Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of HKD 29.73, which is equivalent to 10.5 times the forecasted earnings per share for 2024 [4][5]. Core Insights - Despite intense industry competition, the company is expected to outperform the industry due to its stable pricing strategy, continuous product upgrades, and increased penetration of high-end products [4][5]. - The company reported a revenue growth of 5.1% to HKD 23.77 billion in 2023, driven by a 12.2% increase in tissue paper sales and a 17.7% growth in e-commerce channels [3][4]. - The gross profit margin decreased by 0.3 percentage points to 33.7% due to rising raw material costs and increased promotional expenses [3][4]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In 2023, the company achieved a net profit of HKD 2.80 billion, representing a 45.5% increase compared to the previous year [5][6]. - The operating profit rose by 38.6% to HKD 3.98 billion, with a decrease in operating expense ratio by 0.3 percentage points to 21.3% [3][5]. - The company maintained a robust balance sheet with net cash of approximately HKD 5.39 billion, an increase of HKD 0.86 billion from the previous year [3][4]. Business Segments - Tissue paper business grew by 12.2% to HKD 13.75 billion, benefiting from a nationwide sales network and strong growth in high-end products [4][5]. - Sanitary napkin sales increased by 0.4% to HKD 6.18 billion, with gross margin improving from 61.8% in the first half to 66% in the second half [4][5]. - The adult diaper segment saw a 4.3% growth to HKD 1.25 billion, with gross margin rising from 36% to 40% due to lower raw material prices [4][5]. Future Outlook - For 2024, the company anticipates low single-digit revenue growth in tissue paper, sanitary napkins, and adult diapers, despite ongoing competitive pressures in the personal care industry [4][5]. - The report highlights that the company’s stable pricing strategy and product upgrades are expected to help it outperform the industry amid challenging market conditions [4][5].
恒安国际：纵使行业竞争激烈，预计集团的表现能优于行业