LB Group(SZ:002601) Guoxin Securities·2025-10-17 06:08Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Outperform the Market" [2][4][14] Core Views - The acquisition of Venator UK's titanium dioxide assets at a significantly discounted price is a strategic move by the company during an industry adjustment period, further solidifying its position as a global industry leader [4][5] - The establishment of subsidiaries in Malaysia and the UK is part of the company's globalization strategy, aimed at enhancing its global market share [4][9] - The domestic titanium dioxide and titanium concentrate market remains relatively loose in the short term, with expectations for increased industry concentration and a potential rise in the share of high-end chloride process capacity, laying the groundwork for future market stabilization [4][10] Summary by Sections Acquisition Details - The company’s subsidiary, Ba Li Lian Europe, acquired titanium dioxide-related assets from Venator UK for USD 69.9 million, which includes land, production and R&D equipment, spare parts, business records, registered intellectual property across multiple regions, and inventory located in the UK and Switzerland. The book value of the assets is approximately USD 534 million, with a net value of USD 195 million, indicating a significant discount on the transaction price [3][5] - The company will also incur about USD 14.19 million in VAT and stamp duty, with the final amount subject to adjustment based on inventory at the time of closing [3][5] Global Expansion Strategy - The company plans to invest USD 5 million to establish "Longbai Asia New Materials Co., Ltd." in Malaysia, focusing on import-export trade, chemical production, and technical services. Additionally, it will invest USD 50 million to set up "Longbai UK Titanium Co., Ltd." in the UK, dedicated to the production and sale of titanium dioxide [3][9] - These investments have been approved by the company's board and will not adversely affect its financial status [3][9] Market Outlook - The domestic market for titanium dioxide and titanium concentrate has seen a decline in average prices, with expectations for further industry consolidation. The average price for rutile titanium dioxide in Q3 2025 is approximately CNY 12,997 per ton, down 14% year-on-year and 9% quarter-on-quarter [10] - The supply side continues to expand, with domestic production capacity reaching 5.9 million tons and an operating rate of about 70%. The market remains under pressure due to high inventory levels and weak downstream demand [10]