Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating for the company, Conant Optical (02276.HK), indicating a positive outlook for investment [1]. Core Insights - Conant Optical is a leading global manufacturer of lenses, with significant growth potential in the smart glasses market. The company has established a strong position in the resin lens sector and is expanding its international presence [11][70]. - The lens industry is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing demand for corrective lenses among children and the elderly, as well as the rising popularity of smart glasses. The market for high-refractive lenses is expected to grow significantly [30][40]. - The company has a robust business model, with a mature sales network covering over 90 countries, and is well-positioned to benefit from the upcoming boom in the smart glasses sector [11][70]. Summary by Sections 1. Company Overview - Conant Optical is a leading resin lens manufacturer in China, with production bases in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Japan. The company has been actively expanding its smart glasses business and has established partnerships with several global technology giants [11][70]. - The company has a concentrated shareholding structure, with the founder holding 44.33% and GoerTek as the second-largest shareholder with 20.03%. This collaboration is expected to enhance the company's capabilities in the XR (Extended Reality) sector [13]. 2. Industry Growth - The global lens market is projected to grow from $4.5 billion in 2020 to $6.2 billion by 2024, with a CAGR of 8.3%. The Chinese lens market is also expanding, with sales expected to reach 20.72 billion yuan by 2024, reflecting a CAGR of 11.5% [31][35]. - The demand for functional lenses, such as blue light blocking and anti-fatigue lenses, is increasing due to changing consumer needs. The market for high-refractive lenses is still underdeveloped in China, presenting significant growth opportunities [46]. 3. Financial Performance - The company has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with a CAGR of 17.2% from 2020 to 2024, and net profit growth at a CAGR of 35.2% during the same period. The gross margin has improved from 35.0% in 2020 to 41.0% in the first half of 2025 [18][26]. - The company's revenue for 2023 is projected at 1.76 billion yuan, with net profit expected to reach 327.02 million yuan, indicating a solid financial outlook [1]. 4. Smart Glasses Market Potential - The smart glasses market is at a critical turning point, with major tech companies like Alibaba and Amazon entering the space. The demand for smart glasses is expected to surge, with global shipments projected to reach 20 million units by 2028 [59][61]. - Traditional lens manufacturers are well-positioned to benefit from this trend, as the need for high-refractive lenses in smart glasses increases. The integration of advanced technologies in smart glasses is expected to enhance the value of lens products [66][67].

Company Overview - Company is a leading global manufacturer of optical lenses, specializing in resin eyewear lenses and providing a range of products including standardized, customized, and high-end lenses [1] - The company has three production bases and serves clients globally, covering over 90 countries, including major markets like China, the USA, Japan, and Germany [1] - In the first half of 2025, the company achieved a revenue of 1.084 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 9.9%, and a net profit of 273 million yuan, up 30.7% year-on-year [1] - The product revenue breakdown for the first half of 2025 includes standardized lenses (5.12 billion yuan, 47.27%), customized lenses (1.85 billion yuan, 17.05%), and functional lenses (3.82 billion yuan, 35.26%) [1] - The company's gross margin has increased from 30.6% in 2018 to an expected 38.6% in 2024, while net margin has risen from 9.1% to 20.8% during the same period, driven by product structure optimization and effective cost control [1] Industry Analysis - The global eyewear lens market has shown steady growth, with manufacturer sales increasing from $5.2 billion in 2019 to $6.2 billion in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.6% [2] - China is a significant player in the lens manufacturing sector, with sales growing from 15.48 billion yuan in 2019 to 20.72 billion yuan in 2024, achieving a CAGR of about 6.0% [2] - By 2024, China's lens manufacturing is expected to account for approximately 46.4% of the global market [2] - The retail sales of eyewear lenses in China are projected to rise from 29.84 billion yuan in 2019 to 38.15 billion yuan in 2024, with a CAGR of 5.0% [2] - The growth drivers for lens consumption in China include the increasing prevalence of myopia among younger populations and higher per capita consumption rates [2] Company Advantages - The company holds a first-mover advantage in high-refractive index 1.74 lenses, having established a deep partnership with Mitsui Chemicals since 2010, securing a strong supply chain for core raw materials [3] - The company's C2M (Customer-to-Manufacturer) model enhances profitability by allowing rapid responses to personalized demands from retail clients, facilitating low-inventory operations and increasing the share of functional and customized lenses [3] Future Opportunities - The rise of smart glasses is expected to create additional demand for lenses, with higher average selling prices compared to traditional frames [4] - The company is actively developing its XR (Extended Reality) business, having issued a private placement to a subsidiary of GoerTek, which has become the second-largest shareholder, indicating potential for closer collaboration in XR [4] - As of August 31, 2025, the company's XR business has generated approximately 10 million yuan in revenue, with expectations for further growth in the latter half of 2025 and into 2026 [4]

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy-A" investment rating to the company, with a target price of HKD 54.07, based on a 43x PE ratio [4][7]. Core Insights - The company, 康耐特光学, is a leading global manufacturer of resin eyeglass lenses, with a strong focus on customized and high-refractive lenses, which has driven significant revenue and profit growth [1][3]. - The global lens market is expected to grow steadily, driven by factors such as aging populations and increased screen time, with the Chinese market showing higher growth rates than the global average [2][43]. - The company has a robust product matrix and is expanding its market presence through innovative business models, including a C2M (Customer to Manufacturer) approach, which allows for personalized lens production [3][4]. Summary by Sections 1. Global Lens Manufacturing Leader - 康耐特光学 ranks second in global resin lens sales volume and fifth in sales revenue, with a market share that positions it as a domestic leader [1][13]. - The company has achieved a revenue CAGR of 15.82% from 2018 to 2024, growing from CNY 854 million to CNY 2.061 billion, and a net profit CAGR of 32.81%, reaching CNY 428 million [1][28]. - The gross margin improved from 30.61% in 2018 to 38.58% in 2024, while the net margin increased from 9.19% to 20.78% during the same period [31]. 2. High-End Market and Industry Growth - The global lens market is projected to grow from USD 5.2 billion in 2019 to USD 6.2 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 3.6% [33][34]. - The Chinese lens market is expected to grow from CNY 154.8 billion to CNY 207.2 billion from 2019 to 2024, with a CAGR of 6.0% [43][44]. - The demand for high-refractive and functional lenses is increasing, driven by consumer preferences for quality and advanced features [48]. 3. Product Quality and Market Expansion - The company has exclusive production capabilities for high-refractive lenses (1.74) and offers competitive pricing compared to international brands [3][13]. - The C2M model is being utilized to enhance customer engagement and reduce inventory costs, allowing for rapid market penetration [3][4]. - The company is also expanding its production capacity to meet the growing demand for AI glasses and XR lenses, with plans for a new production line in Thailand [3][4]. 4. Financial Forecast and Valuation - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are CNY 2.43 billion, CNY 2.84 billion, and CNY 3.31 billion, with respective growth rates of 17.91%, 16.89%, and 16.71% [4][8]. - Net profit forecasts for the same period are CNY 550 million, CNY 665 million, and CNY 801 million, with growth rates of 28.29%, 21.10%, and 20.30% [4][8].

Industry Overview - The lens industry in China is expected to maintain a good growth momentum due to rigid demand, scenario refinement, and structural optimization, with a projected CAGR of 6.00% for manufacturer sales and 5.04% for retail sales from 2019 to 2024, reaching sales of 29.75 billion and 53.71 billion yuan by 2029 respectively [1] Company Strategy - The company has a flexible strategy across the industry chain, enhancing competitiveness and market share through deep partnerships with core suppliers like Mitsui Chemicals, which has provided a comprehensive product matrix for nearly 15 years [2] - The company ranks among the top in market share, with new production capacities in Thailand and Japan, and an increasing proportion of high unit price and high gross margin products, which is expected to further boost competitiveness and market share [2] - The company employs a C2M business model to engage directly with consumers, utilizing diversified channels to shorten the path to individual end customers, thereby enhancing profitability [2] Smart Glasses Development - The company is actively developing a second growth curve through smart glasses, with demand for lenses in AI and AR glasses, although AR glasses face technological limitations and have not yet achieved significant sales [3] - The company collaborates with leading tech and consumer electronics firms to develop customized lenses for XR products and has acquired land in Thailand for building a production base for XR product lenses [3] - The company forecasts revenues of 2.328 billion, 2.657 billion, and 2.963 billion yuan for 2025-2027, with net profits of 561 million, 672 million, and 777 million yuan respectively, driven by lens demand growth and strategic partnerships in the smart glasses sector [3]

Investment Rating - The report gives a "Buy" rating for the company, indicating a positive outlook for investment [4]. Core Views - The report highlights the company's strong position in the optical lens industry, driven by rigid demand, refined application scenarios, and structural optimization, which are expected to sustain good growth in market size [1][36]. - The company is strategically positioned across various segments of the industry chain, enhancing its competitiveness and market share [2][61]. - The company is actively developing its XR business, which is anticipated to create a second growth curve, particularly in the smart glasses segment [3][19]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - The company has been a leader in the lens manufacturing industry since its establishment in 1996, focusing on standardized lens production and expanding into customized lenses through acquisitions and partnerships [16]. Lens Industry Dynamics - The Chinese optical lens market is projected to grow, with manufacturer sales expected to reach CNY 297.5 billion and retail sales to CNY 537.1 billion by 2029, driven by increasing consumer spending and diverse vision correction needs [1][38]. - The demand for lenses is supported by rising vision problems among youth and the aging population, leading to a stable demand for corrective lenses [44][47]. Competitive Strategy - The company has established strong ties with upstream suppliers, particularly Mitsui Chemicals, ensuring a competitive advantage in raw material procurement [2][63]. - The company ranks first in domestic market share by sales volume and third by sales revenue, indicating a strong competitive position in a fragmented market [74][76]. Financial Projections - Revenue forecasts for 2025-2027 are CNY 23.28 billion, CNY 26.57 billion, and CNY 29.63 billion, with net profits projected at CNY 5.61 billion, CNY 6.72 billion, and CNY 7.77 billion respectively, reflecting robust growth driven by traditional and smart lens segments [4][5].