Summary of Gree Electric Appliances Inc. 3Q25 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Gree Electric Appliances Inc. (000651.SZ) - **Industry**: HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Key Financial Results - **3Q25 Revenue**: Rmb 40,034 million, down 15% year-over-year (yoy) [1][6] - **3Q25 Net Profit**: Rmb 7,049 million, down 10% yoy [1][6] - **Comparison to Estimates**: Revenue and net profit were 18% and 2% below Goldman Sachs estimates, respectively [1] - **Interim Dividend**: Announced Rmb 1.0 per share, representing a 28% payout ratio based on Rmb 3.86 EPS for 9M25 [1] Market Position and Competition - **Market Share Pressure**: Gree is the only major HVAC company in the coverage that reported declining revenue in 3Q25, while competitors like Midea, Haier, and Hisense reported growth [1] - **Shipments**: Gree's total shipments increased by 3% yoy, but domestic AC shipments fell by 15% yoy, compared to industry averages of +6% and -13%, respectively [2] - **Contractual Liabilities**: Increased to Rmb 13.7 billion in 3Q25 from Rmb 10.9 billion in 3Q24, potentially supporting revenue growth in 4Q25 [2] Profitability Metrics - **Operating Profit Margin (OPM)**: Decreased by 1.5 percentage points yoy to 14.5%, attributed to pricing pressure and operating deleverage [3] - **Net Operating Cash Flow**: Increased to Rmb 17.4 billion in 3Q25, up from Rmb 7.6 billion in 3Q24, supported by increased prepayments from distributors [3] Investment Thesis - **Strengths**: - Strong manufacturing capabilities due to vertical integration and economies of scale - Extensive offline distribution network - Strong brand equity in the mid to high-end AC segment [7] - **Risks**: - Revenue growth pressure as trade-in stimulus support diminishes - Market share loss due to intensified competition and a less proactive strategy in product offerings [7] - **Valuation Support**: Expected dividend yield of 7% in 2025 is anticipated to support current low valuation [7] Price Target and Risks - **Target Price**: Rmb 42, based on a 9x exit multiple applied to 2027E EPS [8] - **Key Risks**: - Demand fluctuations due to macroeconomic conditions and property market changes - Variability in material costs affecting gross profit margin (GPM) - Channel inventory levels impacting revenue growth - Progress in diversification into other home appliances [9] Conclusion - **Rating**: Neutral, with a fair risk/reward profile based on projected earnings decline in 2026E [7]

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America has lowered its price target on Whirlpool (WHR) to $60 from $70 and maintains an Underperform rating following the company's Q3 performance and revised guidance [1] Financial Performance - Whirlpool reported Q3 adjusted EBIT of $180 million [1] - The company has cut its 2025 adjusted EBIT guidance to approximately $800 million from $900 million [1] - Free cash flow guidance has also been reduced to about $200 million from $400 million [1] Forecast Adjustments - Following the Q3 report, Bank of America has lowered its 2025 EBITDA forecast by 8% and its 2026 EBITDA forecast by 6% [1] - The adjustments reflect a weaker gross margin outlook for the company [1]

Whirlpool Corporation Confidential Third-Quarter 2025 Earnings Review Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Whirlpool Corporation Confidential Cautionary Statement This document contains forward-looking statements about Whirlpool Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Whirlpool") that speak only as of this date. Whirlpool disclaims any obligation to update these statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future financial results, long-term ...

Core Insights - Electrolux's profit more than doubled in Q3, primarily due to a recovery in its North American business and effective cost management related to U.S. tariffs, resulting in a significant increase in share price [1][2] Financial Performance - Operating profit rose to 890 million crowns ($94.5 million) from 349 million crowns a year earlier, with 5% organic sales growth, largely driven by double-digit growth in North America [3] - The North American division turned a profit of 25 million crowns, recovering from a loss of 249 million crowns the previous year [3] Market Dynamics - Electrolux's shares increased by 15% in early trading, marking the largest daily rise since April 2023, although they remain down 28% year-to-date [2] - The company has been restructuring and focusing on premium categories to enhance profitability amid sluggish demand and competition from lower-priced rivals [2] Analyst Commentary - Analysts at J.P. Morgan noted that while profit in North America fell short of expectations, overall results indicated sequential improvement, supporting the company's self-help narrative [4] - The company reported that U.S. demand remained largely unchanged, with inflation concerns related to tariffs impacting consumer confidence [4] Outlook - Electrolux maintains a neutral full-year market outlook for Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, while holding a neutral to negative outlook for North America [5]

Core Insights - Electrolux reported a more than doubling of profit in Q3, driven by recovery in its North America business, which compensated for higher U.S. trade tariff costs [1][2] - The operating profit increased to 890 million crowns ($94.5 million) from 349 million crowns a year earlier, with organic sales growth of 5% primarily from double-digit growth in North America [1][2] Financial Performance - Operating profit rose to 890 million crowns ($94.5 million) compared to 349 million crowns in the same quarter last year [1] - Analysts had forecasted an operating profit of 875 million crowns, indicating that the actual performance exceeded expectations [2] Market Dynamics - The North America business gained market share despite previous struggles with high costs and competition [2] - Demand in the U.S. remained largely unchanged, with inflation concerns related to tariffs impacting consumer confidence [3] - Electrolux's main brands managed to gain market share despite ongoing price competition across all regions [3] Management Changes - Electrolux appointed Patrick Minogue as the head of its North America division [3]

Summary of Midea Group 3Q25 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Midea Group (000333.SZ) - **Industry**: Home Appliances and HVAC Key Financial Performance - **3Q25 Results**: - Total revenue: Rmb112 billion, up +10% YoY - Net profit: Rmb12 billion, up +9% YoY - Revenue and net profit exceeded expectations by +2% and +6% respectively [1][7] - **Gross Profit Margin (GPM)**: Increased by 0.3 percentage points YoY to 26.7% - **Operating Profit Margin (OPM)**: Increased by 1.4 percentage points YoY to 10.6% [1][3] Business Segments Performance - **2C (Consumer) Business**: - Implied growth of ~10% in 3Q25, driven by resilience in overseas markets [2] - Domestic split AC, washing machines, and refrigerator shipments showed mixed results: -9%, +2%, and +5% YoY respectively [2] - **2B (Business Solutions)**: - Continued robust growth with double-digit percentage increases, particularly in intelligent building solutions [2] - Sales in energy solutions, industrial technology, and robotics grew by +21%, +25%, and +9% YoY respectively in 9M25 [2] Margin and Efficiency Insights - **Margin Improvement**: - GPM expansion primarily from the AC business due to pricing and product mix improvements [3] - OPM increase supported by efficiency gains, with a reduction in sales/admin expense ratio by 0.8 percentage points YoY [3] Cash Flow and Financial Health - **Operating Cash Flow**: - Generated Rmb20 billion in 3Q25, down from Rmb27 billion in 3Q24, attributed to support for distributors during DTC transformation [4] - **Balance Sheet**: - Maintains a healthy balance sheet with a high net cash position and strong cash flow generation to support CAPEX and shareholder returns [6] Investment Thesis - **Market Position**: - Midea is a leading player in China's HVAC and major appliances market, with rapid expansion into overseas markets and business solutions [8] - **Growth Drivers**: - Focus on intelligent building solutions as a significant long-term growth driver due to revenue opportunities and market consolidation potential [8] Valuation and Risks - **Price Target**: - 12-month target price of Rmb94 for A-shares and HK$101 for H-shares, based on a 16x exit multiple applied to 2027E EPS [9] - **Key Risks**: - Potential demand disruption in white goods due to weaker global macro conditions - Rising material costs impacting product margins - Execution risks related to premiumization strategy - Increased competition in the low-to-mid-end segment [10] Conclusion - Midea Group's strong performance in 3Q25, driven by both consumer and business segments, along with effective margin management and a solid balance sheet, positions the company favorably for future growth in the competitive home appliances and HVAC market.

Core Points - Aterian, Inc. announced the availability of its hOmeLabs brand line of dehumidifiers on Home Depot's website, enhancing its digital presence and sales strategy [1][3] - The hOmeLabs dehumidifiers are designed for improved health and efficiency, featuring user-friendly controls, Energy Star ratings, portability, and Wi-Fi capabilities [2] - Aterian aims to strengthen its brand presence and omni-channel sales approach through this partnership with Home Depot, a leading retail brand in the U.S. [3] Company Overview - Aterian, Inc. is a consumer products company that develops and acquires e-commerce brands across various categories, including home appliances and air quality devices [5] - The company sells products on major online marketplaces such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target, as well as through its own direct-to-consumer channels [5] - Aterian's brand portfolio includes well-known names like Mueller Living, PurSteam, hOmeLabs, and Squatty Potty [5] Home Depot Overview - Home Depot is the largest home improvement specialty retailer globally, operating over 2,353 retail stores and more than 325 distribution centers [4] - The company employs over 470,000 associates and is included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 index [4]

Core Insights - The Guangdong Enterprise 500 Strong list for 2025 has been released, showcasing significant changes in rankings and performance metrics of leading companies in the region [1][2]. Group 1: Rankings and Performance - The total revenue of the Guangdong Enterprise 500 Strong reached 19.36 trillion yuan, with a growth rate of 3.36% compared to the previous year [2]. - The top 10 companies in the 2025 Guangdong Enterprise 500 Strong are: Ping An Insurance, China Resources Group, Huawei, Southern Power Grid, BYD, Tencent, Foxconn, China Merchants Bank, Midea Group, and GAC Group [2]. - Huawei moved up one position to rank third, while Southern Power Grid dropped to fourth. BYD and Tencent swapped places, with BYD at fifth and Tencent at sixth. Vanke fell out of the top 10, now ranked eleventh, while Midea Group entered the top 10 at ninth [1][2]. Group 2: Regional Distribution - Shenzhen leads with 216 companies on the list, achieving a cumulative revenue exceeding 1 trillion yuan and a net profit of 863.7 billion yuan [4]. - Guangzhou follows with 120 companies, including major firms like Southern Power Grid and GAC Group, reflecting a balanced presence of service and manufacturing sectors [4]. - Other cities like Foshan, Dongguan, and Huizhou also show stable performances with notable companies in manufacturing [5]. Group 3: Profit Trends - The total net profit of the Guangdong Enterprise 500 Strong shows a trend of recovery and stabilization, reversing a two-year decline, with a growth rate of 2.06% for 2025 [6]. Group 4: Industry Insights - The service and manufacturing sectors remain the dual engines of Guangdong's economy, with strong performances in finance, insurance, supply chain, and real estate [9]. - The manufacturing sector is concentrated in electronics, automotive, home appliances, and new energy, with companies like Huawei, BYD, and Foxconn demonstrating Guangdong's strength in high-end and smart manufacturing [9]. - There is a notable increase in companies within the new energy and electronic information sectors, indicating ongoing investment in green transformation and technological innovation [9]. Group 5: R&D Investment - The scientific research and technical services industry leads in R&D investment, accounting for 18.99% of its revenue, followed by the manufacturing sector with a 4.08% R&D investment ratio [10].

Core Insights - India has emerged as one of the world's hottest IPO venues, with total proceeds approaching last year's record of $21 billion, driven by significant local investor participation [1][28] - The current IPO wave is characterized by a shift towards domestic investors, including mutual funds and retail investors, reducing reliance on foreign funds and fostering a self-sustaining IPO market [2][28] - Despite the euphoria, there are concerns regarding excessive valuations and high over-subscription rates, which could lead to potential corrections affecting retail investors [3][28] Investment Trends - Local investors have invested 979 billion rupees in IPOs since the start of 2024, compared to 790 billion rupees from foreign funds, with domestic investments accounting for nearly 75% of total IPO proceeds for 2025 [6][28] - The participation of domestic institutional investors has increased, with their ownership in over 2,000 companies rising to 19.2%, the highest in 25 years, while foreign portfolio investor holdings have decreased to 17.3% [12][28] - Indian IPOs have generated a weighted average return of 18% this year, outperforming the NSE Nifty 50 Index's 9.7% gain, despite foreign outflows of approximately $16 billion [13][28] Market Dynamics - The IPO market is experiencing a diverse range of issuers, moving beyond tech startups to include companies in sectors like fintech and renewables, reflecting a broader market landscape [19][27] - The rapid growth of retail investing, facilitated by mobile trading apps and social media, has created millions of first-time equity investors, contributing to the robust demand for IPOs [10][11] - The median return for stocks one month after listing has decreased to 2.9% this year, down from 22% last year, indicating a potential fading ability to generate quick returns [23][29] Future Outlook - Analysts expect 2026 to be another strong year for IPOs, with proceeds potentially setting new records, drawing parallels to the early years of China's IPO boom [24][25] - India is home to over 90 private firms valued at over $1 billion, positioning it as the third-largest market for unicorns globally, supported by favorable regulatory changes [26][27] - The increasing breadth of the IPO market is attributed to the emergence of new themes and sectors, enhancing liquidity and investment opportunities [27]

Summary of Hisense Home Appliances Group (000921.SZ) 3Q25 Earnings Call Company Overview - **Company**: Hisense Home Appliances Group - **Ticker**: 000921.SZ - **Reporting Period**: 3Q25 Key Financial Results - **Total Revenue**: Rmb 22,192 million, up by +1% year-over-year (yoy) - **Net Profit**: Rmb 735 million, down by -5% yoy - **Comparison to Estimates**: Revenue and net profit were -4% and -16% below Goldman Sachs estimates respectively [1][4][5] Core Insights and Arguments - **Central AC and Exports**: The central air conditioning (AC) business continues to face pressure, contributing to lower revenue growth. Exports of AC units have also moderated, impacting overall performance [4][6] - **Domestic Market Performance**: Despite challenges in the central AC segment, domestic white goods showed healthy growth, particularly in washing machines and refrigerators, which demonstrated resilience in both domestic and overseas markets [4][6] - **Margin Decline**: Gross Profit Margin (GPM) and Operating Profit Margin (OPM) declined by 0.6 percentage points and 0.1 percentage points yoy to 20.2% and 3.9% respectively. This decline is attributed to lower contributions from the higher-margin central AC segment and increased domestic competition [4][5] Management Focus Areas for Future - **Earnings Call Topics**: Management will address several key areas during the earnings call, including: 1. Breakdown of sales channels in 3Q25 and outlook for the central AC business 2. Impact of trade-in stimulus on the legacy white goods business 3. Changes in competitive intensity, particularly in split ACs 4. Updates on export orders and tariff impacts 5. Measures to enhance operating efficiency and margins [2][4] Investment Thesis - **Buy Rating Justification**: The investment thesis supports a Buy rating based on: 1. High earnings growth visibility, particularly with the 2024 Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) target 2. Attractive dividend yield 3. Valuation metrics indicating the stock is trading at an undemanding forward Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio against high single-digit profit growth expectations [6][7] Risks to Consider - **Key Risks**: 1. Potential disruption in white goods demand due to weaker global macroeconomic conditions 2. Further slowdown in the property market affecting demand for Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems 3. Increased competition from domestic players threatening the Hisense-Hitachi joint venture's leading position 4. Margin dilution from greater penetration in the developer channel 5. Below-expected integration performance of the Hisense-Hitachi joint venture 6. Underperformance of the legacy white goods business [8][6] Conclusion Hisense Home Appliances Group's 3Q25 results reflect a mixed performance with challenges in the central AC segment and exports, while domestic white goods show resilience. The company is focusing on improving margins and operational efficiency, with a positive long-term outlook supported by strategic initiatives and a favorable investment thesis. However, several risks could impact future performance.