Financial Performance - Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, reached HK1,923,964,000,anincreaseof11.11,731,903,000 in 2022[6]. - Core medical service revenue increased by 32.9% year-on-year to HK1,904,531,000,markingarecordhighsincethecompany′slisting[13].−GrossprofitrosetoHK618,962,000, reflecting a 38.3% increase from HK447,697,000inthepreviousyear[7].−ProfitbeforeincometaxwasHK124,269,000, a significant recovery from a loss of HK11,227,000in2022[7].−NetprofitfortheyearwasHK86,335,000, compared to a loss of HK46,225,000intheprioryear[7].−Earningsbeforeinterest,taxes,depreciation,andamortization(EBITDA)increasedby52.4343,491,000 from HK225,351,000[8].−Thegrossprofitmarginimprovedto32.21,924.0 million in 2023, compared to HK1,731.9millionin2022,despiteasignificantdropinCOVID−19relatedmedicalconsumablesrevenue[33].BusinessSegments−TheGroup′sophthalmicbusinessachievedarecordrevenueofHK1.43 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 15.7%[13]. - Core medical business revenue reached HK1.9billion,ayear−on−yearincreaseof32.91.43 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 15.7%[15]. - Dental business revenue surged to HK428.1million,reflectingayear−on−yearincreaseof161.3380 million, marking a year-on-year growth of 208%[18]. - Revenue from the Mainland China ophthalmic and dental services increased by 54.9% to HK972.4millionin2023,comparedtoHK627.9 million in 2022, with a 62.8% increase in RMB terms[49]. Market Expansion and Strategy - The Group plans to establish the Aikangjian Fukang Hospital in Luohu Port, covering an area of over 10,000 sq.m., focusing on ophthalmic and dental services, with operations commencing in phases from the second half of 2024[25][26]. - The Group aims to integrate Hong Kong's medical services with Mainland China, enhancing the quality of cross-border medical services and supporting Hong Kong residents seeking medical care in the Mainland[27]. - The Group aims to establish or acquire eye hospitals and dental clinics in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and selected cities in Mainland China, leveraging favorable policies in the medical industry[112]. - The Group is actively seeking strategic partners for the development and distribution of myopia control products[115]. Operational Highlights - Shenzhen CKJ registered over 240,000 patient visits in 2023, with approximately 50% from Hong Kong[18]. - The average revenue per dental chair at Shenzhen CKJ reached HK1.75millionin2023[18].−TheGroupoperatesacomprehensiveophthalmicservicesnetworkinHongKong,includingfivedaysurgerycentresandeightsatelliteclinics,underthebrand"C−MERDennisLam"[34].−TheGroup′soperationaladjustmentsandfocusoncorebusinesssegmentshaveensuredarobustbalancesheetamidchallengingmacroeconomicconditions[35].FinancialManagement−TheGroup′sstrategyincludesprudentmanagementofworkingcapitaltomaintainahealthybalancesheetwhilefocusingoncorebusinesssegments[33].−Theincometaxexpensefor2023wasHK37.9 million, an increase of 8.3% from HK35.0millionin2022,primarilyduetohighertaxexpensesfromoperationsinMainlandChina[93].−TheGroup′screditriskislimitedascashandcashequivalentsareheldwithhigh−credit−qualityfinancialinstitutions[105].−Thecurrentratioimprovedto1.85timesasofDecember31,2023,comparedto1.63timesin2022,indicatingbettershort−termfinancialhealth[117].ShareholderReturnsandCapitalManagement−TheBoarddoesnotrecommendthepaymentofafinaldividendfortheyearendedDecember31,2023[178][181].−TheGrouphasadoptedadividendpolicyaimedatmaintainingsufficientoperatingcapitalwhileprovidingstableandsustainablereturnstoshareholders[179].−Thecompanyrepurchasedatotalof10,998,000ordinarysharesatanaggregateconsiderationofHK41,631,058 during the year[194]. - The share repurchases were intended to enhance the net asset value per share and/or earnings per share of the company[195]. Management and Governance - Dr. Lin Shun Chao, the founder and CEO, has led the company for over ten years since its establishment[146]. - The company has expanded its management team with experienced professionals in ophthalmology and healthcare management[152]. - The Group's Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Chan Wa Ping, has over 10 years of financial and accounting experience and oversees finance, compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations[172]. - The management team has a strong academic background, with members holding advanced degrees in medicine and business administration[149][152]. Risks and Compliance - Key risks include reputation risk, customer risk, regulatory risk, price risk, and talent risk, which could materially affect the Group's operations and financial condition[184][185]. - The company complied with all relevant laws and regulations in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the Cayman Islands in all material aspects during 2023[192]. - The company has established systems for environmental protection, ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations[192].