Core Viewpoint - Bank of America maintains a "Buy" rating for China Hongqiao's subsidiary Shandong Hongqiao, raising the target price from HKD 26.00 to HKD 35.00 based on strong revenue and profit growth [1] Group 1: Company Performance - For the first three quarters of 2025, Shandong Hongqiao reported total revenue of CNY 116.93 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.23%, and a net profit of CNY 19.37 billion, up 23.13% year-on-year [1] - In Q3, net profit reached CNY 6.9 billion, reflecting an 18% year-on-year increase and a 14% quarter-on-quarter increase, aligning with expectations; the gross margin expanded by 3 percentage points to 26% [1] Group 2: Industry Outlook - The aluminum industry in China is expected to remain resilient in Q4 due to low inventory, stable upstream supply, and seasonal demand from the power grid, with aluminum prices slightly strengthening [2] - Current spot aluminum prices have risen above CNY 21,000 per ton, while alumina prices remain in the range of CNY 2,800–2,900 per ton, with aluminum profit margins expanding to over CNY 5,000 per ton [2] Group 3: Future Projections - Bank of America has adjusted its aluminum price forecasts, raising the 2025 expectation to CNY 20,600 per ton (+CNY 100 per ton) and the 2026 long-term forecast to CNY 21,000 per ton [2] - The bank has increased its profit forecasts for China Hongqiao for 2025-2027 by 5%-23%, projecting a net profit of CNY 26 billion for 2025 (up 17% year-on-year) and CNY 30 billion for 2026 (up 15% year-on-year) [2] Group 4: Investment Rationale - Reasons for maintaining the "Buy" rating include a constructive outlook on aluminum prices, attractive dividend yield (6%-7% under a 63% payout ratio), and the expected contribution from the Ximangdu project, which is anticipated to start production by the end of 2025 [3] - The ongoing share buyback program is expected to support the stock price, with the current target price corresponding to a 10x P/E ratio for 2026, which remains attractive compared to Chinese copper companies (12-16x) and gold companies (16-17x) [3]
美银：四季度盈利有望获支撑维持中国宏桥(01378)“买入”评级 目标价上调至35港元