SITC(HK:01308) HTSC·2025-10-25 12:40Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is maintained as "Buy" with a target price of HKD 31.00 [7][5]. Core Insights - The company demonstrated resilience during the third quarter of 2025, with a year-on-year increase in average revenue per container of 9.2% and a 16.6% increase in total revenue to USD 2.46 billion. Despite a seasonal downturn, a significant recovery is expected in the fourth quarter due to seasonal demand [1][2]. - The company completed a total of 920,000 TEUs in the third quarter, reflecting an 8.9% year-on-year increase, driven by market demand from regional trade growth. A further increase in container volume is anticipated in the fourth quarter [2][3]. - The average revenue per container decreased by 12.0% year-on-year to USD 712, primarily due to a high base from the previous year. However, a rebound is expected in the fourth quarter with a projected increase of 6.7% to USD 760 per container [3][4]. Summary by Sections Operational Performance - In Q3 2025, the company reported a total revenue of USD 790 million, down 1.8% year-on-year and 12.1% quarter-on-quarter. The decline was attributed to seasonal factors affecting freight rates and cargo volumes [3][1]. - The Southeast Asia export container freight index showed a significant decline, with a year-on-year decrease of 28.2% [3]. Market Outlook - The supply-demand structure in the Asian container shipping market is improving, with a tightening supply of small to medium-sized vessels. Demand is expected to grow at a rate of 4.1% in 2025, outpacing supply growth of 2.5% [4]. - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains, particularly in the Asian market, which is expected to see increased trade volumes [4]. Financial Projections - The company maintains its profit forecasts for 2025, 2026, and 2027 at USD 1.17 billion, USD 910 million, and USD 1.10 billion respectively, with a consistent dividend payout ratio of 70% [5][11]. - The projected PE ratio for 2025 is 9.2x, with a target price based on historical averages adjusted for standard deviations [5][11].