Core Viewpoint - The company's 1H25 performance fell short of expectations, with significant declines in both EBITDA and net profit due to higher costs and expenses [1][2]. Financial Performance - 1H25 operating EBITDA was AUD 595 million, down 40% year-on-year; net profit attributable to shareholders was AUD 163 million, down 61% year-on-year, with earnings per share at AUD 0.124, below expectations [1]. - 1H25 coal production increased to approximately 18.9 million tons, up 11% year-on-year, while sales volume decreased to approximately 16.6 million tons, down 2% year-on-year [1][2]. - The average selling price for self-produced coal was AUD 149 per ton, down 15% year-on-year [2]. Sales and Pricing - 1H25 sales of thermal coal were 13.8 million tons, down 7% year-on-year, while coking coal sales were 2.8 million tons, up 40% year-on-year [1][2]. - The cash operating cost per ton of coal (excluding royalties) was AUD 105, up 4% year-on-year, while the cash cost per ton based on production was AUD 93, down 8% year-on-year [2]. Capital Expenditure and Cash Flow - Capital expenditure for 1H25 was AUD 407 million, with free cash flow estimated at AUD 66 million [2]. - As of the end of 2Q25, the company held AUD 1.8 billion in cash, with a net cash position of AUD 1.67 billion [2]. Future Outlook - The company expects full-year coal production to be at the upper end of the guidance range of 35-39 million tons, with cash costs per ton expected to be at the lower end of the guidance range of AUD 89-97 [2]. - The company announced an interim dividend of AUD 0.062 per share, resulting in a payout ratio of 50% based on net profit for 1H25 [2]. Market Trends - The company anticipates a recovery in sales volume in the second half of the year, driven by easing weather disruptions [3]. - Coal prices have shown signs of recovery since June, with prices for Australian coal increasing compared to 2Q25 averages [3]. Earnings Forecast and Valuation - Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been revised down by 37% and 7% to AUD 535 million and AUD 747 million, respectively [3]. - The current stock price corresponds to a P/E ratio of 13.6x for 2025 and 9.3x for 2026, with a target price adjustment of 6% down to HKD 29, implying a 3% upside potential [3].

Group 1 - The company expects a decline in net profit for 1H25, with a forecasted net profit attributable to shareholders of 4.65 billion yuan, down approximately 38% year-on-year, and a non-recurring net profit of 4.4 billion yuan, down 39% year-on-year, primarily due to falling coal prices and weak demand leading to a decrease in coal sales [1] - The market is experiencing a loose supply-demand situation, which has pressured coking coal prices. National coal production increased by 5.4% year-on-year in 1H25, while demand remained weak, with power generation down 2.4% and crude steel production down 3.0% year-on-year [1] - The company's coal sales declined due to weak demand, with total coal sales in 1H25 down 4.9% year-on-year to 64.56 million tons, despite a 6.5% increase in coal production [1] Group 2 - Since 3Q25, coal prices have rebounded due to increased demand for electricity during peak season, with the price of Qinhuangdao 5500 kcal thermal coal rising from 615 yuan/ton at the end of June to 694 yuan/ton as of August 13, indicating a potential recovery in company profits [2] - The expectation of further tightening supply in the domestic market may lead to a more balanced coal supply-demand situation, supporting a sustained increase in thermal coal prices and improving company profitability compared to 2Q25 [2] Group 3 - The company's earnings forecast and valuation remain largely unchanged, with the current stock price corresponding to a P/E ratio of 14.3x/12.2x for A-shares and 9.9x/8.1x for H-shares for 2025E/26E [3] - The target price for A/H shares is maintained at 16.00 yuan for A-shares and 10.00 HKD for H-shares, implying a 20% upside for A-shares and a 3% upside for H-shares based on the 2025E/26E P/E ratios [3]

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Views - In the spot and futures market, the closing price of the main EG contract was 4,179 yuan/ton, down 71 yuan/ton (-1.67%) from the previous trading day. The spot price of EG in the East China market was 4,216 yuan/ton, down 19 yuan/ton (-0.45%). The spot basis of EG in East China was 21 yuan/ton, unchanged from the previous day. After Trump's attitude softened, concerns about plant shutdowns due to high ethane import tariffs eased on Thursday, leading to a decline in EG prices [1]. - In terms of production profit, the production profit of ethylene - based EG was -$66/ton, up $3/ton from the previous period. The production profit of coal - based syngas EG was -227 yuan/ton, up 41 yuan/ton [1]. - Regarding inventory, according to CCF data, the MEG inventory at major ports in East China was 77.5 tons, up 0.4 tons from the previous period. According to Longzhong data, it was 68.8 tons, down 1.9 tons from last week. The planned arrivals at major ports this week were 19.6 tons, slightly on the high side. The inventory has rebounded compared to Monday. The current inventory is at a seasonal median level in the past five years, and the hidden inventory is still high. Attention should be paid to the impact of de - stocking on port inventory [1]. - On the supply side, with the centralized maintenance of coal - based plants, the domestic supply of EG has declined. The Sino - US trade war also affects the supply of ethylene glycol. On the demand side, the polyester load has remained stable at a high level in the near term, but the textile and clothing orders directly exported to the US are still on hold. The overall EG inventory is at a seasonal median level in the past five years. There is some de - stocking support in April, but the hidden inventory of polyester factories is still high, limiting the actual de - stocking amplitude of port inventory [1][2]. 3. Strategies - Unilateral: Cautiously short - hedge MEG. Given the US tariff increase and OPEC+ production increase, the medium - term outlook for crude oil prices is weak. In the short term, attention should be paid to the progress of the Iran nuclear negotiations. The fundamentals of MEG itself are acceptable, but the textile and clothing demand outlook remains weak due to the suspension of direct exports to the US [3]. - Inter - period: No strategy provided. - Inter - variety: No strategy provided. 4. Summary by Directory Price and Basis - The report presents the closing price of the main EG contract, the spot price of EG in the East China market, and the spot basis of EG in East China, along with their changes from the previous trading day [1]. Production Profit and Operating Rate - It shows the production profits of ethylene - based EG, coal - based syngas EG, and other production methods, as well as their changes from the previous period [1]. International Price Difference - The international price difference between US FOB and Chinese CFR for ethylene glycol is presented [17]. Downstream Sales, Production, and Operating Rate - Information on the sales and production of long - filament and short - fiber, as well as the operating rates of polyester, direct - spun long - filament, polyester staple fiber, and polyester bottle - chip is provided [18][20][24]. Inventory Data - Data on the inventory of ethylene glycol at major ports in East China, including overall inventory and inventory at specific ports, as well as the inventory days of MEG raw materials in Chinese polyester factories and the daily outbound volume at major ports in East China are given [1][28][31][33][36].