Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that despite a recent pullback in China Hongqiao's stock, JPMorgan sees this as a buying opportunity for investors and maintains a constructive outlook on the aluminum industry for 2026 [1] - JPMorgan has upgraded its target price for China Hongqiao from HKD 26.5 to HKD 34, maintaining an "overweight" rating [1] - The positive outlook for the aluminum industry in 2026 is supported by resilient global demand, rising copper prices, and healthy smelting profit margins [1] Group 2 - JPMorgan's base case predicts a moderate surplus in 2026 due to new supply from Indonesia, but potential supply disruption risks and slower overseas restart rates may tighten the market beyond their base case [1] - The firm remains optimistic about aluminum stocks, forecasting earnings growth of 10-16% for the fiscal year 2026, and believes that China Hongqiao's valuation is currently undervalued [1] - China Hongqiao, as a significant producer in the Chinese aluminum industry, is expected to benefit from these trends while maintaining healthy margin profits due to its low production cost advantage [1] Group 3 - Another factor supporting JPMorgan's positive view on China Hongqiao is its demonstrated commitment to shareholder returns, with a dividend yield exceeding 6% providing solid support for the stock price [1]

Core Viewpoint - DBS Bank maintains a "Buy" rating for China Hongqiao (01378) after a strong performance in the first half of 2025, raising the 12-month target price from HKD 22 to HKD 29, supported by an optimistic aluminum price outlook [1] Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, China Hongqiao's revenue increased to RMB 81 billion, a year-on-year growth of 10.1%, driven by higher average selling prices (ASP) of alumina and aluminum products, as well as increased sales volume [1] - The company's gross margin improved by 1.5 percentage points to 25.7%, while net attributable profit rose by 35% to RMB 12.36 billion, with a net profit margin increase of 3 percentage points to 17% [1][2] Financial Health - China Hongqiao's financial condition is improving, with interest coverage ratio significantly rising to 17.6 times due to optimized debt structure and improved interest rates [2] - Although no interim dividend was declared for the first half of 2025, management expects the annual dividend payout ratio to remain stable at 63% for the fiscal year 2024, leading to an implied dividend yield of 7% based on the projected earnings per share of HKD 2.60 for fiscal year 2025 [2] Market Outlook - DBS Bank anticipates strong aluminum prices to continue through 2026-2027, highlighting China Hongqiao's competitive advantages [2] - Management projects the average selling price for electrolytic aluminum in 2025 to be between RMB 20,600 and RMB 21,300 per ton, and for alumina between RMB 3,200 and RMB 3,300 per ton, indicating a robust price outlook [2] - Global aluminum demand is expected to grow by 3.1% in 2025, outpacing supply growth of 1.8% [2] Competitive Position - Under China's "anti-involution" guidelines, supply control is expected to strengthen, benefiting leading companies like China Hongqiao from rising average prices and market consolidation [3] - China Hongqiao aims to complete the transfer of approximately 2.2 million tons of capacity to Yunnan by the end of fiscal year 2025, representing 34% of total capacity, enhancing its production cost advantages through an integrated supply chain and increased use of green power [3]