Core Viewpoint - New consumption categories, represented by health food, are identified as a core investment theme for the food and beverage sector in 2025, with expectations for continuity into 2026 and beyond. The focus will be on health food as a key investment direction due to its rich SKU variety and long-tail structure, similar to the snack sector investment logic [1] Industry Overview - The health food market, including natural and nutritional health foods, has a combined market size of approximately 600 billion yuan. Since 2025, there have been profound changes in external demand and distribution channels, driven by a shift in consumer demographics from the elderly to younger groups and an expansion of consumption scenarios from disease prevention to personalized needs such as emotional relief and weight management. Additionally, the rise of interest e-commerce, cross-border e-commerce, and membership supermarkets has addressed issues of consumer trust and category recognition [1] Category Insights - The investment logic for health food is similar to that of the snack sector, focusing on selecting listed companies that are well-positioned in key categories. The "function-scenario-price" triangle is crucial for identifying potential best-selling products. Recommended categories include: - Oats: Market size of 10 billion yuan, low GI characteristics, and versatile usage in breakfast and snacks [2] - Corn: Market size of approximately 200 billion yuan, low GI, and broad acceptance as both a staple and snack [2] - Walnuts: Market size of 80 billion yuan, beneficial for heart and brain health, with a competitive price among tree nuts [2] - Black sesame: Beneficial for hair nourishment, priced around 1 yuan per bag, with applications in traditional and baking scenarios [2] - Sports health: Market size of approximately 6 billion yuan, expected to grow with the increasing number of fitness enthusiasts [2] - Gut health: Online market size estimated at 4 billion yuan, with probiotics accounting for over 75% [2] Key Companies - Companies that are strategically positioned in potential categories are expected to achieve rapid growth: - Ximai Food: Leading in the domestic cereal industry with a revenue CAGR of approximately 18% over the past three years [3] - October Rice Field: A new consumption brand with a revenue CAGR of about 17% over the past three years [3] - Wugu Mofang: Leading in walnut and sesame powder, recovering from a low point with a revenue CAGR of around 9% [3] - Xianle Health: A leading CDMO in China with a revenue CAGR of approximately 21% over the past three years [3] - Junyao Health: A pioneer in probiotic foods with a revenue CAGR of about 17% over the past three years [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" rating for the food and beverage industry [1] Core Insights - The health food market is approximately 600 billion yuan, with significant growth potential driven by changing consumer demographics and preferences [3][5] - The report emphasizes the importance of new consumption trends, particularly in the health food sector, which is expected to continue its growth trajectory into 2026 and beyond [3] - Key product categories identified for growth include oats, corn, walnuts, and other health foods, which are expected to thrive due to their health benefits and consumer acceptance [3][5] Summary by Sections 1. Demand and Channel Transformation - The health food market is divided into natural health foods (over 300 billion yuan) and nutritional health foods (approximately 250 billion yuan) [5] - Consumer demand is shifting from older demographics to younger groups, with a focus on personalized health needs such as emotional relief and weight management [5][9] - New sales channels, including e-commerce and membership supermarkets, are enhancing consumer trust and product awareness [14][15] 2. Natural Health Foods - Key categories include oats, corn, nuts, and other health foods, which are expected to see significant growth due to their health benefits and consumer recognition [18][27] - Oats are projected to have a market size of 10.1 billion yuan in 2024, while corn is expected to reach 220.9 billion yuan [29][30] - Walnuts are anticipated to have a market size of 78.7 billion yuan in 2024, benefiting from increased consumer awareness of their health properties [36] 3. Nutritional Health Foods - The nutritional health food segment includes dietary supplements, weight management products, and sports nutrition [42] - The market for sports nutrition is projected to reach approximately 6.4 billion yuan in 2024, driven by the growing fitness trend [49] - Weight management products are expected to grow to around 16.9 billion yuan, supported by increasing consumer awareness of health and wellness [54] 4. Key Companies - Notable companies in the natural health food sector include West麦食品, 十月稻田, and 五谷磨坊, which are positioned for rapid growth due to their innovative products and market strategies [61] - In the nutritional health food sector, companies like 汤臣倍健 and 仙乐健康 are highlighted for their strong market presence and growth potential [61]

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific industry rating but emphasizes a positive outlook for the food and beverage sector based on the central economic work conference's focus on domestic demand and consumption opportunities [5][6]. Core Insights - The central economic work conference highlighted the importance of domestic demand, aiming to boost consumption through various initiatives, including income distribution reforms and the removal of unreasonable consumption restrictions, which is expected to benefit the food and beverage sector [6][7]. - The report suggests that the food and beverage industry could see structural opportunities in 2026, driven by high-growth companies and favorable policy directions [7]. Sub-industry Ratings - No specific ratings are provided for sub-industries such as liquor, beverages, and food [3]. - Recommended companies include: - Guizhou Moutai: Buy - Shanxi Fenjiu: Hold - Guming: Buy - Mixue Group: Hold - Ximai Food: Buy - Dongpeng Beverage: Buy - Wancheng Group: Buy - Pop Mart: Buy - Yanjing Beer: Hold - Dashihua: Buy [3][11]. Recommended Companies and Earnings Forecast - The report includes earnings forecasts for recommended companies, indicating expected growth in EPS from 2024 to 2027 for each company, with Guizhou Moutai projected to have an EPS of 80.79 in 2027 [11].

Core Viewpoint - Ximai Food (002956) reported that as of December 10, 2025, the number of shareholders is 11,365 [1] Summary by Category - **Company Information** - Ximai Food has a total of 11,365 shareholders as of the specified date [1]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" (maintained) [2] Core Insights - Short-term price fluctuations do not alter long-term value; new products from Ximai are building a second growth curve [5] - The food and beverage index declined by 1.9%, ranking 26th among 28 sectors, underperforming the CSI 300 by approximately 3.2 percentage points [13][15] - Moutai's recent price decline is attributed to increased shipments in Q4 and promotional activities on e-commerce platforms, indicating a temporary supply-demand adjustment rather than a fundamental change in brand strength [5][13] - The white liquor sector is currently at a dual bottom in valuation and expectations, with opportunities for strategic positioning as industry reforms deepen [5][13] Market Performance - The food and beverage sector underperformed the market, with a 1.9% decline, while sub-sectors like processed foods (+1.5%), beer (+1.2%), and soft drinks (+0.4%) showed relative strength [15][17] - Notable individual stock performances included Anji Food, Hai Xin Food, and Xi Wang Food showing gains, while Yantang Dairy, Ximai Food, and Richen Co. experienced declines [15][17] Upstream Data - Recent data indicates a decline in some upstream raw material prices, with whole milk powder auction prices down 15.6% year-on-year, and fresh milk prices down 3.2% year-on-year [18][19] - Pork prices have also seen significant declines, with a year-on-year drop of 24.1% [22][23] Company Focus - Ximai Food's new health-oriented powder products have performed well in initial sales, with plans for nationwide expansion starting in 2026 [6][14] - The company is also launching weight control products aimed at improving gut health and stabilizing blood sugar levels, indicating a strong growth trajectory in the health sector [6][14] Recommended Stocks - Recommended stocks include Guizhou Moutai, Shanxi Fenjiu, Ximai Food, Weilong Delicious, and Bai Run Co. [7] - Guizhou Moutai is expected to deepen its reform process and focus on sustainable development despite short-term demand pressures [7] - Shanxi Fenjiu is positioned for medium-term growth with a focus on product structure upgrades and national expansion [7]

Core Insights - The report from Huatai Securities indicates that the essential consumer sector has entered a favorable left-side layout window, with expectations for a mild recovery in consumption in the second half of 2026 due to stabilizing real estate prices, increased policy stimulus, and the recovery of household balance sheets [1][2]. Industry Overview - The essential consumer sector is currently at historical low valuation levels and public fund allocation ratios, providing a high safety margin and potential upside for investors [1][2]. - Some sub-industries are showing signs of bottoming out, with leading companies shifting focus from price wars to product innovation and adapting to channel changes [1][2][6]. - Structural changes such as the rebalancing of raw milk cycles, recovery in restaurant demand, and stricter regulations on zero additives are optimizing the competitive landscape of the industry [1][2]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends four categories of stocks: 1. Cyclical high-upside stocks, including Gujing Gongjiu, Luzhou Laojiao, China Resources Beer, Qingdao Beer, Haitian Flavoring, Anjuke Food, and Qianhe Flavoring [2][7]. 2. Companies at fundamental turning points, such as Mengniu Dairy and Master Kong [2][7]. 3. High-dividend blue-chip leaders like Yili and Shuanghui Development [2][7]. 4. Small but promising growth stocks, including Ximai Food, Baoli Food, and Yanjinpuzi [2][7]. Market Trends - The report emphasizes a three-stage market strategy from expectation recovery to performance realization for 2026 [2]. - The essential consumer sector is expected to see a gradual improvement in retail sales growth, projected to reach 4.8% in 2026 [25]. - The consumer confidence index has shown some recovery but remains in a low range, indicating cautious consumer sentiment [26]. Sub-Industry Insights - Specific sub-industries are highlighted: 1. Frozen food is showing signs of bottoming out, with expectations for a reduction in price wars in 2026 [6][10]. 2. The dairy sector is anticipated to see a rebalancing of the raw milk cycle, enhancing domestic substitution logic [6][10]. 3. The beer industry is expected to maintain profit resilience due to rational competition and a diminishing demand dividend [6][10]. 4. Traditional condiment leaders are actively adjusting strategies to capture market share [6][10]. Conclusion - The essential consumer sector is positioned for a potential recovery, with various sub-industries adapting to market changes and focusing on innovation and strategic adjustments to enhance competitiveness [1][2][6].

Group 1: Snack Food Industry - Qiaqia Food achieved steady revenue growth in October, but nut category volume contracted in November due to the timing of the Spring Festival, while the sunflower seed category continued to grow. The main focus for future product development will be on nuts, including single nuts and flavored nuts, with increased promotion and distribution efforts. New products in the pipeline include konjac, peanut fruit, potato chips, and nut milk, indicating a stronger push for category expansion compared to the past [4] - Ximai Food's sales performance in Q4 2025 is strong, continuing the trend from the previous three quarters. The company aims to maintain steady revenue growth in its oatmeal business for 2026, with new health products expected to contribute additional revenue. The online sales of new health products launched in late November are performing well, and the company plans to continue channel expansion [4] - Wancheng Group is focusing on improving store quality while controlling the speed of new store openings. The performance of same-store sales has improved compared to H1 2025, and the company plans to accelerate store openings in 2026. The company is also experimenting with new product categories in different city tiers, including short shelf-life products and daily necessities [4] Group 2: Food Supply Chain - Anjijia Food reports continued improvement in operations, with reduced price competition in the frozen food industry. The company has seen improved downstream restaurant demand and has maintained low promotional efforts, resulting in lower inventory levels among distributors. The focus has shifted from channel-driven to new product-driven strategies, with notable sales growth in new products like shrimp slices [5][6] - The company is also expanding into frozen baking and halal food sectors, indicating a diversification of its product offerings. The channel strategy has evolved from fully embracing customization to a more controlled approach, enhancing operational efficiency [6]

Core Viewpoint - Ximai Food's stock price has shown a significant increase of 51.37% year-to-date, indicating strong market performance despite a recent slight decline of 2.07% in intraday trading [2]. Company Overview - Ximai Food, established on August 1, 2001, and listed on June 19, 2019, is located in the High-tech Development Zone of Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The company specializes in the research, production, and sales of oat-based food products [2]. - The revenue composition of Ximai Food includes: composite oat flakes (48.38%), pure oat flakes (36.62%), cold oat products (7.52%), and others (4.04%) [2]. Financial Performance - For the period from January to September 2025, Ximai Food achieved a revenue of 1.696 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 18.34%. The net profit attributable to the parent company was 132 million yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 21.90% [2]. - Since its A-share listing, Ximai Food has distributed a total of 470 million yuan in dividends, with 222 million yuan distributed over the past three years [3]. Shareholder Information - As of September 30, 2025, the number of shareholders for Ximai Food reached 11,800, an increase of 7.63% from the previous period. The average circulating shares per person decreased by 7.09% to 18,980 shares [2]. - Notable institutional holdings include Baodao Huitai Preferred Mixed A (016840) as the fifth largest shareholder with 4.204 million shares, an increase of 602,600 shares from the previous period [3].

Macro Economic Overview - Manufacturing and construction sectors show signs of low-level recovery, while the service sector is weakening, as indicated by the November PMI data [3][5] - The PMI for manufacturing increased by 0.3 percentage points to 50.0%, with improvements in new orders and export orders [3][4] - The construction PMI improved by 0.5 percentage points to 49.6%, supported by the acceleration of special bond issuance [5][6] Corporate Profit Trends - In the first ten months of 2025, the cumulative profit of large-scale industrial enterprises increased by 1.9% year-on-year, down from 3.2% [8][9] - October saw a significant decline in profits, with a year-on-year drop of 5.5%, attributed to a high base effect and rising costs [9][10] - The profit structure indicates a shift, with midstream profits increasing while upstream profits are declining [11][41] Investment Strategies - The report suggests early positioning for the upcoming spring market rally, with December being a crucial macroeconomic window [14][15] - Growth style is expected to continue, with a focus on technology and cyclical sectors [19][27] - The report highlights the potential of small-cap stocks, particularly in a liquidity-rich environment [18][22] Sector-Specific Insights - The real estate sector is seeing a shift towards infrastructure REITs, with a notable performance in affordable housing REITs [3][5] - The coal mining sector is experiencing price stability, with coal prices expected to remain firm [3][5] - The pharmaceutical sector is advancing rapidly in clinical trials for PD-1/VEGF dual antibodies, with four candidates entering registration trials [3][5] ETF and Index Performance - The report discusses the core investment value of the China Securities 2000 Enhanced Strategy ETF, emphasizing its growth potential and resilience [20][21] - The index is characterized by high growth and elasticity, particularly benefiting from liquidity easing and stimulus policies [21][22] Financial Engineering and Asset Allocation - The report recommends a multi-asset allocation strategy favoring short-term bonds, undervalued convertible bonds, and gold assets [55][56] - The bond market is expected to experience upward pressure on yields, with a shift in asset allocation from safe-haven assets to risk assets [43][48]

Group 1: Economic Indicators and Consumer Trends - The CPI in October showed a slight improvement, with a year-on-year increase of 0.2% and a month-on-month increase of 0.2%, indicating a potential recovery trend that may continue into the first half of next year [6][10] - The retail sales of consumer goods in October reached 46,291 billion yuan, growing by 2.93% year-on-year, with significant improvements in essential consumption categories such as food and beverages [10] - The restaurant sector saw a monthly revenue of 5,199 billion yuan in October, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3.8%, driven by the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays [10] Group 2: Frozen and Food Supply Industry - The frozen food and catering industry is witnessing a shift from price wars to product innovation and channel development, with companies focusing on quality and service rather than just price competition [11] - Major players like Anjiyuan and Qianwei Central Kitchen are transitioning their strategies to emphasize product quality and operational efficiency, leading to improved profitability [11][15] - The industry is entering a "hard strength reshuffle period," where companies are expected to enhance their product offerings and service capabilities to maintain competitiveness [11] Group 3: Snack Food Sector - The snack food sector is experiencing a weak recovery, with a clear differentiation in growth among brands and channels, driven by strategic adjustments and product innovations [33][34] - The emergence of the konjac category as a significant growth driver, with market potential expected to reach 300 billion yuan by 2025, indicates a strong consumer demand for healthy snacks [34][40] - Companies like Yummy Foods and Salted Fish are leveraging their core products and channel strategies to achieve substantial growth, with a focus on high-margin products and efficient cost management [34][42] Group 4: Specific Company Strategies - Anjiyuan is focusing on high-margin products and channel expansion, with significant growth in its core offerings like volcanic stone grilled sausages and high-end dumplings [12][13] - Qianwei Central Kitchen is seeing improvements in its direct sales and distribution channels, with a focus on enhancing profitability through strategic adjustments in customer structure and resource allocation [15][18] - Salted Fish is capitalizing on the konjac trend and optimizing its product mix to improve profitability, with a strong emphasis on high-margin products and efficient channel management [40][41]