Core Viewpoint - The company reported a diversified revenue structure for the first half of 2025, with total revenue of 76.939 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.4%, while facing challenges in profitability due to reduced capital expenditure from clients and cost control measures [1][2]. Revenue Breakdown - Total revenue for 1H25 reached 76.939 billion yuan, with a diversified revenue structure where customer and overseas market revenues accounted for over half [1]. - Revenue from the operator market was 38.203 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 4.6%, primarily due to reduced capital expenditure [2]. - Non-telecom customer market revenue was 36.585 billion yuan, showing a year-on-year increase of 12.9%, driven by AI-related infrastructure opportunities [2]. - Overseas market revenue was 2.151 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 8.7%, with successful expansions in Latin America and Africa [2]. Profitability Analysis - Operating gross profit for 1H25 was 7.888 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 2.8%, with a gross margin of 10.3% [1]. - Net profit attributable to shareholders was 2.129 billion yuan, a slight year-on-year increase of 0.2%, with a net profit margin of 2.8% [1]. Business Segment Performance - Telecom Infrastructure Services (TIS) revenue was 38.272 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.6%, contributing 49.7% to total revenue [3]. - Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) revenue was 22.383 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.0%, contributing 29.1% to total revenue [3]. - Application, Content, and Other Services (ACO) revenue was 16.284 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 11.7%, contributing 21.2% to total revenue [3]. Strategic Business Development - The company’s strategic emerging businesses focused on smart cities, digital infrastructure, and green low-carbon initiatives, with new contract signings exceeding 42 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 10% [4]. - New contracts in digital infrastructure surpassed 12 billion yuan, with a growth rate exceeding 20% [4]. - The company aims to expand its new business areas and customer base, particularly in AI-driven infrastructure and digital transformation [4]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates continued growth in AI-driven customer markets and strategic emerging businesses, adjusting net profit forecasts for 2025-2027 to 3.682 billion, 3.853 billion, and 4.027 billion yuan respectively, with corresponding EPS of 0.53, 0.56, and 0.58 yuan [4].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, indicating a positive outlook for future performance [7]. Core Insights - The company reported a revenue of 769.39 billion RMB for the first half of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3.4%. The revenue structure is diversifying, with over half coming from the customer market and overseas markets. The gross profit for the same period was 78.88 billion RMB, with a gross margin of 10.3%, down 0.6 percentage points year-on-year [1]. - The AI-driven infrastructure and application deployment are significantly boosting the customer market and ACO (Application, Content, and Other Services) business growth. The non-telecom customer market revenue increased by 12.9% year-on-year, with ACO revenue growing by 13.6% [2][3]. - Strategic emerging businesses are enhancing the company's high-quality development momentum, with new contracts exceeding 420 billion RMB in the first half of 2025, representing over 40% of total new contracts [4]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, the company achieved a net profit of 21.29 billion RMB, a slight increase of 0.2% year-on-year, with a net profit margin of 2.8% [1]. - The company’s operating expenses decreased by 5.5% year-on-year to 61.82 billion RMB, accounting for 8% of total revenue [1]. Market Segments - The operator market revenue was 382.03 billion RMB, down 4.6% year-on-year, primarily due to reduced capital expenditures from clients. However, ACO revenue in this segment grew by 9% [2]. - The overseas market revenue reached 21.51 billion RMB, up 8.7% year-on-year, benefiting from the "Belt and Road" initiative [2]. Business Segments - The TIS (Telecom Infrastructure Services) revenue was 382.72 billion RMB, contributing 49.7% to total revenue, while BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) revenue was 223.83 billion RMB, contributing 29.1% [3]. - The ACO segment's revenue reached 162.84 billion RMB, marking an 11.7% increase year-on-year, driven by accelerated AI application deployment and digital transformation across various industries [3]. Future Outlook - The company is expected to continue leveraging opportunities in AI-driven infrastructure and digital transformation, with adjusted net profit forecasts for 2025-2027 being 36.82 billion RMB, 38.53 billion RMB, and 40.27 billion RMB, respectively [5].

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a steady growth in revenue and net profit for the first half of 2025, driven by its strategic focus on digital transformation and emerging industries [1][2]. Financial Performance - For the first half of 2025, the company's operating revenue was RMB 76,939 million, a year-on-year increase of 3.4% [1] - The net profit for the same period was RMB 2,129 million, reflecting a slight year-on-year growth of 0.2% [1] Business Segments - Telecommunications Infrastructure Services (TIS) generated revenue of RMB 38,272 million, up 1.6% year-on-year, accounting for 49.7% of total operating revenue [1] - Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) revenue reached RMB 22,383 million, a 1.0% increase year-on-year, representing 29.1% of total operating revenue [1] - Applications, Content, and Other Services (ACO) saw significant growth, with revenue of RMB 16,284 million, an 11.7% increase year-on-year, and contributing 21.2% to total operating revenue [1] Strategic Focus - The company is actively addressing the decline in capital expenditure from traditional sectors by leveraging opportunities in the digital economy and artificial intelligence [2] - The strategic focus includes sectors such as digital infrastructure, green low-carbon initiatives, smart cities, and emergency safety, with new contracts from these sectors accounting for over 40% of total new contracts [2] - New contracts in digital infrastructure exceeded RMB 12 billion, showing a growth of over 20% year-on-year [2] Investment Outlook - The company is recognized as the largest telecommunications infrastructure builder globally and a leading provider of integrated information and communication support services [3] - The TIS segment is positioned to benefit from the demand for computing power driven by advancements in AI [3] - The BPO segment focuses on high-value projects to enhance market share, while the ACO segment has shown a compound annual growth rate of over 14% over the past decade [3] - Projected net profits for 2025-2027 are RMB 3.731 billion, RMB 3.901 billion, and RMB 4.105 billion, with corresponding price-to-earnings ratios of 8.2X, 7.9X, and 7.5X [3]

Investment Rating - The report gives a "Strong Buy" investment rating for the company [4]. Core Views - The company is positioned as a leading provider of integrated smart services in the telecommunications sector, leveraging the AI model wave to ignite new growth engines [1][8]. - The company has a strong focus on shareholder returns, with a dividend payout ratio increasing from 36% to 42% over the past five years, and a significant cash reserve of 38.11 billion yuan as of the end of 2024 [8][24]. - The strategic focus on emerging industries, particularly in digital infrastructure, green low-carbon initiatives, smart cities, and emergency safety, has resulted in substantial growth, with new contracts in these areas exceeding 78 billion yuan in 2024, marking a 30% year-on-year increase [8][28]. - The company's profitability is on the rise, with a projected revenue of over 150 billion yuan in 2024 and a continuous improvement in gross margin from 11.03% in 2021 to 11.73% in 2024 [8][28]. Company Overview - The company is a major player in the telecommunications infrastructure sector, providing comprehensive services including planning, construction, and operational support [12]. - It operates under a diversified ownership structure, with significant stakes held by major telecommunications operators, ensuring stable governance and strategic alignment [22][24]. Business and Market - The company operates three main business segments: Telecommunications Infrastructure Services (TIS), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Applications, Content, and Other Services (ACO) [28]. - In 2024, TIS is expected to contribute 75.17 billion yuan, accounting for 50.1% of total revenue, while BPO and ACO are projected to contribute 43.46 billion yuan and 31.37 billion yuan, respectively [28][31]. - The company serves various markets, including domestic telecommunications operators, enterprise customers, and international markets across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America [29]. Financial Analysis - The financial forecast indicates a steady increase in total revenue from 149.14 billion yuan in 2023 to 166.01 billion yuan by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4% [3]. - The net profit is projected to grow from 3.58 billion yuan in 2023 to 4.10 billion yuan in 2027, reflecting a consistent upward trend in profitability [3][8]. Emerging Strategic Industries - The company is actively expanding into strategic emerging industries, with a focus on digital infrastructure, which is expected to be a primary growth driver, particularly benefiting from the AI model wave [8][18]. - The company has secured 21 major projects in the digital infrastructure sector, which represents 51% of its new large-scale contracts [8].

Investment Rating - The report gives a "Strong Buy" investment rating for the company [4]. Core Viewpoints - The company is positioned as a leading provider of integrated smart services in the telecommunications sector, focusing on digital infrastructure and emerging strategic industries driven by AI [8]. - The company has shown a commitment to shareholder returns, with a dividend payout ratio increasing from 36% to 42% over the past five years [8]. - The strategic focus on emerging industries has resulted in significant growth, with new contracts in strategic sectors exceeding 78 billion yuan in 2024, marking a 30% year-on-year increase [8]. - The company's profitability is on the rise, with a projected revenue of over 150 billion yuan in 2024 and a continuous improvement in gross margin [8]. Financial Data and Valuation - Total revenue is projected to grow from 149.139 billion yuan in 2023 to 166.007 billion yuan by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4% [3]. - Operating profit is expected to increase from 2.849 billion yuan in 2023 to 3.553 billion yuan in 2027, reflecting a growth rate of 16% in 2023 [3]. - Net profit attributable to shareholders is forecasted to rise from 3.584 billion yuan in 2023 to 4.105 billion yuan in 2027, with a steady growth rate of around 5% [3]. - The company’s price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is projected to decrease from 7.9 in 2023 to 6.9 by 2027, indicating potential undervaluation [3]. Company Overview - The company is a major player in the telecommunications infrastructure sector, providing a comprehensive range of services including planning, construction, and operational support [12]. - It operates under a diversified ownership structure, with significant stakes held by major telecommunications operators [22]. - The company has evolved from being a service provider for telecom operators to a comprehensive smart service provider, focusing on digital transformation and innovation [21]. Business and Market Segmentation - The company’s business is divided into three main segments: Telecommunications Infrastructure Services (TIS), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Applications, Content, and Other Services (ACO) [28]. - TIS is the largest segment, expected to generate approximately 75.172 billion yuan in revenue in 2024, accounting for 50.1% of total revenue [28]. - BPO and ACO segments are also significant, contributing 29.0% and 20.9% to total revenue, respectively [28]. Strategic Emerging Industries - The company is actively expanding into strategic emerging industries such as digital infrastructure, green low-carbon solutions, smart cities, and emergency safety [8]. - In 2024, new contracts in these strategic sectors are expected to account for 37% of total new contracts, highlighting their importance as a growth engine [8]. Profitability and R&D Investment - The company’s gross margin has improved from 11.03% in 2021 to 11.73% in 2024, indicating enhanced profitability [8]. - R&D investment is projected to exceed 5.5 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting the company’s commitment to innovation and technology advancement [8].

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating for the company [10] Core Views - The company benefits from good collection quality from both operator and non-operator customers, leading to ample cash on hand and stable free cash flow growth. The dividend per share has been increasing annually, with a payout ratio expected to reach 42% in 2024, indicating significant potential for further increases. The company relies on operators for a stable performance base while capitalizing on the growth in strategic emerging and ACO businesses, maintaining a non-GAAP growth rate of approximately double digits over the past three years, making the current valuation attractive [2][8]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - The company is backed by China Telecom Group, with the actual controller being the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. As of the 2024 interim report, China Telecom Group holds 48.99% of the company's shares [5][17]. Business Performance - The company has shown steady revenue and profit growth, with 2022-2024 revenues of 140.7 billion, 148.6 billion, and 150 billion respectively, reflecting year-on-year growth rates of 5.04%, 5.59%, and 0.93%. Net profits for the same period were 3.358 billion, 3.584 billion, and 3.607 billion, with growth rates of 6.36%, 6.69%, and 0.63% [22][24]. Strategic Emerging Business Contribution - The company signed new contracts worth approximately 211 billion in 2024, a year-on-year increase of about 3%. The strategic emerging business contributed over 78 billion in new contracts, effectively offsetting pressures from other orders. The four main strategic emerging business areas and their respective growth rates for new contracts in 2024 are: digital infrastructure 30%+, green low-carbon 25%+, smart city 40%+, and emergency safety 30%+ [6][57]. Main Business Segments - TIS (Telecom Infrastructure Services) and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) have maintained steady growth, while ACO (Application, Content, and Other Services) has seen rapid growth, becoming a key driver of the company's performance. In 2024, revenues from TIS, BPO, and ACO were 751.72 billion, 434.59 billion, and 313.69 billion respectively, with year-on-year changes of -1.27%, -0.21%, and +8.44% [40][75]. Cash Flow and Dividend Policy - The company has a strong cash flow position, with free cash flow steadily increasing. The cash assets on hand are sufficient to cover annual rigid expenditures, including capital expenditures and dividends. The dividend payout ratio is expected to reach 42% in 2024, indicating significant room for further increases [49][54].