Core Viewpoint - The report from China Merchants Securities International indicates that Uni-President China (00220) experienced flat revenue in Q3, with improved gross margins due to lower raw material costs and the premiumization of instant noodles, but overall performance was dragged down by weak revenue and reduced operating leverage [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Q3 revenue remained flat, indicating a lack of growth [1] - Gross margin improved due to a decrease in raw material costs and a shift towards higher-end instant noodles [1] - The company's management reiterated a full-year sales growth target of 6-8%, which is considered difficult to achieve [1] Group 2: Valuation and Ratings - The target price was lowered by 15% from HKD 9.9 to HKD 8.4, reflecting a revised P/E ratio of 14.5 times for 2026 [1] - The downgrade in valuation multiples is attributed to the negative impact of ready-to-drink products on beverage sales, which is expected to persist until 2026 [1] - The current dividend yield of 6.5% is seen as attractive [1] - The rating remains "Neutral," but there is potential for an upgrade to "Overweight" if signs of stabilization in industry competition emerge [1]
招商证券国际:若行业竞争出现企稳迹象 或上调统一企业中国 评级为“增持”