Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" outlook on the public utility sector, indicating an expectation for the industry to outperform the overall market [2]. Core Insights - The report highlights significant improvements in coal-fired power profitability due to a notable decrease in coal prices, with a 25.5% year-on-year drop in the average spot price of 5500 kcal thermal coal [2]. - Hydropower performance varies across regions, with major hydropower companies in Sichuan and Yunnan showing increased generation hours, leading to a strong performance in the first half of 2025 [2]. - Nuclear power generation is expected to grow steadily with the expansion of new units and ongoing approvals for additional reactors, ensuring long-term growth potential [2]. - Natural gas consumption faced short-term pressure but is anticipated to recover in the medium to long term as costs decrease and residential gas prices adjust [2]. Summary by Sections Coal Power - In Q2 2025, the average utilization hours for coal-fired power plants decreased by 118 hours year-on-year, but profitability is expected to improve due to lower coal prices [2]. - Companies like Jingneng Power and Jiantou Energy reported over 100% growth in net profit for the first half of 2025 [2]. Hydropower - National hydropower utilization hours reached 1023 hours from January to May 2025, a decrease of 70 hours year-on-year, but major hydropower companies reported significant increases in generation [2]. - Companies such as China Yangtze Power and Huaneng Hydropower saw their hydropower generation increase by 5.01% and 10.93% respectively in the first half of 2025 [2]. Nuclear Power - Nuclear power generation for China Nuclear Power and China General Nuclear Power increased by 12.01% and 6.11% respectively in the first half of 2025 [2]. - The approval of new nuclear units is expected to support future growth, with 10 new units approved in April 2025 [2]. Natural Gas - Natural gas consumption in China decreased by 1.3% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025, but there is an upward trend in terminal consumption [2]. - The report anticipates a recovery in natural gas prices due to increased LNG exports from major producing regions [2]. Performance Forecast - The report forecasts significant profit growth for key companies in the public utility sector for the first half of 2025, with various companies expected to see net profit growth rates ranging from 0% to over 100% [2][3]. - Recommendations include focusing on companies with strong growth potential in hydropower, nuclear power, and natural gas sectors [2].