LB Group(SZ:002601) Guoxin Securities·2025-10-17 07:07Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Outperform the Market" (maintained) [2][4][14] Core Views - The acquisition of Venator UK's titanium dioxide assets at a low price is a strategic move by the company during the industry adjustment period, further consolidating 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 increasing its global market share [4][9] - The domestic titanium dioxide and titanium concentrate market remains relatively loose in the short term, with expectations for further industry consolidation and an increase in the proportion of high-end chloride process capacity, laying the groundwork for future market stabilization [4][10] Summary by Sections Acquisition Details - The company’s subsidiary, Baileyan 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, stamp duty, and other taxes, with the final amount adjusted 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 [3][9] - Additionally, it will invest USD 50 million to set up "Longbai UK Titanium Co., Ltd." in the UK, specializing in the production and sales of titanium dioxide [3][9] Market Conditions - The domestic market for titanium dioxide and titanium concentrate has seen a price decline, with the average price of rutile titanium dioxide around CNY 12,997 per ton, down 14% year-on-year and 9% quarter-on-quarter [10] - The supply side shows continued expansion in domestic titanium dioxide capacity, with operational rates around 70% and additional projects in the pipeline, contributing to market looseness [10] Financial Projections - The company’s projected net profits for 2025-2027 are CNY 29.98 billion, CNY 35.05 billion, and CNY 38.10 billion, respectively, with corresponding EPS of CNY 1.26, CNY 1.47, and CNY 1.60 [4][14]