Changjiang Securities·2026-01-12 14:10Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" and is maintained [8] Core Viewpoints - The liquor sector is currently experiencing a phase of "supply optimization and weak demand recovery," with inventory destocking ongoing in Q4. Short-term price recovery is expected due to controlled supply from Moutai, with attention on Spring Festival sales and inventory movement [2][5] - The demand for mass-market products is expected to show marginal improvement, with January anticipated to see a strong start due to delayed Spring Festival stocking [2][5] - The report recommends focusing on products with strong seasonal effects and high performance realization, particularly in sectors like leisure snacks, restaurant supply chains, condiments, soft drinks, and dairy products [4][26] Summary by Sections Spring Festival Stocking Strategy - The Spring Festival stocking strategy should focus on products with strong seasonal effects and high performance realization. The timing of the Spring Festival can impact the performance of listed companies, especially in years when it falls later in the calendar [4][15] - Products with clear gifting scenarios and positive market sentiment in specific segments are prioritized for opportunity selection. The continuation of the post-Spring Festival market will depend on actual sales and positive Q1 performance feedback [4][26] CPI Trends - The food CPI has been strengthening since December, surpassing service and overall CPI. This trend is supported by supply clearing in certain items and seasonal demand recovery, which together bolster price improvements [32][34] - The CPI-PPI differential remains positive, supporting the continued improvement in profitability for food manufacturing companies [37] Market Performance Review - Since the beginning of 2026, the food and beverage index has increased by 2.21%, lagging behind the CSI 300, which rose by 2.79%. The performance of the liquor sector has remained stable, while the dairy sector has seen declines [6][40] - Soft drinks and leisure snacks have led the market in terms of growth related to Spring Festival stocking, while dairy and meat products have experienced declines [6][40] Industry Dynamics - The industry is increasingly focused on value deepening and structural optimization. Companies are prioritizing supply-demand balance, healthy pricing systems, and profit structure improvements rather than merely pursuing sales growth [7][46] - Food safety and supply chain resilience remain foundational to brand trust, highlighted by recent global recalls and supply chain disruptions [7][46]