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].