Core Viewpoint - AUX Electric Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "AUX") has submitted a second application for listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, following previous attempts to go public in the A-share market and an initial unsuccessful submission in January 2023 [1][2]. Business Overview - AUX is a well-known domestic air conditioning brand, primarily engaged in the design, production, and sales of household and central air conditioning systems. The company operates under three main brands: AUX, Huasuan, and AUFIT, with AUX being the most recognized and contributing the majority of revenue [3][5]. - According to Frost & Sullivan, AUX is the fifth largest air conditioning provider globally, with a market share of 7.1% based on projected sales for 2024 [3]. Financial Performance - AUX has demonstrated strong growth over the past three years, with revenues of RMB 19.53 billion, RMB 24.83 billion, and RMB 29.76 billion for 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively. Adjusted net profits for the same years were RMB 1.45 billion, RMB 2.51 billion, and RMB 2.93 billion [5][6]. - Despite revenue growth, the company faces challenges with declining profit margins due to its low-price strategy, which has resulted in a gross margin of approximately 21.3% to 21.8% over the past three years, significantly lower than competitors like Gree Electric Appliances and Midea Group [8][9]. Market Position and Strategy - AUX's low-price strategy has allowed it to capture significant market share, particularly in the budget segment, where it held a 22.1% market share in 2023. However, this strategy has also led to pressure on profit margins [7][9]. - The company has struggled to maintain its competitive edge as rivals have intensified their focus on cost-performance ratios, with brands like Midea and TCL increasing their market presence [9]. Product and Revenue Structure - AUX's product line is heavily reliant on household air conditioning, which accounted for 88.5% of total revenue in 2022, with a significant portion coming from low-end models [9][10]. - The company has attempted to diversify by introducing higher-end brands, but as of Q1 2025, central air conditioning revenue only represented 9.3% of total sales, indicating limited success in moving upmarket [10]. International Expansion and ODM Business - AUX has identified overseas markets as a strategic focus, with international sales contributing nearly 50% of total revenue by 2024. The company has established a presence in over 150 countries [11][12]. - A significant portion of AUX's overseas revenue comes from ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) business, which accounted for approximately 48.5% of total revenue in Q1 2025. This reliance on ODM may weaken brand recognition and pricing power [12]. Financial Health and Debt - AUX has a high debt ratio, with liabilities exceeding 80% of total assets, raising concerns about financial stability. The company has also faced short-term liquidity issues, with current liabilities significantly outpacing cash reserves [14][15]. - Notably, AUX distributed a substantial dividend of approximately RMB 3.79 billion prior to its IPO, raising questions about the management's financial strategies amid high debt levels [16]. R&D and Competitive Challenges - AUX's investment in research and development has been relatively low, with R&D expenses constituting only 2% to 2.4% of revenue from 2022 to 2024, which is below industry standards [17][18]. - The company has faced legal challenges from competitors, particularly Gree Electric Appliances, over patent infringements, which have further complicated its competitive position in the market [20][21].

Summary of Lehui International Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Lehui International - **Industry**: Craft Beer Key Points and Arguments 1. **Sales Growth and Pricing Strategy**: Lehui International maintains a unit price of over 15,000 yuan per ton for beer, achieving a year-on-year sales growth of 35% through services, rebates, and incentive measures, indicating strong market competitiveness [2][4] 2. **Channel Expansion**: The company is actively expanding its convenience store channels, deepening cooperation with FamilyMart, and positioning craft beer as a new growth point within the CVS system, reflecting a strategic adjustment in channel strategy and enhanced market penetration [2][6] 3. **Patent Protection and Brand Recognition**: To combat product design imitation, Lehui International is actively applying for patent protection and enhancing brand recognition through market education and advertising investments [2][8] 4. **Franchise Model for Taverns**: The company has shifted its tavern strategy from direct operation to a franchise model, increasing recruitment efforts to reduce heavy asset operations while expanding self-controlled sales channels [2][10] 5. **Financial Performance**: In Q1 2025, the Jin Guang segment reported revenue of approximately 33 to 36 million yuan, with EBITDA exceeding 2 million yuan, significantly reducing losses through cost reduction and sales growth [2][13] 6. **Innovative Operations in Dining**: Lehui International has innovated its dining operations by increasing franchise fees, opening ODM business, and deploying draft beer machines, with about 2,000 machines already placed in Q1 2025 [2][14] 7. **Production Capacity and Future Plans**: The company has a total production capacity of 38,000 tons, with new factories in Changchun and Kunming expected to be operational by April 2027, although capital expenditures have been delayed due to low current capacity utilization [2][22] Additional Important Insights 1. **Sales Channel Distribution**: Last year's sales channels included KA channels and distributors, each accounting for about 40% of total sales, with taverns at 10-12% and e-commerce at 5%. The company plans to maintain these channels in 2025 [4] 2. **Distributor Policies**: The company did not adjust rebate policies for distributors last year, allowing high-quality distributors to benefit from increased rebates based on their purchase volumes [5] 3. **E-commerce Strategy**: Lehui International has been focusing on e-commerce, collaborating with top influencers for live-stream sales, and plans to continue evaluating partnerships that align with brand values [12] 4. **Market Trends**: The market for private brands and small factory OEM production is growing rapidly, with increasing demand for quality and consistency, where Lehui International holds a competitive advantage [24] 5. **New Product Development**: The company has launched a new flavor, Honeydew 2, for online sales and plans to continue developing new flavors, particularly in the fruit beer category [25] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the conference call, highlighting Lehui International's strategic initiatives, financial performance, and market positioning within the craft beer industry.

Summary of Lehui International Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Lehui International - **Industry**: Beer Equipment and Craft Fresh Beer Key Points and Arguments Financial Performance - In 2024, Lehui International's beer equipment business maintained a profit of approximately 96 million yuan, while the craft fresh beer segment incurred losses but is expected to turn profitable by 2025 [2][4] - The net cash flow reached 330 million yuan in 2024 and 175 million yuan in Q1 2025, indicating significant financial improvement [3] Business Segments - The beer equipment segment is stable, while the craft fresh beer segment has shown excellent development despite initial losses [2][4] - The company has established five large-scale factories in major cities and plans to replicate its successful business model in the craft fresh beer market [2][6] Market Position and Strategy - Lehui International has positioned itself as a leader in the cold chain short-term preservation fresh beer sector, with a unique business model and technological advantages [2][11] - The company employs a high-end pricing strategy, with fresh beer prices 50%-60% higher than mainstream premium beers, which has been well-received in the market [5][13] Growth Potential - The fresh beer market currently holds less than 1% market share but is viewed as a future trend, with major groups launching fresh beer products [11][12] - The company anticipates significant growth in the fresh beer segment, with a target to increase sales through direct-to-consumer channels and franchise models [10][17] Operational Improvements - Cash flow improvements are attributed to enhanced project execution quality, diversified market structure, and dedicated management of receivables [8][9] - The company plans to transition from direct operation to franchising to reduce asset depreciation costs and improve profitability [10] Challenges and Future Goals - The fresh beer segment's losses in 2024 were due to high asset depreciation and fixed personnel costs, but these are expected to stabilize as sales scale up [10] - The goal for 2025 is to achieve breakeven, focusing on sustainable growth rather than aggressive sales tactics [30][31] ODM and Equipment Business - The ODM business is progressing well, focusing on high-quality clients and maintaining reasonable profit margins [22] - The equipment segment has seen significant advancements, with a strong market presence and plans for further technological improvements [23][24] Market Trends and Competitive Landscape - The fresh beer market is expanding, with a growing acceptance of draft beer machines, which enhance customer experience [20][21] - Lehui International is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for high-quality domestic products amid international competition [25] Investor Outlook - Despite a low current market valuation, the company has a solid foundation and clear future plans, making it an attractive investment opportunity [26] Revenue and Sales Channels - In 2024, the company achieved revenues of 140 million yuan, with a notable increase in sales through distributor channels [27][28] - The first quarter of 2025 showed promising results, with beer business losses decreasing and new partnerships established in the packaging equipment sector [29] Additional Important Insights - The company maintains a focus on long-term growth strategies, avoiding short-term promotional tactics that could undermine sustainable development [30][31] - Lehui International's commitment to quality and innovation positions it favorably in the competitive landscape of the beer industry [24][25]