HUAYOU COBALT(SH:603799) 光大证券研究·2025-04-21 09:09Core Viewpoint - The company reported a decline in revenue for 2024 but achieved significant growth in net profit, indicating a shift towards higher profitability despite lower sales figures [3]. Group 1: Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved revenue of 60.95 billion, a decrease of 8% year-on-year, while net profit attributable to shareholders was 4.15 billion, an increase of 24% [3]. - The first quarter of 2025 saw revenue of 17.84 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 19%, with net profit reaching 1.25 billion, up 139.7% [3]. Group 2: Metal Sector Performance - Nickel product shipments (including internal supply) reached 184,000 tons in 2024, a 46% increase, primarily due to the ramp-up of the 120,000-ton nickel hydrometallurgy project in Indonesia [4]. - The gross profit from nickel products and intermediates accounted for 52% of the company's total gross profit [4]. - Cobalt product shipments were 47,000 tons, a 13% increase, while copper product sales reached 90,000 tons, up 2.8% [4]. - The Arcadia lithium mine project in Zimbabwe achieved lithium concentrate shipments of approximately 400,000 tons, a 41% increase [4]. Group 3: Lithium Battery Materials - In 2024, lithium battery precursor shipments exceeded 120,000 tons, while cathode material shipments surpassed 90,000 tons, as the company reduced low-margin product shipments to optimize product structure [5]. - Sodium battery precursor shipments exceeded 300 tons, making the company the first in the industry to achieve ton-level exports [5]. Group 4: Nickel Sector Developments - The company has increased nickel ore resource reserves through investments in Indonesian mines and has successfully ramped up production at various nickel hydrometallurgy projects [6]. - The total shipment of nickel intermediates reached nearly 230,000 tons, a 50% increase [6]. - Collaborative projects with Vale Indonesia and Ford for nickel production are progressing as planned [6]. Group 5: International Expansion in Lithium Battery Materials - In Indonesia, the company has initiated trial production of a 50,000-ton nickel sulfate project and is nearing completion of a 50,000-ton ternary precursor project [7]. - In South Korea, a collaboration with LG for a 66,000-ton cathode material project has partially reached production, achieving significant shipments [7]. - In Hungary, the first phase of a cathode material project is progressing smoothly [7].