Core Viewpoint - China Feihe's performance forecast reveals significant challenges in the domestic milk powder industry, with expected revenue and net profit declines indicating a broader industry crisis [5][6][8] Company Summary - China Feihe anticipates a revenue of approximately 9.1 to 9.3 billion yuan for the first half of the year, representing a year-on-year decline of 7.87% to 9.86% [5] - The company's net profit is projected to be around 1 to 1.2 billion yuan, down 37.17% to 47.64% year-on-year, marking the lowest performance in five years [5] - Following the announcement, Feihe's stock price dropped over 18% at one point, closing down 17.02%, resulting in a market value loss of nearly 8.8 billion HKD in a single day [5] - To restore market confidence, Feihe announced a share buyback plan of at least 1 billion yuan, aiming to repurchase up to 10% of its total shares [5][6] Industry Summary - The decline in Feihe's performance highlights a systemic issue within the domestic milk powder industry, exacerbated by low birth rates and intense competition [6][12] - The industry is grappling with a price war initiated by various companies offering substantial subsidies to consumers, which has led to revenue declines across the sector [8][10] - High inventory levels remain a significant challenge, with Feihe's inventory valued at 2.154 billion yuan and a turnover period of 114 days, indicating a broader issue of excess stock across the industry [10] - The milk powder market has seen a contraction, with industry scale declining by 5% and 10% in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as a result of falling birth rates [12][14] - Companies are shifting focus towards high-end products, with the high-end market segment holding a 56.4% share of the domestic infant formula market, despite overall market contraction [14][16] Competitive Landscape - The competition is evolving from quantity-based growth to value-based competition, with companies focusing on precise nutritional offerings and technological advancements [16][18] - Major players are investing in adult nutrition products and exploring international markets to mitigate the impact of declining birth rates domestically [18] - The future success of domestic milk powder companies hinges on their ability to innovate and differentiate their products beyond reliance on birth rate fluctuations [18]
中国飞鹤中报业绩预降 | 国产奶粉行业乍暖还寒