恒力石化2024年报解读：研发投入大增24%，现金流净额下降3.41%

Core Insights - Hengli Petrochemical reported a revenue of 236.27 billion yuan for 2024, a slight increase of 0.63% year-on-year, indicating stable business growth despite a complex economic environment [2] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 7.04 billion yuan, reflecting a 2.01% increase from the previous year, suggesting improved profitability through effective cost control and market share expansion [3] - However, the net profit after excluding non-recurring gains and losses decreased by 13.14% to 5.21 billion yuan, highlighting potential pressures on core business performance [4] Financial Performance - Revenue growth was steady, with quarterly revenues of 58.39 billion yuan, 54.15 billion yuan, 65.23 billion yuan, and 58.51 billion yuan, showing a balanced performance throughout the year [2] - Basic earnings per share increased by 2.04% to 1.00 yuan, indicating enhanced profitability [3] - Research and development expenses rose significantly by 24.20% to 1.70 billion yuan, reflecting the company's commitment to innovation and competitiveness [4][6] Cash Flow Analysis - Operating cash flow net amount decreased by 3.41% to 22.73 billion yuan, indicating potential changes in cash collection speed or cost control [5] - Investment cash flow net amount improved significantly to -20.90 billion yuan from -38.81 billion yuan, suggesting a slowdown in fixed asset investments [5] - Financing cash flow net amount decreased by 21.11% to 7.82 billion yuan, indicating adjustments in the company's financing strategy [5] R&D and Personnel - The number of R&D personnel reached 3,779, accounting for 9.87% of the total workforce, providing a solid talent base for innovation [7] - The educational background of R&D staff includes 16 PhDs, 113 Master's degrees, and 3,650 with Bachelor's degrees or below, supporting a diverse skill set [7] Overall Assessment - Hengli Petrochemical maintained revenue and net profit growth in 2024, but the decline in net profit after excluding non-recurring items and operating cash flow warrants attention [4][5] - The significant increase in R&D investment is expected to drive future growth, while the company must navigate various risks related to macroeconomic conditions, raw material prices, and regulatory requirements [9][10][12]