Qi An Xin Technology (SH:688561)2025-04-29 16:00Financial Performance - The company reported a net loss of CNY 1.377 billion for 2024, with a net profit attributable to shareholders of CNY -1.379 billion, and a net profit of CNY -1.612 billion after deducting non-recurring gains and losses [3]. - Revenue for 2024 was CNY 4.349 billion, representing a year-on-year decline of 32.49% [4]. - Cumulative undistributed profits reached CNY -4.303 billion as of December 31, 2024 [3]. - The company's operating revenue for 2024 was approximately RMB 4.35 billion, a decrease of 32.49% compared to RMB 6.44 billion in 2023 [23]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders for 2024 was a loss of approximately RMB 1.38 billion, compared to a profit of RMB 71.75 million in 2023, representing a decrease of 2,022.46% [23]. - The company's total assets decreased by 8.60% to approximately RMB 14.87 billion at the end of 2024, down from RMB 16.27 billion at the end of 2023 [23]. - The net assets attributable to shareholders decreased by 13.72% to approximately RMB 8.77 billion at the end of 2024, compared to RMB 10.16 billion at the end of 2023 [23]. - The basic earnings per share for 2024 was -RMB 2.02, a decrease of 2,120.00% from RMB 0.10 in 2023 [24]. - The weighted average return on net assets for 2024 was -14.55%, a decrease of 15.26 percentage points from 0.71% in 2023 [24]. Cash Flow and Management - The company emphasized a "cash flow first" strategy, achieving the best operating cash flow since its listing, despite significant losses [3]. - The net cash flow from operating activities improved to a negative RMB 341.66 million in 2024, compared to a negative RMB 777.87 million in 2023 [23]. - The cash collection ratio for the year was 109.40%, an increase of 26.04 percentage points year-on-year, with average sales collection per employee rising to CNY 628,500, up 9.46% [37]. - The company faces risks related to significant performance declines, financial strain from high R&D costs, and potential cash flow issues due to increasing accounts receivable [4][5][7]. - The company emphasized cash flow management to improve project payment quality amid declining revenue and gross margins [25]. Research and Development - The company is focusing on R&D in core cybersecurity technologies and has begun to implement AI in its product lines to enhance efficiency [3]. - The R&D expenditure as a percentage of operating revenue increased to 32.45% in 2024, up by 9.39 percentage points from 23.06% in 2023 [24]. - The total R&D investment for the year was approximately ¥1.41 billion, a decrease of 4.99% compared to the previous year, while the proportion of R&D investment to operating income increased by 9.39 percentage points to 32.45% [125][126]. - The company has developed eight core R&D platforms to enhance efficiency and reduce development costs, addressing issues of high costs and long cycles [142]. - The company has launched AI-assisted programming tools, such as "Qi Anxin CodeGen," which have become essential for R&D personnel [142]. Market Challenges and Strategies - The company acknowledges the uncertainty of returning to profitability in the short term due to ongoing investments in R&D and services [3]. - The company faces challenges due to macroeconomic fluctuations, leading to a reduction in IT budgets and delays in new cybersecurity project implementations [25]. - The company is committed to investing in product development, market promotion, and sales to mitigate risks associated with declining revenue and profitability [4]. - The company plans to avoid cash dividends, stock bonuses, or capital reserve transfers for the 2024 profit distribution [9]. - The company aims to enhance cash flow and expense management while targeting steady revenue growth and maintaining leadership in the cybersecurity industry by focusing on core products and customers, improving distributor effectiveness, and expanding into overseas markets [45]. Product Development and Innovation - The company has integrated its product line into four major platforms: cloud and big data security, endpoint security, boundary security, and security operations, focusing on practical application, AI integration, platform development, and service-oriented products [39]. - The company has implemented AI technologies across its product lines, with an 80% usage rate of AI code assistants among R&D personnel by the end of Q1 2025 [40]. - The company plans to launch the "AI+ Code Guardian" product in February 2025, marking a significant advancement in AI-driven security development in the financial sector [40]. - The company has developed a comprehensive security technology framework based on the "endogenous security" concept, achieving numerous core security capabilities across new IT scenarios, including endpoint security detection and response, next-generation security engines, and advanced threat detection [84]. - The company has launched multiple new products in 2024, including the Industrial Security Isolation and Information Exchange System V1.0, which supports deep parsing of industrial protocols and is suitable for various industrial sectors [117]. Competitive Position and Recognition - The company has achieved recognition as the top competitor in the Chinese cybersecurity industry for four consecutive years and has received multiple awards for its contributions to technology and innovation [42]. - The company has been ranked first in the "Top 50 Competitiveness of China's Cybersecurity Industry" for four consecutive years by CCIA [60]. - The company has maintained its position as the number one provider in the endpoint security software market for seven consecutive years, and in the security analysis and intelligence market for five consecutive years [60]. - The company was recognized as a representative vendor in the field of attack surface management (ASM) by Gartner in July 2024 [65]. - The company achieved significant recognition in 2023, being named the top cybersecurity enterprise in China and receiving multiple awards for its innovative products and contributions to the industry [73]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates continued growth driven by the ongoing digital transformation and the increasing adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) in cybersecurity, reshaping defense strategies [74]. - Future guidance indicates a projected revenue growth of 15% for the next fiscal year, driven by new product launches and market expansion efforts [136]. - The company aims to achieve steady year-on-year growth in revenue and profit in 2025, while significantly improving operating cash flow [198]. - The company is focusing on expanding its market presence through innovative product development and strategic partnerships [129]. - The company is targeting the expansion of its global business to achieve growth in international markets [197].