Aier(SZ:300015) Goldman Sachs·2025-07-01 02:24Investment Rating - The report assigns a Neutral rating to Aier Eye Hospital with a 12-month target price of Rmb14, indicating a potential upside of 12.9% from the current price of Rmb12.4 [10][8]. Core Insights - Aier Eye Hospital is experiencing improvements in refractive surgery pricing due to new technologies, with a forecast of double-digit revenue growth for 2025 [2][7]. - The company anticipates a recovery in cataract surgery revenue growth to double digits in the second half of 2025, following price cuts of approximately 8-10% since the second half of 2024 [9][7]. - The overall ophthalmology market in China is expected to grow at a 12% CAGR from 2020 to 2030, driven by increased service upgrades and market penetration [7]. Summary by Sections Recent Trends - Growth in refractive surgeries slowed in April and May after a busy first quarter, but June showed improvement due to an increase in average selling prices (ASP) from new technologies [3]. - Cataract surgeries faced volume declines due to tightening reimbursement policies, while optometry performance remained moderate [3]. Refractive Surgery Pricing - New technologies such as SMILE 4.0 and SMILE pro have been launched, with SMILE 4.0 contributing 12% of refractive surgery revenue in Q1 2025 [3][6]. - The ASP for SMILE 4.0 is around Rmb18,800, with approximately 100 installations [3]. Cataract Surgery Outlook - The company expects cataract surgery revenue growth to recover to double digits in H2 2025, as the lower prices from H2 2024 are now reflected [9]. - Premium cataract surgeries accounted for 45%-50% of total cataract surgeries as of Q1 2025, with 15% of revenue coming from femtosecond laser-assisted surgeries [9]. Optometry Services - Recent pricing pressure on OK lenses was noted, particularly after public hospitals in Beijing reduced prices by 50% [9]. - The annualized cost for OK lenses is around Rmb10,000, while defocal lenses cost only Rmb2,000 to Rmb3,000 [9]. Overseas Expansion - Aier Eye Hospital is focusing on expanding its presence in South America [9].