Summary of the Conference Call for Morning Bio Company Overview - **Company**: Morning Bio (晨光生物) - **Industry**: Natural colorants and health products Key Points and Arguments Industry Trends - The price of products such as chili red and chili extract is expected to rebound, indicating the end of the industry's price decline trend, with a clear turning point identified [2][4] - The demand for natural health products is continuously growing, with an increase in the penetration rate of natural colorants in mature markets and an expanding consumption share of natural medicinal extracts [2][8] - The U.S. is gradually phasing out synthetic colorants, which is expected to create significant incremental demand for natural colorants in the coming years [3][15] Financial Performance - In 2025, Morning Bio's overall operations have shown significant recovery, with improvements in revenue, product sales, and profits despite a decline in revenue due to lower product prices and accounting policy adjustments [4][26] - The company reported a profit of approximately 10 million yuan in Q3 2025, a significant improvement from a loss of nearly 100 million yuan in the same period last year [26] Product Insights - Lutein prices have increased by over ten percent due to a contraction in raw material supply, leading to a gradual recovery in gross margins [5][6] - Small varieties like stevia glycosides and Sichuan pepper extracts are showing good development trends, with strong demand anticipated [2][5] Cottonseed Business Strategy - Morning Bio is gradually developing its cottonseed business independently, focusing on processing rather than trading, with a current capacity of 1.1 million tons [2][7] - The company employs price locking and futures hedging to manage risks in the cottonseed business, ensuring stable profits [10][27] Market Position and Future Plans - The industry is characterized by high concentration, with few companies holding significant capacity, making additional capacity investments less meaningful [9][28] - Morning Bio aims to maintain stable processing operations and may consider a spin-off listing to attract industry partners [9][19] Cost Management and Inventory - The company uses a moving weighted average method for accounting, ensuring that inventory levels are managed effectively [11][12] - Safety stock is maintained to support several months of usage, with procurement strategies adjusted based on market conditions [12][25] Competitive Landscape - In the health food sector, Morning Bio primarily operates as an OEM, with over 70% of clients being overseas health product companies [22][20] - The company holds about one-third of the market share in lutein, with a competitive edge in raw material control and product quality [20][21] Financial Outlook - Management expenses are expected to grow in line with business development, while sales and financial expenses will grow at a slower rate than business growth due to scale effects [29] Regulatory Impact - The gradual elimination of synthetic colorants is expected to change the industry landscape, increasing technical barriers and potentially leading to price increases due to higher demand for natural colorants [28] Additional Important Insights - Morning Bio is actively expanding its health product offerings, including health foods and traditional Chinese medicine, with significant revenue growth anticipated from new production lines [19] - The company is also exploring overseas raw material sourcing, particularly in Zambia, although progress has been limited this year [14]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" investment rating for the company [1] Core Views - The company is experiencing a price turning point, leading to accelerated profitability release [1] - The market for plant extracts is in a golden period, with increasing demand and decreasing planting areas for raw materials, indicating a potential industry turning point [7] Summary by Sections Market Performance - The company reported a total operating revenue of 5.047 billion yuan for Q1-Q3 2025, a decrease of 3% year-on-year, while the net profit attributable to shareholders increased by 385% to 304 million yuan [4][5] Investment Highlights - The recovery in cottonseed prices has led to an increase in gross margin by 11 percentage points to 16.11%, resulting in a turnaround in profitability [5] - The company has reduced its cottonseed trading business, focusing on processing, with plant extract revenue increasing by 7% to 2.499 billion yuan [6] - Sales of key products like red pepper and lutein have seen significant volume increases, with expectations for continued price increases due to tightening raw material supply [6] Earnings Forecast - The adjusted EPS for 2025-2027 is projected to be 0.76, 1.01, and 1.17 yuan respectively, with corresponding PE ratios of 18, 14, and 12 times [7]

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a mixed performance for the first three quarters of 2025, with a decline in revenue but a significant increase in net profit, indicating a potential recovery in profitability despite challenges in revenue growth [1][3]. Financial Performance - For the first three quarters of 2025, the company achieved revenue of 5.047 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 3.41%, while net profit attributable to shareholders reached 304 million, a year-on-year increase of 385.30% [1]. - In Q3 2025, the company reported revenue of 1.39 billion, down 19.88% year-on-year, but net profit attributable to shareholders was 88.86 million, up 338.68% year-on-year [1]. Segment Analysis - The plant extraction business generated revenue of 766 million in Q3 2025, an increase of 2.82% year-on-year, while the cottonseed business saw revenue drop to 588 million, a decline of 34.59% year-on-year, primarily due to a decrease in unit price [2]. - The plant extraction segment showed strong growth in specific products, with chili red application products' sales up 36% and chili extract market share expanding with sales up 87% [2]. Profitability Metrics - The gross margin for Q3 reached 16.11%, an increase of 10.56 percentage points year-on-year, with the plant extraction business gross margin at 22.26% and cottonseed gross margin at 7.80%, both showing continuous improvement [3]. - The net profit margin for Q3 was 6.39%, up 8.54 percentage points year-on-year, indicating a successful turnaround in profitability [3]. Market Dynamics - Supply of key raw materials for the main products, such as chili red and lutein, has decreased by over 10%, which may alleviate competitive pressures in the industry [4]. - Demand for natural plant extracts is expected to grow rapidly due to increased consumer awareness of food safety and regulatory changes banning synthetic colorants in the U.S. [4]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates continued profit growth in the coming year, supported by expectations of price recovery and increased consumption [4]. - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are 6.919 billion, 7.759 billion, and 8.480 billion, with net profits of 360 million, 441 million, and 551 million, corresponding to PE ratios of 19X, 16X, and 13X respectively [4].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is maintained at "Outperform" [1] Core Insights - The company's performance aligns with expectations, with continuous optimization in the plant extraction business. The revenue for the first three quarters of 2025 was 5.05 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 3.41%, while the net profit attributable to the parent company was 304 million yuan, a significant increase of 385.3% [7] - The report predicts net profits for 2025-2027 to be 324 million, 408 million, and 512 million yuan respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of 244.3%, 25.9%, and 25.7% [7] Financial Data and Profit Forecast - Total revenue for 2025 is estimated at 7.166 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of 2.5% [6] - The gross profit margin for Q3 2025 was 16.1%, an increase of 10.6 percentage points year-on-year [7] - The company’s net profit margin for Q3 2025 was 6.39%, up by 8.54 percentage points year-on-year [7] Business Performance - The plant extraction business generated revenue of 766 million yuan in Q3 2025, a year-on-year increase of 2.82%, while the cottonseed business revenue was 588 million yuan, a decrease of 34.6% [7] - The company has seen significant growth in sales of various products, including a 36% increase in chili red and an 87% increase in chili essence sales [7] Market Position and Strategy - The company is actively adjusting its cottonseed business and has completed inventory reserves to enhance pricing and market share advantages [7] - The report highlights that the company is in a price cycle bottom for its main plant extraction business, with expectations for continued performance recovery as prices gradually rise [7]

Core Insights - The company reported a total revenue of 5.047 billion yuan for the first three quarters of 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 3.4%, while the net profit attributable to shareholders reached 304 million yuan, a significant increase of 385.3% [1] - The extraction business continues to show steady growth, with revenue of 2.499 billion yuan for the first three quarters, up 7.4% year-on-year [1][2] - The cottonseed business experienced a revenue decline of 10.54% year-on-year, totaling 2.353 billion yuan, attributed to sales rhythm and price adjustments [3] Revenue Breakdown - For the first three quarters of 2025, the extraction business generated 2.499 billion yuan, while the cottonseed business generated 2.353 billion yuan [1][3] - In Q3 2025, the extraction business revenue was 766 million yuan, a 2.8% increase year-on-year, while the cottonseed business revenue was 588 million yuan, down 34.6% [1][2] Profitability Analysis - The gross margin for the extraction business improved to 20.86%, an increase of 4.91 percentage points year-on-year, while the cottonseed business gross margin rose to 7.20%, up 8.05 percentage points [3] - The company achieved a net profit margin of 6.4% in Q3 2025, an increase of 8.54 percentage points year-on-year, indicating a significant recovery in profitability [3] Market Trends and Future Outlook - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the upcoming ban on synthetic food colorants by the FDA, which is expected to drive demand for natural colorants and improve industry conditions [4] - The company anticipates a gradual recovery in product prices and profitability, supported by its strong industrial production capabilities and a strategic focus on health products and herbal extracts [4] - Forecasts suggest that the company could achieve net profits of 376 million yuan, 501 million yuan, and 612 million yuan for the years 2025 to 2027, representing growth rates of 299%, 33%, and 22% respectively [4]

Market Overview - In September 2025, the domestic retail sales (社零) totaled 4.20 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 3.0%, slightly below market expectations [6][4] - Cumulative retail sales from January to September 2025 reached 36.59 trillion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 4.5% [6] - Online retail channels continued to outperform the overall retail market, with physical goods online retail sales growing by 6.5% year-on-year [6] Apparel and Textile Industry - The textile and apparel retail sales in September 2025 showed marginal improvement, with a cumulative year-on-year growth of 3.1% from January to September [5] - The sports and entertainment goods segment experienced faster growth, with a cumulative year-on-year increase of 19.6% and a monthly growth of 11.9% in September [5] - Companies like 361 Degrees and Xtep International reported healthy growth in retail sales, with 361 Degrees leveraging high-quality products and rapid expansion of super stores [5][12] Cosmetics and Jewelry Sector - The cosmetics sector saw a year-on-year growth of 8.6% in September, with a month-on-month increase of 3.5 percentage points [6] - The gold and jewelry retail sales grew by 9.7% year-on-year, although demand was temporarily suppressed by rising gold prices [6][8] - The performance of brands like Lao Pu Gold during the "Double 11" shopping festival was exceptionally strong, achieving record sales [8][12] Export Performance - From January to September 2025, China's textile and apparel exports amounted to 106.48 billion USD and 115.21 billion USD respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of 2.1% and a decline of 2.5% [9][12] - Vietnam's textile and apparel exports showed a cumulative year-on-year growth of 8.77%, indicating a competitive edge in the region [9][12] Company-Specific Insights - Morning Light Bio (晨光生物) is expected to report a net profit of 278 million to 314 million yuan for the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 344.05% to 401.55% [13][15] - The company is positioned to benefit from the FDA's new policies promoting natural colorants, with the global natural colorant market projected to double from 2.1 billion USD to 4.2 billion USD [13][14] - Morning Light Bio's key products, such as chili red and lutein, are leading in the global market, enhancing its competitive position [13][15]

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy-B" rating for the company, indicating a positive outlook for its stock performance in the near term [3][8]. Core Insights - The company is expected to benefit from the recent FDA policy changes that aim to phase out petroleum-based synthetic colorants, potentially doubling the global natural colorant market from $2.1 billion to $4.2 billion by 2026 [5][6]. - The company has reported a significant increase in net profit for the first three quarters of 2025, with an expected growth of 344.05% to 401.55% year-on-year, amounting to between 278 million to 314 million yuan [3][4]. - The company is positioned as a leading player in the global plant extract industry, with its main products, including capsicum red, capsicum oleoresin, and lutein, ranking first or among the top in the world [4]. Financial Performance - The company forecasts revenues of 7.125 billion yuan, 8.084 billion yuan, and 8.857 billion yuan for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, reflecting year-on-year growth rates of 1.9%, 13.4%, and 9.6% [8][10]. - The projected net profit for the same years is expected to be 359 million yuan, 492 million yuan, and 585 million yuan, with year-on-year growth rates of 282.2%, 36.9%, and 18.9% [8][10]. - The earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be 0.74 yuan, 1.02 yuan, and 1.21 yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with corresponding price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios of 19.4, 14.1, and 11.9 [8][10].

Summary of the Conference Call for Morning Bio Industry Overview - The industry is experiencing a recovery in supply-demand dynamics, with a decrease in raw material planting areas and a continuous increase in demand. The trend towards natural product substitution is evident, leading to a forecasted moderate recovery in industry profitability over the next few years [2][7]. Company Performance - In the first three quarters of 2025, Morning Bio's main products, including chili red and chili extract, saw steady sales growth and significant improvement in gross margins. The overall operational trend is similar to the first half of the year [2]. - The company achieved a net profit of between 63 million and 99 million in the third quarter, marking a return to profitability due to increased revenue and gross margins from direct sales products and a recovery in the cottonseed business [4]. - Various products reached historical sales highs, although there remains a gap compared to the peaks of 2022-2023, primarily due to some products being at historical low prices and industry capacity recovery [6]. Product Insights - Chili red sales grew by 40% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, with an expected annual growth rate stabilizing around 20%. The company anticipates maintaining a compound annual growth rate of about 10% in the long term [10]. - The chili extract's gross margin is currently around 20%, with optimistic expectations for raw material price increases, which could significantly improve product profitability [11]. - The company has expanded its health food production capacity with a new facility that adds 1 billion units, expected to generate revenue of 220 million to 300 million in 2026 [3][21]. Strategic Initiatives - To address potential raw material supply tightness, the company has taken proactive measures, including reserving low-cost raw materials and expanding overseas sourcing in regions like Africa, India, and Myanmar [8]. - The company is also focusing on technological reserves to meet downstream demand, including the development of water-soluble pigments and customized application products [9]. Market Position and Future Outlook - The market share for chili red is projected to increase to over 50% in 2025, with a mid-term goal of over 80%. The industry is expected to return to a natural growth rate of 10-20% in the coming years [2][20]. - The cottonseed business is expected to maintain stable revenue and profitability, with a net profit of at least 5,000 to 6,000 per ton, indicating a favorable outlook for the next year [20]. - The health food sector is viewed as a continuously developing and rapidly growing market, with Morning Bio aiming to provide high-quality raw materials and products while creating long-term profits for shareholders [23]. Additional Insights - The company has seen a significant increase in sales of other products, such as tomato lycopene and stevia, with sales growth of approximately 50% in the first half of 2025 [17]. - The company is also exploring self-branded products and expanding its market presence through various sales channels, including online platforms [22]. This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call, highlighting the company's performance, strategic initiatives, and future outlook within the industry.

Summary of the Conference Call for Morning Bio (晨光生物) Industry Overview - The natural plant extract industry is benefiting from the trend of synthetic alternatives, with healthy demand growth expected. However, the planting area for raw materials like Xinjiang chili and Yunnan devil pepper is declining, indicating an optimization of supply-demand relationships and potential improvement in industry profitability [2][5][11]. - The prices of chili red and chili extract are expected to remain stable in the short term but are projected to improve by the end of next year due to demand growth outpacing supply and potential impacts on farmers' planting enthusiasm from this year's procurement prices [2][6][11]. Key Insights - The U.S. FDA's requirement for synthetic colorants to exit the food and beverage industry by the end of next year presents a significant opportunity for natural colorants, although the transition may face challenges due to the extensive work required for formula adjustments and stability testing [2][9]. - Morning Bio has a competitive advantage in micro-molecule encapsulation technology, which is widely applied in food and beverages. Collaborations with universities and overseas clients aim to address technical challenges, positioning the company favorably in the natural colorant replacement market [2][10]. Future Growth Drivers - Future growth drivers for chili red and chili extract include the replacement of synthetic products and agricultural raw materials, as well as the demand growth from the food industry in developing countries. The industry is expected to maintain a growth rate of 10%-15% over the next 10-20 years [2][11]. - The overseas market demand is strong, particularly in mature regions like Europe, East Asia, and North America, with increasing demand for food additives and medicinal extracts. Developing countries like Indonesia and India are also seeing rising demand for primary food additives [4][14][16]. Operational Performance - Morning Bio's overall operational performance in 2025 has been stable, showing significant recovery compared to the same period in 2024. The cottonseed business has improved management after last year's volatility, and the demand for natural plant extracts continues to grow [3][12]. - The company’s production capacity is sufficient, and seasonal maintenance in Q3 does not affect operational structure or growth. The company maintains a unique advantage through cross-regional management and diversified product offerings [4][12]. Pricing and Profitability - Current pricing for chili red is approximately 120,000 RMB per ton, which is about 10% lower than the reasonable price range of 130,000-140,000 RMB. The pricing strategy is based on cost-plus, and while short-term prices may remain stable, an increase in demand could tighten supply and lead to price increases next year [6][7][29]. - The gross margin for chili red and chili extract is at a normal level, with the potential for improvement as raw material prices stabilize. The company expects to see a positive impact on profitability if prices rise due to the low-cost raw material reserves [16][26][28]. Market Share and Competition - Morning Bio holds a market share of approximately 70% for chili red and 40%-50% for chili extract. The competition remains intense but is not expected to worsen significantly. The company is well-positioned to maintain its market share through strategic management and product diversification [24][29]. Conclusion - The natural plant extract industry is poised for growth driven by regulatory changes and increasing demand for natural products. Morning Bio's strategic advantages in technology and market positioning, along with a focus on overseas expansion, are expected to enhance its competitive edge and profitability in the coming years [2][4][10][14].

Group 1 - The event held on September 15 focused on the online collective reception day for investors and the collective performance briefing for the first half of 2025 in Hebei's listed companies [1] - The chairman of Morning Glory Biological (stock code: 300138), Lu Qingguo, highlighted the trend of replacing synthetic pigments with natural pigments, which presents significant development opportunities for the natural pigment industry and the company [1] - The company has a large scale and diverse range of natural pigment products, including capsanthin, lycopene, and lutein, and possesses advantages in raw materials and extraction technology [1] Group 2 - Morning Glory Biological has made substantial progress in formulation technology, addressing key technical issues such as stability and solubility, which lays a foundation for expanding into broader markets [1]