Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating - No information provided in the given content. 2. Report's Core View - The "Belt and Road" initiative provides clear policy support and long - term direction for the international engineering industry. In the context of "dual carbon", green and intelligent development will be new requirements for project management and engineering construction. Engineering companies with full - life - cycle comprehensive service capabilities will have more market opportunities [36]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1. Research Basic Situation - The research object is Northern International, belonging to the engineering construction industry. The reception time was on August 26, 2025. The listed company's reception personnel included the company's chairman and Party secretary Ji Wei, director, general manager and deputy Party secretary Shan Jun, independent director Song Dongsheng, and board secretary and chief financial officer Ni Jing [17]. 3.2. Detailed Research Institutions - The reception objects included investors' online questions and others [20]. 3.3. Research Institution Proportion - No information provided in the given content. 3.4. Main Content Data - **Project Progress**: For questions about the progress of major projects such as the Egypt Alexandria Abu Qir subway vehicle project, Abu Dhabi KENT camp project, Bangladesh coal - fired power station EPC project, and Bosnia and Herzegovina Komarnje Mountain photovoltaic project, the company referred investors to the "Section III Management Discussion and Analysis - III. Main Business Analysis" of the 2025 semi - annual report [24]. - **Stock Offering**: On July 3, 2025, the company's application for issuing stocks to specific objects was accepted by the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. On August 7, 2025, the company replied to the review inquiry letter from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The matter still needs to pass the review of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and be approved by the CSRC. The stock - offering plan has been reviewed and approved by the board of directors and the general meeting of shareholders and cannot be changed at will. The pricing benchmark date cannot be adjusted to the announcement date of the board of directors' resolution or the general meeting of shareholders' resolution [25][26]. - **Stock Price**: The company's stock price is affected by multiple factors such as the macro - environment, industry trends, and market sentiment. The company's operation is generally stable, and the board of directors and management will continue to operate in compliance and develop steadily to enhance the company's long - term value [26]. - **Post - war Reconstruction**: As an important practitioner of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the company has rich experience in international engineering contracting and clean energy, with full - chain capabilities in overseas project development, engineering construction, and local operation. It is actively evaluating potential cooperation opportunities [27]. - **Performance**: The company's performance declined in the first half of the year mainly due to factors such as coking coal price fluctuations. The company's overall operation is stable, and the management will continue to promote the expansion of overseas key markets [29]. - **Project Performance**: The Croatia Seni wind power project generated 215 million kWh of electricity in the first half of the year, a 28% increase compared to the same period last year. The Bosnia and Herzegovina photovoltaic project has an after - tax internal rate of return on total investment of 9.68%, an internal rate of return on project capital of 17.74%, and an investment payback period of 8.85 years [32][33]. - **Key Markets**: The company focuses on market development in resource - rich countries in Asia - Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, such as Indonesia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Uzbekistan, the UAE, and Egypt [34][35].

Core Viewpoint - The company held an investor relations meeting to address key questions regarding project progress, stock issuance, and performance amidst market fluctuations [2][3]. Group 1: Project Progress - Investors inquired about the status of major projects including the Egypt Alexandria Abu Qir Metro, Abu Dhabi KENT Camp, Bangladesh coal-fired power plant EPC, and Bosnia Komany Mountain photovoltaic project, with the company directing them to the latest half-year report for detailed updates [2]. - The company confirmed that it has not received any notifications from the controlling shareholder regarding participation in the China North Industries Group restructuring [4]. Group 2: Stock Issuance - The company reported that it submitted the application for a targeted stock issuance on July 3, 2025, and received an inquiry letter from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on July 14, 2025, indicating that the process is still subject to approval [2]. - The stock issuance plan has been approved by the board and shareholders, and changes to the pricing model are not permissible under current circumstances [2]. Group 3: Stock Performance and Market Conditions - The company's stock has experienced a decline for seven consecutive trading days since August 18, 2025, despite a robust market environment with a trading volume of 3.14 trillion yuan on August 25, 2025 [3]. - The company emphasized that short-term stock price fluctuations do not reflect its long-term value, attributing the decline to macroeconomic factors, industry trends, and market sentiment [3]. Group 4: Financial Performance - The company reported a decline in performance for the first half of the year, primarily due to fluctuations in coking coal prices impacting profits [3]. - The company remains optimistic about its operations for the third quarter and the full year, committing to transparent information disclosure [3]. Group 5: Strategic Focus - The company is focusing on post-conflict reconstruction opportunities related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, leveraging its international engineering contracting and clean energy experience [3]. - The company is targeting markets rich in resources and potential synergies, including Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East [4]. - The international engineering industry is trending towards green and intelligent solutions, with companies capable of providing comprehensive lifecycle services expected to gain more opportunities [4].

Project Progress and Risks - The company is currently involved in several major projects, including the Alexandria Abu Qir Metro Vehicle Project in Egypt and the EPC project for a coal-fired power plant in Bangladesh. The progress and potential risks of these projects were discussed during the investor meeting [1]. - The company provided updates on ongoing projects in the 2025 semi-annual report, specifically in the section on management discussion and analysis [1]. Stock Issuance and Market Performance - The company submitted its application for a targeted stock issuance to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on July 3, 2025, which was accepted. However, the approval process remains uncertain and requires both the exchange's review and the China Securities Regulatory Commission's consent [2]. - The stock price has been affected by macroeconomic factors and market sentiment, with a noted decline over seven consecutive trading days despite a robust A-share market [2]. Financial Performance - The company reported a year-on-year decline in performance for the first half of 2025, primarily due to fluctuations in coking coal prices, which exerted short-term pressure on profits [4]. - The internal rate of return for the Bosnia photovoltaic project is 9.68%, with a capital return rate of 17.74% and a payback period of 8.85 years [4]. Market Development and Strategic Focus - The company is focusing on resource-rich markets in the Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, including countries like Indonesia, Croatia, and Egypt [5]. - The "Belt and Road" initiative is seen as a significant driver for the international engineering sector, emphasizing the need for green and intelligent project management [7]. Future Outlook - The company aims to enhance operational quality and profitability while adhering to compliance and transparency in information disclosure [4]. - The management is preparing to respond to potential opportunities arising from post-conflict reconstruction efforts, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict [3].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" and is maintained [9] Core Views - The company's revenue for the first half of 2025 was 6.735 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 35.34%, while the net profit attributable to shareholders was 309 million yuan, down 42.71% year-on-year [2][6] - The decline in performance is primarily attributed to falling coking coal prices and a decrease in revenue from the integrated mining project in Mongolia [12] - Despite the challenges, the company's profitability improved, with a gross margin of 13.09%, an increase of 3.00 percentage points year-on-year [12] - The company experienced a significant increase in cash flow, with a net cash inflow from operating activities of 147 million yuan, turning positive year-on-year [12] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, the company reported a revenue of 6.735 billion yuan, a decrease of 35.34% year-on-year, and a net profit of 309 million yuan, down 42.71% year-on-year [2][6] - The revenue breakdown by segments showed engineering construction and services at 3.099 billion yuan (-24.91%), resource supply chain at 2.663 billion yuan (-50.88%), power operations at 325 million yuan (+55.16%), and industrial manufacturing at 619 million yuan (-0.89%) [12] Coking Coal Market - Coking coal prices have significantly declined, with the price of Mongolian 5 raw coal at the Ganqimaodu port at 735 yuan/ton as of June 30, 2025, down 43.02% year-on-year [12] - The company’s coking coal sales volume decreased, impacting overall revenue [12] Operational Highlights - The company signed new projects worth 402 million USD in the first half of 2025, a decrease of 44.76% year-on-year [12] - Key operational projects include the Croatian wind power project, which generated 215 million kWh (+20.79% year-on-year), and the Laos South Power Station, which generated 214 million kWh [12] Future Outlook - The company anticipates improvements in coking coal supply and demand dynamics, with the main contract price recovering from a low of 741.50 yuan/ton to 1295 yuan/ton [12] - The Bangladesh project is expected to enter the operational phase in the second half of 2025, potentially contributing positively to future performance [12]

Summary of Northern International's Conference Call Company Overview - Northern International has improved its ranking to 66th among the top 250 contractors, indicating enhanced industry status [2][3] - The company adopts an integrated investment, construction, and operation strategy, diversifying its business into goods trade, engineering construction and services, metal packaging containers, and power generation [2][3] Financial Performance - In 2024, revenue contributions from various segments are as follows: goods trade (44%), engineering construction and services (37%), metal packaging containers (2%), and power generation (3%) [4] - Gross profit contributions are: goods trade (44%), engineering construction and services (37%), metal packaging containers (7%), and power generation (11%), with a significant increase in gross profit from goods trade [4] - Cash flow remains strong, with net inflow levels between 650 million to 740 million from 2022 to 2024, although net inflow decreased by 50 million year-on-year in 2024 [5][4] - Total cash dividends for 2024 amount to 160 million, with a dividend payout ratio of 25% [5] Coal Trade Impact - Mongolian coal trade is a crucial revenue source for Northern International, with a 14% year-on-year increase in export volume to 78 million tons in 2024 [2][6] - The company has initiated comprehensive projects in Mongolia, including a 370 million USD heavy-load road project, which is expected to significantly boost coal export volumes [6] - The acquisition of a 60% stake in Inner Mongolia Mandula Mining facilitates the integration of Mongolian coal trade [6] Power Operations Progress - Northern International is transitioning towards an integrated investment and operation model, with multiple power projects in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative [7] - Key projects include: - Laos Sanbai Hydropower (investment of 210 million USD, stable revenue) - Croatia Saini Wind Power (revenue decreased in 2024 due to lower electricity prices) - Bangladesh Rocket Project (expected to commence operations in the first half of 2024, with a total investment of 2.5 billion USD) - Bosnia Herzegovina Komanyesh Mountain Solar Project (investment started in 2024) [7][9] Future Profit Forecast - The engineering construction sector is expected to maintain steady growth, while trade business is projected to achieve higher growth rates [8] - Overall profit is anticipated to grow at around 10% annually, with a forecasted growth rate of 4% for 2025 and over 15% for the following two years [8] - The current valuation is approximately 10 times earnings, making the company an attractive investment opportunity given the progress of the Belt and Road Initiative [8]