Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of HKD 35.22 [1][5] Core Views - The company is expected to continue its high profitability and high dividend policy, supported by a strong capital structure and stable performance in the aluminum sector [1][4] - The planned placement of up to 400 million shares at HKD 29.2 per share aims to raise a maximum of HKD 11.68 billion, which will be used to optimize the capital structure and support domestic and overseas project development [2][4] - The company has a strong commitment to shareholder returns through significant share buybacks and consistent high dividend payouts, with a dividend payout ratio exceeding 45% since 2020 [3][4] Summary by Sections Capital Structure and Project Development - The placement will primarily fund domestic and overseas projects and further optimize the company's debt structure, with existing capacities of 6.46 million tons of electrolytic aluminum and 19 million tons of alumina domestically, and 2 million tons of alumina capacity in Indonesia [2][4] Shareholder Returns - The company has executed a significant share buyback strategy, spending HKD 2.6 billion to repurchase 18.7 million shares in the first half of the year, with plans for an additional buyback of at least HKD 3 billion [3][4] Profitability Outlook - The electrolytic aluminum sector is expected to maintain profitability despite downward pressure from alumina prices, with a tightening supply-demand balance anticipated by 2026 [4][5] - The company forecasts net profits of RMB 25.63 billion, RMB 25.43 billion, and RMB 25.76 billion for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with a PE ratio of 12X for 2025 [5][11]
中国宏桥（01378）：看好公司高盈利与高分红持续