Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy (Maintain)" [5] Core Views - The company has demonstrated strong pricing power, with special gases potentially offering surprises, and a dividend yield of 5.5% [10] - The company reported a revenue of 22.05 billion yuan for 2024, a year-on-year decrease of 17.01%, while the net profit attributable to shareholders increased by 28.93% to 1.684 billion yuan [1][10] - The company is actively expanding its clean energy business and has a robust asset advantage in energy operations and logistics [2][3] Revenue and Profitability - In Q4 2024, the company achieved a revenue of 4.999 billion yuan, down 28.86% year-on-year, with a net profit of 149 million yuan, a decrease of 14.78% [1] - For Q1 2025, the company reported a revenue of 5.484 billion yuan, down 13.41% year-on-year, and a net profit of 506 million yuan, up 5.40% [1] Business Segments - The special gases business saw rapid growth, with production and sales of 8,805 million cubic meters in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 66.5% [4] - The LNG business produced and sold 2.58 million tons in 2024, with a year-on-year increase of 11.1% in production and 12.8% in sales [10] - The LPG business experienced a slight decline, with production and sales of 1.85 million tons, down 3.5% and 3.7% respectively [10] Financial Metrics - The company plans to distribute a total cash dividend of 780 million yuan for 2024, which includes a special cash dividend of 30 million yuan, representing approximately 52% of the net profit attributable to shareholders [10] - The projected net profit for 2025-2027 is estimated at 1.78 billion, 1.99 billion, and 2.18 billion yuan respectively, with corresponding P/E ratios of 9.0X, 8.1X, and 7.4X [10][11]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [5] Core Views - The company's performance is under pressure due to a warm winter and impacts from the real estate sector, but the dividend logic is gradually being realized [5] - The company reported a revenue of HKD 102.68 billion for 2024, a year-on-year increase of 1.4%, and a net profit of HKD 4.09 billion, a decrease of 21.7% compared to the previous year, which was below market expectations [7] - The company plans to distribute a dividend of HKD 0.95 per share for 2024, with the cash dividend amounting to 52.71% of the net profit [7] Financial Performance Summary - Revenue projections for the company are as follows: - 2023: HKD 101.27 billion - 2024: HKD 102.68 billion - 2025E: HKD 105.54 billion - 2026E: HKD 108.01 billion - 2027E: HKD 110.57 billion - Net profit projections are as follows: - 2023: HKD 5.22 billion - 2024: HKD 4.09 billion - 2025E: HKD 4.72 billion - 2026E: HKD 5.51 billion - 2027E: HKD 6.19 billion - The company’s earnings per share (EPS) for 2025 is projected to be HKD 2.04, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14 [6][8] Operational Insights - Retail gas sales volume for 2024 is expected to reach 39.91 billion cubic meters, a year-on-year increase of 2.9%, with residential, industrial, and commercial sales volumes growing by 6.3%, 1.5%, and 3.8% respectively [7] - The company’s connection profit continues to shrink, with a reduction in new residential connections by 620,000 to 2.693 million, leading to a decline in connection business profits [7] - The company’s capital expenditure for 2024 is projected at HKD 4.42 billion, a decrease of HKD 3.47 billion year-on-year, contributing to an improvement in free cash flow [7] Future Outlook - The company is expected to see a rebound in performance as the real estate market stabilizes, with a focus on optimizing its gas sales business and improving profitability [7] - The long-term downward trend in gas prices is anticipated to enhance cost efficiency, with the company signing a 15-year LNG supply agreement starting in 2027 [7]

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating for the company, indicating a focus on its core gas assets and a solid dividend logic [5][10]. Core Views - The company is positioned as a national leader in city gas, backed by China Resources Group, with a significant presence in first- and second-tier cities, enhancing its core asset attributes [9][17]. - The report anticipates a recovery in profit margins due to lower gas prices and improved sales pricing mechanisms, which are expected to support revenue growth [12][42]. - The company’s cash flow has significantly improved, with a notable increase in operating cash flow and a reduction in capital expenditures, indicating a strong potential for dividend growth [22][24]. Summary by Sections Market Performance - The closing price as of March 5, 2025, was HKD 26.10, with a market capitalization of HKD 60,395.74 million [3]. Financial Projections - The projected net profit for 2024-2026 is HKD 55.63 billion, HKD 61.72 billion, and HKD 67.65 billion respectively, with corresponding PE ratios of 11, 10, and 9 [6][10]. - The expected dividend yields for 2024-2026 are 4.6%, 5.1%, and 5.6% based on the current stock price [6][10]. Business Overview - The company operates 276 city gas projects, with a retail gas volume increasing from 1.371 billion cubic meters in 2008 to 38.784 billion cubic meters in 2023, maintaining a market share of 9.83% in 2023 [17][18]. - The revenue structure has shifted, with gas sales becoming the primary profit driver, accounting for 56.15% of tax-preferred profits in 2023 [18][20]. Cash Flow and Dividend Policy - The operating cash flow reached HKD 10.16 billion in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 133.4%, with a free cash flow of HKD 1.9 billion in the first half of 2024 [22][24]. - The dividend payout ratio has increased from 29.8% in 2016 to 50.3% in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.15% in dividends per share since 2008 [25][60]. Strategic Positioning - The company is strategically positioned in economically developed regions, benefiting from high population density and industrial clustering, which supports gas sales growth [38][40]. - The report highlights the potential for further market consolidation and growth in the city gas sector, driven by government policies promoting mergers and acquisitions [40][46]. Risk Management - The company has managed to reduce its reliance on connection profits, with a significant increase in comprehensive service and energy business profits, which helps mitigate risks associated with declining connection revenues [12][53].