Core Viewpoint - The resignation of Zhang Liandong as chairman of Yanghe Co., Ltd. marks a significant leadership change amid declining performance, with the company facing challenges in the competitive high-end liquor market [3][6][11]. Company Overview - Yanghe Co., Ltd. announced the resignation of chairman Zhang Liandong on July 1, 2023, due to work adjustments, with his term originally set to end in April 2027 [3][6]. - Zhang Liandong's tenure saw a turnaround in company performance, with revenue increasing from 253.50 billion CNY in 2021 to 331.3 billion CNY in 2023, and net profit exceeding 100 billion CNY for the first time [6][7]. - However, in 2024, Yanghe became the only top five A-share liquor company to experience declines in both revenue and profit, with a 12.83% drop in revenue to 288.76 billion CNY and a 33.37% decrease in net profit to 66.73 billion CNY [6][11]. Strategic Initiatives - During Zhang's leadership, Yanghe implemented a "dual famous liquor, multi-brand, multi-category" strategy, enhancing brand influence through various marketing initiatives [7]. - The company launched its first equity incentive plan in 2021, aiming to motivate management and align interests with long-term growth [7]. Leadership Transition - Gu Yu, the current district mayor of Suqian, has been appointed as the new party secretary of Jiangsu Yanghe Distillery Co., Ltd., indicating a continuation of leadership from a similar governmental background [8][10]. - Analysts suggest that Gu Yu is expected to take over as chairman, following a pattern of leadership transitions within the company [11]. Market Challenges - Yanghe faces structural pressures from both high-end competitors and a slowing overall consumption market, necessitating management optimization to enhance market responsiveness [11]. - Recommendations for Yanghe's future include revitalizing the "Shuanggou" brand, upgrading traditional sales channels, and improving talent acquisition and incentive mechanisms [11]. Stock Performance - As of July 7, 2023, Yanghe's stock closed at 64.8 CNY, with a total market capitalization of 976.18 billion CNY [12].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the industry is "Outperform the Market" [5][6]. Core Views - The report highlights that the liquor sector, particularly Moutai, is stabilizing in price, and attention should be paid to the second-quarter performance of the sector [3][12]. - The food and beverage sector saw a slight increase of 0.74% this week, underperforming the Shanghai Composite Index by 0.67 percentage points [2][22]. - The report emphasizes the importance of consumer demand and market health, with companies focusing on destocking and promoting sales in the short term while nurturing consumer engagement and internationalization in the long term [14][21]. Summary by Sections Liquor Sector - Moutai's stock buyback reached 3.3821 million shares, accounting for 0.27% of total shares, with a total expenditure of 5.202 billion yuan [3][12]. - The liquor index increased by 1.2%, indicating a potential valuation recovery driven by incremental policies [14]. - Recommended stocks include Moutai, Shanxi Fenjiu, and Wuliangye, which have demonstrated resilience through multiple cycles [14][21]. Consumer Goods - The report notes that the recent warm weather is favorable for beer consumption, with expectations for slight sales growth among major beer brands [15]. - The snack sector is experiencing a trend of differentiation, with recommendations for companies that are innovating in products and channels [16][17]. - The report suggests focusing on leading companies in the seasoning industry, such as Yihai International and Haitian Flavoring, as they show resilience [18]. Frozen Foods - The frozen food sector is stable, with companies actively developing new products despite the off-season [19]. - Anji Food's recent IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange raised 2.302 billion HKD, which will be used to enhance sales networks and optimize supply chains [19]. Dairy Products - The dairy sector is expected to see a gradual recovery in demand, with supply pressures easing and potential policy catalysts on the horizon [20]. - The report recommends focusing on leading dairy companies that are well-positioned for upward elasticity in 2025 [20]. Beverages - The beverage industry is entering a peak season, with expectations for continued growth in segments like sugar-free tea and energy drinks [21]. - The report recommends East Peak Beverage, which is accelerating its national and platform expansion [21].

Group 1: Management Changes in the Alcohol Industry - The alcohol industry has seen a series of high-level management changes since last year, with companies like Yanghe, China Resources Beer, and Jinzhongzi Wine experiencing shifts in leadership, indicating a strong intent from shareholders and investors to boost performance [1] - Jinzhongzi Wine's General Manager He Xiuxia has resigned, and the company is facing significant market share pressure, with 2024 revenue projected to drop to 925 million yuan, a stark contrast to over 2 billion yuan in previous cycles [5] - Yanghe has appointed Gu Yu as the new Party Secretary, replacing Zhang Liandong, who has stepped down amid a challenging period for the white liquor industry [6][7] Group 2: Trade and Regulatory Developments - The Ministry of Commerce has concluded an anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy, determining that dumping margins range from 27.7% to 34.9%, leading to the imposition of anti-dumping duties starting July 5, 2025 [2][3] - A total of 34 EU brandy exporters, including well-known brands like Martell and Hennessy, can avoid these duties by adhering to price commitments approved by Chinese authorities [3] Group 3: Market Trends and Promotions - Taobao Flash Sale has initiated a new subsidy program, investing 50 billion yuan, resulting in a significant increase in orders, particularly in the alcohol sector, with some brands seeing order volumes double [4] - Kuaizi Jiao reported that its high-end "Jian" series products have not performed as expected, with sales and consumer feedback being less favorable compared to older products [10] - Xijiu has launched a promotional campaign offering buy-three-get-one-free deals on various products, indicating a strategy to boost sales through consumer incentives [11]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese liquor industry is currently in a period of adjustment, with leading companies focusing on "steady development" as their primary strategy amidst challenges such as slowing consumer demand and intensified competition [2][3][6]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Dividends - Major liquor companies like Moutai, Wuliangye, and Yanghe are showing a trend of increasing dividend amounts and ratios, reflecting their strong financial performance and commitment to shareholder returns [7][8]. - Moutai plans to distribute a total cash dividend of 646.72 billion yuan for 2024, with a distribution rate of around 80% [7]. - Wuliangye announced a record high total dividend of 223 billion yuan for 2024, with a dividend yield of 4.9%, and committed to maintaining a dividend ratio of no less than 70% from 2024 to 2026 [7][8]. - Luzhou Laojiao has also set a three-year cash dividend plan, with rates increasing from 65% to 75% over the next three years [8]. Group 2: Strategic Focus and Market Positioning - The keyword for the liquor industry in 2025 is "stability," as companies prioritize maintaining market share and quality over rapid growth [3][6]. - Wuliangye reported a revenue growth of 7.09% and a net profit growth of 5.44% for 2024, continuing its trend of steady growth for ten consecutive years [5]. - Shanxi Fenjiu emphasized the shift in competition from speed to quality, focusing on stabilizing markets, channels, and prices [5]. Group 3: International Expansion - Moutai's international revenue reached 5.189 billion yuan in 2024, marking a significant milestone in its global strategy, which includes transitioning from product export to brand and cultural promotion [9]. - Wuliangye has successfully opened 21 new overseas markets and established 29 new distributors, enhancing its international presence [10]. - Fenjiu is implementing a differentiated international strategy, successfully filling market gaps in 11 countries and increasing its overseas revenue by over 50% [10]. Group 4: Product Innovation and Market Trends - The trend towards lower alcohol content beverages is gaining traction, with several leading companies, including Moutai and Wuliangye, planning to launch low-alcohol products to cater to younger consumers [13][16]. - Moutai has introduced a blueberry sparkling wine and is actively recruiting distributors to capture more market share in the low-alcohol segment [16]. - The industry is recognizing the need to adapt to changing consumer preferences, with companies exploring new product lines to meet diverse market demands [16].

Group 1 - Yanghe Co. has nominated Gu Yu as a candidate for a non-independent director position, which may enhance corporate governance and local resource integration, potentially boosting investor confidence in strategic execution [1] - Gu Yu's extensive political and business background is expected to support management stability and operational efficiency following leadership changes [1] Group 2 - Moutai's announcement of over 160 authorized e-commerce sales channels aims to improve consumer trust and combat online counterfeit products, enhancing brand control over distribution [2] - The authorized list includes major platforms such as JD.com, Douyin, Tmall, and others, providing consumers with clear identification of legitimate sellers [2] Group 3 - Renhuai city has initiated a comprehensive regulatory approach to address prominent issues in the liquor industry, emphasizing strict oversight across production, market order, and logistics [3] - The government aims to establish a collaborative governance model involving enterprises and the public to enhance industry self-regulation and consumer protection [3] - This initiative is expected to bolster market confidence in the quality and order of liquor products, drawing attention to compliance capabilities of leading and regional brands [4]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a recommendation for the food and beverage industry, indicating a positive outlook for structural growth opportunities [20][21]. Core Insights - The report highlights a stabilization in the price of Moutai, suggesting a potential improvement in sentiment within the liquor sector. It notes that while short-term demand fluctuations may lead to a slowdown in the liquor sector in Q2 2025, leading companies are working to maintain price stability, and smaller companies are adapting to consumer trends [20][21]. - The snack segment is experiencing stable performance in traditional channels, with rapid growth in membership supermarket channels. New products are expected to be launched in the second half of 2025, and the pet food sector is also showing good growth [20][21]. - The report emphasizes the importance of product quality enhancement, channel expansion, and innovative marketing strategies as key methods for companies to navigate current market challenges [20][21]. Summary by Sections Core Company Tracking - Luzhou Laojiao is improving market inventory and plans to expand its distribution network to four million terminals over the next five years. The company is also developing lower-alcohol products [11][12]. - Yanghe Co. has appointed new leadership, which is expected to drive organizational adjustments and enhance operational dynamics. The company continues to innovate its product line [12]. - Jiugui Liquor is focusing on channel adjustments and has partnered with a retail chain to explore new growth avenues [13]. - New Dairy is benefiting from cost advantages, leading to stronger profit release capabilities, with a focus on low-temperature milk products [14]. - Jinzai Food is in a cautious operational phase, with stable performance in traditional and snack channels [15][16]. - Zhongchong Co. is seeing continued growth in its self-owned brands, despite some export challenges [17]. - Petty Co. is expanding its product offerings in both snacks and staple foods, with a focus on New Zealand's production capacity [18]. - Anji Food has successfully listed its H shares, raising approximately 2.302 billion HKD [19]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on growth sectors influenced by changing consumer trends, with specific recommendations for companies like Zhongchong Co., Guobao Pet Food, and Nongfu Spring [21]. - It also highlights structural growth opportunities in the restaurant chain recovery, recommending companies such as Zhujiang Beer and Yanjing Beer [21]. - For traditional consumer goods, it advises investing in leading liquor companies and dairy products, with a focus on companies like Yili and New Dairy [21]. Industry Overview - The food and beverage industry is characterized by a total of 143 listed companies with a total market capitalization of 478.1 billion RMB [4]. - The industry has shown a mixed performance, with a 1-month absolute performance of -4.7% and a 12-month performance of 28.2% [6].

Group 1 - The company held its 10th meeting of the 8th Board of Directors on July 4, 2025, with all 9 directors present, including independent directors attending via video conference [2][3] - The board unanimously approved the nomination of Mr. Gu Yu as a non-independent director candidate for the 8th Board of Directors, pending shareholder approval [3][5] - The board also approved the convening of the 2025 Second Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled for July 21, 2025 [6][11] Group 2 - The notice for the 2025 Second Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders was issued following the board meeting, confirming compliance with legal and regulatory requirements [11][12] - The meeting will include both on-site and online voting options, with specific timeframes for each voting method [12][23] - The meeting will address the election of one non-independent director, and the voting will not utilize cumulative voting [18][19] Group 3 - Mr. Gu Yu, the nominated candidate, has a background in various governmental roles and currently serves as the company's Party Secretary, with no conflicts of interest reported [9][10] - The company has ensured that the meeting's procedures and notifications comply with relevant laws and regulations [11][14] - Shareholders must register to attend the meeting, with specific requirements outlined for both corporate and individual shareholders [20][22]

Group 1 - The board of directors of Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Co., Ltd. held its 10th meeting of the 8th session on July 4, 2025, in Suqian City, Jiangsu Province, with compliance to legal regulations and company bylaws [1][2] - The board approved the nomination of Mr. Gu Yu as a non-independent director candidate for the 8th board session, with his term aligning with that of the current board [1][2] - The total number of directors who also serve as senior management or employee representatives does not exceed half of the total number of directors [1] Group 2 - The proposal regarding the second extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in 2025 is pending approval by the shareholders [2] - The notice for the second extraordinary general meeting has been disclosed in various financial newspapers and on the official website [2] Group 3 - Mr. Gu Yu, born in May 1978, has held various governmental positions and currently serves as the party secretary of the company [4] - Mr. Gu does not hold any shares in the company and has no relationships with major shareholders or other board members [4] - He has not faced any administrative penalties from the China Securities Regulatory Commission in the last 36 months [4]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese liquor industry is currently in a period of adjustment, facing challenges such as high inventory levels and price inversion, prompting major liquor companies to explore new strategies to navigate this cycle [1][3][7]. Group 1: Market Conditions - The white liquor industry is experiencing a weak performance in wholesale prices, with many top brands falling below their reference wholesale prices during the "618" promotional event [1][2]. - The average inventory turnover days in the industry have reached 900 days, a 10% increase year-on-year, with inventory levels rising by 25% [3]. - Price inversion is prevalent, affecting 60% of companies, indicating a significant supply-demand imbalance and increasing channel pressures [3]. Group 2: E-commerce Strategy - Major liquor companies are increasingly embracing e-commerce, with a notable rise in online sales, which exceeded 60 million bottles and generated over 30 billion yuan in sales from January to May 2025 [4]. - Companies like Moutai and Yanghe are actively engaging with major e-commerce platforms to enhance their online presence and sales strategies [3][4]. Group 3: Product Innovation - To attract younger consumers, several liquor companies are launching low-alcohol products, with Wuliangye and Shui Jing Fang planning to introduce new products with lower alcohol content [6]. - The market for low-alcohol liquor is significant, with a market size of approximately 450 billion yuan, accounting for nearly half of the total liquor consumption [6]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The current market environment is characterized by intense competition, with companies needing to innovate and adapt to survive, as evidenced by the historical context of previous downturns in the industry [7][8]. - The strategy of introducing lower-alcohol products is seen as a way to capture a broader audience and compete with other alcoholic beverages like beer and wine [8].

Core Insights - The 618 shopping festival has concluded, leading to varied price movements in the white liquor market, with some products experiencing price increases while others continue to decline [1][2][3] Price Trends in Major Cities - In Guangzhou, among 21 sampled white liquor products, 9 saw a decrease in average retail price, while 8 experienced an increase, and 4 remained unchanged [2] - Notably, high-end products like Moutai and Guojiao 1573 have seen price drops, with Moutai's average retail price falling to approximately 2304 RMB, a decrease of about 100 RMB from the previous period [2][3] - In Shenzhen, Moutai's average retail price is reported at 2298.5 RMB, with a notable decline in several high-end products due to ongoing market pressures [7][10] - East Dongguan's market shows a mixed trend, with 9 products increasing in price and 5 decreasing, highlighting the volatility in high-end liquor pricing [12][13] Online vs. Offline Pricing - Online platforms, particularly instant retail channels, are showing lower prices compared to offline supermarkets, with Moutai priced at 2229 RMB online, which is about 75 RMB lower than the overall average [3][8] - The price discrepancies between online and offline channels are significant, with products like Junpin Xijiu and Qinghua Lang being sold for much lower prices online compared to their offline counterparts [3][8] Impact of Regulatory Changes - The ongoing "ban on alcohol" has significantly impacted sales, particularly in high-end segments, leading to price reductions as businesses attempt to stimulate demand [9][10] - The combination of the 618 festival and regulatory changes has created a challenging environment for liquor companies, as they navigate maintaining sales volume and pricing stability [1][17] Summary of Average Prices - The average prices for key products as of July 4th are as follows: - Moutai: 2367.62 RMB [19] - Wuliangye: 1010.27 RMB [19] - Junpin Xijiu: 833.17 RMB [20] - Qinghua Lang: 943.11 RMB [20] - Guojiao 1573: 993.42 RMB [20]