Core Viewpoint - ST Xifa plans to acquire 50% stake in Tibet Lhasa Beer from Carlsberg, marking a significant asset restructuring move for the company [1][5] Company Performance - ST Xifa has faced financial difficulties, reporting losses for three consecutive years since 2021, but achieved profitability in 2024 [2][4] - The company reported a net profit of 1.02 billion yuan in 2024, largely driven by Lhasa Beer, which contributed approximately 93% of ST Xifa's total revenue [4] - Lhasa Beer generated revenue of 390 million yuan and a net profit of 102 million yuan in 2024, with beer sales increasing by 10.94% year-on-year [4] Acquisition Details - The acquisition aims to consolidate control over Lhasa Beer and focus on core business operations [5] - The partnership between ST Xifa and Carlsberg dates back to 2004 when they jointly established Lhasa Beer, each holding a 50% stake [5][6] - A legal dispute arose when Carlsberg attempted to transfer its stake to another party without ST Xifa's consent, leading to a court ruling that favored ST Xifa's right of first refusal [6][8] Market Challenges - Lhasa Beer has struggled to expand its market presence beyond Tibet, with its market share in the region declining from 60% to about 30% [10] - Analysts highlight that Lhasa Beer's regional focus and lack of national influence pose significant challenges for future growth [10][11] - The company is currently in a pre-restructuring phase, facing potential bankruptcy risks if restructuring fails [10]

Core Viewpoint - ST Xifa, the parent company of Lhasa Beer, has made significant progress towards removing its risk warning status after six years, reporting a turnaround in profitability for 2024 despite ongoing risk warnings from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange [1][4][7]. Financial Performance - In 2024, ST Xifa achieved revenue of approximately 421.47 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 25.11% [4][5]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders was approximately 26.20 million yuan, marking a turnaround from a loss of 25.77 million yuan in the previous year, representing a growth of 201.64% [4][5]. - The net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses was about 27.41 million yuan, compared to a loss of 839,244.05 yuan in the previous year, indicating a significant recovery [4][5]. - The company reported a basic and diluted earnings per share of 0.0993 yuan, a substantial improvement from a loss of 0.0977 yuan per share in 2023 [5]. Operational Highlights - The company attributed its turnaround to enhanced marketing channels and a significant reduction in interest expenses, which dropped from 2.21 million yuan to 56,140 yuan year-on-year [8]. - The brand "Lhasa Beer" sold 72,400 tons in 2024, a 10.94% increase compared to the previous year [8]. - The fastest-growing product was the "Small Bottle Beer 3650 330ml*24," which saw a revenue increase of 296.5% [8][9]. Risk Warnings and Compliance - Despite the positive financial results, ST Xifa continues to face other risk warnings due to previous financial irregularities and ongoing compliance issues [1][7]. - The company has received approval from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange to remove some risk warnings, but it remains under other risk warnings, and its stock trading limits will not change [1][7]. - The company has addressed concerns regarding its negative net assets and significant losses, citing legal disputes and investment losses as contributing factors [10].