Ge Long Hui·2025-09-05 19:23Core Viewpoint - China Merchants Port Holdings reported mixed results for 1H25, with revenue growth but a significant decline in net profit attributable to shareholders, primarily due to lower investment income from Shanghai International Port Group [1] Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 11.4% YoY to HK$6.46 billion, while net profit attributable to shareholders fell by 19.5% YoY to HK$3.58 billion, resulting in an EPS of HK$0.854 [1] - Operating cash flow declined YoY, mainly due to a decrease in dividends received from associate companies, but steady cash flow growth was maintained when excluding this factor [2] - Profit from the port business rose by 11.7% YoY in 1H25, and investment income from ports in which the firm holds stakes increased by 38.0% YoY [4] Operational Highlights - Container throughput at controlled terminals rose by 11.3% YoY, with overall container throughput at controlled ports growing by 4.3% YoY [2] - By region, container cargo volume at controlled terminals in the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, Bohai Rim, and overseas terminals increased by 7.8%, 5.9%, 0.1%, and 5.0% YoY, respectively [3] - Significant growth in overseas terminal throughput was noted, with container throughput at the HIPG terminal in Sri Lanka rising by 542.9% YoY [5] Cost Management - The firm's costs and expenses fell YoY in 1H25, with the gross margin increasing by 2.9 percentage points YoY to 51% and the administrative expense ratio decreasing by 0.8 percentage points YoY [4] Future Outlook - The long-term growth potential of cargo volume at overseas terminals is viewed positively, with expectations for rapid growth driven by economic development in the hinterlands of these ports [5] - The 2025 net profit forecast remains largely unchanged, with a new 2026 net profit forecast introduced at HK$7.7 billion [6] - The stock is currently trading at 8.2x 2025e and 8.0x 2026e P/E, with a target price raised by 13.8% to HK$16.5, implying a 12.8% upside [6]