Soochow Securities·2025-11-23 15:15Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, specifically recommending stocks such as Yifeng Pharmacy and Dazhenglin [1]. Core Insights - The report highlights that the cash flow of pharmacies is stable and valuations are low, indicating potential investment opportunities in leading pharmacy chains [1]. - The A-share pharmaceutical index has shown a year-to-date increase of 13.7%, while the Hang Seng Biotechnology Index has surged by 74.2% [4]. - The report identifies a turning point in the pharmacy industry, with a net decrease of 4,000 pharmacies in Q4 2024, suggesting a shift to a stock competition phase [4][24]. - The report emphasizes the importance of cost reduction and efficiency improvements among leading pharmacy chains, which have resulted in improved profit margins [27]. Summary by Sections Industry Trends - The A-share pharmaceutical index has decreased by 6.9% this week, with significant declines across various sub-sectors, including medical devices and traditional Chinese medicine [4][9]. - Leading pharmacy chains are focusing on store adjustments and have shown marginal performance improvements, with revenue growth of 0.6% and net profit growth of 12.4% in the first three quarters of 2025 [20]. Valuation and Performance - As of November 23, 2025, the SW pharmacy sector's PE-TTM is approximately 21.5 times, indicating a valuation at the 37th percentile for the year [22]. - Major pharmacy chains like Yifeng Pharmacy and Dazhenglin have PEs below 20 times, highlighting their attractive valuation [22]. Research and Development Progress - The report details recent approvals and clinical advancements in innovative drugs, including the approval of Pfizer's long-acting hemophilia treatment [4]. - Specific recommendations for innovative drugs include companies such as Baidu Tianheng and BeiGene, with a focus on PD1/VEGF dual antibodies and GLP1 drugs [9][11][12]. Market Dynamics - The report notes that the number of retail pharmacies has begun to decline, marking a significant shift in the market landscape [24]. - Leading pharmacy chains are expected to enhance their market share through refined management and compliance capabilities [24].