

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley's report indicates that Master Kong Holdings (00322) experienced a 3% year-on-year decline in revenue to 40 billion RMB, which aligns with the bank's and market expectations. However, net profit increased by 20% to 2.27 billion RMB, including a one-time gain of 211 million RMB from the disposal of a subsidiary. Excluding this one-time factor, net profit grew by 12% to 2.11 billion RMB [1] Financial Performance - Revenue for the first half of the year decreased by 3% to 40 billion RMB, meeting expectations [1] - Net profit rose by 20% to 2.27 billion RMB, with a one-time gain contributing to this figure [1] - Adjusted net profit, excluding one-time factors, increased by 12% to 2.11 billion RMB [1] - Regular operating profit grew by 13%, in line with expectations [1] - Operating profit margin expanded by 1.1 percentage points to 7.9%, driven by a gross margin increase of 1.8 percentage points [1] Segment Performance - Instant noodle business gross margin increased by 0.7 percentage points to 27.8% [1] - Beverage business gross margin improved by 2.5 percentage points to 37.7% [1] - Sales and administrative expense ratio rose by 0.8 percentage points, offsetting some of the gross margin improvements [1] Investment Rating - Morgan Stanley sets a target price of 12.6 HKD and maintains a "Market Perform" rating for Master Kong Holdings [1]