Core Viewpoint - The pharmaceutical distribution industry is facing significant challenges, including a wave of pharmacy closures, but Jiuzhoutong is adapting by expanding its business model and focusing on new markets [2][5]. Company Overview - Jiuzhoutong, a leading pharmaceutical distribution company, held its 2024 annual shareholder meeting on May 23, 2023, in Wuhan, attracting several small shareholders [2]. - The company operates primarily through a franchise model for its pharmacies, which minimizes the impact of individual pharmacy profitability on the overall company [3][6]. Financial Performance - For 2024, Jiuzhoutong expects a 15.33% year-on-year increase in net profit to 2.507 billion yuan, while revenue is projected to rise only slightly by 1.11% [3]. - The company reported a significant growth in its medical aesthetics business, achieving sales revenue of 851 million yuan, a 120.47% increase year-on-year, with a compound annual growth rate of 111.64% from 2022 to 2024 [9]. Market Challenges - The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing unprecedented challenges, including a decline in the number of retail pharmacies, with closures reaching 14,114 in the fourth quarter of 2024 [5]. - Despite these challenges, Jiuzhoutong plans to increase its pharmacy count to over 33,500 by the end of the year, with a current total of 29,331 stores [5][6]. Strategic Initiatives - Jiuzhoutong is focusing on expanding its presence in the medical device sector and targeting lower-tier markets through acquisitions of local pharmaceutical distribution companies [9]. - The company has recently participated in the restructuring of *ST Meigu, investing 673 million yuan to acquire shares, which aligns with its medical aesthetics business [7][9]. Accounts Receivable Management - Jiuzhoutong faces challenges with accounts receivable, with values reported at 27.576 billion yuan, 24.72 billion yuan, and 29.477 billion yuan for the years ending 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively [9]. - The company manages credit and collection through a dedicated credit management department, ensuring stable cash flow from large public hospitals [9].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of 7.02 CNY based on a 13x PE ratio for 2025 [2][5]. Core Insights - The company achieved a revenue of 151.81 billion CNY in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 1.1%. The net profit attributable to the parent company was 2.51 billion CNY, up 15.3% year-on-year [10]. - In Q1 2025, the company reported a revenue of 42.02 billion CNY, a 3.8% increase year-on-year, and a net profit of 970 million CNY, which is an 80.4% increase year-on-year [10]. - The CSO business showed strong competitiveness, with a revenue of 19.27 billion CNY in 2024, while the pharmaceutical industrial business grew by 21.5% to 3.01 billion CNY [10]. - The company is expanding its retail and new medical strategies, with over 29,000 franchise stores and a revenue of 5.39 billion CNY from franchise sales in 2024, marking a 54.9% increase [10]. Financial Summary - The company's projected financials for 2025 include: - Revenue: 162.73 billion CNY, a 7.2% increase year-on-year - Net profit: 2.70 billion CNY, a 7.7% increase year-on-year - Earnings per share: 0.54 CNY [3][12]. - The gross margin is expected to stabilize at 7.8% for 2025, with a net margin of 1.7% [3][12]. - The company’s total assets are projected to reach 103.29 billion CNY by 2025, with a debt-to-asset ratio of 66.1% [12].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of 7.02 CNY based on a 13x PE ratio for 2025 [2][5]. Core Insights - The company achieved a revenue of 151.81 billion CNY in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 1.1%. The net profit attributable to the parent company was 2.51 billion CNY, up 15.3% year-on-year [10]. - The first quarter of 2025 saw a revenue of 42.02 billion CNY, a 3.8% increase year-on-year, and a net profit of 970 million CNY, which is an 80.4% increase year-on-year [10]. - The CSO business showed strong competitiveness, with a revenue of 19.27 billion CNY in 2024, while the pharmaceutical industrial business grew by 21.5% to 3.01 billion CNY [10]. - The company is expanding its retail and new medical strategies, with over 29,000 franchise stores and a revenue of 5.39 billion CNY from franchise sales, marking a 54.9% increase year-on-year [10]. Financial Summary - The company's projected financials for 2025 include: - Revenue: 162.73 billion CNY, a 7.2% increase from 2024 - Net profit: 2.70 billion CNY, a 7.7% increase from 2024 - Earnings per share: 0.54 CNY [3][12]. - The gross margin is expected to stabilize at 7.8% for 2025, with a net margin of 1.7% [3][12]. - The company’s market capitalization is approximately 26.57 billion CNY, with a PE ratio of 9.8 for 2025 [5][12].