Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of industry cycles over individual company performance in the Chinese liquor market, particularly during periods of economic downturns, where even strong companies face significant declines due to systemic pressures [7][11][35]. Group 1: Industry Performance Overview - The period from 2013 to 2021 was characterized as a "golden era" for the liquor industry, with major brands like Kweichow Moutai increasing by 1297%, Shanxi Fenjiu by 1090%, and Wuliangye by 860% [13][15]. - In contrast, the period from 2022 to 2026 is described as a "deep adjustment period," where major brands have seen significant declines, with Luzhou Laojiao down 49%, Wuliangye down 46%, and Kweichow Moutai down 26% [20][22]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - Investors are advised to focus on industry cycles when selecting stocks, prioritizing companies with strong demand resilience during downturns, such as Kweichow Moutai, or those with low valuations, like Gujing Gongjiu B [29][30]. - The article warns against relying on company-specific factors (alpha) to counteract industry-wide trends (beta), as strong financials or management integrity may not protect against systemic downturns [31][32]. Group 3: Historical Context and Lessons - The article highlights that past star stocks, such as Yanghe and Shui Jing Fang, which performed well during the boom, have suffered even greater declines in the current downturn, illustrating that past performance does not guarantee future resilience [33][34]. - The cyclical nature of the industry is underscored, with the assertion that understanding the primary conflict between industry cycles and individual company performance is crucial for avoiding investment pitfalls [35].
白酒周期启示录