wanhua(600309) Goldman Sachs·2024-08-14 03:00Investment Rating - Maintain Buy rating on Wanhua Chemical Group (600309 SS) with a revised 12-month target price of Rmb106 0 per share, up from Rmb103 0 [2][5] Core Thesis - The polyurethane cycle is bottoming out, with volume recovery across major players and sequentially improved pricing, although spread recovery was delayed due to high raw material prices [3] - Wanhua Chemical is well-positioned for cyclical recovery, with a leading position in one of the most consolidated commodity chemical supply chains and long-term structural growth opportunities [8] - The company is expected to grow earnings at a +c 20% CAGR over 2023-26E, driven by new capacity projects for high-margin specialty chemicals and normalization of petrochemical earnings [6][8] Financial Estimates - 2024E-26E EPS estimates reduced by 5-9% to reflect weaker-than-expected margins in performance chemicals and new materials segment, higher opex, impairment losses, and finance expenses [2] - 2024E revenue estimate revised to Rmb198 310mn (from Rmb199 624mn), 2025E to Rmb228 460mn (from Rmb231 413mn), and 2026E to Rmb261 360mn (from Rmb262 856mn) [5] - 2024E net profit estimate revised to Rmb16 670mn (from Rmb18 227mn), 2025E to Rmb22 071mn (from Rmb24 199mn), and 2026E to Rmb26 748mn (from Rmb28 149mn) [5] Valuation and Catalysts - Target EV/EBITDA multiple slightly lowered to 10 5x (from 11 0x) to reflect reduced growth forecasts, but valuation base year rolled forward to average 2024E-25E [2] - Potential catalysts include US rate cuts and improving construction activities in Europe in early-mid 2025, which should support recovery in polyurethane demand and drive pricing/margin upside [2] - Strong pipeline of new capacity projects for high-margin specialty chemicals (e g , polyolefin elastomers and flavor and fragrance) scheduled to come on stream in 2H24 [3] Industry Position - Wanhua Chemical is the largest global producer of MDI (30% share of 2023 global capacity) and TDI (25% share of 2022 capacity) [6] - The company accounts for ~80% of global new polyurethane supply over 2023-25E, with continued volume share gains expected [6]