CGN MINING(HK:01164) HTSC·2026-01-16 12:08Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the company with a target price of HKD 4.05 [7][5]. Core Views - The company is expected to benefit from a recovery in trade and price elasticity, with a significant increase in uranium prices anticipated due to global nuclear energy revival [1]. - The overall production and operational performance for 2025 is in line with expectations, with a notable recovery in uranium trade prices in the second half of 2025 [1][3]. - The company is one of the most elastic uranium producers in terms of performance relative to spot prices, with 70% of its sales framework agreements tied to spot pricing mechanisms from 2026 to 2028 [1]. Summary by Sections Production and Sales Outlook - The company's total uranium production for 2025 is projected at 2,699.0 tons, a slight decrease of 2% year-on-year. The Ortalyk mine shows a significant increase of 68%, while the Semizbay-U mine experiences an 18% decline [2]. - Looking ahead, the sales framework agreements for 2026 and 2027 indicate production increases to approximately 2,935 tons and 3,300 tons, respectively, with Ortalyk mine expected to grow by 15% and 18% [2]. Trade and Pricing - The uranium trade delivery prices have shown a clear recovery, with prices increasing from $56.44/lbs in Q1 to $79.90/lbs in Q4 of 2025. The average receiving price for the year was $73.95/lbs, with a similar average for deliveries [3]. - The report anticipates that the recovery in trade prices will lead to a restoration of profits in the international trade business for the entire year [3]. Strategic Developments - The inclusion of uranium in the U.S. Section 232 critical minerals list is expected to accelerate the replenishment cycle, tightening supply and potentially driving prices higher [4]. - The U.S. government's actions to ensure sufficient uranium supply are likely to bolster long-term confidence in nuclear power development [4]. Profit Forecast and Valuation - Due to adjustments in production plans, the company's net profit for 2025 has been revised down by 34% to HKD 231 million. However, profit forecasts for 2026 and 2027 have been adjusted upwards to HKD 1.039 billion and HKD 1.363 billion, respectively [5]. - The report assigns a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 29.6x for 2026, leading to a target price increase from HKD 3.01 to HKD 4.05 [5].