CHINA TOWER(00788) 德邦证券·2024-09-05 10:58Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating for China Tower (00788.HK) [1] Core Views - China Tower is the largest communication tower infrastructure provider globally, with an expected improvement in profitability due to a decrease in depreciation expenses as the useful life of acquired sites extends from 10 to 20 years [3][10] - The company's "one body, two wings" strategy is expected to sustain growth, with the operator business remaining stable and the "two wings" (smart connection and energy businesses) showing significant growth potential [3][4] - The company has initiated its first interim dividend, reflecting a commitment to shareholder interests and improved dividend capacity [4][12] Summary by Sections 1. Company Overview - China Tower was established to enhance resource sharing and reduce redundant construction, becoming the largest communication infrastructure service provider with over 2 million sites and total assets exceeding 320 billion RMB [3][10] - The management team has extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, contributing to a stable corporate structure [11][12] 2. Business Performance - For H1 2024, China Tower reported revenue of 48.247 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 3.8%, with net profit rising by 10.1% to 5.33 billion RMB [4][13] - The operator business, which includes tower and indoor distribution services, remains the main revenue driver, while the "two wings" businesses are gaining traction [16][32] 3. Financial Projections - Revenue forecasts for 2024-2026 are projected at 98.216 billion, 102.768 billion, and 107.224 billion RMB, respectively, with corresponding PE ratios significantly lower than comparable companies [4][19] - The company’s EBITDA for H1 2024 reached 33.045 billion RMB, indicating a stable financial outlook [4][13] 4. Business Segments - The operator business, including tower and indoor distribution services, accounted for 79.8% of total revenue, while the smart connection and energy businesses contributed 12.4% [16][32] - The smart connection business is expected to benefit from the digital economy's growth, while the energy business, particularly battery swapping, is positioned for long-term growth [3][32][33] 5. Market Position - China Tower holds a dominant position in the domestic market, with a significant share of the telecommunications infrastructure sector, and is well-positioned to capitalize on the upcoming 5G-A construction phase [19][20] - The company has signed a new five-year pricing agreement with major operators, which is expected to stabilize revenue and improve cash flow [22][24]