First(SH:603806) Zheng Quan Zhi Xing·2025-07-11 02:56Core Viewpoint - Foster, a leading photovoltaic film manufacturer, has announced a significant reduction in its expected net profit for the first half of 2025, primarily due to supply-demand imbalances and price pressures in the photovoltaic industry, leading to a nearly 50% decline in net profit compared to the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company expects to achieve a net profit of 473 million yuan for the first half of 2025, a decrease of 455 million yuan or 49.05% year-on-year; the non-net profit is projected at 426 million yuan, down 473 million yuan or 52.65% year-on-year [2]. - In Q2 2025, the estimated net profit is approximately 71.97 million yuan, representing an 82% decline year-on-year, while the non-net profit is about 48.13 million yuan, down 87% year-on-year [3]. Business Segments - Foster's core business is focused on photovoltaic materials, particularly photovoltaic films, which accounted for over 90% of its revenue in 2024. The company also has divisions for electronic materials and functional films [3]. - The average selling price of photovoltaic films decreased significantly, leading to a 14.54% decline in revenue to 17.504 billion yuan in 2024, despite an increase in sales volume [3][4]. Market Dynamics - The photovoltaic industry is experiencing overcapacity and intensified competition, resulting in decreased prices for raw materials and products, which has negatively impacted revenue and gross margins [3][4]. - The company anticipates that the surge in photovoltaic installations in early 2025 may lead to uncertainty in market demand for the second half of the year, as the rapid installation may have exhausted some of the demand [5][6]. Strategic Initiatives - To counteract the challenges in the domestic market, Foster is accelerating its overseas capacity expansion, particularly in emerging markets such as India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, where solar energy is becoming increasingly cost-effective [6]. - The company is also focusing on developing its electronic materials segment, which includes products like photosensitive dry film and flexible copper-clad laminate (FCCL), with plans to increase its market share from 10% to 20-30% [7][8].