7] - Luzhou Laojiao has developed a 28-degree version of its popular Guojiao 1573, while Yanghe and other companies are also introducing various low-alcohol products to diversify their offerings [11][12] - Moutai is expanding into the low-alcohol market with its Yumi brand, launching multiple new products, including a 33.8-degree liquor [6] Market Dynamics - The potential market for young drinkers in China is estimated at 490 million, supporting a market size of 400 billion yuan, which presents a significant opportunity for low-alcohol liquor [15] - Despite the promising growth, the low-alcohol market faces challenges such as product homogenization and the need for differentiation among brands [18] - Companies must innovate not only in product offerings but also in marketing strategies to cultivate a suitable consumption environment for low-alcohol beverages [20]

Summary of the Conference Call on Chinese Liquor Industry - 2Q25 Results Industry Overview - **Industry**: Chinese Liquor - **Companies Covered**: Lao Jiao (Luzhou Lao Jiao Co. Ltd) and Gujing (Anhui Gujing Distillery Company Limited) Key Financial Results Lao Jiao - **Sales**: Decreased by 8% year-over-year (YoY) in 2Q25, which was in line with expectations [6] - **Net Profit**: Decreased by 11% YoY in 2Q25, also in line with expectations [6] - **Operating Profit Margin (OPM)**: Decreased by 3.3 percentage points (ppts) [6] - **Gross Profit Margin (GPM)**: Decreased by 4.7 ppts due to a higher business tax [6] - **Operating Expenses Ratio**: Decreased by 1.3 ppts [6] Gujing - **Sales**: Decreased by 14% YoY in 2Q25, which was below expectations [6] - **Net Profit**: Decreased by 12% YoY in 2Q25, also below expectations [6] - **Operating Profit Margin (OPM)**: Increased by 1.0 ppt [6] - **GPM**: Remained flat, with a decrease in operating expenses ratio by 1.0 ppt [6] Product and Sales Mix - **Midrange to High-End Liquor Sales**: Accounted for 92% of core sales, with a decrease of 1% YoY (volume increased by 13%, average selling price (ASP) decreased by 13%) [6] - **Low-End Liquor Sales**: Decreased by 17% YoY (volume decreased by 7%, ASP decreased by 11%) [6] - **Sales Channels**: - Traditional wholesale offline channel (94% of liquor sales) saw a decrease of 4% YoY, with a GPM of 87.4% [6] - New online channel experienced an increase of 28% YoY, with a GPM of 83.5% [6] Customer Advances and Cash Position - **Customer Advances**: Increased to RMB 3.5 billion in 2Q25 from RMB 2.3 billion in 2Q24 [6] - **Cash from Selling Products**: Decreased by 15% YoY in 2Q25 to RMB 9.5 billion [6] - **Net Cash Position**: Increased to RMB 34.3 billion in 2Q25 from RMB 31.4 billion in 1Q25 and RMB 25.1 billion in 2Q24 [6] Regional Performance - **Northern China**: Sales decreased by 27% YoY [6] - **Central China**: Sales increased by 4% YoY [6] - **Southern China**: Sales decreased by 6% YoY [6] Analyst Reactions - **Anhui Gujing Distillery Company Limited**: Unchanged outlook with a modest shortfall and a modest revision lower [8] - **Luzhou Lao Jiao Co. Ltd**: Outlook remains unchanged and largely in line with expectations [8] Additional Insights - **Product Mix in 1H25**: Mid-market to high-end Vintage increased by 2% YoY to RMB 11.0 billion; mass market Gujing series decreased by 4% YoY to RMB 1.2 billion; low-end segment including Huanghelou increased by 7% YoY to RMB 1.5 billion [6] - **Cash Position for Gujing**: Cash from selling products increased by 19% YoY in 2Q25 to RMB 7.0 billion [6] - **Net Cash for Gujing**: RMB 15.3 billion in 2Q25 compared to RMB 16.2 billion in 1Q25 and RMB 16.0 billion in 2Q24 [6] This summary encapsulates the key financial metrics, product performance, and regional insights for the Chinese liquor industry, specifically focusing on Lao Jiao and Gujing for the second quarter of 2025.

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" (maintained) [2][9] Core Viewpoints - Recent policies aimed at boosting consumption, such as the "2025 Shaoxing City Consumption Promotion Policy," are expected to benefit cyclical sectors, particularly in the liquor and restaurant chains [5] - The policy includes subsidies for banquet consumption, which will directly stimulate demand for liquor and benefit suppliers in the banquet consumption chain [5] - The report anticipates that similar policies may be adopted in other regions, which could enhance overall consumer demand and support the recovery of liquor demand and banquet supply chain enterprises [5] - The restaurant industry is currently at the bottom of its cycle but is expected to gradually recover due to ongoing policy support, with specific recommendations for various segments including liquor, restaurant chains, beer, and yellow wine [5] Summary by Sections Recent Market Performance - The food and beverage sector has shown a performance of -7% over the last 12 months, compared to 2% for the CSI 300 and 11% for the Shanghai Composite Index [4] Policy Impact - The Shaoxing policy provides tiered subsidies for banquet consumption, with a maximum of 5,000 yuan for events with five tables or more and total spending exceeding 10,000 yuan [5] - The policy is expected to stimulate banquet consumption during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, benefiting liquor demand [5] Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on the following companies: - Liquor: Guizhou Moutai, Wuliangye, Luzhou Laojiao, Shanxi Fenjiu, Shede Liquor, Gujing Gongjiu, Yingjia Gongjiu, and Jinshiyuan [5] - Restaurant Chains: Hai Tian Wei Ye, Anji Food, Angel Yeast, and Qianwei Central Kitchen [5] - Beer: Qingdao Beer, China Resources Beer, and Yanjing Beer [5] - Yellow Wine: Kuaijishan and Guyue Longshan [5]

Core Viewpoint - The company reported its 2025 H1 financial results, showing slight revenue and profit growth year-on-year, but a significant decline in Q2 performance, indicating challenges in the market and product structure [1][2]. Financial Performance - In 2025 H1, the company achieved revenue of 13.88 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 0.54%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 3.66 billion yuan, up 2.49% year-on-year [1]. - For Q2 2025, revenue was 4.73 billion yuan, down 14.23% year-on-year, with a net profit of 1.33 billion yuan, a decrease of 11.63% year-on-year [1]. Product and Market Analysis - The product structure is under pressure, with an increase in volume but a decrease in price. The domestic market remains stable while adjustments are evident in the external market [2]. - In 2025 H1, revenue from different business segments was 13.64 billion yuan for liquor, 46 million yuan for hotels, and 194 million yuan for other businesses, with year-on-year changes of +1.57%, +10.44%, and -42.10% respectively [2]. - Sales volume for key liquor brands showed positive growth, but average prices declined, indicating a challenging pricing environment [2]. Regional Performance - Revenue by region in 2025 H1 was 12.30 billion yuan for Central China, 809 million yuan for North China, 768 million yuan for South China, and 500,000 yuan for international markets, with significant variances in growth rates [2]. - The core markets demonstrated stronger resilience against risks, while expansion efforts in external markets faced short-term obstacles [2]. Channel and Distributor Insights - In 2025 H1, offline and online revenues were 13.31 billion yuan and 573 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year change of -0.7% and +40.2% respectively, indicating a strong growth in online channels [2]. - The number of distributors in various regions showed a net decrease, suggesting an optimization of the distributor network [2]. Cost Management and Profitability - The gross margin for 2025 H1 was 79.87%, slightly down from the previous year, primarily due to product structure changes [3]. - The company managed to reduce sales and management expense ratios, leading to a slight increase in net profit margin for H1 and Q2 [3]. Investment Outlook - Based on the 2025 H1 performance and recent sales trends, the company adjusted its profit forecasts, expecting revenue growth rates of -4%, 3%, and 4% for 2025-2027, and net profit growth rates of -6%, 5%, and 5% respectively [3]. - The estimated EPS for the next three years is projected at 9.85, 10.30, and 10.84 yuan, with a target price of 185.40 yuan based on a PE ratio of 18x for 2026, suggesting a "buy" rating [3].

Market Overview - The liquor sector experienced a decline of 0.98% on September 3, with Yili Te leading the drop [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3813.56, down 1.16%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 12472.0, down 0.65% [1] Individual Stock Performance - Key stocks in the liquor sector showed varied performance, with the following notable changes: - Shede Liquor: Closed at 67.25, up 0.13% [1] - Kweichow Moutai: Closed at 1480.55, down 0.72% with a trading volume of 45,000 shares and a transaction value of 6.656 billion [1] - Wuliangye: Closed at 126.62, down 1.51% with a trading volume of 302,900 shares and a transaction value of 3.883 billion [1] - Yili Te: Closed at 15.56, down 3.35% with a trading volume of 78,800 shares and a transaction value of 1.25 billion [2] Capital Flow Analysis - The liquor sector saw a net outflow of 726 million from institutional investors, while retail investors contributed a net inflow of 479 million [2] - The following stocks had significant capital flow: - Shede Liquor: Net inflow from institutional investors was 59.79 million, while retail investors had a net outflow of 17.44 million [3] - Kweichow Moutai: Experienced a net outflow of 14 million from institutional investors [3] - Yili Te: Had a net outflow of 2.68 million from institutional investors [3]

Core Viewpoint - The current outlook for the liquor industry indicates that a bottom has formed due to multiple policy catalysts, with the liquor sector showing signs of recovery but still at historical lows. The industry is expected to benefit from improved economic expectations, with a focus on the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day for demand recovery [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Performance - In Q2 2025, the liquor industry entered a deep adjustment phase under macroeconomic and policy pressures, with total revenue for the first half of 2025 reaching 239.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 0.9%, and net profit attributable to shareholders at 94.6 billion yuan, down 1.2% [2]. - Excluding Moutai, other listed companies in the sector reported a total revenue of 150.4 billion yuan in H1 2025, a decline of 6.1%, with net profit at 49.2 billion yuan, down 8.9% [2]. - The overall price of mainstream liquor products has declined, but with improving industry sentiment and easing constraints in H2, a recovery is anticipated, particularly during the peak sales periods of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day [2]. Group 2: Brand and Price Segmentation - High-end liquor brands are outperforming mid-range and regional brands, with high-end brands maintaining resilience through strong brand power and channel control. Moutai and other leading brands are stabilizing their market positions through inventory control and channel optimization [3]. - Mid-range liquor brands are experiencing more direct impacts from policy changes, with some brands like Fenjiu showing continued growth despite pressures [3]. - Regional leaders are focusing on maintaining market share and stabilizing core product prices, while brands like Jiangsu Yanghe and Jiuzi have seen significant adjustments [3]. Group 3: Investment Recommendations - The company suggests focusing on leading brands with strong market positions such as Moutai, Wuliangye, Luzhou Laojiao, and Shanxi Fenjiu during the economic transition [3]. - Regional leaders that maintain their core markets, such as Gujing Gongjiu and Jiuzi, are expected to sustain momentum as demand recovers [3]. - Brands that have actively managed their financials during this adjustment period, like Shede and Yanghe, are also recommended for attention [3].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese liquor industry, particularly the baijiu sector, is currently experiencing a downturn, with many companies reporting declining performance. However, some analysts believe this could signal a bottoming out and potential recovery in the future [1][12]. Industry Performance - In the first half of the year, 15 out of 21 listed baijiu companies reported declining performance, with only 6 companies, including Kweichow Moutai and Wuliangye, showing positive growth [1][4]. - The overall industry is facing significant challenges, with many companies returning to average performance levels after years of high growth [4][11]. Company-Specific Insights - Leading companies like Kweichow Moutai and Wuliangye continue to show resilience, maintaining their positions despite a slowdown in growth [5][9]. - Companies such as Yingjia Gongjiu and Jiuzi Jiu have reported significant declines, with Yingjia Gongjiu's revenue dropping by 24% and net profit by 35% in Q2 [2][8]. - The performance of Shanxi Fenjiu has slowed, with growth rates returning to single digits after years of double-digit increases [2][6]. Market Dynamics - The competitive landscape is shifting, with a clear trend of market share concentrating among top brands, while smaller and regional brands struggle to maintain their positions [10][11]. - The number of regulated baijiu companies has decreased, indicating a consolidation trend within the industry [11]. Future Outlook - Analysts suggest that the second half of the year may see a potential rebound, particularly during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, which could provide a window for price stabilization and recovery [12][13]. - Despite recent stock price increases, the overall sentiment remains cautious, with many expecting that a full recovery may take until late 2025 or beyond [13][14].

今年，白酒行业还在探底过程中。 21世纪经济报道记者统计21家白酒上市公司半年报注意到，今年上半年有15家业绩出现倒退，仅有6家保持了正增长，分别是贵州茅台（600519）、五粮 液（000858）、山西汾酒（600809）、古井贡酒（000596）、金徽酒（603919）——几乎都是名酒。 过去几年高增长的白酒股，今年难见踪影。 | | | 白酒股2025年半年报增长表现 | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | H1营收(亿元) | 同比增长 | H1归母净利润(亿元) | 同比增长 | | | | 第一梯队 领跑行业 | | | | 贵州茅台 | 893.89 | 9.16% | 454.03 | 8.89% | | 山西汾酒 | 239.64 | 5.35% | 85.05 | 1.13% | | 五粮液 | 527.71 | 4.19% | 194.92 | 2.28% | | | | 第二梯队 保持增长 | | | | | H1营收(亿元) | 同比增长 | H1归母净利润(亿元) | 同比增长 | | 古井贡酒 | 138.80 | 0.54% | 36 ...

Group 1 - The A-share market saw a broad decline in liquor stocks, with notable drops in companies such as Jiu Gui Jiu, Lao Bai Gan Jiu, Yi Li Te, Jin Zhong Zi Jiu, Shui Jing Fang, and Gu Jing Gong Jiu, all falling over 2% [1] - Specific stock performance includes Jiu Gui Jiu down 2.79% with a market cap of 21.2 billion and a year-to-date increase of 18.57%, Lao Bai Gan Jiu down 2.72% with a market cap of 16.4 billion and a year-to-date decrease of 11.80%, and Yi Li Te down 2.48% with a market cap of 7.429 billion and a year-to-date decrease of 6.18% [2] - Other companies experiencing declines include Jin Zhong Zi Jiu down 2.22%, Shui Jing Fang down 2.16%, and Gu Jing Gong Jiu down 2.02%, with respective market caps of 7.229 billion, 22.1 billion, and 88.1 billion [2] Group 2 - The overall trend indicates a challenging environment for the liquor sector, as several companies have reported negative year-to-date performance, with Jin Zhong Zi Jiu showing a significant decline of 17.37% [2] - The market capitalization of major players in the sector varies significantly, with Lu Zhou Lao Jiao leading at 198.1 billion, despite a decline of 1.78% [2] - The performance of these stocks reflects broader market sentiments and potential challenges facing the liquor industry in the current economic climate [1][2]