Core Insights - The environmental protection industry is gradually returning to rational investment, focusing on the sustainable development of core businesses and cost reduction while actively exploring new sectors such as renewable energy, AI + environmental protection, and robotics to achieve steady growth amid market policy adjustments and industrial changes [1][2] Water Sector - In H1 2025, the water sector (16 listed companies) achieved revenue of 34.35 billion, a decrease of 0.9% year-on-year, while net profit increased by 4.6% to 5.42 billion. Recent policy changes are expected to catalyze market-oriented water price reforms, providing growth opportunities for efficient water service companies [3] Solid Waste Sector - In H1 2025, the solid waste treatment sector (38 listed companies) generated revenue of 86.53 billion, an increase of 3.4%, but net profit decreased by 3.4% to 8.47 billion. Enhanced dividends from waste incineration and international expansion are anticipated to lead to valuation re-evaluation [4] Environmental Monitoring/Testing Sector - In H1 2025, the environmental monitoring/testing sector (9 listed companies) reported revenue of 4.31 billion, down 4.4%, with net profit dropping 41% to 0.162 billion. New carbon market policies are expected to expand industry participation and drive demand for carbon monitoring as China continues to pursue its dual carbon goals [5] Environmental Equipment Sector - In H1 2025, the environmental equipment sector (26 listed companies) achieved revenue of 30.00 billion, a decrease of 3.69%, and net profit fell by 15% to 1.92 billion. The year 2025 marks the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan, with government initiatives expected to boost demand for energy-saving cooling equipment [6]

Core Viewpoint - The environmental sector is experiencing a mixed performance in the first half of 2025, with revenue and net profit showing varying trends across different sub-sectors, influenced by policy changes and market dynamics [1][2][4]. Summary by Category Overall Sector Performance - The environmental sector, comprising 146 listed companies, achieved a total revenue of 1,870.37 billion yuan in H1 2025, a slight increase of 0.2% year-on-year, while net profit decreased by 6.0% to 169.53 billion yuan, primarily due to significant profit declines in specific companies [2]. Water Sector - The water sector, with 16 listed companies, reported revenues of 343.53 billion yuan, down 0.9% year-on-year, but net profit increased by 4.6% to 54.2 billion yuan. Recent policy changes are expected to catalyze market reforms, potentially benefiting efficient water companies [3]. Solid Waste Sector - The solid waste sector, consisting of 38 listed companies, generated revenues of 865.33 billion yuan, reflecting a 3.4% year-on-year increase, while net profit decreased by 3.4% to 84.7 billion yuan. Enhanced dividends from waste incineration and international expansion are anticipated to reshape valuations [3]. Environmental Monitoring/Testing Sector - The environmental monitoring/testing sector, with 9 listed companies, achieved revenues of 43.08 billion yuan, down 4.4% year-on-year, and net profit fell by 41% to 1.62 billion yuan. New carbon market policies are expected to expand industry participation and drive demand in the carbon monitoring sector [3]. Environmental Equipment Sector - The environmental equipment sector, comprising 26 listed companies, reported revenues of 300.04 billion yuan, a decrease of 3.69% year-on-year, and net profit fell by 15% to 19.17 billion yuan. The government’s focus on energy-saving equipment upgrades is expected to boost demand in this area [4][5]. Investment Recommendations - The report highlights three main investment themes: 1. Water and waste incineration operations, which are expected to benefit from market reforms and stable cash flows, with recommended companies including Xingrong Environment and Hancheng Environment [5]. 2. Environmental equipment, driven by ongoing industrial energy-saving initiatives and data center cooling needs, with suggested companies like Zhongtai Co. and Ice Wheel Environment [5]. 3. Circular economy, with significant growth potential, particularly in resource recycling, with recommended companies such as Yingke Recycling and Gao Neng Environment [5].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the environmental engineering and services sector is "Positive" [2] Core Viewpoints - The environmental industry is gradually returning to rationality after experiencing a decline in national subsidies, PPP projects, and mixed ownership reforms. Companies are focusing on core business development while exploring new growth areas such as renewable energy and AI+environmental solutions [24] - In 2024, the environmental sector achieved a total revenue of CNY 395.986 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 1.2%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of CNY 26.289 billion, a decrease of 10.7%. However, in Q1 2025, the sector's revenue increased by 1.5% year-on-year to CNY 87.873 billion, and net profit rose by 1.3% to CNY 8.723 billion, indicating a steady improvement in performance [24] Summary by Relevant Sections Water Sector - In 2024, the water sector generated revenue of CNY 75.376 billion, a decrease of 1% year-on-year, while net profit increased by 24.1% to CNY 11.822 billion. In Q1 2025, revenue remained flat at CNY 16.785 billion, with net profit growing by 7.6% to CNY 2.663 billion. Recent policy changes are expected to catalyze market-oriented water price reforms, benefiting efficient water companies [3][35] Solid Waste Sector - The solid waste treatment sector achieved revenue of CNY 174.722 billion in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 10.6%, with net profit rising by 10.2% to CNY 14.248 billion. In Q1 2025, revenue grew by 8.6% to CNY 41.34 billion, and net profit increased by 7.9% to CNY 4.3 billion. The new paradigm of waste incineration combined with data centers is expected to enhance profitability and cash flow [4][30] Environmental Monitoring/Testing Sector - The environmental monitoring/testing sector reported revenue of CNY 11.146 billion in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 1.5%, with net profit rising significantly by 46.2% to CNY 0.733 billion. In Q1 2025, revenue decreased by 6.3% to CNY 1.788 billion, while net profit remained stable with a slight increase of 0.4% [4] Environmental Equipment Sector - The environmental equipment sector generated revenue of CNY 61.497 billion in 2024, a decrease of 10.27%, with net profit falling by 33% to CNY 2.873 billion. In Q1 2025, revenue decreased by 6.42% to CNY 13.822 billion, and net profit decreased by 4.6% to CNY 0.986 billion. The demand for energy-saving equipment is expected to rise as the government promotes energy efficiency [5][6] Investment Recommendations - Three main investment lines are highlighted: 1. Water and waste incineration operations, which are expected to benefit from market reforms and stable cash flows. Recommended companies include Xirong Environment and Hongcheng Environment. 2. Environmental equipment, which is anticipated to see increased demand due to ongoing energy-saving initiatives. Suggested companies include Zhongtai Co. and Ice Wheel Environment. 3. Circular economy initiatives, with significant growth potential as outlined in the "14th Five-Year Plan" for circular economy development. Recommended companies include Inke Recycling and High Energy Environment [6][30]