Summary of Aier Eye Hospital Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Aier Eye Hospital - **Industry**: Ophthalmology in China Key Points and Arguments Industry Growth Potential - The refractive surgery, cataract surgery, and optometry markets in China are expected to grow at rates of 28%, 10%, and 15% respectively from 2020 to 2025, indicating significant growth potential [2][3] - Current treatment rates in China are low compared to developed countries, suggesting room for improvement [2][3] Aier Eye Hospital's Performance - Despite the pandemic and changing consumer environment, Aier Eye Hospital maintained a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 15% in refractive surgery [2][5] - The cataract business benefited from contributions from acquired institutions, achieving double-digit growth [2][5] - Price pressures from centralized procurement and DRG payment reforms have largely dissipated, with expectations for a rebound in surgical volume in the second half of the year [2][5] Competitive Advantages - Aier Eye Hospital's core competitiveness lies in its professional and scalable operations [2][6] - The optometry business is experiencing rapid growth due to increased awareness of myopia prevention [2][6] - The company is expanding its supply of specialized hospitals and talent to capture market share from public hospitals [2][6] Impact of the Pandemic - The pandemic disrupted operational rhythms, reduced consumer confidence, and led to a decline in average transaction prices [3][7] - However, the average transaction price has significantly rebounded due to upgraded surgical techniques and new product introductions [3][10] Technological Advancements - New technologies such as the All-Laser 4.0 and All-Laser Pro have driven up the average transaction price in refractive surgery, with All-Laser 4.0 priced at approximately 18,800 RMB, a 30% increase from its predecessor [11] Long-term Demand Drivers - The aging population in China is expected to increase the demand for cataract surgeries significantly over the next 15 to 20 years [12] - The target demographic for refractive surgery remains stable, with potential for laser myopia surgery volumes to double as GDP per capita increases [12][14] Business Model and Expansion Strategy - Aier Eye Hospital employs a tiered chain and multi-hospital model to enhance patient coverage and resource allocation [21][25] - The company is actively pursuing overseas expansion, with international revenue growing from 3% to 13% of total revenue over recent years [24][17] Financial Performance and Projections - Aier Eye Hospital's revenue growth is robust, with significant contributions from both mature and newly established hospitals [22][23] - The company is expected to achieve a growth rate of 10-15% in 2025, with a valuation level around 30 times earnings [33] Market Position and Future Outlook - Aier Eye Hospital's market position is strong, with a significant share of the refractive surgery market and a growing presence in the cataract and optometry sectors [18][13] - The company is optimistic about stable and sustainable revenue growth in the coming years, supported by favorable demographic trends and technological advancements [14][32] Additional Important Insights - The private specialty hospital market in China is expanding, with significant growth potential for Aier Eye Hospital to capture more market share [15] - The supply situation in the ophthalmology industry is improving, with a trend of consolidation among leading players [16] - Aier Eye Hospital's unique business model and management strategies are designed to enhance profitability and operational efficiency [25][26]

Core Insights - The company reported stable revenue growth in H1 2025, with operating income reaching 11.507 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.12% [1] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 2.051 billion yuan, showing a slight increase of 0.05%, while the net profit excluding non-recurring items grew by 14.30% to 2.040 billion yuan [1] - The company experienced a decline in gross margin due to rising operating costs, with a gross margin of 48.56%, down 0.88 percentage points from the previous year [1] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, the company achieved operating income of 5.481 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.47%, but the net profit attributable to shareholders decreased by 12.97% to 1.001 billion yuan [1] - The company’s expense ratios showed a downward trend, with the sales expense ratio at 9.15%, down 1.47 percentage points, and the management expense ratio at 14.89%, down 0.04 percentage points [1] Operational Highlights - The outpatient volume increased significantly, reaching 9.2483 million visits in H1 2025, a growth of 16.47%, while the number of surgeries performed was 879,000, up 7.63% [2] - Major project revenues showed steady growth, with the refractive project contributing the highest revenue of 4.618 billion yuan, an increase of 11.14%, although the gross margin decreased by 1.07 percentage points [2] Strategic Development - The company’s "1+8+N" strategy is making substantial progress, with 355 domestic hospitals and 240 outpatient departments operational as of June 30, 2025 [3] - The company has established a global network of 169 ophthalmology centers and clinics abroad, enhancing its international brand influence through hosting significant conferences [3] Investment Outlook - Despite overall consumer pressure, the company is expected to maintain stable growth, with revenue forecasts for 2025-2027 set at 23.469 billion, 26.091 billion, and 28.468 billion yuan respectively [4] - The net profit forecasts for 2025-2026 have been adjusted to 4.059 billion and 4.591 billion yuan, reflecting a decrease in gross margins [4]

Group 1 - The stock price of Aier Eye Hospital closed at 13.22 yuan on August 18, 2025, with a 1.30% increase from the previous trading day. The trading volume reached 1.394 million hands, and the turnover was 1.843 billion yuan, with a fluctuation of 2.30% [1] - Aier Eye Hospital operates in the medical services sector, focusing on ophthalmic medical services, including myopia correction, cataract surgery, and retinal disease treatment. The company is expanding its medical service network through domestic and international market layouts [1] - The company has indicated that the prevalence of presbyopia treatment in China is relatively low, but its European subsidiary has extensive experience in this area and is performing well. To meet the aging population's needs, the company has opened presbyopia clinics in multiple hospitals and plans to establish a presbyopia study group to promote related diagnostic and treatment services [1] Group 2 - On August 18, the net inflow of main funds was 47.8489 million yuan, while the net outflow over the past five days amounted to 304 million yuan [2]

Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved operating revenue of CNY 4.027 billion, a year-on-year increase of 0.35% [2] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was CNY 429 million, a decrease of 35.63% [2] - As of the end of the reporting period, total assets amounted to CNY 7.924 billion, with net assets of CNY 5.794 billion [3] - In Q1 2025, operating revenue reached CNY 1.093 billion, a year-on-year growth of 11.74%, while net profit was CNY 150 million, down 4.00% [3] Business Segment Performance - In 2024, the cataract business generated revenue of CNY 873 million, a decline of 11.56% due to the implementation of centralized procurement policies [3] - The refractive business achieved revenue of CNY 1.296 billion, growing by 7.44% [3] - The comprehensive optometry business reported revenue of CNY 1.069 billion, an increase of 5.15% [3] - The eye posterior segment business saw revenue of CNY 536 million, a slight increase of 0.19% [3] Market Outlook - The aging population is expected to drive demand for various age-related eye diseases, including cataracts, with an estimated 80% incidence rate among individuals over 60 [8] - By 2050, the number of cataract patients in China is projected to reach 241 million [8] - The prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents is a significant public health issue, with a reported rate of 51.9% in 2022 [9] - The market for eye care services in China is anticipated to grow, driven by increasing demand in various segments [9] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to expand its operations through mergers and acquisitions or self-built facilities in 24 key investment provinces [10] - There is a focus on enhancing the eye care service network and improving operational efficiency through technology and management systems [7] - The company is actively seeking overseas expansion opportunities, particularly in Europe and Asia, to enhance its global footprint [11]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" rating for the company [3][5]. Core Views - The company is expected to see growth in its refractive surgery segment due to an increase in average customer spending, while the cataract segment is anticipated to recover from a high base effect starting in May 2024 [2]. - Cost reduction and efficiency improvements are projected to lead to a decrease in expenses, with a gross margin of 48.02% in Q1 2025 [2]. - The company is positioned as a leading player in the ophthalmology medical service sector, with strengthening brand power and operational resilience [3]. Financial Forecasts - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are estimated at 23.09 billion, 26.07 billion, and 29.22 billion yuan, with corresponding growth rates of 10.0%, 12.9%, and 12.1% [3][4]. - Net profit attributable to shareholders is forecasted to be 4.03 billion, 4.70 billion, and 5.43 billion yuan for the same period, with growth rates of 13.3%, 16.6%, and 15.6% respectively [3][4]. - The report provides a PE ratio forecast of 30, 26, and 23 for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027 [3][4].