HLGF(SH:600346) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-08-24 12:29Core Viewpoint - Hengli Petrochemical reported a decline in revenue and net profit for the first half of 2025, with a significant drop in profitability in the second quarter, indicating challenges in the refining and petrochemical industry due to falling oil prices and product prices [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company achieved revenue of 103.9 billion yuan in 1H25, a year-on-year decrease of 8% - Net profit attributable to shareholders was 3.05 billion yuan, down 24% year-on-year, with basic earnings per share of 0.43 yuan, aligning with performance forecasts - In 2Q25, net profit attributable to shareholders was 1 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 47% [1] - The company received government subsidies of 800 million yuan in 1H25, an increase of 230 million yuan year-on-year, while the non-recurring net profit was 2.3 billion yuan, down 35% year-on-year [1] - Inventory impairment losses amounted to 790 million yuan, primarily due to falling oil and refining product prices [1] - Operating cash flow increased by 55% year-on-year to 19.5 billion yuan [1] Industry Trends - The refining sector experienced a decline in profitability in 2Q25, attributed to a 9 USD/barrel decrease in crude oil prices, impacting raw material inventory for refining companies [2] - Aromatics profitability decreased, with the PX price spread down 40% year-on-year to 192 USD/ton, and pure benzene price spread down 49% quarter-on-quarter to 201 USD/ton, driven by weak oil prices and increased production from refineries [2] - PTA margins remained low, with gross profit of 1.1 billion yuan in 1H25, maintaining a unit gross profit of 134 yuan/ton [2] - The company’s new materials project in Nantong has begun trial production, with full production expected by August, leading to a reduction in capital expenditure to 3.8 billion yuan in 1H25, down 30% year-on-year [2] Cost Management - Coal prices decreased by 20% year-on-year to 567 yuan/ton in 1H25, with the company consuming approximately 18 million tons of coal annually; a 100-150 yuan/ton drop in coal prices could save costs by 1.8-2.7 billion yuan [2] Market Outlook - The trend of reducing inefficient capacity is expected to enhance the value of existing assets, with China planning to eliminate smaller, outdated refining facilities and South Korea restructuring its petrochemical industry with a 25% reduction in production [3] - The slowdown in new refining capacity under the anti-involution trend may lead to a recovery in the share of quality capacity and an improvement in olefin profitability [3] Profit Forecast and Valuation - Due to the weakened profitability in aromatics, the company has lowered its 2025 net profit forecast by 8% to 6.76 billion yuan, while maintaining the 2026 profit forecast [4] - The current stock price corresponds to a P/E ratio of 18x for 2025 and 16x for 2026, with an 11% increase in the target price to 17.8 yuan, reflecting a potential upside of 4.1% from the current stock price [4]