BUD APAC(01876) 浦银国际证券·2025-02-27 02:31Investment Rating - The report downgrades Budweiser APAC to "Hold" with a target price of HKD 9.36, reflecting a potential upside of 8.1% from the current price of HKD 8.66 [1][3]. Core Views - The report indicates that the Chinese beer market is unlikely to see significant improvement in demand until 2025, with sales, revenue, and profit margins expected to remain under pressure in the short term [1]. - The company's strategy to focus on high-end and core++ products may not yield immediate benefits, and the high revenue share from ultra-premium products could negatively impact overall sales performance [1]. - Despite having clear product and channel plans for 2025, the ability to translate these into improved performance remains uncertain [1]. - Following a significant stock price increase, the current valuation (19x 2025 P/E) is considered less attractive [1]. Sales and Market Performance - In Q4 2024, Budweiser APAC's sales in China fell sharply by 18.9% year-on-year, worsening from a decline of 14.8% in Q3 2024 [1]. - The company plans to focus on high-end products, particularly the Budweiser brand, while being more selective in investments in ultra-premium brands [1]. - The shift towards high-end family channels may further tilt the channel structure away from on-premise consumption [1]. Regional Insights - In South Korea, Budweiser APAC recorded high single-digit sales and revenue growth in Q4 2024, with management confident that price increases will drive growth and margin recovery [1]. - The company raised prices for high-end and ultra-premium products by 8.1% in November 2024, which is expected to significantly benefit revenue and profit margins in 2025 [1]. Financial Projections - Revenue for 2025 is projected at USD 6.134 billion, a decrease of 1.8% from 2024, with net profit expected to rise to USD 790 million, reflecting an 8.8% increase [7][16]. - The report anticipates EBITDA margins to recover to pre-pandemic levels in the South Korean market, supported by price increases and operational efficiency improvements [1][2].