Investment Rating - The report assigns a "BUY" rating to China Resources Beer with a target price of HK$33.50 [7][10][12] Core Insights - In 1H25, China Resources Beer reported total revenue of RMB23,942 million, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 0.8%, which aligns with expectations. Normalized EBIT and shareholders' profit rose to RMB7,078 million and RMB5,789 million, marking increases of 11.2% and 23.0% year-on-year, respectively, both exceeding expectations [8][11] - Beer sales increased by 2.6% year-on-year to RMB23,161 million, with an average selling price (ASP) increase of 0.4% and volume growth of 2.2%. The gross profit margin (GPM) improved by 2.5 percentage points to 48.3%, driven by stabilized ASP due to premiumization and lower raw material prices, which saw an average unit cost decrease of 4.1% year-on-year [9][11] - Baijiu sales, however, declined by 34% year-on-year to RMB781 million, falling short of expectations. Despite the GPM remaining unchanged year-on-year, EBIT turned negative at RMB152 million, compared to a profit of RMB48 million in 1H24, reflecting the impact of anti-extravagance policies starting from 2Q25 in China [9][11] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - Total revenue for 1H25 was RMB23,942 million, up 0.8% YoY [8] - Normalized EBIT and shareholders' profit were RMB7,078 million and RMB5,789 million, up 11.2% and 23.0% YoY, respectively [8] - Beer sales increased 2.6% YoY to RMB23,161 million, with ASP up 0.4% and volume up 2.2% [9] Margin Analysis - GPM improved by 2.5 percentage points to 48.3% due to premiumization and lower raw material costs [9] - Baijiu sales dropped 34% YoY to RMB781 million, with EBIT turning negative at RMB152 million [9] Valuation and Forecast - The target price is set at HK$33.50 based on a 17.0x average P/E for 2025-26 [10][12] - Bottom-line forecasts for 2025-27 have been revised up by 12%, 3%, and 2% respectively [10][12]