SHCD(SH:603887) Changjiang Securities·2026-01-30 10:48Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the construction and engineering industry [10]. Core Insights - The construction industry is experiencing accelerated concentration, with state-owned enterprises leveraging scale, industrial chain advantages, and policy support to squeeze the survival space of small and medium-sized private enterprises [2][4]. - Sub-sectors like landscaping engineering are under dual pressure from declining demand and intensified competition, leading to weakened revenues, profit pressures, and deteriorating financial structures [2][4]. - Some companies are leveraging low-efficiency asset restructuring, financial endowments, and business associations to strategically transition towards new infrastructure sectors, guided by policy directions [2][4]. Summary by Sections Industry Concentration and Challenges - The concentration of the construction industry is continuously increasing, with the market share of state-owned construction enterprises rising from 46.9% in 2020 to 51.7% in 2024, while their output value share increased from 36.3% to 43.1% [4][15]. - The growth rate of infrastructure and fixed asset investment is declining, with a projected year-on-year decrease of -1.48% for infrastructure investment in 2025 [4][15]. - State-owned enterprises benefit from lower financing costs due to policy advantages and credit ratings, while private enterprises face high leverage and liquidity issues, necessitating a transformation [4][23]. Sub-sector Analysis and Transformation Factors - The report identifies sub-sectors with poor financial performance, particularly landscaping, building decoration, and engineering consulting, as having strong transformation needs [5][28]. - Landscaping and decoration sectors are experiencing declining revenues and high operational leverage, while the engineering consulting sector, despite slight revenue growth, shows high overall valuations indicating significant internal differentiation [5][28]. Transformation Directions and Methods - To achieve effective transformation, companies should align with national strategic directions, focusing on "hard technology" sectors like AI and blockchain, and "new consumption" sectors that cater to public demand [6][46]. - Common transformation methods include mergers and acquisitions, establishing subsidiaries for independent R&D, expanding existing qualifications and businesses, and forming strategic alliances [7][51]. Potential Transformation Targets - Companies with abundant cash flow, sufficient credit limits, and underperforming main businesses are identified as potential transformation targets, particularly in landscaping, building decoration, and engineering consulting sectors [8][46]. Key Support Factors for Transformation - Sufficient cash flow and credit limits are crucial for enabling potential transformations, allowing companies to quickly capture policy opportunities and reduce reliance on high-interest external financing [46][47]. Revitalizing Inefficient Assets - Inefficient assets can serve as low-cost entry points into new infrastructure sectors, with many old factories and idle warehouses meeting the requirements for transformation into data centers or energy storage bases [48][49]. New Shareholder Involvement - The introduction of new major shareholders is a focal point in the transformation of the construction industry, with examples of companies optimizing their ownership structures to leverage state resources and accelerate transitions into new sectors [51][52].