食品饮料行业月度点评：需求底部，平稳开局

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Outperform the Market" and the rating has been maintained [2][55]. Core Viewpoints - The food and beverage sector is currently positioned with low expectations, low valuations, and low crowding, indicating potential for growth as consumer markets show stability [55]. - The report highlights that the Spring Festival consumption data reflects a stable market, with key retail and catering enterprises seeing a sales increase of 4.1% compared to the previous year [37]. - The report anticipates a more proactive policy environment to guide improvements in terminal consumption, especially with the upcoming National People's Congress [55]. Summary by Sections Market Performance - In February 2025, the food and beverage index rose by 4.00%, slightly outperforming the CSI 300 index by 0.04 percentage points, ranking 21st among 31 primary industries [12][14]. - The performance of various sub-sectors was mixed, with pre-processed foods, liquor, and other alcoholic beverages performing well, while soft drinks and snacks saw significant declines [13] [14]. Economic Data Tracking - In January 2025, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.5% year-on-year, influenced by the Spring Festival, with food prices rising significantly [22][24]. - Food prices saw a year-on-year increase of 0.4%, with notable rises in pork and fresh vegetable prices [24][26]. Industry Information Tracking - The report notes that major retail and catering enterprises experienced a 6.2% increase in sales during the Spring Festival, with food and traditional goods being particularly popular [37]. - Salted Fish Co. plans to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary in Thailand to expand its overseas business, with an investment of approximately 21.995 million yuan [47]. - Dongpeng Beverage's third-largest shareholder plans to reduce their stake, which may impact the company's stock performance [49]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on white liquor as a short-term investment opportunity, along with cyclical products and snacks that still show growth potential [55]. - Long-term attention is recommended for sectors less affected by economic cycles, such as snacks and soft drinks, as well as condiments, dairy, and beer that benefit from consumption policies [55].