Summary of the Conference Call for Morning Glory Biological Technology Co., Ltd. Company Overview - **Company**: Morning Glory Biological Technology Co., Ltd. - **Industry**: Natural colorants and plant extracts Key Financial Performance - **Net Profit**: Expected to be between 174 million to 204 million CNY for H1 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 117% to 154% [2][3] - **Revenue**: Projected revenue for H1 2025 is between 3.46 billion to 3.76 billion CNY, with a year-on-year growth of approximately -1% to 8% [3] - **Q2 Performance**: Revenue for Q2 2025 is expected to be between 1.744 billion to 2.044 billion CNY, with a year-on-year growth of -1% to 16% [2][3] Business Segments Cotton Seed Business - **Performance**: Achieved profitability in H1 2025, significantly contributing to overall performance improvement [5] - **Market Strategy**: Utilized a locking procurement strategy to mitigate price fluctuations, leading to stable cash flow and profit [5] - **Future Outlook**: Anticipated seasonal decline in Q3, but expected recovery in Q4 with the new processing season [5] Plant Extract Business - **Recovery**: Q2 2025 showed a strong recovery despite price declines in key products; driven by rapid growth in downstream demand [6] - **Market Trends**: The FDA's ban on synthetic colorants is expected to accelerate the shift towards natural colorants, presenting significant market opportunities [6][7] - **Product Development**: Transitioning from a production company to a solution provider, expanding applications in various sectors [9] Product Highlights - **Top Performers**: Stevia, silymarin, and Sichuan pepper extract showed strong performance in H1 2025 [4][10] - **Market Share Goals**: Aiming to increase market share of chili red to over 80% through optimized processes and equipment [4][15] Regulatory Impact - **FDA Regulations**: The FDA's plan to ban certain synthetic colorants by the end of 2026 is expected to create a global shift towards natural colorants [7][8] - **Market Dynamics**: Natural colorants are currently priced several times higher than synthetic alternatives, indicating substantial replacement potential [7][8] Competitive Landscape - **Market Position**: Currently holds approximately 70% market share in chili red, with plans to increase to over 80% [15] - **Competitors**: Faces competition from breeding and planting companies and Indian counterparts in the chili extract market [15] Future Growth Expectations - **Long-term Projections**: Anticipates stable growth in existing products with a target of 10% to 15% annual growth, while new products may grow at 20% to 30% [20] - **Strategic Initiatives**: Plans to expand into natural sweeteners and essential oils, aiming for a leading global market position [10][20] Operational Advantages - **Cost Efficiency**: Lower production costs due to optimized processes and strategic raw material sourcing across multiple regions [22] - **R&D Capabilities**: Strong R&D team with over 100 members, including PhDs, enhancing product quality and production efficiency [23] Challenges and Mitigation Strategies - **Supply Chain Risks**: Potential price increases in raw materials and the need for supplier trust are identified risks [24] - **Response Measures**: Expanding base locations domestically and internationally to ensure stable supply and mitigate risks [24] Conclusion - **Market Leadership**: Morning Glory Biological Technology Co., Ltd. is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for natural colorants and plant extracts, supported by strong financial performance, strategic initiatives, and regulatory tailwinds [26]

Group 1: Financial Performance - The company expects to achieve operating revenue of 3.46 billion to 3.76 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of -0.89% to 7.71% [2] - Net profit attributable to shareholders is projected to be between 202 million and 232 million yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 102.33% to 132.38% [2] - The net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses is estimated to be between 174 million and 204 million yuan, reflecting a growth of 117.40% to 154.88% compared to the previous year [2] Group 2: Business Performance Drivers - The recovery in the cottonseed business is a major factor contributing to the company's turnaround [3] - The gross profit from plant extraction products such as chili red, chili essence, and stevia glycosides has increased year-on-year [3] - The company is actively expanding into new product categories, including natural sweeteners and essential oils, aiming to achieve a target of ten world-leading products [3] Group 3: Market Outlook and Strategy - The third quarter is expected to be a slow season, but the company anticipates continued growth in product sales, particularly for chili red and chili essence [4] - The company holds approximately two-thirds of the market share for chili red products, with plans to deepen competitive advantages and expand product applications [4] - The strategy focuses on increasing market share through cost-effective solutions rather than monopolistic pricing, capitalizing on the growth potential in developing countries [4] Group 4: Operational Insights - The company has established a robust risk management framework for its cottonseed business, leading to improved operational stability [4] - A highly educated R&D team and proprietary extraction processes contribute to competitive production costs [5] - The company has acquired farmland in Zambia for cultivation, benefiting from lower land and labor costs compared to domestic operations [5] Group 5: Future Growth Expectations - The plant extraction industry is projected to maintain rapid natural growth, with the company aiming to enhance its market position in core products while nurturing second-tier products [6] - The company plans to leverage its established reputation and strong financial position to ensure supply chain security for downstream customers [6]

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a slight decline in revenue but a significant increase in net profit and earnings per share, indicating strong operational efficiency and profitability despite revenue challenges [1][2]. Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, the company achieved revenue of 1.716 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 0.9% [1]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 109 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 183.7% [1]. - Basic earnings per share (EPS) reached 0.2266 yuan, up 212.6% year-on-year [1]. Business Segment Analysis - The cottonseed business has returned to normal operations, while the plant extraction business has exceeded expectations [2]. - The plant extraction segment generated revenue of 867 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 13.8%, with a gross margin improvement of 2.15 percentage points [2]. - The cottonseed segment reported revenue of 760 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 9.5%, with a gross margin of approximately 6.1% [2]. Market Strategy - The company adopted a strategy of "price for volume," leading to increased sales volume and revenue growth in various product lines [3]. - The price of chili red pigment significantly decreased, resulting in a revenue increase of approximately 7% due to volume elasticity [3]. - The company capitalized on domestic raw material cost advantages to expand into overseas markets, with chili extract sales doubling and contributing to a revenue increase of about 24% [3]. Long-term Outlook - The company is focused on long-term advantages, expanding overseas planting bases, and making breakthroughs in new businesses such as traditional Chinese medicine and health products [3]. - The company anticipates maintaining high growth rates in performance as major products return to a cyclical uptrend [3]. Investment Recommendation - The company is a leading player in the plant extract sector, with stable profitability in key products and a strong growth trajectory in market share [4]. - The ongoing construction of the Zambia plantation is expected to further reduce costs, and the health product business shows significant potential for growth [4]. - Projected EPS for 2025-2027 is 0.67, 0.83, and 1.00 yuan, with corresponding price-to-earnings ratios of 16.3X, 13.1X, and 10.9X, maintaining a "buy" rating [4].