Guo Ji Jin Rong Bao·2026-01-06 13:26Core Viewpoint - China National Airlines announced a plan to sell approximately 1.61% of its stake in Cathay Pacific through a block trade, with an expected total transaction value of HKD 1.32 billion, aiming to realize a pre-tax profit of approximately RMB 182 million from the sale [1][4]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The sale involves 108,080,000 shares at a price of HKD 12.22 per share [1]. - The transaction is expected to be completed before a special shareholders' meeting [4]. - Following the sale, China National Airlines' stake in Cathay Pacific will decrease from approximately 28.72% to 27.11% [8]. Group 2: Stakeholder Changes - After the completion of the sale and a share buyback, Swire Group's ownership in Cathay Pacific will increase from about 43.09% to approximately 47.65% [4]. - Qatar Airways will maintain its stake at 9.57% post-transaction [7]. Group 3: Company Performance - Cathay Pacific's stock price has risen over 40% in 2025, closing at HKD 13.09 per share on January 5, 2026 [8]. - The airline expects strong performance in the second half of the year, driven by increased capacity and resilient cargo demand, along with a non-recurring income of approximately HKD 900 million from a supplier settlement [9]. - UBS has raised Cathay Pacific's target price by 9% from HKD 14 to HKD 15.3, maintaining a "buy" rating, citing the airline as one of the most promising in the Asia-Pacific aviation sector [9].