Interfor Investment Highlights - Interfor is a top three softwood lumber producer in North America with 28 strategically located facilities[6] - The company has high exposure to the US South and Eastern Canada with attractive log costs[6] - Interfor has top quartile EBITDA margins and returns on capital employed through the cycle[6] - As of October 1, 2025, Interfor had approximately $386 million of liquidity[6] Market and Operations - Softwood lumber accounted for 81% of Interfor's $3 billion in 2024 revenues[18] - Approximately 75% of Interfor's sales volumes are not exposed to lumber duties or tariffs[19] - Interfor has 47 billion board feet of lumber production capacity, with 50% in the US South, 23% in Eastern Canada, 16% in BC Interior and 12% in US Northwest[26] Lumber Market Fundamentals - Repair & Remodel accounts for 38%, New Home Construction 32%, and Industrial/Commercial/Other 30% of North American lumber demand[35] - Since 2016, nearly 54% of BC industry capacity has been curtailed due to declining log supply[45] - Approximately 25% of Interfor's shipments are exposed to duties[48]

Core Insights - The "Cedar" vessel, carrying 59,561 tons of Australian wood chips, has set a record for the largest wood chip ship at the Beihai Port, marking a significant achievement in the port's operational history [1] - The Beihai Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the Beihai Terminal Company implemented a tailored logistics plan to ensure efficient unloading and processing of the wood chips, highlighting a commitment to operational excellence [1] Industry Performance - In the first three quarters of this year, the public terminal at Beihai Port has unloaded over 2.65 million tons of wood chips, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 6.9% [1] - The throughput of paper and pulp containers reached 145,500 TEU, with a year-on-year growth of 12%, indicating a robust performance in the port's operations [1] Future Developments - Beihai Port aims to leverage the recent unloading task to enhance safety, efficiency, and smooth operations in the fourth quarter, focusing on infrastructure upgrades and optimizing unloading processes [1] - The port is committed to strengthening its role as a "blue engine" for modern marine industrial systems, supporting the development of key industries such as green chemicals and high-end papermaking [1]

Group 1 - The core point of the articles highlights the significant growth in the import of wood chips at Beihai Port, driven by the development of the high-end paper industry in the region [1][2] - Beihai Port has seen a steady increase in wood chip imports from countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, and South Africa, with over 2.65 million tons handled in the first three quarters of the year, marking a 6.9% year-on-year increase [1] - The arrival of the "Cedar" vessel, carrying 59,561 tons of wood chips, represents the largest shipment since the port's opening, showcasing the port's enhanced logistics and service capabilities [1] Group 2 - The container throughput for paper and pulp from Beihai Port reached 145,500 TEUs in the first three quarters, reflecting a 12% year-on-year growth, indicating robust logistics and trade activity [2] - Beihai Port is increasingly recognized as a key hub for the high-end paper industry, facilitating the integration of port and industry while enhancing connectivity with ASEAN [1][2] - The local government is focused on optimizing the business environment and expanding high-level openness to stimulate the synergy between land and sea, as well as port and industry [1]

Core Viewpoint - The company is increasing its investment in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hunan Maoyuan Forestry Co., Ltd., by converting 1.4 billion yuan of debt into equity, which will improve the subsidiary's financial structure and reduce its debt ratio significantly [1][5]. Group 1: Investment Details - The investment amount is 1.4 billion yuan, which will increase the registered capital of Maoyuan Forestry from 471.48 million yuan to 1.87148 billion yuan [1][2]. - This capital increase does not require approval from the shareholders' meeting and does not constitute a related party transaction or a major asset restructuring as per regulations [2][5]. Group 2: Subsidiary Overview - Maoyuan Forestry was established on June 28, 2005, with a registered capital of 471.48 million yuan and is located in the Hunan Free Trade Zone [2]. - As of the end of December 2024, Maoyuan Forestry had total assets of 3.43913 billion yuan, total liabilities of 2.96072 billion yuan, and an asset-liability ratio of 86% [2][4]. Group 3: Debt Conversion Impact - The company will convert 1.4 billion yuan of Maoyuan Forestry's debt into paid-in capital, reducing its debt ratio from approximately 86% to around 45% [5][6]. - The equity structure of Maoyuan Forestry will remain unchanged, continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company [5]. Group 4: Purpose and Impact of the Capital Increase - The capital increase aims to align with the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission's guidelines for reducing leverage in high-debt subsidiaries [5]. - Improving Maoyuan Forestry's financial structure is expected to enhance its risk resistance, operational sustainability, and support future business development [5].

Investment Rating - The report rates the paper industry as "Overweight" [6] Core Views - In July, the decline in pulp and paper prices slowed, with expectations for a rebound in pulp prices and stabilization in white paper prices, while black paper prices continued to rise [2] Summary by Sections Cultural Paper - Prices for cultural paper have been declining, with the average market price for 70g high white double glue paper at 5094 CNY/ton, down 1.11% month-on-month and 9.34% year-on-year [10][23] - Supply and demand remain imbalanced, with production recovering but overall demand still weak [13][10] - Profitability is stable as both prices and costs are declining, with the average theoretical gross margin at 1.59% [23] White Cardboard - Prices continue to decline due to weak seasonal demand, with the average market price for 250-400g white cardboard at 4036 CNY/ton, down 1.25% month-on-month and 9.02% year-on-year [24] - The supply-demand gap is expected to widen, putting further pressure on prices [27] - Profit margins are decreasing as the price drop exceeds the cost drop, with gross margins declining [39] Boxboard - Prices for boxboard have shown mixed trends, with the average price at 3449 CNY/ton, down 1.49% month-on-month [42] - Demand is expected to recover in August, alleviating some supply pressure [46] - Profitability remains low as the price drop is greater than the cost drop [11] Waste Paper - The supply of waste paper is tight, leading to a gradual increase in prices [12] Wood Chips - Import volumes have increased month-on-month, with overall demand stabilizing [14] Wood Pulp - External prices are stabilizing, but the supply-demand imbalance persists, with average prices for imported hardwood pulp at 490 USD/ton [15][6]

Core Points - The successful docking of the "Rui Ning 9" vessel at the Beihai Iron Mountain Port marks the official opening of international shipping operations at the newly activated berths [1][3] - The Iron Mountain Port East Area has five berths, including two 100,000-ton and three 5,000-ton berths, with an annual throughput capacity of 7.45 million tons [3] - The port area aims to enhance cross-border logistics efficiency and reduce comprehensive logistics costs for foreign trade goods, thereby improving regional economic cooperation [3][4] Industry Developments - The Beihai Port has expanded its foreign trade operations, with significant increases in imports and exports, including new trade routes to Cambodia and Thailand [3] - From January to June this year, the Beihai Port handled 8.544 million tons of foreign trade cargo, maintaining over 8.5 million tons for three consecutive years [3] - The port has been enhancing its infrastructure and operational capabilities since 2017, resulting in a significant increase in cargo handling capacity and efficiency [4]

Group 1 - The "Lucky 6666" vessel, carrying 38,000 cubic meters of wood chips, is unloading at Zhangzhou Port, which is the largest timber distribution center in Southeast China [3] - In the first half of this year, Zhangzhou Port has imported 1.6185 million cubic meters of wood chips, representing a year-on-year increase of 177.34% [3] - The Zhangzhou border inspection station has implemented measures to streamline customs procedures, reducing average processing time by 40% and saving over 33 million yuan in customs costs for enterprises in 2024 [3][4] Group 2 - The wood chip import business has significantly boosted the local timber industry, which is becoming an important source of income for Zhangzhou [4] - The logistics system at Zhangzhou Port allows for efficient transportation of raw wood to local processing facilities, where it is transformed into various paper products [4]

Group 1 - The Rizhao Port in Shandong is a key node in the New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor and an important hub for the Belt and Road Initiative [2] - The port has over 90 berths for various types of cargo including minerals, containers, grains, wood chips, crude oil, and liquefied gas, making it a significant base for energy and bulk raw material transshipment as well as a grain import port [2] - The port's operations include the unloading of timber from cargo ships using automated unloading machines, showcasing advancements in port logistics [6][10] Group 2 - The port area features organized storage of various types of timber, indicating efficient management and logistics capabilities [4] - A cargo ship loaded with iron ore from Africa is currently docked at berth 17, highlighting the port's role in international trade [12][14] - The presence of wind turbines in the background suggests a commitment to sustainable energy practices in the port operations [2]