Core Viewpoint - The company's FY25 earnings fell below expectations, with a revenue of HKD 79.3 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 3%, and a net profit of HKD 3.25 billion, a year-on-year increase of 2% [1] Financial Performance - FY25 revenue was HKD 79.3 billion, down 3% year-on-year - FY25 net profit was HKD 3.25 billion, up 2% year-on-year, but below expectations - The decline in performance was primarily due to underperformance in joint venture earnings, which fell 37% year-on-year to HKD 441 million, and a 31% increase in income tax expenses to HKD 993 million due to reduced tax refunds [1] - The company plans to distribute a final dividend of HKD 0.35 per share, maintaining the same level as the previous year, with a total annual dividend of HKD 0.50 per share [1] Sales and Margins - FY25 urban gas sales were 23.52 billion cubic meters, remaining stable year-on-year - Residential gas sales decreased by 2.1%, while commercial and industrial gas sales increased by 3.7% and 1.0%, respectively - The gross margin was HKD 0.537 per cubic meter, an increase of HKD 0.036 year-on-year - The company added 1.4 million residential connections, a decrease of 16.5% year-on-year [1] Cash Flow and Investments - FY25 investment cash outflow was HKD 1.78 billion, down 74.8% year-on-year, mainly due to the recovery of loans from joint ventures and a reduction in capital expenditures by approximately HKD 1.4 billion [1] Future Outlook - The trend of improving gross margins is expected to continue until FY27 - For FY26, the company anticipates a 2% year-on-year increase in urban gas sales and a gross margin of HKD 0.55 per cubic meter, driven by an increase in residential pricing ratios [1] Debt and Financial Management - As of the end of FY25, the company's net debt (excluding trade-related financing) was approximately HKD 47.8 billion, showing a slight decrease from FY24 - The company is expected to maintain control over capital expenditures, indicating that the debt level has likely peaked [2] - FY25 saw an increase in receivables provision of HKD 568 million, with ongoing pressure expected in FY26 due to uncertainties in the real estate sector [2] Dividend and Valuation - The company maintained a dividend payout ratio of 83.3% in 2024, with expectations for stable dividends of HKD 0.50 per share over the next 2-3 years, translating to a dividend yield of approximately 6.8% based on the closing price on June 27 [2] - Earnings forecasts for FY26 have been revised down by 32% to HKD 3.285 billion, with FY27 earnings projected at HKD 3.449 billion [2] - The current stock price corresponds to a P/E ratio of 12.2x for FY26 and 11.6x for FY27, with a target price adjustment of 9.1% down to HKD 8, indicating an upside potential of 8.8% [2]