ZHESHANG SECURITIES·2025-05-11 11:53Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" [1] Core Viewpoints - The second quarter is recommended for the traditional Chinese medicine sector, with expectations for a performance turning point despite significant pressure in the first quarter [3][10] - The traditional Chinese medicine sector is anticipated to see a recovery in performance due to improved inventory levels and profitability, alongside favorable conditions from U.S. tariff policies [5][21] Summary by Sections 1. Quarterly Report Overview - The first quarter faced substantial pressure, but nearly half of the companies (31) achieved positive growth in net profit attributable to shareholders after excluding non-recurring items, with 18 companies reporting revenue growth [13][14] - Companies such as Jia Ying Pharmaceutical and Te Yi Pharmaceutical reported significant revenue growth of 28.8% and 79.3%, respectively, driven by channel expansion and marketing reforms [14] 2. Core Indicator Tracking - Inventory levels have decreased, leading to sustained improvements in profitability [18] - The traditional Chinese medicine sector's valuation is currently below the average since 2021, indicating potential for recovery [24] 3. Investment Recommendations - Companies with strong brand power and potential for margin improvement are recommended for aggressive investment, including Dong E E Jiao, Tong Ren Tang, and Pian Zai Huang [10][18] - Defensive investments are suggested in stable dividend-paying assets such as Yunnan Baiyao and Ling Rui Pharmaceutical [10][18] - The sector's overall valuation is low, with a TTM price-to-earnings ratio of 27.00x as of May 9, 2025, which is below the average since 2021 [24]