But'one(SH:600455) Minsheng Securities·2025-10-29 08:24Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Cautious Recommendation" rating for the company [7]. Core Views - The company has shown steady growth in its core higher education business, with significant performance acceleration in recent quarters. For the first nine months of 2025, the company achieved revenue of 224 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.01%, and a net profit of 29 million yuan, up 25.63% year-on-year [1][4]. - The company's profitability has improved significantly, with a gross margin of 53.13%, up 2 percentage points year-on-year, and a net profit margin of 12.85%, an increase of 2.01 percentage points year-on-year [2]. - The second phase of the urban college project is progressing rapidly, with construction in progress increasing by 61.78% year-on-year, leading to a significant rise in the company's debt levels [3]. - The company's cash flow remains strong, supported by a prepayment system in its higher education business, with a cash collection ratio of 113.61% for the first nine months of 2025 [4]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - For the first nine months of 2025, the company reported revenues of 224 million yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 6.01%. The net profit was 29 million yuan, reflecting a 25.63% increase year-on-year. The earnings per share (EPS) reached 0.46 yuan, up 25.64% [1]. - The gross margin improved to 53.13%, and the net profit margin reached 12.85%, indicating better cost control and profitability [2]. Project Development - The second phase of the urban college project is advancing quickly, with construction in progress valued at 461 million yuan, a 61.78% increase year-on-year. Long-term borrowings have surged by 225.66% to 141 million yuan due to project financing needs [3]. Cash Flow and Liabilities - The company maintains a healthy cash flow, with a cash collection ratio of 113.61%. Contract liabilities have also grown, reaching 223 million yuan, which enhances future revenue certainty [4]. Future Outlook - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are estimated at 313 million yuan, 338 million yuan, and 361 million yuan, respectively, with EPS expected to grow to 0.54 yuan, 0.63 yuan, and 0.69 yuan. The dynamic price-to-earnings (PE) ratios are forecasted to be 52, 45, and 40 [6][4].