Juewei Food (SH:603517) Xin Lang Zheng Quan·2025-07-02 03:54Core Viewpoint - Recently, Juewei Foods announced the extension of the duration of its private equity funds, indicating challenges in its investment strategy and overall financial performance [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Extensions - Juewei Foods announced the extension of the Hunan 415 Private Equity Fund's duration by one year, changing the term from July 10, 2018, to July 9, 2026 [2]. - The Hunan 415 Fund was established in July 2018 with a total capital of 300 million yuan, with Juewei's subsidiary holding 99% of the equity [2]. - The extension is based on a comprehensive assessment of the capital market environment and investment project conditions, with no significant impact on the company's current performance [2]. Group 2: Investment Performance - Juewei Foods has faced negative net investment income for four out of the last five years, totaling a loss of 246 million yuan [4]. - The company has continuously experienced cash outflows from investment activities, amounting to 6.509 billion yuan over eight years, which has affected its dividend payout ratio [3][4]. - In 2024, Juewei Foods is projected to have a net investment loss of 160 million yuan, an increase of 44 million yuan compared to 2023 [1]. Group 3: Sales and Profitability Challenges - Juewei Foods reported a 13.84% decline in revenue for 2024, totaling 6.257 billion yuan, with a further 11.47% drop in the first quarter [5]. - The company has been closing stores, with a reported reduction of 981 stores in the first half of 2024, leading to concerns about brand aging and market competitiveness [5][6]. - The net profit has significantly decreased from 981 million yuan in 2022 to an estimated 227 million yuan in 2024, reflecting ongoing operational challenges [5][6]. Group 4: Strategic Concerns - The company's investment strategy has not effectively diversified risk, instead introducing new risks and lowering shareholder returns [4]. - Juewei Foods' management has acknowledged the need to adapt to new consumer demands and enhance multi-category and omni-channel development [6][7]. - The decline in net profit margin, which has dropped from over 10% before 2021 to around 3% recently, is attributed to declining sales, rising costs, and investment losses [6][7].