Summary of Jiangsu Hengli Hydraulic Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Jiangsu Hengli Hydraulic Co Ltd - **Industry**: Hydraulic components and systems, specifically focusing on excavator hydraulic cylinders, pumps, and valves - **Market Position**: Leading supplier in China with over 40% market share in excavator hydraulic cylinders [11][40] Key Points and Arguments Financial Performance - **2Q25 Results**: Revenue increased by 11% year-over-year (Y/Y) and net profit rose by 18% Y/Y, both exceeding consensus and historical averages [16] - **Guidance**: FY25 guidance remains unchanged, but there is potential upside for FY27 and beyond due to strong business momentum [17][31] - **Revenue Forecasts**: FY27 revenue estimates increased by 4% and FY28 by 12%, with net profit estimates raised by 3% and 11% respectively [17] Growth Drivers - **Domestic Demand**: Strong recovery in domestic demand, particularly for excavator cylinders, driven by infrastructure projects like the mega-dam and Xinjiang-Tibet Railway [16][22] - **International Expansion**: Orders from Europe and the US are rebounding, with the Mexico plant expected to achieve profitability by 2026, mitigating tariff risks [16][24] - **FA & Robotics Segment**: This segment is projected to be a core growth engine, with potential revenues reaching Rmb4.5 billion by FY28 under the bull case scenario [18][19] Strategic Initiatives - **Diversification**: Since 2022, Hengli has focused on diversifying its business to reduce reliance on excavator products and supply chain concentration [11][40] - **New Product Development**: Expansion into linear motion products and humanoid robotics is expected to contribute to revenue from 2025 onward [11][40][29] Margin and Profitability - **Gross Margin**: 2Q25 gross margin reached 44%, the highest since the 2020 upcycle, with expectations for further improvement as product mix shifts towards higher-value models [16][30] - **Long-term Margin Potential**: Management believes there is no upper limit to margin improvement as new products ramp up and manufacturing efficiency is optimized [30] Risks and Challenges - **Market Risks**: Key risks include lower-than-expected excavator sales volumes, slower market share gains for pumps and valves, and potential trade tensions leading to higher tariffs [42] - **Execution Risks**: The FA & robotics segment faces risks related to slower adoption and execution delays, which could impact revenue growth [19] Additional Insights - **Market Share Expansion**: International markets remain underpenetrated, with significant opportunities for share gains, particularly in Japan and Europe [23] - **Non-Excavator Segments**: Growth in agricultural machinery and new energy segments, with plans for a new plant in Brazil to capture market share [27] - **Aerial Work Platforms**: Currently weak demand, but Hengli is positioned to capitalize on recovery when market conditions improve [28] Valuation - **Price Target**: DCF-based price target raised to Rmb116 from Rmb105, reflecting the bullish outlook on growth and profitability [12][17] - **Valuation Metrics**: The company is expected to maintain strong financial ratios, with a projected revenue growth of 14.6% in FY25 and 19.8% in FY26 [10] This summary encapsulates the key takeaways from the conference call, highlighting the company's strong market position, growth potential, and strategic initiatives while also addressing the associated risks and challenges.