Financial Performance - For the year ended December 31, 2024, the revenue decreased by 14% to HK$5,057 million compared to HK$5,891 million in 2023[20] - Gross profit for the same period fell by 25% to HK$2,588 million, with a gross profit margin of 51%, down from 59% in 2023[20] - Profit attributable to owners of the Company decreased by 21% to HK$1,494 million, compared to HK$1,889 million in 2023[20] - EBITDA for 2024 was HK$3,088 million, reflecting a 21% decline from HK$3,924 million in 2023[20] - The Group's net profit for 2024 was HK$1.81 billion, with net profit attributable to shareholders amounting to HK$1.49 billion, a decrease of 21% from the previous year[57] - Basic earnings per share decreased to HK30.12 cents, down approximately 20% YoY, consistent with the decrease in profit attributable to the owners[86] - The Group's net profit for the year was approximately HK$1,815 million, a decrease of approximately 21% YoY, primarily due to a drop in gross profit by approximately HK$878 million or 25% YoY[81] Assets and Liquidity - The total assets as of December 31, 2024, increased by 2% to HK$22,949 million from HK$22,492 million in 2023[22] - Cash and cash equivalents rose by 16% to HK$9,181 million, up from HK$7,945 million in 2023[22] - The current ratio improved by 7% to 4.25 times in 2024, compared to 3.97 times in 2023[22] - The Group maintained a healthy financial position with free bank balances and cash of approximately HK$9,181 million as of 31 December 2024, an increase from HK$7,945 million in the previous year[88] - The Group's current ratio was approximately 4.25 times, with cash and bank deposits totaling approximately HK$10.118 billion as of December 31, 2024[138] - The Group's free cash resources increased by 15% to approximately HK$9.196 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared to approximately HK$8.032 billion as of December 31, 2023[139] Production and Sales - For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Group produced approximately 4.96 million tonnes of raw coking coal, a year-on-year decrease of 6% from 5.25 million tonnes in 2023[70] - The production of clean coking coal was approximately 3.16 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year decrease of 3% from 3.25 million tonnes in 2023[70] - The sales volume of clean coking coal increased by 1% year-on-year, with both 2024 and 2023 fiscal years accounting for 100% of the Group's revenue[74] - The average selling price of clean coking coal decreased by 14% to RMB1,666 per tonne[57] - The average realized selling price of clean coking coal decreased by 14% year-on-year to RMB 1,666 per tonne, down from RMB 1,932 per tonne in 2023[75] - The sales volume of low-sulfur clean coking coal dropped significantly by 95% year-on-year, while medium-high sulfur clean coking coal accounted for 99% of total clean coking coal sales volume[75] Market Conditions - The coking coal market faced weak demand and loose supply conditions in FY 2024, leading to a decline in coal prices to the lowest levels in four years, negatively impacting financial performance[168] - Coking coal prices showed a volatile downward trend, particularly in the latter half of the year, due to sluggish steel demand and low inventory strategies adopted by steel companies[183] - The steel industry achieved a 22.7% year-on-year export growth, helping to mitigate domestic demand shortfalls[182] - China's crude steel output in 2024 was 1.005 billion tonnes, a 1.7% year-on-year decline, while pig iron production fell to 852 million tonnes, down 2.3%[53] - The average selling price of clean coking coal was RMB 1,666 per tonne, down 14% from RMB 1,932 per tonne in the previous year[78] Strategic Initiatives - The Group aims to enhance production management and cost control while increasing production capacity and resources through acquisitions to improve profitability[177] - The Group plans to accelerate the construction of intelligent coal mines and explore innovative applications of AI technology in coal production and operations[64] - The Group aims to deepen strategic initiatives, including technological upgrades, digital management, and smart mine construction to improve production and safety standards[189] - The company plans to shift its production focus from hard coking coal to semi-hard coking coal starting in 2024[37] Dividends and Shareholder Returns - The proposed final dividend per share for 2024 is HK$21.0 cents, an increase of 7% from HK$18.0 cents in 2023[20] - The Group paid total cash dividends of approximately HK$1,396 million during the year, down from approximately HK$2,031 million in the previous year[88] - The Group has proposed a final dividend of 21 Hong Kong cents per ordinary share for 2024, reflecting its commitment to providing stable returns to shareholders[66] Economic Environment - The Chinese economy achieved a GDP growth target of 5.0% in 2024, supported by proactive fiscal and monetary policies[50] - The global economic environment remains challenging, with rising protectionism and tariff barriers likely to depress overall demand in the steel industry[184] - The Chinese government has set a GDP growth target of 5% for 2025, with plans to expand local government special bonds to CNY 4.4 trillion, focusing on infrastructure and resolving local government debts[187] Compliance and Governance - The company has complied with relevant laws and regulations in both the PRC and Hong Kong throughout the reporting period[164] - The Group emphasizes its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibilities, reflecting its proactive performance in sustainable development[194] - The company was rated Grade A in the "2024 Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listed Companies Energy Sector ESG Performance TOP 10," ranking sixth overall[154]
首钢资源(00639) - 2024 - 年度财报