First Shanghai Securities·2024-04-22 08:32Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of HKD 39, representing a potential upside of 32.6% from the current price of HKD 23.5 [3][4]. Core Insights - The company achieved a core net profit growth of 2.9% year-on-year, with total revenue reaching RMB 251.1 billion, a 21.3% increase compared to the previous year [1][2]. - The development business sales increased by 1.9% to RMB 307 billion, supported by a strategic focus on high-tier cities [1][2]. - The company successfully issued two public REITs, enhancing its asset value release channels [1]. Financial Performance - Revenue for 2023 was RMB 251,137 million, up 21.3% from RMB 207,061 million in 2022 [2][4]. - The core net profit for 2023 was RMB 27,770 million, reflecting a 2.9% increase [2][4]. - The company declared a final dividend of RMB 1.243 per share, with a total annual dividend of RMB 1.441, marking a 2.9% increase [1]. Business Segments - The regular business revenue, which includes operational real estate and light asset management, grew significantly, contributing 15.6% to total revenue [1]. - The retail revenue from shopping centers surged by 44.2% to RMB 163.9 billion, with same-store sales growth of 31.2% [1]. - The company’s investment property land bank reached 1,004 million square meters, with 72% allocated to shopping centers [1]. Debt and Financial Structure - The weighted average financing cost decreased by 19 basis points to 3.56%, maintaining a competitive position in the industry [1]. - The net debt exposure in non-RMB currencies fell to 4.4%, the lowest level in recent years [1]. - The cash-to-short-term debt ratio stood at 1.49 times, indicating a strong liquidity position [1]. Future Projections - The company is expected to achieve core net profits of approximately RMB 287 million, RMB 315 million, and RMB 332 million for the years 2024 to 2026, respectively [1][2]. - The anticipated sales area for the next three years is about 42.2 million square meters, with 82% located in high-tier cities [1].