Investment Rating - The industry maintains a "Market Perform" investment rating, indicating that the industry index is expected to fluctuate between -10% to 10% relative to the CSI 300 index over the next six months [60]. Core Insights - Since 2021, the revenue growth rate of the food and beverage industry has shown a stepwise decline, with a further slowdown in growth recorded in the first three quarters of 2025. The industry recorded a revenue growth of 0.18% in the first three quarters of 2025, a decline of 2.29 percentage points compared to the first half of the year [9][10]. - The industry has experienced a continuous increase in gross profit margins in recent years, peaking in 2024. However, since 2025, the gross profit margin has started to decline due to the fading cost advantages. The operating cost growth has outpaced revenue growth, leading to increased cost pressures [8][26]. - The report highlights a significant change in the expense structure of listed companies, with a reduction in sales expenses and a focus on internal control management. The research indicates that while sales expenses have decreased, R&D investments have remained stable [42][50]. - Profitability indicators for the food and beverage sector have been on the rise since 2021 but have started to decline in 2025 due to slowing revenue growth and the diminishing cost advantages. The net profit margin and return on equity have both decreased in the first three quarters of 2025 compared to the previous year [51][54]. Summary by Sections Revenue Growth - The food and beverage industry has seen a stepwise decline in revenue growth since 2021, with a recorded growth of 0.18% in the first three quarters of 2025, down 2.29 percentage points from the first half of the year [9][10]. - Sub-sectors such as snacks and soft drinks have shown strong growth, while others like prepared foods and white spirits have experienced revenue declines [10][19]. Cost and Profitability - The gross profit margin of the food and beverage sector peaked in 2024 but has started to decline in 2025 due to rising costs outpacing revenue growth. The gross profit margin was recorded at 49.53% in the first three quarters of 2025, down 1.39 percentage points year-on-year [26][54]. - The report indicates that the cost growth has exceeded revenue growth by 2.83 percentage points in the first three quarters of 2025, leading to increased cost pressures [27][31]. Expense Management - There has been a notable shift in the expense management of listed companies, with a reduction in sales expenses and a focus on internal control, resulting in a significant decrease in management expense ratios [42][46]. - The sales expense ratio has decreased from 12.35% in 2021 to 11.07% in the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting a more cautious approach to market investments [42][44]. Investment Opportunities - The report recommends focusing on investment opportunities in sub-sectors such as soft drinks, health products, baking, yeast, compound seasonings, and snacks, which are expected to perform well despite the overall industry slowdown [57].