Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-11-09 22:42Core Viewpoint - The domestic oil giants, referred to as the "Three Oil Companies" (China National Petroleum Corporation, Sinopec, and CNOOC), are facing profit pressures due to fluctuating international oil prices, but they are responding to transformation and change in different ways [1][4]. Group 1: International Oil Price Trends - International oil prices have generally declined, with Brent crude oil averaging $70.93 per barrel, down 14.3% year-on-year, and West Texas Intermediate crude oil down 14.1% [3]. - The drop in oil prices has significantly impacted corporate profits, akin to an invisible constraint on their earnings [3]. Group 2: Financial Performance of the "Three Oil Companies" - China National Petroleum Corporation reported a profit of 126.29 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 4.9% [4]. - Sinopec's profit was 29.98 billion yuan, marking the most significant decline among the three [4]. - CNOOC's performance was relatively stable, with a profit of 101.97 billion yuan, down 12.6% year-on-year [4]. Group 3: Net Profit Margin Differences - CNOOC boasts a net profit margin of 32.63%, significantly higher than China National Petroleum's 5.82% and Sinopec's 1.42% [6]. - The differences in profit margins are attributed to each company's unique business structure, which influences their risk resilience [6]. Group 4: Business Models and Challenges - CNOOC focuses on upstream exploration and production, with oil and gas sales accounting for over 80% of its total revenue, allowing it to maintain high profit margins despite price fluctuations [8]. - In contrast, China National Petroleum and Sinopec have a full industry chain layout, facing challenges from refining profitability and chemical sector pressures due to market demand and oversupply [8]. - Sinopec's chemical sector reported a loss of 7.43 billion yuan in the first three quarters, exceeding last year's losses, while China National Petroleum's chemical profits were nearly halved [8]. Group 5: Future Outlook and Strategies - Despite challenges, Sinopec remains optimistic about the chemical industry's recovery, anticipating market balance as the economy stabilizes and outdated capacities are eliminated [9]. - Both China National Petroleum and Sinopec are pursuing transformations towards higher-end refining and chemical production, which will require time and investment [9]. - The sales of refined oil products have also declined, with China National Petroleum's gasoline sales down 3.1% and Sinopec's domestic refined oil sales down 3.6% year-on-year, influenced by the rise of electric vehicles [9]. - CNOOC is utilizing futures and derivatives trading for hedging to stabilize earnings and mitigate risks from price volatility [10]. Group 6: Industry Challenges and Opportunities - The performance of the "Three Oil Companies" reflects the broader challenges and opportunities facing the oil industry amid energy transition [11]. - Traditional oil companies must actively seek new growth points to remain competitive in a rapidly changing market [11].