Soochow Securities·2025-05-12 01:23Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on leading equipment manufacturers in the photovoltaic industry, anticipating their ability to navigate through the current cycle [1]. Core Insights - The photovoltaic equipment industry is experiencing short-term performance pressure, with a focus on waiting for industry recovery [6][42]. - The industry is characterized by both growth and cyclical attributes, influenced by supply, demand, and technological factors [3]. Summary by Sections Industry Performance - In 2024, the total revenue of the photovoltaic equipment industry reached 848.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 2%, while the net profit attributable to shareholders was 54.8 billion, down 57% year-on-year [10]. - The first quarter of 2025 saw a total revenue of 158.3 billion, a decrease of 19% year-on-year, with net profit dropping to 15 billion, down 40% year-on-year [10]. Profitability Analysis - The industry's gross margin for 2024 was 24%, a decrease of 6 percentage points year-on-year, while the net profit margin was 6%, down 9 percentage points year-on-year [16]. - The report highlights that leading equipment manufacturers maintain higher profitability compared to the industry average, with gross margins around 30% [28]. Equipment Segment Insights - In the silicon wafer equipment segment, low-oxygen single crystal furnaces and tungsten wire diamond saws are expected to have promising futures, with ongoing international expansion [43]. - The battery equipment segment is seeing accelerated cost reduction and efficiency improvements, particularly with HJT technology, and overseas orders are expected to increase [43]. Market Trends - The report notes a slowdown in the expansion of silicon wafer production capacity in 2024, with a focus on the introduction of new technologies as downstream markets recover [60]. - The Middle East is emerging as a significant market for photovoltaic equipment, with expected growth in installed capacity driven by energy diversification efforts [65]. Cash Flow and Financial Health - The industry has seen a significant improvement in cash flow since Q3 2024, with a net operating cash flow of 9.25 billion in Q1 2025 [40].