LY iTECH(SZ:002600) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-13 10:12Core Viewpoint - The acquisition of a 35% stake in the liquid cooling company, Limin Da, by Lingyi Zhizao for 875 million yuan is marked by a staggering 34 times premium, raising questions about the strategic rationale behind such a high valuation amidst the company's ongoing financial struggles [3][17][20]. Company Overview - Lingyi Zhizao has announced plans to acquire a 35% stake in Limin Da, which specializes in critical components for server liquid cooling systems [5][18]. - Limin Da is positioned to benefit from the growing demand for liquid cooling technology, projected to exceed 100 billion yuan in market size by 2027 in China [5][18]. Financial Performance - Limin Da's revenue is expected to grow from 271 million yuan in 2024 to 486 million yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, with a turnaround from a loss of 24.62 million yuan to a profit of 21.2 million yuan [6][19]. - Despite the profit, Limin Da reported a negative operating cash flow of -55.19 million yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, indicating cash flow challenges [6][19]. Valuation Concerns - The valuation of Limin Da at 2.51 billion yuan for 100% equity, with a book value of only 71.27 million yuan, reflects an extraordinary premium of over 3400% [6][19]. - Lingyi Zhizao's acquisition price translates to a market price of 34 times the assessed value, raising concerns about the sustainability of such a high valuation [6][19]. Strategic Expansion - Lingyi Zhizao has been diversifying its business through acquisitions, entering sectors like new energy vehicles and photovoltaic energy storage to reduce reliance on consumer electronics [8][21]. - The company reported a 19.3% year-on-year revenue growth to 37.59 billion yuan and a 37.7% increase in net profit to 1.94 billion yuan in the first three quarters of the year [8][21]. Financial Position - As of September 2025, Lingyi Zhizao had 4.58 billion yuan in cash but also faced significant liabilities, with total borrowings of 12.38 billion yuan, leading to a funding gap of nearly 7.8 billion yuan [12][25]. - The acquisition is expected to add nearly 800 million yuan in goodwill, increasing total goodwill to nearly 2 billion yuan, which poses a risk of impairment [12][25]. Market Positioning - Lingyi Zhizao aims to move beyond being a mere supplier in the AI era, seeking to position itself more centrally within the value chain through strategic acquisitions and product development [13][26].