HUAYOU COBALT(SH:603799) Western Securities·2025-12-22 05:32Investment Rating - The report gives a "Buy" rating for the company, with a target price of 78.98 CNY per share based on a 26x PE for 2025 [2][6]. Core Insights - The company is expected to have a net profit of 57.52 billion, 67.48 billion, and 80.84 billion CNY from 2025 to 2027, with EPS of 3.03, 3.56, and 4.26 CNY respectively [2][25]. - The market views the company as a beta play on cobalt prices, but the report emphasizes that the greater opportunity lies in nickel, which is currently at a cyclical low and may see a turning point around 2027-2028 [2][19]. Summary by Sections Nickel - Nickel prices are at a cyclical low, with potential for a turning point in supply-demand dynamics by 2027-2028. The company has established a full industry chain from nickel mining to intermediate products and final products, showcasing significant competitive advantages [3][20]. - The investment scale for nickel projects is substantial, creating high barriers to entry, which further strengthens the company's market position [3][20]. Cobalt - Cobalt supply is concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with significant policy disruptions affecting exports. Demand is stable, driven by electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and high-temperature alloys [4][22]. - The company’s cobalt business has shown resilience, with gross margins increasing even during price declines, indicating strong competitive positioning [4][22]. Three-way Precursor and Cathode Materials - The report anticipates that solid-state batteries will increase the market share of ternary materials, leading to stable profitability for the company [4][23]. - The company benefits from upstream raw material security, midstream manufacturing scale effects, and strong customer relationships, which are expected to reinforce its leading position in the industry [4][23]. Financial Projections - Revenue is projected to reach 746.85 billion, 830.75 billion, and 1,038.31 billion CNY from 2025 to 2027, with growth rates of 22.5%, 11.2%, and 25.0% respectively [18][25]. - The company’s gross margins are expected to be 16.0%, 16.6%, and 16.2% over the same period, reflecting stable operational efficiency [18][25].