Core Viewpoint - The significant fluctuation in gross margin of Haitong Development (603162.SH) has drawn attention, with a drop from 40.06% in 2022 to 15.01% in 2023, followed by a recovery to 20.05% in 2024, and a further decline to 11.65% in the first half of 2025 [1][2] Group 1: Gross Margin Fluctuations - The gross margin changes are primarily influenced by the cyclical fluctuations in the global dry bulk shipping market [1] - The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) averaged a 28.72% year-on-year decline in 2023 due to macroeconomic weakness and geopolitical factors, leading to a significant drop in the company's freight revenue [1] - In 2024, the BDI index increased by 27.36% year-on-year, and the company expanded its capacity by acquiring 17 new vessels, which helped to rebound the gross margin [1] - However, in the first half of 2025, the BDI average declined by 30% year-on-year, coupled with increased vessel maintenance costs and incomplete benefits from new ships, further pressuring the gross margin [1] Group 2: Business Structure Changes - The company actively expanded its external chartering business, with its revenue share increasing from 32.85% to 49.29%, but this segment has a gross margin of less than 10%, significantly lower than the self-operated shipping business [2] - The self-operated shipping business is the core source of gross margin, with its margin fluctuations closely aligned with market freight trends [2] - In 2023, the domestic charter business saw a 32.19% year-on-year decline in unit price, resulting in a gross margin drop to 3.10% [2] - The overseas time charter business experienced a more than 50% decline in daily rental rates in 2023, leading to a gross margin decrease of 28.31 percentage points, although improvements are expected in 2024 as rental rates recover [2]