ZHONGTAI SECURITIES·2025-09-02 09:01Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the traditional Chinese medicine sector [4]. Core Viewpoints - The traditional Chinese medicine sector is experiencing short-term performance pressure, but there are expectations for demand recovery in the future [7][10]. - The overall revenue and profit decline in the sector has narrowed compared to 2024, indicating a gradual recovery in industry sentiment [10]. - The report highlights the importance of brand OTC products, which are expected to see market share increases despite current demand pressures [7][26]. Summary by Sections 2025H1 Performance - In 2025H1, the total revenue of traditional Chinese medicine companies reached 172.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 4.95% [10]. - The net profit excluding non-recurring items was 19.1 billion yuan, down 9.31% year-on-year [10]. - The operating cash flow improved significantly, reaching 16.96 billion yuan, an increase of 30.77% year-on-year [10]. OTC Market Analysis - The OTC segment is under pressure, with a median revenue growth rate of -7.6% and a net profit decline of -19.7% in Q2 2025 [26]. - The retail market for pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals in China saw a slight decline, with a total of 296.1 billion yuan in H1 2025, down 2.2% year-on-year [26][29]. - The report notes that the concentration of leading OTC brands is increasing, with significant market share gains for products like Huaren Sanjiu's Ganmaoling Granules [26][31]. Cost and Margin Outlook - The median gross margin for the sector in 2025H1 was 42.05%, a decrease of 1.01 percentage points year-on-year [10]. - The report anticipates a recovery in gross margins in H2 2025 as the pressure from high-priced raw materials eases [13]. - The median expense ratio for the sector was 44.5%, reflecting a stable cost structure despite slight increases in certain areas [15]. R&D and Innovation - The median R&D expense ratio for the sector remains around 3%, with leading companies like Kangyuan Pharmaceutical and Tian Shili investing over 10% of their revenue in R&D [24]. - The report emphasizes the potential for revaluation of innovative pipelines as companies increase their R&D investments [7].