Core Insights - The company is experiencing significant revenue pressure, with a reported revenue of approximately 40 billion RMB for the first half of the year, a decline of over 1.1 billion RMB compared to the previous year [2][3] - Sales in core categories are declining, with instant noodles down by 350 million RMB and beverage sales shrinking by 700 million RMB, both showing a decrease of around 2.5% [2][3] Revenue Breakdown - Instant noodles generated sales of 13.465 billion RMB, accounting for 33.6% of total revenue, while beverage sales were 26.359 billion RMB, making up 65.7% of total revenue [3] - The overall revenue decreased by 2.7% compared to the previous year, with the instant noodle business and beverage business both contributing to this decline [3] Performance of Key Products - The high-end instant noodle segment saw a sales drop of 7.2%, totaling 5.092 billion RMB, which was a key factor in the revenue decline [5] - However, the "Kang Shifu 1.5 times" large portion product drove a 8% increase in mid-range noodle sales, reaching 1.372 billion RMB [7] - The dry noodle product "Xiang Bao Cui" also experienced nearly double-digit growth due to innovative flavors targeting the snack market [7] Competitive Landscape - Compared to its main competitor, Uni-President, which reported a revenue increase of 8.8% to 5.382 billion RMB, Kang Shifu's performance appears weaker [7] - Uni-President's high-end product offerings have gained significant traction, with over 44% of its products priced above 5 RMB [7] Profitability and Strategy - Despite the revenue decline, the company improved its gross margin, with instant noodle gross profit rising to 3.745 billion RMB, reflecting a margin increase of 0.7 percentage points [10] - The beverage division also saw a gross profit of 9.931 billion RMB, with a margin increase of 2.5 percentage points, resulting in a profit of approximately 1.335 billion RMB [10] - The management's current strategy focuses on consolidation, innovation, and development, aiming for high-quality growth [9] Market Response - Following the announcement of the financial results, the company's stock price initially fell but later rebounded, closing with a market capitalization of approximately 63 billion HKD, down 1.75% [11]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" rating for the food and beverage industry, indicating that the industry index is expected to outperform the benchmark index by more than 10% [7]. Core Insights - The food and beverage sector in A-shares has shown resilience, with a 0.46% increase over the past two weeks, outperforming major indices such as the Shanghai Composite Index and the Shenzhen Component Index [2][13]. - Key segments within the industry, such as soft drinks and snacks, have experienced significant growth, while categories like baked goods and liquor have seen declines [2][13]. - The report highlights the importance of monitoring quarterly and annual reports for performance insights [2]. Market Review - A-shares in the food and beverage sector rose by 0.46% from March 24 to April 3, outperforming the Shanghai Composite Index by 1.14 percentage points and the Shenzhen Component Index by 3.47 percentage points [2][13]. - Within the sector, soft drinks (+6.45%), snacks (+6.40%), and beer (+4.14%) led the gains, while baked goods (-2.68%), liquor (-1.82%), and pre-processed foods (-1.82%) lagged [2][13]. - Notable stock performances included Miaokelan (+27.88%), Wancheng Group (+27.40%), and Yanjinpuzi (+26.02%) as top gainers, while Rock Shares (-31.99%), Sunshine Dairy (-16.57%), and Huangshi Group (-14.79%) faced significant losses [2][13]. Key Data Tracking - The report provides detailed tracking of key data points, including liquor prices, with Moutai's original box price at 2,180 RMB and the bulk price at 2,170 RMB, both down from two weeks prior [3][27]. - The average price of fresh milk in major production areas is reported at 3.08 RMB/kg, a year-on-year decrease of 12.3% [4][38]. - Pork prices are noted at 26.17 RMB/kg, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 3.9% [4][41]. Policy and News Tracking - The report discusses the release of 50 national food safety standards, which prohibit the use of "zero additives" on pre-packaged foods [56]. - New regulations for infant formula encourage the use of raw milk and prohibit repackaging [56]. - Moutai has reportedly met its sales targets for the first quarter, indicating stable market performance [56]. Investment Recommendations - For liquor, the report suggests focusing on high-end brands like Moutai, Wuliangye, and Luzhou Laojiao, as they have shown strong price control and market resilience [5][58]. - In the consumer goods segment, companies such as Yili, New Dairy, Dongpeng Beverage, and Haitian Flavoring are highlighted as key investment opportunities due to their strong market positions and consumer demand [5][58].