Core Viewpoint - Knight Dairy's investigation by the China Securities Regulatory Commission highlights significant risks in risk management and compliance within the dairy industry, reflecting the broader challenges faced by the sector during cyclical downturns [1][8]. Company Summary - Knight Dairy reported a substantial increase in futures trading losses, escalating from 9.02 million yuan in January 2024 to 41.68 million yuan by December, which represented 41.12% of the company's net profit for 2023 [2]. - The company faced a net profit loss of 7.70 million yuan in 2024, marking a year-on-year decline of 108.20%, the first loss recorded in nearly a decade [2]. - The management's failure to disclose these losses in a timely manner led to penalties, including a fine of 2 million yuan for the company and individual fines for key executives [2]. - Knight Dairy's risk management system was inadequate, lacking proper decision-making processes and risk supervision mechanisms, which transformed futures trading from a hedging tool into a significant financial burden [3]. Business Performance - Knight Dairy operates across four main sectors: forage planting, dairy farming, dairy product processing and sales, and sugar production, with a significant scale achieved in each area [4]. - The company has a modern dairy farming base with over 22,000 cows and a daily milk production capacity of approximately 350 tons [4]. - Despite revenue growth from 265 million yuan in 2015 to 1.297 billion yuan in 2024, the company struggled with profitability, facing challenges across all business segments in 2024 [4][5][6]. Industry Challenges - The domestic fresh milk price has been on a downward trend for three consecutive years, with a 13.42% year-on-year decline in 2024, posing challenges for Knight Dairy, which relies on fresh milk for 30% of its business [7]. - The downstream consumption market is also weakening, with declines in revenue for low-temperature yogurt and white sugar, indicating a lack of demand [7]. - Knight Dairy's vertical integration strategy aimed at cost reduction has increased risks during industry downturns, particularly in its sugar business, which is significantly affected by commodity price fluctuations [7][8]. - Compared to industry leaders like Yili and Mengniu, Knight Dairy lacks the scale and diversified product offerings necessary to mitigate risks effectively, making it more vulnerable during cyclical fluctuations [8].

Core Viewpoint - The company reported FY2024 results that met market expectations, with a slight decline in revenue but an increase in net profit, indicating resilience in a weak demand environment [1][2]. Financial Performance - FY2024 revenue was 23.51 billion, down 0.3% year-on-year, while net profit was 4.34 billion, up 8.6% year-on-year [1]. - In 2HFY24, revenue reached 12.63 billion, an increase of 2.6% year-on-year, and net profit was 2.47 billion, up 9.5% year-on-year [1]. - The gross margin improved by 1 percentage point year-on-year, benefiting from lower raw material prices [2]. - The net profit margin increased by 1.5 percentage points to 18.4% due to reduced financial expenses and effective tax rate [2]. Revenue Breakdown - Revenue performance by category for FY2024 showed declines in rice snacks (-1.2%) and leisure products (-2.6%), while dairy products saw a slight increase (+1.3%) [1]. - The company achieved low single-digit growth in revenue for rice snacks, driven by the launch of sub-brands [1]. - Emerging channels and overseas markets contributed to double-digit revenue growth, with sales from the snack wholesale channel increasing to approximately 10% of total sales [1]. Future Outlook - For FY2025, revenue is expected to grow steadily, with profit margins likely to remain stable [2]. - The company has implemented organizational changes to enhance marketing strategies and expand channels, which may positively impact future performance [2]. - The company anticipates stable growth across various product categories, supported by inventory management and reduced promotional spending [2]. Valuation and Estimates - The company is trading at 12.8/12.0 times FY2025/2026 P/E ratios [3]. - FY2025 profit forecast has been raised by 5.2% to 4.5 billion, with FY2026 forecast introduced at 4.7 billion [3]. - The target price has been increased by 10% to 5.8 HKD, reflecting an upward valuation trend [3].