Summary of the Conference Call on Baijiu Industry and Company Insights Company and Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on **Bairun Co., Ltd.**, a leading player in the **premixed cocktail market** in **Anhui Province**. The company is facing challenges in sales and market dynamics for its **Rio** brand of premixed cocktails [1][2]. Key Points and Arguments Sales Performance - In **2024**, Bairun's sales in Anhui for premixed cocktails reached **¥1.18 billion**, a slight decline from **¥1.2 billion** in **2023**, but a significant increase from **¥750 million** in **2022** [2]. - The sales decline is attributed to reduced profit margins for distributors and increased competition from low-priced products on online platforms [1][3]. Market Challenges - The company is experiencing a **10% price drop** in the market due to excess inventory and aggressive discounting by distributors [3][5]. - Bairun's strategy has shifted towards channel expansion rather than consumer growth, as the market share is limited [3][31]. Product and Channel Strategy - The **Rio** brand targets consumers aged **18-35**, but male consumer growth has been limited, leading to a decline in sales of stronger products [9]. - The company has introduced various alcohol content levels but faces challenges in pricing consistency between online and offline channels [9][10]. - The **light enjoyment** product line is struggling to gain traction due to lack of dedicated marketing efforts and competition from beer [12][13]. Distribution and Inventory Management - Bairun has implemented measures to address market chaos, including penalties for distributors and reduced marketing expenses, but these are seen as temporary fixes [5][34]. - The company has a **healthy inventory turnover** target of **1.5 to 2 months**, with current levels in Anhui nearing this target, while other provinces may have longer turnover periods [18]. Competitive Landscape - Bairun's **Rio** brand maintains a competitive edge in the premixed cocktail market due to strong brand recognition and pricing strategies, despite the presence of other brands [25]. - The company is focusing on expanding its presence in the **whiskey market**, but the performance has been underwhelming, with most distributors achieving only a few million in annual sales [32]. Future Outlook - The company aims for a sales target of **¥1.44 billion** in **2025**, maintaining the same product structure as in **2024** [22]. - There is a belief that significant improvements in channel management and product offerings may take until the end of **2025** to materialize [33]. Additional Important Insights - The company lacks a dedicated team for the restaurant channel, which is seen as a significant growth area [13][14]. - The pricing structure for various products shows significant variability, with **strong refreshing** products having low margins and relying heavily on rebates for profitability [11][26][27]. - The overall market environment is expected to remain challenging, with a **30% slowdown** in sales turnover compared to the previous year [16]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call, highlighting the challenges and strategies of Bairun Co., Ltd. in the premixed cocktail market.

Core Viewpoint - Baijiu Co., Ltd. continues to experience a decline in performance, with a significant drop in revenue and net profit in the first half of 2025, indicating ongoing challenges in its core business and the failure of new product launches to reverse the trend [2][3]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Baijiu Co., Ltd. reported revenue of 1.489 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 8.56% [2]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 389 million yuan, down 3.32% year-on-year, while the non-recurring net profit fell by 9% [2]. - The company's revenue in Q2 2025 was 752 million yuan, a decline of 9.0% year-on-year, with net profit dropping by 10.9% to 208 million yuan [3]. Product Performance - The RIO pre-mixed cocktail, once a leading product, has seen a significant decline in sales, with revenue from RIO dropping to 2.677 billion yuan in the previous year, a decrease of 7.17% [3]. - The introduction of new products, such as the RIO 12-degree flavored liquor, has not met market expectations, resulting in poor sales performance [4]. Market Competition - The low-alcohol beverage market is becoming increasingly competitive, with various brands, including traditional liquor companies, entering the pre-mixed cocktail segment [5]. - The presence of alternative products in the market has intensified competition for RIO, which is struggling to maintain its market share [5]. Strategic Initiatives - Baijiu Co., Ltd. has invested in the liquor segment, establishing a distillery in Sichuan to develop whiskey as a potential growth area [6]. - Despite the challenges, the company remains optimistic about its whiskey business, with significant increases in barrel storage capacity reported [7]. - The company has reduced its sales expenses by 24% in the first half of 2025, contributing to stable gross margins despite declining revenues [7].

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a slight decline in performance for the first half of 2025, with revenue and net profit decreasing year-on-year, attributed to high base effects and challenging market conditions [1][5]. Financial Performance - For H1 2025, the company achieved revenue of 1.489 billion yuan, down 8.6% year-on-year, and a net profit of 389 million yuan, down 3.3% year-on-year [1]. - In Q2 2025, revenue was 752 million yuan, a decrease of 9.0% year-on-year, with net profit at 208 million yuan, down 10.9% year-on-year [1]. - The gross margin for H1 2025 was 70.3%, slightly up by 0.26 percentage points year-on-year, while Q2 gross margin was 71.0%, down 0.79 percentage points year-on-year [4]. Business Segments - The company's liquor products and edible flavoring achieved revenues of 1.297 billion yuan and 169 million yuan respectively in H1 2025, with declines of 9.4% and 3.9% year-on-year [1]. - The pre-mixed liquor segment faced pressure in Q2 2025, focusing on inventory digestion and channel management [1][2]. - The whisky segment successfully established a dual-brand product matrix, with positive market feedback for new products launched in March and June 2025 [3]. Market Outlook - The company expects improvements in the pre-mixed liquor business in the second half of 2025, supported by new product launches and marketing initiatives [2][5]. - The whisky segment is anticipated to gradually contribute to sales, with a significant increase in the number of distributors across various regions [3][5]. Long-term Growth Potential - The company is optimistic about the growth potential of domestic whisky, leveraging its production capacity and market experience to penetrate the liquor distribution channels [5]. - The Chinese spirits market, dominated by baijiu, is expected to present structural opportunities for whisky as consumer preferences evolve [5].

Core Viewpoint - RIO's parent company, Bairun Co., is facing significant performance pressure as it transitions from a period of growth driven by the "stay-at-home economy" to a decline in revenue and profit, particularly in the ready-to-drink cocktail segment [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Bairun's total revenue was 1.489 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 8.56% [1]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 389 million yuan, down 3.32% year-on-year, while the net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses was 356 million yuan, a decrease of 9.04% [1]. - Revenue from alcoholic beverages, which account for 88% of total revenue, was 1.297 billion yuan, down 9.35% year-on-year [1]. Market Challenges - The North and West China markets are facing significant challenges, with revenues declining by 21.43% and 23.05% respectively, despite an increase in the number of distributors [2]. - RIO is experiencing dual pressures from declining internal growth momentum and disruptive shifts in consumer value [2][3]. Product and Competitive Landscape - RIO, once a market leader in the ready-to-drink cocktail segment, is losing its growth momentum due to weak consumption scenarios and a lack of price competitiveness compared to beer [3][4]. - The rise of diverse low-alcohol beverages, such as fruit wines and non-alcoholic beers, is further eroding RIO's market share [4]. - RIO's new product, jelly wine, aims to integrate the "tipsy" experience into casual snacking, but faces challenges in consumer motivation [4]. Sales Channels - Offline channels accounted for over 89% of RIO's revenue, which saw a year-on-year decline of 9.63%, while online channels made up about 11% with a slight decline of 0.57% [4]. - RIO's low sales in ready-to-drink formats indicate a misalignment with consumer purchasing behaviors, which favor impulse buys in physical stores [5][7]. Strategic Shift - In response to the stagnation in RIO's growth, Bairun is shifting its strategic focus towards developing its whiskey business, which has begun operations and is expected to contribute to future revenue [9][10]. - The whiskey segment aims to capture different market segments, with brands like "Bailide" targeting mass consumption and "Laizhou" focusing on premium offerings [9][10]. Profitability Concerns - Despite a relatively stable asset structure, Bairun faces risks related to high sales expenses, which have pressured profit margins [14][15]. - The company's gross profit margin for its main business was 70.51%, but high sales expenses of 301 million yuan significantly impacted profitability [14].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" [6] Core Views - The company reported a revenue of 1.49 billion yuan in H1 2025, a decrease of 8.6% year-on-year, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 390 million yuan, down 3.3% year-on-year. The decline in revenue is attributed to weak demand, particularly in the ready-to-drink segment, while the whisky segment is expected to contribute positively to revenue growth [1][3] - The company has launched new products in the ready-to-drink category and whisky, which are anticipated to drive revenue growth in the second half of 2025. The marketing strategy includes forming a specialized marketing team to enhance consumer engagement [3] Financial Performance Summary - In H1 2025, the revenue from alcoholic beverages and food flavoring was 1.3 billion yuan and 170 million yuan, respectively, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 9.4% and 3.9% [1] - The gross margin for H1 2025 was 71.0%, with a slight decrease of 0.8 percentage points year-on-year. The gross margin for alcoholic beverages decreased slightly, while the gross margin for flavoring increased by 2.0 percentage points [2] - The company expects net profits for 2025-2027 to be 770 million, 940 million, and 1.09 billion yuan, respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of 6.9%, 22.2%, and 15.8% [3][5]

Market Overview - On August 27, the non-liquor sector declined by 1.7% compared to the previous trading day, with *ST Lanhuang leading the decline [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3800.35, down 1.76%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 12295.07, down 1.43% [1] Stock Performance - Key stocks in the non-liquor sector showed varied performance, with 会稽山 (Kuaijishan) increasing by 0.78% to close at 23.28, while *ST Lanhuang (Lanhuang) fell by 4.47% to close at 8.34 [1][2] - Other notable declines included 重庆啤酒 (Chongqing Beer) down 1.07%, 张裕A (Zhangyu A) down 1.14%, and *ST 椰岛 (Yedao) down 1.45% [1][2] Trading Volume and Capital Flow - The non-liquor sector experienced a net outflow of 283 million yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors saw a net inflow of 298 million yuan [2] - The trading volume for 会稽山 was 338,600 hands with a transaction value of 779 million yuan, while *ST 兰黄 had a trading volume of 57,300 hands and a transaction value of 48.47 million yuan [1][2] Capital Inflow Analysis - In terms of capital inflow, 张裕A had a net inflow of 5.04 million yuan from institutional investors, while *ST 兰黄 saw a significant net outflow of 10.63 million yuan [3] - The data indicates that retail investors were more active in the market, with notable inflows into stocks like *ST 椰岛 and 珠江啤酒 (Zhujiang Beer) [3]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" with a target price of 37.23 RMB [6][4]. Core Views - The company reported a total revenue of 1.49 billion RMB and a net profit attributable to the parent company of 390 million RMB for the first half of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 8.6% and 3.3% respectively. The second quarter saw a revenue of 750 million RMB, down 9.0% year-on-year [1][2]. - The company is focusing on inventory destocking, with new products like the light cocktail and jelly wine launched recently. The single malt whiskey is being rolled out in the South China market, and there are expectations for growth in the ready-to-drink segment [1][2]. - The gross margin for the first half of 2025 was 70.3%, a slight increase of 0.3 percentage points year-on-year, driven by improved margins in the high-margin flavor business and effective cost control in alcoholic products [3][4]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - For the first half of 2025, the company reported revenues of 1.49 billion RMB, a decrease of 8.6% year-on-year. The net profit attributable to the parent company was 390 million RMB, down 3.3% year-on-year. The second quarter figures were 750 million RMB in revenue and 210 million RMB in net profit, reflecting declines of 9.0% and 10.9% respectively [1][2]. - The ready-to-drink cocktail segment saw revenues of 1.3 billion RMB, down 9.4% year-on-year, with a volume decline of 12.7% but an increase in average price by 3.8% [2]. Product Development - The company is actively expanding its product offerings, with new flavors and specifications introduced to extend product life cycles. The recent launches include the light cocktail and jelly wine, which are expected to create new growth drivers [2][4]. - The whiskey products are currently in the distribution phase, focusing on non-ready-to-drink channels, with successful recruitment of distributors [2]. Profitability Metrics - The gross margin for the first half of 2025 was 70.3%, with a slight increase in the second quarter to 71.0%. The improvement is attributed to better margins in the flavor business and effective cost management in alcoholic products [3][4]. - The net profit margin for the first half of 2025 was 26.1%, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.4 percentage points [3]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates a recovery in the ready-to-drink business driven by consumer demand, with expectations for the whiskey segment to contribute positively to future growth [4]. - Revenue forecasts for 2025-2027 have been adjusted to 3.12 billion RMB, 3.37 billion RMB, and 3.71 billion RMB respectively, with expected EPS of 0.73 RMB, 0.80 RMB, and 0.90 RMB [4][10].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommendation" rating for the company [1] Core Views - The company reported a total revenue of 1.49 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, a decrease of 8.6% year-on-year, with a net profit attributable to shareholders of 390 million yuan, down 3.3% [1] - In Q2 2025, the total revenue was 750 million yuan, reflecting a 9.0% decline, while the net profit attributable to shareholders was 200 million yuan, a decrease of 10.9% [1] - The report highlights that adjustments in old products and the launch of new products are expected to catalyze future growth [1] Financial Summary - The company’s projected total revenue for 2025 is 3.32 billion yuan, with an expected growth rate of 8.9% [3] - The net profit for 2025 is estimated at 790 million yuan, with a growth rate of 9.8% [3] - Earnings per share (EPS) is projected to be 0.75 yuan for 2025, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 38 [3] - The company’s total market capitalization is approximately 30.23 billion yuan, with a circulating market value of about 20.82 billion yuan [4] Business Performance - The report indicates that the revenue from alcoholic beverages, food flavoring, and other businesses for the first half of 2025 was 1.3 billion yuan, 170 million yuan, and 20 million yuan respectively, with year-on-year changes of -9.4%, -3.9%, and +6.3% [7] - The decline in revenue is attributed to weak external demand and inventory adjustments in the ready-to-drink segment, while the whiskey segment is beginning to contribute revenue [7] - The gross profit margin for Q2 2025 was 71.0%, a slight decrease of 0.8 percentage points year-on-year, influenced by changes in product mix and reduced scale effects [7] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests closely monitoring the sales of new products and inventory changes, maintaining the "Recommendation" rating [7] - The target price for the company's stock is set at 30 yuan, with the current price at 28.81 yuan [3][7]

Core Viewpoint - Bairun Co., Ltd. reported a decline in revenue and net profit for the first half of 2025, primarily due to a downturn in its alcoholic beverage segment, particularly the RIO ready-to-drink products, which experienced significant sales and production drops [2][4][5]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Bairun achieved revenue of 1.489 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 8.56% [2] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 389 million yuan, down 3.32% year-on-year, with a non-recurring net profit decline of 9% [2] - In Q2 alone, revenue was 752 million yuan, reflecting a 9% year-on-year decline, while net profit fell over 10% [2] Alcoholic Beverage Segment - Revenue from alcoholic products was 1.297 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 9.35%, accounting for nearly 90% of Bairun's total revenue [4] - RIO's sales volume dropped by 12.68% in the first half of the year, with production also experiencing a double-digit decline [5] Product Strategy - RIO continues to focus on strengthening its "358" brand positioning and launching new products, including seasonal flavors and innovative offerings like jelly wine [5][9] - Despite these efforts, the overall downward trend in sales persists, attributed to weak offline channels, which saw a 9% revenue decline [6] Cost Management - Bairun managed to reduce advertising expenses by half, leading to a 24% year-on-year decrease in sales expenses, which helped maintain stable gross margins despite declining revenues [6][7] Whiskey Business Development - Bairun's whiskey segment, particularly the Laizhou Distillery, has launched several new products, including limited editions and a range of whiskey offerings, but has yet to significantly impact overall revenue [9][10] - As of June 2025, the distillery had accumulated 500,000 barrels, showing substantial growth from the previous year [11]

Core Insights - The company reported a revenue of 1.489 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 8.56% [1] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 389 million yuan, down 3.32% year-on-year [1] - Operating cash flow improved significantly, reaching 491 million yuan, an increase of 67.06% year-on-year [1] Business Performance - The company actively conducted various business activities, ensuring stable development of existing businesses and accelerating the cultivation of new ones [1] - The liquor and flavoring businesses operated steadily, maintaining high gross and net profit margins [1] - The ready-to-drink cocktail segment saw the introduction of new products, including a limited edition flavor and a jelly wine, which received positive consumer feedback [1] Whiskey Business Development - The company successfully launched multiple whiskey products, establishing a product matrix for Laizhou whiskey [2] - A professional marketing team was formed to explore high-quality partnerships and enhance brand awareness through experiential marketing [2] - The whiskey distillery upgrade project is progressing as planned, with a steady increase in barrel aging quantity [2]