Shenwan Hongyuan Securities·2026-01-06 06:03Investment Rating - The report initiates coverage with a rating of "Buy" for MTR Corporation [2][6] Core Insights - MTR Corporation has established itself as the core operator of Hong Kong's rail transit since its inception in 1975, with a significant focus on local line construction and expansion into international markets [5][16] - The "Rail + Property" development model allows MTR to finance railway projects through land development rights granted by the government, which is expected to drive long-term growth as the Hong Kong real estate market recovers [5][47] - The company has a progressive dividend policy, with expected dividends per share increasing from HKD 1.06 in 2015 to HKD 1.31 in 2024, maintaining dividends even during losses [5][43] Financial Data and Profit Forecast - Revenue projections for MTR Corporation are as follows: - 2023: HKD 56,982 million - 2024: HKD 60,011 million - 2025E: HKD 57,117 million - 2026E: HKD 55,584 million - 2027E: HKD 58,152 million - Net profit attributable to shareholders is forecasted as: - 2023: HKD 7,784 million - 2024: HKD 15,772 million - 2025E: HKD 16,203 million - 2026E: HKD 20,166 million - 2027E: HKD 10,138 million - The company is expected to maintain a dividend yield of approximately 4.4% from 2025 to 2027 [4][6] Business Model and Operations - MTR Corporation operates under a "Rail + Property" model, which integrates railway operations with property development to fund infrastructure projects [5][47] - The company is actively involved in multiple new railway and station projects to enhance connectivity in densely populated areas of Hong Kong [51][52] - The Hong Kong rail operations are expected to see a recovery in passenger numbers, with total passenger volume projected to reach 1.953 billion in 2024, recovering towards pre-pandemic levels [79] Valuation and Target Price - The estimated enterprise value of MTR Corporation is HKD 2,766 billion, with a 20% discount applied due to diversified operations, leading to a target equity value of HKD 2,213 billion [6] - The target price is set at HKD 35.55 per share, indicating a potential upside of 19% from the current market value [6]