Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-02-03 09:56Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley reports that the three major telecom operators in mainland China have announced an adjustment in value-added tax, increasing the tax rate on mobile data, SMS/MMS, and internet broadband services from 6% to 9% [1][2] Group 1: Impact on Companies - The tax adjustment is expected to impact the net profits of China Mobile (00941), China Telecom (00728), and China Unicom (00762) in 2026 by 7.1%, 12.6%, and 11.9% respectively [1] - Among the three operators, the impact on China Mobile is estimated to be the smallest due to its higher gross margin [1] Group 2: Mitigation Measures - The actual profit impact may be milder than estimated, as the telecom operators are undergoing state-owned enterprise reforms, with authorities setting financial KPIs for profit growth, return on equity improvement, and healthy cash flow [2] - Telecom operators are expected to offset the impact of the VAT adjustment through various measures, including optimizing operating expenses, increasing prices, and controlling capital expenditures [2]