Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley reports that CK Hutchison (00001) has shown robust growth in its core business for the first half of the year, with a year-on-year increase in underlying profit of 11% and a 3% growth in interim dividends [1] Financial Performance - EBITDA growth in various sectors: Ports increased by 10%, Retail by 12%, Infrastructure by 6%, and Telecommunications by 12% [1] - As of June 30, CK Hutchison's net debt ratio decreased from 16.2% at the end of last year to 14.7% [1] Strategic Developments - Management indicated that the port asset transaction is progressing smoothly, with expectations that it may be completed by next year, entering a new phase of introducing strategic investors from China [1] - Morgan Stanley raised the target price from HKD 54 to HKD 58, maintaining an "Overweight" rating, while noting that current price levels reflect market expectations for the approval of the port transaction [1] Future Outlook - It is anticipated that even if the port transaction is completed, only about 10% to 20% of the proceeds will be used for special dividend distribution [1] - Management prefers to allocate funds towards value-added potential acquisitions in European infrastructure projects but will maintain a cautious financial approach due to geopolitical uncertainties [1]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy-A" with a target price of 6.49 CNY over the next six months [4][7]. Core Views - The company reported a revenue of 555.34 billion CNY in Q1 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 1.1%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 15.01 billion CNY, which is a 0.6% increase year-on-year [2][3]. - The growth in revenue is attributed to enhanced project management, the implementation of key projects, and proactive customer resource expansion [2]. - The company is focusing on strategic emerging industries, achieving a revenue of 45.3 billion CNY in Q1 2025, which is a significant year-on-year increase of 34.2% [2]. - The company signed new contracts worth 1,270.2 billion CNY in Q1 2025, marking a 6.9% increase year-on-year, with a notable 40% increase in new contracts for infrastructure projects [4]. Summary by Sections Revenue and Performance - In Q1 2025, the company achieved a revenue of 555.34 billion CNY, with various segments showing different growth rates: construction revenue at 364.9 billion CNY (down 0.2%), infrastructure at 128.3 billion CNY (up 0.5%), real estate development at 53.7 billion CNY (up 15.5%), and surveying and design at 2.3 billion CNY (down 11.3%) [2]. - The company’s net profit for Q1 2025 was 15.01 billion CNY, with a slight decline in gross margin to 7.85% [3]. Cost and Cash Flow Management - The gross margin faced pressure, decreasing by 0.24 percentage points year-on-year, while the company effectively controlled its expense ratio at 3.65% [3]. - The operating cash flow showed improvement, with a net outflow of 95.85 billion CNY, which is a reduction of 0.743 billion CNY compared to the previous year [3]. Contract and Order Growth - The company’s new contract signing in Q1 2025 reached 1,270.2 billion CNY, with a 6.9% year-on-year increase, driven by a 40% increase in infrastructure contracts [4]. - The structure of the construction business is continuously optimizing, with significant growth in contracts for affordable housing and educational facilities [4]. Financial Projections - The company is projected to achieve revenues of 2,285.57 billion CNY, 2,381.56 billion CNY, and 2,472.06 billion CNY for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with corresponding net profits of 48.54 billion CNY, 50.88 billion CNY, and 53.01 billion CNY [7][8].