Hillstone Networks(SH:688030) Zheng Quan Zhi Xing·2025-05-28 10:59Core Viewpoint - The credit rating agency has downgraded the long-term credit rating of the company to A and the rating of its convertible bonds to A, with a negative outlook due to ongoing financial losses and high research and development expenditures [1][4][6]. Company Overview - The company, established in July 2011, focuses on boundary security, cloud security, and other security services, with a registered capital of 135 million yuan [11]. - As of March 2025, the company has a total asset of 1.892 billion yuan and equity of 848 million yuan, with a total revenue of 158 million yuan in Q1 2025 [11][12]. Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved a total revenue of 997 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 10.6% [6][9]. - The company reported a total loss of 144 million yuan in 2024, with a continuous decline in cash flow and increasing accounts receivable, which grew by 21.28% to 962 million yuan [7][9][10]. - The company’s operating cash flow was negative at -90 million yuan in 2024, indicating a lack of effective coverage for short-term debts [9][10]. Market Position - The company ranks fourth in the Unified Threat Management (UTM) market in China and second in the internet industry according to IDC data [6][19]. - The company has a high customer concentration, with the top five customers accounting for 79.82% of total revenue in 2024, which poses a risk of overdue payments [9][10]. Research and Development - The company maintains a strong capability in independent design and development of software and hardware, with R&D expenses constituting approximately 36.1% of total revenue in 2024 [20]. - The company has successfully tested its ASIC security chip, which is expected to enhance its product offerings [20]. Industry Analysis - The global cybersecurity market is projected to reach 216.8 billion USD in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 12.3% [14]. - The domestic cybersecurity hardware market is expected to decline by 6.5% in 2024, while the software market is anticipated to grow by 5.1% [14][15]. - The industry is undergoing a transition from compliance-driven to value-driven, with increasing demand for data security solutions [18]. Organizational Changes - The company has undergone significant changes in its management team, with the chairman and several senior executives leaving and new appointments made in February 2025 [21]. - The company is optimizing its organizational structure and marketing system, which has led to improved operational efficiency [21].