Core Insights - The environmental protection industry is gradually returning to rational investment, focusing on the sustainable development of core businesses and cost reduction while actively exploring new sectors such as renewable energy, AI + environmental protection, and robotics to achieve steady growth amid market policy adjustments and industrial changes [1][2] Water Sector - In H1 2025, the water sector (16 listed companies) achieved revenue of 34.35 billion, a decrease of 0.9% year-on-year, while net profit increased by 4.6% to 5.42 billion. Recent policy changes are expected to catalyze market-oriented water price reforms, providing growth opportunities for efficient water service companies [3] Solid Waste Sector - In H1 2025, the solid waste treatment sector (38 listed companies) generated revenue of 86.53 billion, an increase of 3.4%, but net profit decreased by 3.4% to 8.47 billion. Enhanced dividends from waste incineration and international expansion are anticipated to lead to valuation re-evaluation [4] Environmental Monitoring/Testing Sector - In H1 2025, the environmental monitoring/testing sector (9 listed companies) reported revenue of 4.31 billion, down 4.4%, with net profit dropping 41% to 0.162 billion. New carbon market policies are expected to expand industry participation and drive demand for carbon monitoring as China continues to pursue its dual carbon goals [5] Environmental Equipment Sector - In H1 2025, the environmental equipment sector (26 listed companies) achieved revenue of 30.00 billion, a decrease of 3.69%, and net profit fell by 15% to 1.92 billion. The year 2025 marks the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan, with government initiatives expected to boost demand for energy-saving cooling equipment [6]

Core Viewpoint - The environmental sector is experiencing a mixed performance in the first half of 2025, with revenue and net profit showing varying trends across different sub-sectors, influenced by policy changes and market dynamics [1][2][4]. Summary by Category Overall Sector Performance - The environmental sector, comprising 146 listed companies, achieved a total revenue of 1,870.37 billion yuan in H1 2025, a slight increase of 0.2% year-on-year, while net profit decreased by 6.0% to 169.53 billion yuan, primarily due to significant profit declines in specific companies [2]. Water Sector - The water sector, with 16 listed companies, reported revenues of 343.53 billion yuan, down 0.9% year-on-year, but net profit increased by 4.6% to 54.2 billion yuan. Recent policy changes are expected to catalyze market reforms, potentially benefiting efficient water companies [3]. Solid Waste Sector - The solid waste sector, consisting of 38 listed companies, generated revenues of 865.33 billion yuan, reflecting a 3.4% year-on-year increase, while net profit decreased by 3.4% to 84.7 billion yuan. Enhanced dividends from waste incineration and international expansion are anticipated to reshape valuations [3]. Environmental Monitoring/Testing Sector - The environmental monitoring/testing sector, with 9 listed companies, achieved revenues of 43.08 billion yuan, down 4.4% year-on-year, and net profit fell by 41% to 1.62 billion yuan. New carbon market policies are expected to expand industry participation and drive demand in the carbon monitoring sector [3]. Environmental Equipment Sector - The environmental equipment sector, comprising 26 listed companies, reported revenues of 300.04 billion yuan, a decrease of 3.69% year-on-year, and net profit fell by 15% to 19.17 billion yuan. The government’s focus on energy-saving equipment upgrades is expected to boost demand in this area [4][5]. Investment Recommendations - The report highlights three main investment themes: 1. Water and waste incineration operations, which are expected to benefit from market reforms and stable cash flows, with recommended companies including Xingrong Environment and Hancheng Environment [5]. 2. Environmental equipment, driven by ongoing industrial energy-saving initiatives and data center cooling needs, with suggested companies like Zhongtai Co. and Ice Wheel Environment [5]. 3. Circular economy, with significant growth potential, particularly in resource recycling, with recommended companies such as Yingke Recycling and Gao Neng Environment [5].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" [2] Core Viewpoints - The report highlights that the environmental equipment sector is expected to recover driven by policy support, with specific focus on the integration of sewage treatment plants and networks [4][6] - The report indicates that the "14th Five-Year Plan" emphasizes the need for improved environmental quality and industrial green low-carbon development, which is likely to maintain high prosperity in energy-saving and environmental protection sectors [6][32] Summary by Sections Market Performance - As of May 16, the environmental sector remained flat compared to the previous week, underperforming the broader market; the Shanghai Composite Index rose by 0.76% to 3367.46 [5][8] - The water governance sector increased by 0.23%, while the water service sector decreased by 0.29%; air governance rose by 2.10% [10] Industry Dynamics - On May 15, the Central Committee and the State Council released opinions on promoting urban renewal, emphasizing the acceleration of underground pipeline construction and the establishment of a unified operation and maintenance mechanism for sewage treatment plants [23][25] - The report notes that the national carbon emissions trading market has expanded to include steel, cement, and aluminum industries, which is expected to boost the demand for carbon measurement and online monitoring systems [16][22] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that water and waste incineration sectors, as operational assets, are expected to see stable profit growth and improved cash flow, benefiting from market reforms in public utilities [6][32] - Key recommendations include companies such as Huanlan Environment, Xingrong Environment, and Hongcheng Environment, with additional attention to Wangneng Environment and Junxin Co. [6][32]