Investment Rating - The report maintains a "BUY" rating for Intron (01760.HK) with a target price of HKD 2.85 per share, down from HKD 6.13 [2][10]. Core Insights - Intron reported a year-on-year revenue increase of 20.1% to RMB 5,802.3 million for FY 2023, but the gross margin fell by 2.9 percentage points to 18.7%, which was lower than estimates [3][4]. - The company experienced a significant decline in net profit, retreating by 23.0% year-on-year, attributed to increased R&D expenses and a competitive pricing environment [4][10]. - The revenue growth was driven primarily by NEV Solutions, but competition led to manufacturers opting for lower-cost solutions, impacting growth in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) [4][10]. - A shift in pricing strategy was noted, with a gross margin of 17.1% in the second half of 2023, indicating adjustments to cope with market pressures [4][10]. - The report anticipates continued challenges in 2024, with profit margins expected to remain under pressure due to lower gross margins and high R&D expenses [4][10]. Financial Summary - Revenue projections for the next few years are as follows: RMB 6,840.5 million in 2024, RMB 7,524.0 million in 2025, and RMB 8,174.4 million in 2026, reflecting a year-on-year growth rate of 17.9%, 10.0%, and 8.6% respectively [15]. - The gross profit is projected to increase from RMB 1,083.6 million in 2023 to RMB 1,247.8 million in 2024, with gross margins expected to stabilize around 18.8% in 2026 [15][17]. - The net profit is forecasted to decline significantly in 2024, with estimates of RMB 219.4 million, before recovering to RMB 301.3 million in 2025 and RMB 398.7 million in 2026 [15]. Operational Outlook - The report indicates a cautious operational outlook, with estimates cut by 51% to 58% due to ongoing difficulties, including lower gross margins and increased financial expenses [4][10]. - The company is expected to face a tightening working capital situation due to a longer cash conversion cycle and high R&D expenses [13][17].
Cautious outlook in operation