Guoxin Securities·2025-11-11 09:48Core Insights - The leading companies in the mass-market segment are stabilizing, while the liquor industry is experiencing accelerated pressure release, reinforcing market share logic [4][10][19] - The food and beverage industry is expected to show stable overall volume with structural differentiation by 2025, with Q1/Q2/Q3 revenues growing by +2.5%/+2.4%/-4.77% year-on-year, and net profits declining by +0.3%/-2.1%/-14.6% [4][12] - The liquor sector is entering an adjustment phase, with a consensus on deceleration in 2024, as most companies face declining performance in Q3 [4][19][39] Liquor Sector - In Q3 2025, the liquor sector's revenue and net profit declines are widening, with total revenue of 3,202 billion yuan, down 5.8% year-on-year, and net profit of 1,126 billion yuan, down 6.9% year-on-year [19][35] - The Q3 revenue for the liquor sector dropped to 787.2 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 18.4%, with net profit at 280.1 billion yuan, down 22.2% [19][39] - Major liquor companies are experiencing cash flow pressures, with a significant drop in sales receipts, indicating a slowdown in operational pace [40] Mass-Market Segment - The mass-market segment is benefiting from proactive inventory reduction and macro policy support, leading to improved operations for leading companies in 2025 [4][12] - Specific high-demand categories such as sugar-free tea, functional beverages, and bulk snacks are showing strong growth, with leading companies like Nongfu Spring and Dongpeng Beverage achieving significant revenue increases [4][12] - The snack sector reported a Q3 revenue growth of 22.4% year-on-year, despite rising costs from raw materials [4][12] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on liquor and restaurant supply chains, particularly companies like Kweichow Moutai, Luzhou Laojiao, and Shanxi Fenjiu, which are expected to benefit from policy sensitivity [4][12] - Stronger companies in the mass-market segment, such as Nongfu Spring and Yanjing Beer, are also recommended for investment due to their robust performance [4][12] Financial Performance - The Q3 2025 financial performance of major liquor companies shows a significant decline in net profit margins, with only Kweichow Moutai recording a slight improvement in net profit margin due to better gross margin management [35][39] - The overall gross margin for the liquor sector has decreased, reflecting intensified competition and a shift in product mix towards lower-priced offerings [31][33]