前三季度净利率仅5%，北方稀土融资余额猛增

Core Viewpoint - After the disclosure of the third-quarter report on October 27, the stock price of Northern Rare Earth (600111) fell by 4.2% again, indicating market concerns over its profitability and growth potential [3][7]. Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Northern Rare Earth achieved revenue of 30.29 billion yuan and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.541 billion yuan, resulting in a net profit margin of approximately 5.1% [3][10]. - The company's net profit growth rate for the first three quarters was 280.27%, a significant decline from the 1951.52% reported in the first half of the year [4][10]. - The company's net profits for the first three quarters were 431 million yuan, 501 million yuan, and 610 million yuan, showing a sequential increase [13]. Market Conditions - Domestic rare earth prices have significantly declined entering the fourth quarter, while the price of rare earth concentrate increased by 37% compared to the third quarter, creating dual pressure on profitability [5][16]. - The rare earth price index saw a notable increase in July and August, reaching a peak of 233 points, but has since dropped nearly 10% in October [11][16]. Cost and Profitability Challenges - The operating costs for the third quarter increased by 33.75%, outpacing the revenue growth of 33.32%, indicating rising cost pressures [15]. - The price of rare earth concentrate is expected to rise to 26,200 yuan per ton in the fourth quarter, which could further elevate cost levels [15]. Financing and Market Sentiment - As of October 27, the financing balance for Northern Rare Earth reached 8.77 billion yuan, marking a significant increase of over 700 million yuan from the previous day [6][24]. - The financing balance has seen a 202% increase from 3.024 billion yuan at the end of June to 9.134 billion yuan by August 28, indicating high leverage in the stock [24]. - Historical data shows that after reaching high financing balances, the stock price of Northern Rare Earth has experienced corrections of around 20% [6][24]. Valuation and Market Expectations - Despite a strong performance in the first half of the year, the company's profit margins remain low compared to other materials sectors, with a net profit margin of just over 5% compared to 46.8% for competitors like Sichuan Gold [20][21]. - Market expectations for Northern Rare Earth's profitability have been high, with some institutions predicting annual profits exceeding 3 billion yuan, which may be challenging to achieve given current market conditions [17][19].