Summary of China Spirits Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the China spirits industry, particularly the performance of various spirits companies in the second quarter of 2025 (2Q25) [1][2]. Key Points and Arguments 1. Performance of Super-Premium Brands - Super-premium brands like Kweichow Moutai and Wuliangye showed resilience, with Moutai achieving a 9% year-over-year (yoy) sales growth in 2Q25 [8][16]. - Laojiao's sales declined by 8% yoy, which was better than the expected decline of 17% [16]. 2. Upper-Mid-End Brands Struggled - Upper-mid-end brands faced significant sales declines, with companies like Yanghe and King's Luck reporting sales drops of 44% and 30% yoy, respectively [16]. - Fen Wine managed to maintain flattish sales, aided by its low-end segment [1]. 3. Margin Resilience - Despite a decline in average selling prices (ASP), many companies maintained stable gross profit margins (GPM), with most experiencing a contraction of about 1 percentage point yoy [9][10]. - The GPM for Moutai and Wuliangye's high-end segments outperformed their lower-end products [8]. 4. Operating Cash Flow Concerns - There was a notable deterioration in operating cash flow for upper-mid-end brands, while super-premium brands continued to maintain positive cash inflows [11]. 5. Customer Advances and Shipment Suspensions - Customer advances showed mixed results, with significant declines for Gujing and Jiugui, down 36% and 47% yoy, respectively [12][14]. - Shipment suspensions were noted across various brands, impacting customer advance balances and overall sales performance [12]. 6. Expense Control - Companies demonstrated disciplined expense management, with selling expense ratios rising by no more than 2 percentage points [10]. - Laojiao and Gujing reported declines in their expense ratios, indicating effective cost control measures [10]. 7. Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - There are signs of normalizing policy impacts on private consumption, with market sentiment shifting towards lagging stocks as investors adopt a "worst is over" perspective [2]. - The upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day are critical periods to monitor for consumption recovery and wholesale price trends [2]. Additional Important Insights - The spirits industry is facing challenges from anti-extravagance policies, which have affected consumer spending patterns [1]. - The overall retail spirits market is expected to see a decline of approximately 30% in August and a 15-20% decline during the peak season [7]. - The diversified product portfolios of certain brands have been crucial in supporting resilience amid market challenges [8]. Conclusion - The China spirits industry is currently navigating a complex landscape characterized by varying performance across different market segments. Super-premium brands are faring better than their upper-mid-end counterparts, and careful expense management is helping to mitigate some of the financial pressures. Future performance will heavily depend on consumer sentiment and the effectiveness of policy measures in stimulating demand.

Group 1 - A-shares opened higher on the first trading day of September, with active sectors including catering, tourism, and pharmaceuticals [1] - The Tianhong Food and Beverage ETF (159736) showed a gain of 0.66% and a premium trading rate of 0.16%, with significant price increases in constituent stocks such as COFCO Sugar Industry rising over 8% and others like Qiaqia Food, Kweichow Moutai, and others increasing by over 4% [1] - The Tianhong Food and Beverage ETF has seen a net inflow of funds totaling 98.3 million yuan over the last five trading days, with 9 out of the last 10 trading days experiencing net inflows [1] Group 2 - The white liquor sector's semi-annual reports indicate that companies are expected to accelerate performance recovery by Q2 2025, with market sentiment improving due to reduced uncertainty in the industry [2] - Analysts suggest that upcoming consumption policies may catalyze a fundamental turnaround in traditional consumer goods, particularly in the catering supply chain and dairy sectors [2] - The TMT sector is nearing a warning line in terms of market crowding, while consumer and cyclical sectors may offer better value in the next market phase, with a shift in market funds towards stable and growth-oriented assets [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese liquor industry is undergoing a deep adjustment period, facing challenges such as production contraction, consumption differentiation, and weak terminal sales, leading to a shift from rapid growth to declining production and sales profits [1] Industry Overview - The release of half-year reports from listed liquor companies indicates a significant change in the industry, with increased sales expenses and fierce competition among well-known brands for first-tier markets [1][12] - The overall profitability of the industry is declining, with many companies experiencing double-digit declines in revenue and profit, alongside rising inventory pressures and deteriorating product liquidity [11] Company Performance - Guizhou Moutai reported a total revenue of 91.094 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.16%, and a net profit of 45.403 billion, up 8.89% [3] - Wuliangye achieved a revenue of 52.771 billion, growing 4.19%, and a net profit of 19.492 billion, up 2.28% [3] - Shanxi Fenjiu's revenue reached 23.964 billion, a 5.35% increase, with a net profit of 8.505 billion, up 1.13% [3] - Luzhou Laojiao reported a revenue of 16.454 billion, down 2.67%, and a net profit of 7.663 billion, down 4.54% [5] - Yanghe's revenue was 14.796 billion, down 35.32%, with a net profit of 4.344 billion, down 45.34% [5] - Other companies like Water Well and Shede also reported significant declines in revenue and profit, indicating the widespread impact of the industry's challenges [5][6][7] Market Trends - The industry is seeing a shift towards product innovation and channel transformation, with companies launching lower-alcohol and light bottle products to attract younger consumers [12][13] - The market is characterized by a need for companies to adapt to changing consumer preferences and enhance brand influence and channel efficiency [7][12] - Analysts suggest that the current environment is not isolated, and the liquor industry will eventually recover as consumption and the economy improve [13]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Neutral" [7][5][10] Core Views - The company continues to face operational pressure in the first half of 2025, with a significant decline in revenue and a shift to a net loss in the second quarter [2][5] - The company is focusing on optimizing its product offerings and channel strategies, particularly by streamlining its SKU for the Jiugui series and emphasizing major products [3][12] - The overall industry demand remains uncertain, and the company is adjusting its revenue forecasts downward for 2025-2027 [5][10] Financial Performance Summary - In the first half of 2025, the company reported total revenue of 561 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 43.5%, and a net profit of 8.95 million yuan, down 92.6% [2][5] - The second quarter saw revenue drop to 217 million yuan, a 56.6% decline year-on-year, resulting in a loss of 23 million yuan [2][5] - The gross profit margin for the first half of 2025 was 88.9%, reflecting a slight increase of 0.87 percentage points year-on-year, despite the overall revenue decline [3][4] Revenue and Profit Forecast - The company expects revenues for 2025-2027 to be 1.11 billion, 1.31 billion, and 1.42 billion yuan, respectively, with a projected year-on-year change of -21.9%, +17.8%, and +8.2% [5][10] - Net profit forecasts for the same period are 40 million, 131 million, and 301 million yuan, with significant year-on-year growth rates of +223.1%, +223.8%, and +130.3% [5][10] - The company is focusing on channel management and inventory reduction to alleviate cash flow pressures [4][5] Product and Market Strategy - The company is concentrating on its main product lines, particularly the Neican series, which saw a revenue decline of 35.8% in the first half of 2025 [3][12] - The Jiugui series experienced a revenue drop of 51.0%, with a significant reduction in sales volume [3][12] - The company is also exploring new product collaborations, such as the "Ziyou Ai" product launched in July 2025, which is expected to contribute to revenue in the second half of the year [5][12]

Industry Dynamics - From January to July, the beverage and refined tea manufacturing industry achieved revenue of 934.71 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.8% [4] - In Jiangsu Province, the production of liquor from large-scale enterprises was 93,500 kiloliters, a year-on-year decrease of 17.0% [4] - The city of Renhuai has implemented a trial management method for core production area certification and coding for Chinese sauce-flavored liquor [4] Event Announcements - The 114th National Sugar and Wine Fair will be held from March 26 to 28, 2026, in Chengdu, aiming to broaden the range of exhibits and better connect the industry chain [5] Company Developments - Three new Moutai cultural experience centers opened in Urumqi and Zhengzhou, integrating local cultural elements into their design [7] - Wuliangye launched a new low-alcohol product, 29° Wuliangye, targeting younger consumers, with pre-sales available on multiple platforms [7] - Several liquor companies, including Wuliangye and Luzhou Laojiao, are actively developing low-alcohol products as a strategy to attract younger consumers [7] Financial Performance - Wuliangye reported a revenue of 52.771 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 4.19% [8] - Shanxi Fenjiu achieved a revenue of 23.964 billion yuan, up 5.35% year-on-year [8] - Jinzhongzi Liquor reported a revenue of 0.484 billion yuan, a decline of 27.47% year-on-year [8] - Other companies, including Yingjia Gongjiu and Jinsiyuan, also reported declines in revenue for the first half of 2025 [8][9] Technological Advancements - Five liquor companies were included in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's 5G factory list, indicating advancements in smart manufacturing [10]

Market Performance - The liquor sector rose by 2.52% on August 29, with Jinhuijiu leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3857.93, up 0.37%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 12696.15, up 0.99% [1] Individual Stock Performance - Jinhuijiu (code: 616809) closed at 22.07, up 7.71% with a trading volume of 250,500 shares and a turnover of 551 million yuan [1] - Shede Liquor (code: 600702) closed at 68.38, up 6.02% with a trading volume of 305,100 shares and a turnover of 2.07 billion yuan [1] - Other notable stocks include Zhi Si Li (code: 000799) up 5.26%, Gujing Gongjiu (code: 000596) up 4.45%, and Wuliangye (code: 000858) up 3.24% [1] Capital Flow Analysis - The liquor sector saw a net inflow of 1.886 billion yuan from main funds, while retail funds experienced a net outflow of 833 million yuan [1] - Main funds showed significant net inflows in stocks like Kweichow Moutai (code: 600519) with 61.3 million yuan and Wuliangye (code: 000858) with 486 million yuan [2] - Retail investors had net outflows in several stocks, including Kweichow Moutai and Wuliangye, indicating a shift in investor sentiment [2]

Core Viewpoint - The company, Jiu Gui Jiu, is facing significant financial challenges, with a 92.6% drop in net profit and a controversial cash dividend plan amidst declining performance [1][3][4]. Financial Performance - In the first half of the year, Jiu Gui Jiu reported total revenue of 561 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 43.54%, and a net profit of 8.955 million yuan, down 92.6% [3]. - For the year 2023, the company’s revenue was 2.83 billion yuan, a decline of 30.14%, and net profit was 548 million yuan, down 47.77% [4]. - Projections for 2024 indicate a further decline, with expected revenue of 1.423 billion yuan, a drop of 49.70%, and net profit of only 12.4933 million yuan, down 97.72% [4]. Market Environment - The company attributes its declining performance to a challenging industry environment characterized by weak market demand and intensified competition [4][7]. - Jiu Gui Jiu has seen a reduction in its distributor network, with the number of distributors decreasing from 1,774 to 1,336 in 2024, reflecting a trend of channel contraction [4]. Dividend Controversy - Despite the poor financial results, Jiu Gui Jiu announced a cash dividend plan of 195 million yuan, which is over 15 times its net profit for the period [8][9]. - The dividend distribution appears to favor minority shareholders, with the largest shareholder set to receive over 60 million yuan, while minority shareholders collectively receive approximately 1.7275 million yuan [8]. New Product Launch - In response to its challenges, Jiu Gui Jiu partnered with the retailer Pang Dong Lai to launch a new product, "Jiu Gui · Free Love," which quickly sold out [1][11]. - The product is priced at 200 yuan, with a gross margin of 15.87%, significantly lower than the industry average of 30%-50% [11][12]. - While the new product has generated initial market interest, concerns remain regarding its long-term profitability due to a short development cycle and lower margins compared to the company's historical performance [12][13].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rebound of the liquor sector, particularly the significant rise in Jinhuijiu's stock price, indicating a positive trend in the industry [3]. Group 1: Liquor Sector Performance - Jinhuijiu's stock reached the daily limit, while other liquor companies such as Shede Liquor, Laobai Ganjiu, and others saw increases of around 5% [3]. - The overall performance of the liquor sector suggests a recovery, with multiple companies experiencing notable gains [3]. Group 2: Market Overview - The total trading volume in the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets exceeded 500 billion [6]. - The ChiNext 50 Index experienced a decline, with a drop of 3% [7]. - The A-share market opened with mixed results, with the insurance sector showing strong performance [9]. Group 3: Company-Specific News - Cambrian Technology opened down by 6.8%, with an announcement projecting annual revenue between 5 billion to 7 billion for 2025 [8].

Core Viewpoint - The report highlights a significant decline in the financial performance of the company, with total revenue and net profit experiencing substantial year-on-year decreases in the first half of 2025, indicating ongoing challenges in the liquor industry, particularly in the second quarter [3][4]. Financial Performance Summary - In the first half of 2025, the company achieved total revenue of 561 million yuan, a year-on-year decline of 43.54%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 8.955 million yuan, down 92.6% [3]. - The second quarter alone saw total revenue of 217 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 56.57%, with a net profit of -23 million yuan, reflecting a decline of 147.8% [3]. Industry Trends - The white liquor industry continues to face deep adjustments, with the second quarter being particularly impacted by policy influences, leading to cautious channel payment intentions [4]. - The company's revenue decline in Q2 was more pronounced than in Q1, where revenue had decreased by 30.34% [4]. Product and Marketing Strategy - The company focused on marketing themes related to education, weddings, and sports events to drive consumer engagement and increase sales through direct consumer interactions [4]. - A strategic simplification of product offerings was implemented, focusing on a "2+2+2" product system to enhance core product performance and promote new offerings [4]. Channel and Distribution - The company is actively working on core terminal construction and has initiated a "sweep" action in key markets to refine distribution channels [4]. - The number of distributors decreased to 805 by the end of the first half of 2025, a reduction of 531 compared to the end of 2024, particularly in the central China region [4]. Profitability Metrics - The gross profit margin for Q2 was 65.2%, down 10.4 percentage points year-on-year, indicating pressure on profitability [5]. - The net profit margin for Q2 was -10.47%, reflecting a decline of approximately 20 percentage points year-on-year, highlighting significant profitability challenges [5]. Cash Flow and Financial Health - Cash receipts from sales in Q2 amounted to 222 million yuan, a year-on-year decline of 57.1%, with a net cash flow from operating activities of -107 million yuan [5]. - As of the end of Q2 2025, contract liabilities stood at 135 million yuan, a decrease of 44 million yuan from Q1 2025, indicating ongoing challenges in channel confidence [5].

Group 1 - New Steel Co. (600782.SH) reported a revenue of 17.51 billion yuan in H1 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 18.33%, but achieved a net profit attributable to shareholders of 111 million yuan, marking a turnaround from losses [5] - Keda Manufacturing (600499.SH) achieved a revenue of 8.19 billion yuan in H1 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 49.0%, and a net profit of 750 million yuan, up 63.9% [5] - Sungrow Power Supply (300274.SZ) reported a revenue of 43.53 billion yuan in H1 2025, a year-on-year increase of 40.34%, with a net profit of 7.735 billion yuan, up 55.97% [6] Group 2 - Yizumi Precision Machinery (300415.SZ) achieved a revenue of 2.75 billion yuan in H1 2025, a year-on-year increase of 15.9%, with a net profit of 340 million yuan, up 15.2% [7] - Anta Sports (2020.HK) reported a revenue of 38.54 billion yuan in H1 2025, a year-on-year increase of 14.3%, with a net profit of 7.03 billion yuan, up 14.5% [7] - Jiu Gui Jiu (000799.SZ) reported a total revenue of 561 million yuan in H1 2025, a year-on-year decline of 43.54%, with a net profit of 8.955 million yuan, down 92.6% [8] Group 3 - Rongchang Biopharmaceutical (688331.SH, 9995.HK) reported a revenue of 1.098 billion yuan in H1 2025, a year-on-year increase of 48.02%, but incurred a net loss of 450 million yuan [9]