香港中华煤气(00003) - 2023 - 中期财报

Financial Performance - The group's unaudited net profit after tax for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was HKD 3.614 billion, an increase of HKD 237 million or 7% compared to the same period last year[11]. - The group's revenue, excluding fuel adjustment costs, was HKD 28.603 billion, a slight decrease from HKD 29.032 billion in the previous year[12]. - The after-tax profit attributable to shareholders for the first half of the year was HKD 1.115 billion, an increase of approximately 7.1% compared to the same period last year[22]. - The company reported a total comprehensive income of HKD 1,595.6 million for the period, significantly higher than HKD 778.0 million in 2022[28]. - The net profit for the period was HKD 4,319.5 million, representing an increase of 6.5% compared to HKD 4,056.5 million in 2022[28]. - The company's revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was HKD 29,177.6 million, a decrease of 1.8% from HKD 29,721.0 million in 2022[27]. - The total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was HKD 27,902.1 million, compared to HKD 29,721.0 million for the same period in 2022, representing a decrease of approximately 6.1%[47]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was HKD 6,680.6 million, down from HKD 6,522.7 million in 2022, indicating a slight increase of 2.4%[48]. Customer and Market Growth - The number of customers in Hong Kong reached 2,005,023, an increase of 9,941 customers compared to the end of 2022[13]. - The total gas sales volume in Hong Kong for the first half of 2023 was 14,966 million megajoules, a marginal increase of 0.6% year-on-year[13]. - The group's gas sales volume in mainland China increased to 17,454 million cubic meters, up from 16,057 million cubic meters in the previous year[12]. - The total gas sales volume for the utility business was approximately 17.5 billion cubic meters, an increase of 8.7% compared to the same period last year[15]. - The number of gas customers in mainland China increased to over 38.56 million, a growth of 7.1% year-on-year[15]. Strategic Initiatives and Business Development - The group maintained its strategy for zero carbon emissions and underwent a strategic business restructuring during the period[11]. - The group established a gas supply business segment, enhancing procurement, distribution, and storage capabilities, with total gas storage capacity nearing 400 million cubic meters after the commissioning of two new wells[16]. - The group is advancing renewable energy initiatives, focusing on hydrogen, energy storage, and smart energy, with a new research institute established in Shenzhen to foster clean energy technology[18]. - The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, actively expanding low-carbon businesses such as renewable energy and hydrogen energy[23]. - The group signed strategic cooperation agreements with government agencies in Jiangsu and Shandong to promote energy-saving initiatives in public institutions[16]. Financial Position and Assets - The company's total assets as of June 30, 2023, were HKD 130,703.9 million, down from HKD 139,758.3 million at the end of 2022[29]. - The net asset value of the company was HKD 71,618.9 million, a decrease from HKD 75,138.7 million in the previous year[30]. - The group’s total liabilities decreased to HKD 17,611.8 million as of June 30, 2023, from HKD 22,004.3 million at the end of 2022, marking a decline of approximately 20.0%[66]. - The group’s total financial assets as of June 30, 2023, amount to HKD 5,204.5 million, compared to HKD 6,853.0 million as of December 31, 2022, indicating a decrease of approximately 24%[39]. Cash Flow and Investments - Net cash from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was HKD 5,215.9 million, an increase of 17.4% from HKD 4,442.9 million in 2022[31]. - Net cash outflow from investing activities was HKD 3,987.8 million, compared to HKD 2,763.4 million in the previous year, reflecting a significant increase in investment expenditures[31]. - The group reported a cash outflow of HKD 2.066 billion from the sale of EcoCeres after accounting for cash and cash equivalents received[80]. - The group’s net cash outflow from acquisitions during the period was HKD 221.7 million[86]. Dividends and Shareholder Returns - A mid-term dividend of HKD 0.12 per share was declared for shareholders listed on the register as of August 31, 2023[24]. - The company paid dividends totaling HKD 4,291.8 million during the period, consistent with the previous year's dividend payments[32]. - The group plans to declare an interim dividend of HKD 2,239.2 million for 2023, maintaining the same level as the previous interim dividend[57]. Environmental and Social Governance - The board of directors established an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Committee on March 17, 2023, chaired by Mr. Wong Wai-yi[108]. - The group recognized a net gain of approximately HKD 4,700,000,000 from the sale of part of its equity in EcoCeres, Inc. as part of a business restructuring aimed at reducing carbon emissions[54]. Employee and Operational Efficiency - The number of employees in the Hong Kong gas business as of June 30, 2023, was 2,100, serving 2,005,023 customers, with a slight increase in productivity[93]. - The company plans to enhance customer service and operational efficiency through business innovation and digital applications, supporting gas sales in Hong Kong[25].