GOLDEN SUN SECURITIES·2025-05-07 08:42Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for key companies in the environmental protection sector, including Huicheng Environmental, Gaoneng Environment, and Hongcheng Environment [4]. Core Insights - The environmental protection industry faced pressure in 2024, with overall revenue declining by 3.3% year-on-year to CNY 348.96 billion, and net profit dropping by 37.7% to CNY 13.8 billion, attributed to difficulties in accounts receivable collection and increased impairment losses [1][13]. - In Q1 2025, the industry showed signs of recovery with revenue at CNY 78.83 billion, a slight decline of 1.8% year-on-year, while net profit increased by 4.1% to CNY 7.25 billion, driven by reduced production costs and increased investment income [1][16]. - The report highlights a divergence in performance among sub-sectors, with solid waste management showing growth while energy-saving and atmospheric governance sectors faced significant challenges [3][19]. Summary by Sections Overview - The environmental protection industry is categorized into six sub-sectors: water services, water treatment, solid waste management, atmospheric governance, monitoring, and energy-saving [11]. Sub-Industry Analysis - Solid Waste Management: Revenue increased by 6.2% to CNY 162.26 billion, but net profit fell by 12.3% to CNY 7.28 billion due to increased credit impairment losses [41][45]. - Water Services: Revenue remained stable at CNY 76.72 billion, with a slight decline of 0.4%, while net profit rose by 24.7% to CNY 12.11 billion, benefiting from operational efficiencies [49][54]. - Monitoring: Revenue decreased by 1.7% to CNY 10.28 billion, with net profit showing a significant decline of 109.5% to -CNY 0.45 billion due to increased impairment losses [60]. Financial Performance - The overall net profit margin for the environmental sector decreased to 4.6%, down 2.1 percentage points year-on-year, influenced by rising asset impairment losses and increased expense ratios [23]. - Operating cash flow for the industry grew by 10.9% to CNY 48.3 billion, primarily due to reduced procurement and improved collection [28]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on high-growth areas such as resource recycling and public utility platforms, particularly companies like Gaoneng Environment and Huicheng Environmental, which are expected to benefit from carbon neutrality initiatives [3][4].