Core Viewpoint - The report from China Merchants Securities International maintains a "Buy" rating for Kangchen Pharmaceutical (01681), raising the target price from HKD 13.9 to HKD 15.9, citing low valuation and attractive dividend yield [1] Financial Performance - Kangchen Pharmaceutical reported a year-on-year revenue increase of 23.7% and a net profit increase of 24.6%, both exceeding expectations [1] - The renal, pediatric, and contrast agent segments performed well, with sales growth of 28%, 17.5%, and 22% respectively [1] - The overall gross margin met expectations and showed an upward trend [1] Strategic Development - The company is leveraging the commercial success of Uremic Clear Granules (UCG) to build a comprehensive R&D platform in the nephrology field and develop integrated solutions for China's kidney disease management market [1] - The pipeline in the renal field is strong, helping the company establish a leading position in the specialty [1] Management Guidance - Management has raised the revenue growth guidance for this year to over 15% [1] - The report indicates that centralized procurement may slightly impact the contrast agent segment in the second half of the year, but the overall impact is manageable [1] - The expected gross margin for the year is projected to stabilize around 77%, with stable sales and management expense ratios [1]

Core Viewpoint - The continuous policy support for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is reshaping the domestic TCM development landscape, providing structural upgrade opportunities for companies like Kangchen Pharmaceutical [1][15]. Policy Environment - Recent top-level design documents, including various opinions and plans, have been issued to promote the innovation and development of TCM [1]. - The State Council's recent opinion emphasizes quality traceability, intelligent transformation, and technological innovation as core tasks for the TCM industry [1]. Company Performance - Kangchen Pharmaceutical has seen its intrinsic value recognized by the market, with a stock price increase of 119.89% in 2024 and a further rise of 85.99% by August 22, 2025 [1][3]. - The company reported a revenue of 1.569 billion RMB for the first half of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 23.7%, and a net profit of 498 million RMB, up 24.6% [4]. Shareholder Returns - The company is actively returning value to shareholders through high dividends, stock buybacks, and management's continuous share purchases, which have boosted market confidence [3][6]. - Kangchen Pharmaceutical's interim dividend for 2025 is set at 0.33 HKD per share, with a payout ratio exceeding 51% [4]. Market Position - As of August 22, 2025, Kangchen Pharmaceutical's market capitalization reached 12.448 billion HKD, positioning it favorably for potential inclusion in the Hong Kong Stock Connect [3][7]. - The company's current price-to-earnings ratio (TTM) is 11.47, which is below the average of 23.40 for the industry, despite having the highest return on equity (ROE) among peers [5]. Growth Drivers - The renal medicine segment, particularly the unique product Urine Toxin Clear Granules, has driven significant revenue growth, achieving a 28% increase in sales [10]. - The company is expanding its product pipeline, including new drugs for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related conditions, supported by strategic partnerships and academic collaborations [11][12]. Future Outlook - The anticipated inclusion in the Hong Kong Stock Connect is expected to enhance liquidity and attract mainland capital, further driving stock performance [7][9]. - The overall market sentiment towards the pharmaceutical sector is improving, with expectations of continued valuation recovery and growth potential for quality companies like Kangchen Pharmaceutical [15].