Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Accumulate" [6] Core Views - The company has shown significant recovery in profitability due to declining raw material costs and expansion across multiple product categories [2][3] - In H1 2025, the company achieved a revenue of 3.658 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5%, with a notable net profit growth of 115% [2][3] - The gross margin improved to approximately 14%, up by 5.6 percentage points year-on-year, indicating enhanced profitability [3] Revenue and Profitability - In H1 2025, the plant extraction business generated 1.733 billion yuan in revenue, a 9% increase year-on-year, while the cottonseed business brought in 1.765 billion yuan, a 2% increase [2] - The company reported a net profit of 215 million yuan in H1 2025, with Q2 net profit reaching 105 million yuan, reflecting a 72% year-on-year increase [2] - The net profit margin for H1 2025 was 5.9%, an increase of 3.0 percentage points compared to the previous year [3] Business Performance - The plant extraction segment saw a 43% increase in sales volume for chili red products, while the premium chili category experienced an 81% increase in sales [4] - The cottonseed business benefited from improved market conditions for commodities like soybean oil and meal, leading to a turnaround in profitability [4] Financial Forecast and Valuation - The company is projected to achieve net profits of 327 million yuan, 407 million yuan, and 497 million yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with growth rates of 248%, 24%, and 22% [5] - The corresponding price-to-earnings ratios are estimated to be 18x, 14x, and 12x for the same years [5]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights that Morning Light Biological (300138) has experienced significant improvements in its cottonseed business sales since 2025, leading to a substantial reduction in inventory value as of mid-2025 compared to the previous year [1] Group 2 - As of the end of the first half of 2025, the book value of the company's inventory has decreased significantly year-on-year, which is identified as the main reason for the reduction in the consolidated financial statements' inventory [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that the company, Morning Light Bio (300138), is focusing on the independent development of its cottonseed business to maximize overall efficiency despite its characteristics of high revenue volume, strong volatility, and low profit margins [1] Group 2 - The cottonseed business is characterized by its commodity nature, leading to significant revenue fluctuations and lower gross margins [1] - The company aims to continue promoting the independent development of its cottonseed business [1] - The strategy is intended to enhance the overall effectiveness of the company's operations [1]

Core Viewpoint - The company, Morning Bio (300138.SZ), anticipates significant growth in its financial performance for the first half of 2025, driven primarily by the recovery in its cottonseed business and steady growth in its plant extraction segment [1][2]. Financial Performance Summary - The company expects to achieve revenue between 3.46 billion to 3.76 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year change of -0.89% to 7.71% [1]. - The projected net profit attributable to shareholders is estimated to be between 202 million to 232 million yuan, indicating a substantial year-on-year increase of 102.33% to 132.38% [1]. - The expected non-recurring net profit ranges from 174 million to 204 million yuan, with a remarkable growth rate of 117.40% to 154.88% compared to the previous year [1]. Business Segment Performance - The recovery in the cottonseed business is identified as the main factor influencing the company's performance, transitioning from losses to profitability due to improved market conditions [1]. - The plant extraction business, including products like chili red, chili essence, and steviol glycosides, has also contributed to the overall profit growth, with significant year-on-year increases in gross profit [1]. Strategic Insights - The company has committed to a locked-in operating model, which has effectively mitigated risks associated with price fluctuations in the cottonseed market, leading to a turnaround in profitability [1][2]. - The company anticipates that high prices for cottonseed protein and the implementation of new standards for lutein will provide ongoing growth momentum in the second half of the year [2].

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a mixed performance for Q1 2025, with revenue slightly declining but significant growth in net profit, indicating a potential turning point in profitability driven by improved margins and successful product sales in the plant extraction segment [1][3]. Revenue and Profitability - In Q1 2025, the company achieved revenue of 1.716 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 0.92%, while net profit attributable to shareholders reached 109 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 183.69% [1]. - The adjusted net profit was 96 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 97.83% [1]. Business Segment Performance - The plant extraction business saw multiple products achieving historical sales highs, contributing 867 million yuan in revenue, a year-on-year increase of 13.78%, with a gross profit margin improvement of 2.15 percentage points [1][3]. - The cottonseed business rebounded, generating 760 million yuan in revenue, although this represented a year-on-year decline of 9.49%, but with a significant improvement in gross profit [1][2]. Specific Product Insights - Chili red sales increased by approximately 7% due to a rise in volume despite price adjustments [2]. - Chili extract revenue grew by about 24%, driven by a more than doubling of sales volume [2]. - Lutein sales increased by 50% in the food-grade segment, despite overall market oversupply [2]. - Stevia glycosides saw a revenue increase of approximately 55%, surpassing 80 million yuan, supported by innovative cost advantages [2]. Margin and Cost Management - The company's gross margin improved to 14.16%, and net margin reached 6.38%, with respective year-on-year increases of 5.95 and 4.15 percentage points [3]. - The company maintained strict cost management, with sales, management, financial, and R&D expense ratios showing mixed trends, indicating a focus on efficiency [3]. Future Outlook - The company is expected to continue benefiting from its cost advantages in the plant extraction business and the recovery in the cottonseed market, projecting net profits of 365 million, 457 million, and 564 million yuan for 2025-2027, with respective year-on-year growth rates of 288.51%, 25.18%, and 23.21% [3].