Summary of Orient Cables Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Orient Cables - **Industry**: Submarine cable manufacturing and offshore wind energy - **Headquarters**: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China - **Established**: 1998 Key Takeaways Industry Outlook - **Offshore Wind Demand**: Management anticipates strong demand for offshore wind, with over 50 GW of project auctions delayed from the 14th Five-Year Plan (14-FYP) to the 15th Five-Year Plan (15-FYP), expected to be completed in 2026/27 [4][5] - **Cumulative Capacity Growth**: China's cumulative offshore wind power capacity is projected to grow at an ~18% CAGR from 2022 to 2027 [8] Competitive Landscape - **Stable Competition**: The submarine cable manufacturing sector is characterized by high entry barriers, leading to a stable competitive landscape with only 5-6 manufacturers for 220kV cables and 2-3 for 500kV cables [4] - **Market Share Expectations**: Management expects its market share for submarine cable orders to exceed 30% in the 15-FYP, with gross profit margins (GPM) for submarine cables projected to remain elevated at 30-40% [4] Capacity Expansion - **New Production Facility**: Orient Cables is constructing a new production facility in Yantai, Shandong, with a production value of RMB 3-4 billion and a construction cycle of 2-3 years [4] - **Investment in Guangxi**: An investment agreement has been signed with local authorities in Beihai, Guangxi, contingent on offshore wind demand [4] Overseas Expansion - **European Market Focus**: Management is optimistic about overseas expansion, particularly in Europe, driven by rising ESG requirements and business development efforts [4][5] - **Potential for Growth**: Despite some project delays, no cancellations have been reported, indicating potential for increased order intake and revenue from overseas markets [5] Investment Thesis - **Rating**: Overweight (OW) with a price target of RMB 68.00 by December 2026 [20][22] - **Key Factors for Investment**: 1. Rising offshore wind demand outlook 2. High entry barriers and stable competitive landscape 3. Upside potential from overseas expansions [20][21] Risks to Rating and Price Target - **Downside Risks**: - Slower-than-expected offshore wind development - Increased competition leading to submarine cable overcapacity - Lower-than-expected average selling prices (ASPs) - Higher-than-expected costs [23] Conclusion Orient Cables is positioned favorably within the offshore wind and submarine cable manufacturing sectors, with strong growth prospects driven by increasing demand and strategic capacity expansions. However, potential risks related to market dynamics and cost pressures should be monitored closely.