8 December 2025 | 7:34AM HKT Equity Research 2) 2026 Prepayment policy and requirement vary by major brands: Moutai/Fen Wine will likely target 5% growth for 2026 with 2025 sales still aiming for positive growth, per the expert. Wuliangye/Fen Wine tentatively set 50%/40% of full-year prepayment for 1Q26 targeting positive volume growth for 2026 with the expert's company, while the effective prepayment price will likely be lowered to distributors especially by Wuliangye (Exhibit 1, effective prepayment price ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Consumer Sector - **Focus**: Raw Materials Price Trends and Stock Implications for Hong Kong/China Consumer Stocks Key Raw Material Price Trends - **Milk Powder Prices**: Declined by 2.2% MoM in October 2025, with a YTD increase of 18% YoY. The average price was US$3,503 per MT as of November 4, 2025 [18][19] - **Corn Prices**: Decreased by 5.3% MoM in October 2025 [28] - **Hog/Pork Prices**: - Hog prices fell to Rmb12.8/kg, down 8.8% MoM in October 2025 [19] - Pork retail prices decreased by 3.8% MoM [19] - **Metal Prices**: Copper prices increased by 5.9% MoM, with a YTD rise of 11.1% [22] Stock Implications - **Yili (600887.SS)**: - Overweight rating; raw milk prices have declined steadily YTD, expected to stabilize towards the end of the year [2] - **Mengniu (2319.HK)**: - Overweight rating; similar trends in raw milk prices as Yili [2] - **Angel Yeast (600298.SS)**: - Overweight rating; molasses prices down by ~20%, which may positively impact earnings if ASP is maintained [3] - **Hengan (1044.HK)**: - Equal-weight rating; pulp prices have fluctuated, potentially easing margin pressure on tissue business [3] - **Tingyi (0322.HK) and Uni-President China (0220.HK)**: - Equal-weight rating; lower PET and sugar prices should benefit beverage margins, but palm oil price spikes may negatively impact noodle margins [4] - **Want Want (0151.HK)**: - Equal-weight rating; facing raw material cost headwinds, plans to offset costs through substitution and efficiency improvements [5] - **Beer Companies**: - Continued benefits from lower barley costs, but diminishing tailwinds from aluminum prices [6] Additional Insights - **Competitive Dynamics**: The beverage industry's competitive landscape will significantly influence margin trends in the second half of 2025 [4] - **Raw Milk Supply**: Expected to stabilize with more balanced supply-demand dynamics as upstream supply declines [2] - **Cost Management Strategies**: Companies are adopting various strategies to manage cost pressures, including substituting raw materials and improving operational efficiencies [5] Conclusion The conference call highlighted significant trends in raw material prices affecting the China consumer sector, with implications for various companies. The overall sentiment suggests cautious optimism as companies adapt to changing market conditions and raw material costs.

Summary of China Beverages Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Beverages** industry, particularly the **ready-to-drink (RTD)** segment and competition from **freshly-made drinks (FMD)**. - The covered China Beverages names have outperformed the MSCI China Staples Index, with an average increase of approximately **20% YTD** compared to **17% YTD** for the index [1][4]. Key Insights and Arguments - **Cautious Outlook**: The company adopts a more selective stance in the beverage sector due to rising competition and cautious pricing trends expected into **2026**. Increased promotions and a shift towards larger pack sizes are anticipated by the end of **2025** [1][4]. - **Top Picks**: **Eastroc** is highlighted as a top pick due to its potential for market share gain and portfolio expansion, supported by strong channel execution and resilience against FMD competition [1][4]. - **Nongfu's Performance**: Nongfu is expected to recover market share in packaged water, with an estimated **80%+** market share in the sugar-free tea segment by the end of this year, up from **65%-70%** in **2024** [1][4]. - **Earnings Adjustments**: Earnings for **UPC** and **Tingyi** have been adjusted down by **3%-8%** and **1%-3%** respectively for **2025E-27E** due to slower sales growth trends. Conversely, Nongfu's earnings have been revised up by **0.2%-1.7%** for the same period [1][4]. Competitive Landscape - **FMD Competition**: The competition from FMD brands is intensifying, particularly in **3Q**. The impact on RTD beverages is more pronounced than previously expected, with a projected **3%** volume hit to bottled beverages for the full year **2025** [1][6]. - **Promotional Pressure**: Increased promotions have led to weakened pricing for RTD drinks, with a narrowing price gap between RTD and mass-market FMD [1][8]. - **Market Dynamics**: Historical brand disputes in the beverage industry have shown long-lasting negative impacts on sales and market share dynamics, providing opportunities for competitors to gain market share [1][7][13]. Financial Projections - **Earnings Growth Expectations**: Expected year-over-year earnings growth for **Nongfu/Eastroc/Tingyi/UPC** in **2H25** is **29%/35%/7%/17%** respectively, while **CR Beverage** is projected to see a **49%** earnings decline [1][4]. - **Cost Trends**: Anticipated **3%-6%** unit cost deflation in **2025** is expected to lead to **2.0-3.3ppt** gross profit margin (GPM) expansion. However, cost benefits are moderating, particularly in **PET/sugar** [1][24][25]. Additional Insights - **Wahaha Brand Dynamics**: The potential launch of a new brand "Wa Xiao Zong" by Hongsheng Group in **2026** could shift market dynamics in the bottled water segment, particularly affecting Wahaha's market share [1][16][17]. - **Scenario Analysis**: The report includes scenario analyses predicting potential market share movements for **Nongfu** and **CR Beverage** based on the dynamics surrounding the Wahaha brand dispute [1][20][21]. Conclusion - The China Beverages industry is facing heightened competition and changing market dynamics, particularly from FMD brands. Companies like Eastroc and Nongfu are positioned to capitalize on these changes, while others like UPC and Tingyi may face challenges. The financial outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with adjustments made to earnings forecasts reflecting the competitive landscape.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the **China Consumer** sector, particularly the implications of raw material price movements on relevant Hong Kong and China consumer stocks [1][7]. Key Raw Material Price Trends - **Palm Oil**: Prices have increased, with a **3.6% MoM** rise in July 2025 and a **17% YTD** increase [24]. - **Sugar**: Prices have stabilized, showing a **0.2% MoM** decrease in July 2025 and a **6% YTD** decline [20]. - **PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)**: Prices increased by **1.2% MoM** in July 2025 but are down **9% YTD** [22]. - **Raw Milk**: Prices decreased to **Rmb3.03/kg**, down **0.2% MoM** and **8% YTD** [21]. - **Molasses**: Prices have dropped by approximately **20% YTD**, benefiting companies like Angel Yeast [3]. Company-Specific Insights - **Yili (600887.SS)**: Raw milk prices have declined steadily YTD, but are expected to stabilize towards the end of the year due to balanced supply-demand dynamics. This is anticipated to benefit net profit margins (NPM) as inventory provisions decrease in 2025 [2]. - **Angel Yeast (600298.SS)**: The decline in molasses prices is expected to provide an earnings upside if the average selling price (ASP) can be maintained [3]. - **Tingyi (0322.HK) and Uni-President China (0220.HK)**: Lower PET and sugar prices are expected to benefit beverage segment margins, but rising palm oil prices may negatively impact margins in the second half of 2025 [4]. - **Want Want (0151.HK)**: Increasing milk powder prices are likely to pressure margins, with plans to offset costs through raw milk substitution and efficiency improvements [5]. - **Beer Companies**: Companies in this sector are benefiting from lower barley costs, although the tailwinds from aluminum prices are diminishing [5]. - **Hengan (1044.HK)**: Pulp prices have increased since October 2024, which may pressure the tissue business [6]. Market Dynamics - Competitive dynamics in the beverage industry will be crucial for margin trends in the second half of 2025, particularly for Tingyi, where price hike benefits are expected to diminish [4]. - The overall sentiment in the China consumer sector remains in-line, with various companies facing different pressures and opportunities based on raw material price fluctuations [7]. Additional Insights - The average whole milk auction price was reported at **US$4,012 per MT** on August 6, 2025, reflecting an **8.3% MoM** decrease [19]. - The conference highlights the importance of monitoring raw material prices as they directly impact the profitability and operational strategies of consumer goods companies in China [1][7]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call, focusing on raw material price trends and their implications for specific companies within the China consumer sector.

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating on Eastroc, Tingyi, CR Beverage, and Nongfu, with a preference for the beverage sector within staples due to growth potential and earnings visibility [9]. Core Insights - The beverage sector in China has shown a year-to-date rally of 19%, outperforming the MSCI China staples index, which increased by 8% [1]. - Despite rising competition, the sector is expected to sustain long-term volume growth and profit visibility into 2025, driven by a solid product cycle and cost benefits [9]. - Key debates in the beverage space include the impact of freshly made drinks (FMD) due to intensified food delivery subsidies, the ongoing product cycle, and margin resilience amid competition [1][2][8]. Summary by Sections Impact of Freshly Made Drinks (FMD) - FMD has seen a volume boost from delivery subsidies, with a potential short-term impact on ready-to-drink (RTD) soft drinks due to cannibalization [2]. - The analysis suggests a limited overall impact on the beverage industry, primarily affecting nearby soft drink points of sale (POS) [2]. - A scenario analysis indicates a potential low single-digit to mid-single-digit percentage impact on daily volume sold by RTD soft drinks, assuming a 50% cannibalization rate [19]. Product Cycle Dynamics - The product cycle remains a critical driver, with sugar-free drinks, new flavors, and sports/energy drinks gaining traction [3][39]. - New product launches, such as Eastroc's Ice Tea and UPC's sugar-free tea, are expected to contribute significantly to sales in 2025 [7][41]. - The focus on health and functional benefits continues to shape consumer preferences, leading to a rise in innovative beverage offerings [39][40]. Margin Resilience and Cost Benefits - The report highlights manageable impacts from competition risks, with cost benefits expected to continue into the second half of 2025 [8]. - Unit cost deflation is revised to 2.3% to 6.3% for the beverage segments, which is anticipated to offset potential declines in average selling prices (ASP) [8][64]. - Companies are adjusting promotional strategies and scaling down promotions for classic SKUs while benefiting from ASP hikes on larger pack beverages [64].

Investment Rating - The report indicates a preference for Beverage, followed by Pet Foods, Beer, and Dairy, with specific stock ideas highlighted for Eastroc, Tingyi/CR beverage, and Tsingtao-H [9][10]. Core Insights - The industry is experiencing a bumpy recovery in demand, particularly in the spirits, beer, and dairy sectors, with recent policy changes impacting consumption sentiment [1][3]. - Emerging channel shifts, such as instant shopping and discounter channels, are gaining traction, although their overall contribution to the staples universe remains small [1][8]. - Profitability resilience is supported by cost deflation and agile investment strategies, with companies focusing on margin visibility amid muted demand trends [1][9]. Demand Recovery - The demand recovery in Q2 has been lackluster, with notable declines in spirits and dairy products, while beer performance varies across brands [2][11]. - Retail performance has been conservative, with spirits and dairy showing year-over-year declines, particularly in the upper mid-end segments [2][11]. - The beverage sector shows solid volume momentum, although mixed performance is noted across brands [2][11]. Policy Impact - Recent policy tightening on alcohol consumption has created headwinds for spirits and beer companies, particularly affecting high-end catering and on-trade consumption [3][6][34]. - The government has implemented regulations prohibiting the serving of alcoholic drinks during working meals, impacting consumption sentiment during peak seasons [3][6][34]. Emerging Trends - There is a notable shift towards discounter channels and instant shopping platforms, with companies customizing products to meet rising demand [8][10]. - The pet food and beverage categories are experiencing positive product cycles, contributing to growth despite overall market challenges [7][41]. Pricing and Cost Trends - Pricing pressures persist across various sectors, with dairy and beverages introducing more value-for-money products in response to declining raw milk prices [12][36]. - Cost benefits from declining commodity prices are expected to support margin resilience across multiple sectors, including beer and dairy [7][12]. Company Performance - Companies like Yili and Mengniu are facing weak demand trends in UHT liquid milk, while fresh milk and chilled yogurt categories are performing better [38]. - CR Beer and Chongqing Brewery are focusing on in-home consumption and premiumization strategies to counteract weak on-trade demand [35][40]. - The pet food sector remains strong, with companies like China Pet expecting significant year-over-year growth driven by new product launches [41].