中企云链再闯IPO，毛利率超90%，现金流却堪忧

Core Viewpoint - Zhongqi Yunlian Co., Ltd. has submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking its second attempt after an initial submission in October 2023. The company focuses on supply chain financial services and has experienced growth in recent years, although it faces significant cash flow challenges [1][2][24]. Company Overview - Zhongqi Yunlian is an independent digital financial platform established in May 2015, focusing on rights confirmation and factoring services. It serves core enterprises, chain enterprises, and financial institutions [2][6]. - The company is headquartered in Tianjin and has undergone multiple changes in its shareholding structure, becoming a joint-stock company in September 2023. It currently has no controlling shareholder [7][8]. Business Model and Services - The company operates three main business segments: rights confirmation and factoring, scenario digital business, and other ecological businesses. The rights confirmation and factoring segment is the primary source of revenue, accounting for over 90% of total income [11][14]. - The user base of the Yunlian platform has grown significantly, with 230,400 users in 2022, 372,900 in 2023, and a projected 556,600 by the end of 2024 [9]. Financial Performance - Revenue for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024 is reported at RMB 652 million, RMB 879 million, and RMB 991 million, respectively. The net profit for the same years is RMB 45.7 million, RMB 151.9 million, and RMB 157.5 million [17][18]. - The gross profit margin has improved from 87.7% in 2022 to 95.9% in 2024, primarily due to a reduction in factoring service scale and increased operational efficiency [19]. Cash Flow Situation - The company experienced a significant cash outflow of over RMB 1.3 billion in 2022, with cash and cash equivalents projected to be only RMB 120 million by the end of 2024. This situation raises concerns about the company's ability to sustain operations [20][21][24]. Industry Landscape - The demand for supply chain financial services is high, particularly for small and micro enterprises facing challenges in obtaining financing due to lack of collateral and low credit ratings. Zhongqi Yunlian aims to alleviate these issues through its digital financial services [22]. - The market for digital financial platforms in China is expected to grow significantly, with cumulative financing amounts projected to reach RMB 169.7 trillion by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% from 2020 to 2024 [22][23].