Huachuang Securities·2025-08-28 08:47Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Strong Buy" rating for Mengniu Dairy (02319.HK) with a target price of HKD 21, while the current price is HKD 16.20 [4][7]. Core Views - The revenue performance is under pressure, but operating profit margin (OPM) has improved, indicating a focus on quality and returns despite external demand challenges [4][7]. - The company is expected to face continued revenue pressure in the second half of the year, but profitability is anticipated to recover due to cost benefits and improved operational efficiency [7][8]. Financial Summary - Revenue Forecasts: Total revenue is projected to decline from HKD 88.675 billion in 2024 to HKD 81.210 billion in 2025, with a slight recovery expected in subsequent years [4][13]. - Net Profit: The net profit is expected to rebound significantly from HKD 105 million in 2024 to HKD 4.511 billion in 2025, reflecting a growth rate of 4216.4% [4][13]. - Earnings Per Share (EPS): EPS is forecasted to increase from HKD 0.03 in 2024 to HKD 1.16 in 2025, with further growth to HKD 1.36 and HKD 1.56 in 2026 and 2027 respectively [4][13]. - Valuation Ratios: The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is expected to decrease from 554 in 2024 to 13 in 2025, indicating a more favorable valuation as earnings recover [4][13]. Segment Performance - Product Categories: Liquid milk revenue decreased by 11.2% year-on-year, while infant formula and ice cream showed positive growth of 2.5% and 15% respectively, indicating a mixed performance across product lines [7][8]. - Cost Management: The company benefited from lower raw milk prices, leading to a gross margin increase to 41.75% in the first half of 2025, up by 1.48 percentage points year-on-year [7][8]. Market Outlook - The report suggests that while external demand remains weak, the company’s inventory management is healthy, and operational improvements are expected to support profitability recovery in the second half of the year [7][8].