Core Viewpoint - The liquor industry, particularly the baijiu sector, is currently in the bottoming phase of its third major cycle in the past thirty years, with significant similarities to the period from 2012 to 2016 [1] Industry Summary - On October 9, the three major indices collectively rose, with the Shanghai Composite Index closing at 3933.97 points, up 1.32%. However, the baijiu sector closed at 2241.33 points, down 0.46%, with 18 baijiu stocks declining [1] - Major baijiu stocks experienced the following closing prices and declines: - Kweichow Moutai at 1436.78 CNY/share, down 0.50% - Wuliangye at 121.16 CNY/share, down 0.26% - Shanxi Fenjiu at 190.39 CNY/share, down 1.87% - Luzhou Laojiao at 129.86 CNY/share, down 1.56% - Yanghe at 67.61 CNY/share, down 0.49% [1] Company Performance Outlook - CITIC Securities anticipates that the fundamental bottom for the baijiu industry may appear in the third quarter of 2025, with the second half of this year expected to be the most challenging period for the financial performance of baijiu companies [1] - The earliest potential turning point for sales activity is projected for the first quarter of 2026, influenced by factors such as inventory, pricing, policy impacts, recovery of consumption scenarios, and the financial performance of listed companies [1]

Core Insights - The liquor sector experienced a decline of 0.72% on October 9, with Gujing Gongjiu leading the drop [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3933.97, up 1.32%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13725.56, up 1.47% [1] Liquor Sector Performance - Gujing Gongjiu's stock price fell by 2.91% to 155.90, with a trading volume of 31,800 shares and a transaction value of 495 million [2] - Other notable declines included Shanxi Fenjiu (-1.87% to 190.39), Luzhou Laojiao (-1.56% to 129.86), and Jiu Gui Jiu (-1.86% to 61.15) [2] - The overall liquor sector saw a net outflow of 1.686 billion from institutional investors, while retail investors contributed a net inflow of 830 million [2][3] Capital Flow Analysis - Major stocks like Kweichow Moutai and Luzhou Laojiao experienced significant net outflows of 887 million and 161 million respectively from institutional investors [3] - Retail investors showed a preference for stocks like Jiu Gui Jiu, which saw a net inflow of 122 million [3] - The data indicates a mixed sentiment in the market, with institutional investors pulling back while retail investors are more active [3]

Core Viewpoint - The overall performance of the liquor industry during the holiday season is expected to decline by approximately 20%, aligning with pre-holiday expectations, although there are some positive indicators in specific segments [3][5]. Group 1: Liquor Sales Performance - Liquor sales showed marginal acceleration about a week before the holiday but gradually slowed down afterward, with an overall expected decline of around 20% [3]. - High-end products, particularly from Moutai and Wuliangye, demonstrated good turnover, while mid-range products like Wuliang Chun and Honghua Lang saw double-digit growth in certain regions [3][4]. - Demand for large gatherings remains relatively strong, with positive growth reported in Jiangsu, Henan, and Sichuan, particularly in the mid-price range [3]. Group 2: Regional Performance - Performance varies significantly by province, with Henan, Shandong, and Sichuan showing slightly better-than-expected results, while other regions like Hunan and Anhui met expectations with declines of over 20% [3][4]. - Feedback from various regions indicates that while some areas experienced a decline, the overall performance was not as poor as initially anticipated [3]. Group 3: Channel Inventory and Pricing - Channel inventory is experiencing slight depletion but remains at a high level, with a balance between incoming and outgoing shipments expected to continue into Q4 2025 and H1 2026 [5]. - Pricing remains stable with slight increases, although there is anticipated downward pressure in the coming months due to seasonal factors and promotional activities [5]. Group 4: Company Strategies and Market Dynamics - Companies are generally reducing their promotional spending, focusing more on consumer-end products rather than channel products, with a notable shift towards secondary products [6]. - Despite reduced spending, leading brands are still managing to increase their market share in specific segments, indicating a competitive market landscape [6]. - The overall collection and shipment progress for companies is lagging by over 10% compared to last year, with some brands maintaining their targets while others are struggling [6]. Group 5: Investment Recommendations - The current liquor cycle is seen as entering a bottoming phase, with recommendations to focus on companies with lower performance risks, those expected to confirm performance bottoms, and those undergoing significant transformations [7]. - Specific companies such as Guizhou Moutai and Shanxi Fenjiu are highlighted as priority investments due to their resilience [7]. - Attention is also drawn to companies like Yanghe and Jiuzi Li Du, which are undergoing changes that could lead to future growth [7].

Core Viewpoint - The white liquor sector experienced a decline in stock prices despite a general market increase, indicating potential challenges in the industry [1]. Market Performance - On October 9, the Shanghai Composite Index rose by 1.24% to 3931.07 points, while the white liquor sector closed at 2232.28 points, down by 0.86% [1]. - Among 20 white liquor stocks, notable declines included: - Kweichow Moutai: closed at 1427.92 CNY/share, down 1.11% - Wuliangye: closed at 120.4 CNY/share, down 0.89% - Shanxi Fenjiu: closed at 188.09 CNY/share, down 3.05% - Luzhou Laojiao: closed at 128.87 CNY/share, down 2.31% - Yanghe Brewery: closed at 67.60 CNY/share, down 0.50% [1]. Industry Insights - According to Kaiyuan Securities, the improvement in the white liquor market's sales dynamics depends on two key factors: - The pace of social inventory reduction - The distribution strategies of liquor manufacturers [1]. - If manufacturers lower their payment collection requirements and slow down delivery schedules, it could alleviate channel inventory pressure and lay the groundwork for a sales recovery [1].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommendation" rating for the liquor industry, expecting the industry index to outperform the benchmark index by more than 5% in the next 3-6 months [22]. Core Viewpoints - The liquor industry is experiencing a marginal recovery in demand while supply continues to clear out, with expectations of a 20% year-on-year decline in sales during the holiday period [5][6]. - High-end products like Moutai and Wuliangye are showing better turnover, while mid-range products are performing relatively well in certain regions [5]. - The report suggests prioritizing investments in companies with stable performance, those undergoing significant transformation, and those with quality products that are clearing out inventory [5]. Industry Basic Data - The liquor industry consists of 20 listed companies with a total market capitalization of 31,219.12 billion [2]. - The circulating market value stands at 31,214.28 billion [2]. Relative Index Performance - The absolute performance of the liquor industry over the past 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months is -4.0%, -6.4%, and -15.6% respectively [3]. - The relative performance compared to the benchmark index is -7.2% over 1 month, -24.9% over 6 months, and -31.1% over 12 months [3]. Sales Performance Insights - During the holiday period, liquor sales are expected to decline by approximately 20%, aligning with pre-holiday expectations [5]. - High-end gifting demand has improved slightly before the holidays, while mid-range business group purchases are still under pressure [5]. - Regional performance varies, with provinces like Henan, Shandong, and Sichuan showing slightly better-than-expected results [5]. Brand Performance - Moutai and Wuliangye are performing well, while other brands are experiencing significant declines in sales [5][6]. - The report highlights that brands like Gujing and Jiuzi are expected to confirm performance bottoms and drive growth through market share [5]. Channel and Inventory Insights - Channel inventory is slightly decreasing, with supply and demand remaining in a tight balance [5]. - The report anticipates that Q4 will focus on inventory digestion, with price stability expected despite some downward pressure [5]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on companies with low performance risk, those confirming performance bottoms, and those undergoing deep transformations [5]. - Specific companies highlighted for investment include Moutai, Fenjiu, and Gujing, with a focus on dividend yield for Wuliangye and monitoring the performance of Laojiao [5].

Summary of China Spirits Tracker Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Spirits Industry**, particularly during the **Golden Week holiday season** which includes the National holiday and Mid-Autumn festival - Sales momentum for liquor consumption remained weak year-over-year (YoY) in key regions such as **Hunan, Anhui, and Henan** [1][1][1] Key Insights - **Banquet Demand**: Banquets are identified as the only growth pillar for spirits brands, outperforming other consumption scenarios during the holiday season, especially in **Jiangsu** and **Henan** provinces [1][1][1] - **Gifting Demand Decline**: There was a notable decline in gifting demand, with high-premium moon cakes (priced over Rmb500) market share dropping to approximately **1.8%** in 2025 YTD from **7.2%** in 2023. Pre-festival sales of moon cakes decreased by over **45%** YoY [1][1][1] - **Retail Sales Performance**: Overall retail sales of key enterprises in retail and catering increased by **3.3%** in the first four days of Golden Week, compared to a **6.3%** increase during the Labor Day holiday in 2025 [1][1][1] Regional Sales Performance - **Anhui**: Retail-end sales likely declined by **20%-30%** during the double holiday, with banquet sales still in a YoY downward trend [1][1][1] - **Jiangsu**: Retail-end sales likely decreased by over **20%** YoY, although banquet sales outperformed other consumption scenarios [1][1][1] - **Henan**: Holiday retail-end sales likely saw a **10%-15%** YoY decline, with banquet sales possibly remaining flat [1][1][1] - **Sichuan**: Retail-end sales may decrease by **20%** YoY, with gift-sending/business-related sales down by **20%-40%** YoY [1][1][1] - **Hunan**: Pre-festival shipment volumes for major brands like Feitian Moutai and Wuliangye saw declines ranging from **12% to 31%** YoY [1][1][1] Brand Performance - **Moutai**: - Feitian sell-through remained flat YoY, while non-standard SKUs saw a decline of over **20%** YoY [1][1][1] - Wholesale prices for original case Feitian Moutai decreased from **Rmb1,810** to **Rmb1,780** [1][1][1] - **Wuliangye**: - 1618 and Wuliangchun performed positively YoY, while common Wuliangye sell-through declined by **10%-15%** YoY [1][1][1] - **Laojiao**: Guojiao sell-through declined by over **25%** YTD YoY in some regions [1][1][1] Pricing Trends - Post-festival, wholesale prices for key upper-premium SKUs like Feitian Moutai and Common Wuliangye trended weaker compared to pre-festival prices, marking the weakest performance in the past five years [1][1][1] - Channel inventory levels remained stable, with Wuliangye and Laojiao at less than **2 months** and **3 months** respectively, while Gujing faced high inventory pressure [1][1][1] Additional Developments - **New Retail Initiatives**: - Waima opened its first offline store in **Chongqing**, offering upper-premium spirits brands [1][1][1] - I-Moutai launched insta-delivery services, supporting intra-city delivery in as fast as **30 minutes** [1][1][1] - **Sales Performance in Zhejiang**: Wuliangye management reported stable performance in weddings and celebratory banquets in the Zhejiang market [1][1][1] Conclusion - The China Spirits industry is currently facing challenges with weak demand trends, particularly in gifting and general consumption, while banquet demand remains a critical growth area. Brands are adjusting their strategies in response to changing consumer behaviors and market conditions.

Summary of the Conference Call on Baijiu Sales During the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Industry Overview - The overall sales of baijiu during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day were lower than last year, with high-end brands like Moutai and Wuliangye experiencing smaller declines due to gift-giving demand. The price range of 300-600 RMB saw the fastest decline, exceeding 30% [1][3]. - Online channels diverted some sales from offline, leading to a significant drop in offline distributor channels [1][4]. Key Points on Sales Performance - **Sales Disparity**: Sales performance varied significantly across different price ranges. High-end brands like Moutai and Wuliangye had smaller declines, while the 300-600 RMB price range saw the most significant drop [3][4]. - **Regional Performance**: In Jiangsu, sales were down compared to last year, with Yanghe focusing on inventory reduction and price increases. Guoyuan performed relatively well, with a decline of less than 10% [2][8]. - **Inventory Levels**: Jinshiyuan's inventory exceeded three months, while other brands like Guoyuan had larger terminal inventories, leading to price reductions for some products [10][6]. Brand-Specific Insights - **Yanghe**: Prices for core products increased, but social inventory remained high. The overall return rate was about 55%, which is a decline compared to last year [8][6]. - **Guoyuan**: The company aims for a return rate of over 90% by the end of November, with some products seeing a 20% increase in returns compared to last year [9]. - **Wuliangye**: The company implemented price control measures, allowing distributors to sell at higher prices, which helped stabilize prices around 810-815 RMB [32][33]. - **Luzhou Laojiao**: The brand's market performance was poor, completing only 55% of its annual target, with a focus on maintaining high prices for its high-alcohol products [34][35]. Consumer Behavior and Market Trends - **Shift to Online Sales**: Consumers are increasingly turning to online purchases, with some stores reporting a 50% increase in online sales, although overall sales remain dominated by offline channels [16][22]. - **Sales Channels**: There is a notable differentiation in sales performance among smoke shops, with those maintaining good customer relationships experiencing smaller declines [5][22]. Future Outlook - **Inventory Management**: The current inventory reduction cycle is expected to last longer, with a risk of 10%-30% of terminal stores potentially closing if the market does not recover by the Spring Festival [27]. - **Overall Market Trends**: The overall sales situation is projected to decline by about 15% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with significant challenges in the mid-range and low-end segments [31][25]. Conclusion - The baijiu industry is facing significant challenges with declining sales across various price segments, increased online competition, and inventory management issues. High-end brands are somewhat insulated from these trends, but overall market performance remains weak.

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]

Core Insights - The "Su Super" amateur football league in Jiangsu has gained significant attention and sponsorship, showcasing the region's economic vitality and cultural pride [1][9][11] Sponsorship and Economic Impact - The league attracted major sponsors, including Heineken, and has a total of 19 sponsors, with 15 being publicly listed companies, representing a combined market value exceeding 4 trillion yuan [7][9] - Jiangsu's 13 cities, each with a GDP over 400 billion yuan, are projected to become the first province in China with an average GDP exceeding 1 trillion yuan per city by 2024 [7][9] - Notable sponsorships include Jiangsu Bank's 8 million yuan title sponsorship, which is viewed as a strategic investment rather than mere sponsorship [7] City Representation and Team Highlights - Each city in the league showcases its unique identity and pride, with teams like Nanjing leveraging strong local corporate support, while Suzhou operates with a more understated approach [3][5] - The South Jiangsu team has received significant insurance coverage from China Ping An, amounting to 44.6 million yuan, reflecting corporate alignment with local spirit [5] - The league has become a platform for local brands to connect with community sentiments, as seen with Yanghe's branding efforts in Suqian [5][9] Cultural and Social Significance - The "Su Super" league represents a cultural awakening and a collective expression of regional identity, moving beyond just sports to embody local pride and community engagement [9][11] - The league's popularity has sparked a sense of unity among the cities, with fans expressing a strong local identity and competitive spirit [9][11]