Summary of the Conference Call for Chongqing Beer Industry Overview - The beer industry is experiencing a slight decline in overall sales for 2025, but specific brands such as Carlsberg, Fenghua Xueyue, Lebao, and Wusu are showing growth [2][6] - The company is focusing on high-end product development, with a significant emphasis on products priced above 4 RMB [2][9] Key Points and Arguments Brand Performance - Carlsberg continues to grow in the South China market [2][6] - Fenghua Xueyue has achieved double-digit growth after nationwide promotion [2][6] - Lebao remains the company's second-largest product, continuing its growth trend [2][6] - Wusu brand is maintaining high-end pricing and positive growth both inside and outside Jiangsu, with an estimated sales volume of 730,000 to 740,000 tons in 2024 and expected growth in 2025 [2][7] Market Dynamics - The company is segmented by geographic latitude, with significant growth in Xinjiang, where market share exceeds 90% [10][11] - The South China region is outperforming the Central region [11] Cost and Margin Outlook - A decrease in costs is expected to significantly contribute to gross margins in 2025, although the rate of decline is anticipated to narrow in 2026 [2][13] - The company typically locks in pricing and volume for the next year by January, with preliminary indications suggesting continued cost reduction in 2026, albeit at a lower rate than in 2025 [13] Product Innovation and New Channels - The company is actively exploring new retail channels and product innovations, launching over 30 new products in 2025, including tea-flavored beer and low-alcohol variants [4][14] - The introduction of one-liter canned products is a key focus for 2026 [4][14] Consumer Trends and Challenges - The decline in the economy segment (priced below 4 RMB) is noted, but it represents a small portion of total sales (approximately 3%) [9] - The overall consumption environment is under pressure, impacting mainstream product categories [3][8] Financial Health and Dividend Policy - The company maintains a 100% dividend policy, with a strong cash flow position supporting this strategy [4][19] - The depreciation from the new Foshan factory, which began operations in August 2024, is expected to increase from 40 million RMB in 2024 to over 90 million RMB in 2025, impacting costs [4][19] Future Outlook - The company remains cautious about 2026, with no clear recovery signs yet, but anticipates potential adjustments based on demand recovery [5][14] - Despite concerns over profit declines, the company is viewed as having a strong defensive position in the A-share market, with expectations for gradual improvement in the dining scene [20] Additional Important Insights - The company is adapting to new retail trends, including instant retail and O2O models, to enhance marketing and brand development [3] - The impact of the recent alcohol regulations on sales has been managed effectively, with strategies in place to stabilize sales [17][18]

Core Insights - Chongqing Brewery Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Chongqing Beer") ranks 38th in the 2025 Chongqing Top 100 Enterprises and 21st in the Top 100 Manufacturing Enterprises, maintaining its position as the leading company in the Chongqing food and beverage industry [1] Group 1: Market Position and Brand Strategy - Chongqing Beer has a strong local presence, with local brand sales accounting for approximately 80% of its market in Chongqing, primarily driven by its well-known brands "Chongqing" and "Mountain City" [3] - The company operates a dual-brand strategy, combining international brands with local brands, which has been a key driver of its sustained growth [3] - The company aims to establish "Chongqing Beer" as a national brand, leveraging its association with local culture and cuisine, particularly through the promotion of "eating Chongqing hotpot and drinking Chongqing beer" [5] Group 2: Product Development and Community Engagement - Chongqing Beer is actively responding to market changes by optimizing its product structure and launching new products, including various craft beers [3] - The company supports local sports and cultural events, enhancing its brand visibility and community engagement through initiatives like music festivals and traditional cultural events [3][5] Group 3: ESG Initiatives and Recognition - Chongqing Beer has made significant progress in its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives, achieving an "AA" rating from MSCI, the highest in the A-share food and beverage industry [6] - The company has received multiple accolades for its sustainability efforts, including recognition as a "National Green Factory" and "Chongqing Water Efficiency Leader" [6]

Core Insights - Chongqing Brewery Co., Ltd. (referred to as "the company") ranked 38th in the 2025 Chongqing Top 100 Enterprises and 21st in the Top 100 Manufacturing Enterprises, maintaining its position as the leading company in the Chongqing food and beverage industry [1][2] - The company has experienced rapid growth and has become one of China's top five beer companies, operating a production and supply network consisting of 27 breweries and a market sales network covering all provinces and regions in China [1] - The company's brand strategy combines international and local brands, which serves as a "dual engine" driving continuous performance growth, with local brands accounting for approximately 80% of sales in the Chongqing market [1] Market Expansion - The company has successfully launched the "Chongqing Beer" V8 series in markets such as Guizhou and Hunan, and promoted "Chongqing Pure Draft" in Yibin, Sichuan, gaining high recognition from consumers in surrounding markets [2] - By the end of 2023, the company plans to establish "Chongqing Beer" as a national brand, promoting the consumption scenario of "eating Chongqing hot pot and drinking Chongqing beer" [2] ESG Initiatives - As a leading enterprise in the Chongqing food and beverage industry, the company is advancing its "Together Towards and Beyond Zero Goals" ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) plan and has made significant progress [2] - The company's Dazhulian Brewery in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area has received several accolades, including "National Green Factory," "Chongqing Water Efficiency Leader," and "Chongqing Water-Saving Enterprise" [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese beer market is experiencing a significant shift, with domestic giants gaining ground against foreign competitors, particularly in the context of the "takeout war" that has revitalized the industry [4][6][30]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The competitive landscape of the Chinese beer market is changing, with domestic brands outperforming foreign giants in the first half of 2025 [4][6]. - In the first half of 2025, China’s beer market saw a decline in overall production by 0.3%, continuing a trend of stagnation [18]. - Despite the overall market decline, domestic giants like China Resources Beer, Qingdao Beer, and Yanjing Beer achieved over 2% growth in sales [19][20]. Group 2: Performance of Major Players - China Resources Beer surpassed Budweiser APAC to become the market leader, with a revenue of approximately 239.42 billion RMB, a 0.8% increase year-on-year [10][11]. - Budweiser APAC reported a revenue of 31.36 billion USD (approximately 224.5 billion RMB), a 5.6% decline year-on-year, marking the worst performance among the top five [9]. - Yanjing Beer and Chongqing Beer are in a tight race for the fourth position, with Yanjing Beer achieving a net profit growth of 45.45%, surpassing Chongqing Beer [13][14]. Group 3: Impact of Instant Retail - The "takeout war" has provided a new growth driver for the beer industry, with instant retail becoming a significant channel for sales [17][21]. - Qingdao Beer reported a nearly 60% increase in sales through instant retail platforms, significantly outperforming the industry average [26]. - China Resources Beer noted a nearly 40% growth in its online business and a 50% increase in its instant retail business [27]. Group 4: Foreign Brands' Struggles - Foreign brands, particularly Budweiser APAC and Chongqing Beer, are facing challenges, with Budweiser's sales in China declining by 8.2% [10][30]. - The high-end beer market, once dominated by Budweiser, is seeing its advantages eroded by the growth of domestic brands [30][33]. - Both Budweiser APAC and Chongqing Beer are shifting focus to non-immediate channels in response to declining performance in traditional immediate consumption venues [36][37].

Core Viewpoint - Chongqing Brewery's performance continues to decline, with a 0.24% decrease in revenue and a 4.03% decrease in net profit in the first half of 2025, indicating ongoing struggles after a year of poor performance [2][3] Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Chongqing Brewery achieved revenue of 8.839 billion yuan and net profit of 865 million yuan, both showing a downward trend compared to the previous year [2] - The company experienced a significant drop in revenue and net profit in 2024, with net profit decreasing by 16.61% [3] - Despite the decline in revenue and net profit, sales volume increased by 0.95% to 1.8008 million kiloliters in the first half of 2025 [3] Product Segmentation - Revenue from high-end products accounted for 59.6% of total revenue, while mainstream products contributed 35.6% and economy products only 2.2% [4] - Mainstream product revenue decreased by 0.92% to 3.145 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, marking the only decline among the three product categories [4] - High-end product revenue showed negligible growth of 0.04%, indicating a slowdown in growth for both mainstream and high-end products since 2024 [4][5] Regional Performance - The South region, a key growth area for Chongqing Brewery, saw a revenue decline of 1.47% in the first half of 2025, the most significant drop among the three core sales regions [6] - The South region had previously been a strong performer, with revenue growth exceeding 13% in 2022 and 2023, but is now facing increased competition from brands like Zhujiang and Qingdao [6] Strategic Actions - In response to declining performance, Chongqing Brewery announced a 600 million yuan capital increase for its subsidiary, Carlsberg Chongqing Brewery, to enhance its market competitiveness [7] - The company is also diversifying its product offerings by launching non-beer products such as fruit-flavored soda and energy drinks to adapt to market changes and consumer preferences [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - Chongqing Brewery reported a decline in both revenue and net profit for the first half of 2025, marking the first time since 2015 that both metrics have decreased simultaneously [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved a revenue of 8.839 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 0.24% [1] - The net profit attributable to the parent company was 865 million yuan, down 4.03% year-on-year [1] - Management expenses increased by 7.43% to 289 million yuan, contributing to the profit decline [1] Product Performance - Revenue from economic products (priced below 4 yuan) grew by 5.39% year-on-year, while revenue from mainstream products (priced between 4 and 8 yuan) fell by 0.92% [1] - The overall decline in main business revenue was attributed to the drop in mainstream product sales [1][2] Market Position - Chongqing Brewery's revenue ranking in the industry has dropped to fifth place, overtaken by Yanjing Beer, which achieved a revenue growth of 3.2% to 14.667 billion yuan [2] Legal Issues - The company is involved in a legal dispute with Chongqing Jiawei Brewery, resulting in a court ruling that requires Chongqing Brewery to pay 350 million yuan in damages [3] - The company has appealed the ruling, and the case is currently under review in a higher court [4] Strategic Moves - Chongqing Brewery plans to invest 600 million yuan in its subsidiary, Carlsberg Brewery (Foshan), to enhance its capital strength and improve its market competitiveness [4]

Core Insights - Chongqing Beer has been recognized as the only liquor brand from Chongqing in the first batch of "Chinese Consumer Famous Brands" selected by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in April this year [2] - Despite a 30% decline in beer production over the past decade and a mere 32% consumption share among Generation Z, Chongqing Beer managed to achieve a 1.93% increase in sales in Q1 2025, positioning itself among China's top five beer companies [2][5] - The company has a rich history, being one of the first beer manufacturers in New China, and has successfully launched high-end products like Chongqing Pure Draft since 2002 [3] Industry Context - The Chinese beer industry has entered a painful transformation phase, with a 30.1% decline in production from its peak in 2013 and a 5.7% decrease in industry revenue in 2024, making it the only declining category in the food and beverage sector [5] - The industry is now in a "stock game" phase, focusing on brand competition rather than volume expansion, prompting Chongqing Beer to target younger consumers while maintaining its brand heritage [5] Marketing Strategies - Chongqing Beer has engaged in innovative marketing strategies to resonate with younger audiences, such as hosting a symphonic concert that attracted nearly 2.9 million online viewers, blending classical and local music [6] - The company organized a dragon boat race event that incorporated interactive elements and social media engagement to appeal to younger demographics, successfully revitalizing traditional activities [7] - A vertical marathon event at the deepest subway station in the country was branded as "Chongqing Pure Draft Ascend Race," connecting with young people's aspirations and urban experiences [8][9] Brand Representation - The brand's approach to endorsements has evolved, recently featuring Hong Kong star Chen Xiaochun as a spokesperson, aligning with the brand's image of camaraderie and resonating with local culture [9] - The inclusion of diverse brand ambassadors, such as Sichuan singer Jike Junyi, aims to reach various regional preferences and interest groups [9]

Core Viewpoint - Chongqing Beer has been recognized as one of the "Eighth Batch of Chongqing Time-honored Brands," further enhancing its reputation after being named a top Chinese consumer brand [1][2] Company Overview - Chongqing Beer, established in 1958, is one of the earliest local beer brands in China, with a history of 67 years [1] - The brand is known for its refreshing and smooth taste, which complements the spicy flavors of Chongqing hot pot and balances the richness of barbecue and local cuisine [1] Product Innovation - Chongqing Beer has continuously innovated its product offerings, introducing classic products like Chongqing Pure Draft and Chongqing Guobin, as well as new series such as Chongqing Guobin Chunmai, Chongqing Craft White Beer, and Chongqing Craft Black Beer to meet diverse consumer needs [1] Market Position - Chongqing Beer has developed into one of the top five beer companies in China, establishing a nationwide sales network [1] - The company aims to become a nationally influential brand, promoting the authentic experience of "eating Chongqing hot pot and drinking Chongqing beer" while spreading Chongqing's urban culture [1] Brand Value - The recognition as a time-honored brand highlights the historical significance and cultural depth of Chongqing Beer, emphasizing its substantial brand and economic value [2] - The company plans to leverage this recognition to enhance its role in building independent brands, promoting consumer spending, exploring "national trend" culture, and enriching product supply [2]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" [1] Core Views - The company has returned to positive growth in Q1 2025 after facing challenges in FY 2024, with a focus on high dividend value [8] - The company plans to distribute a total dividend of 2.40 CNY per share for FY 2024, resulting in a dividend payout ratio of 104% [2] - The company is entering a stable development phase, emphasizing shareholder returns through high dividend payouts [8] Financial Performance Summary - In FY 2024, the company achieved revenue of 14.645 billion CNY, a year-on-year decrease of 1.15%, and a net profit of 1.115 billion CNY, down 16.61% [2] - In Q1 2025, the company reported revenue of 4.355 billion CNY, a year-on-year increase of 1.46%, and a net profit of 473 million CNY, up 4.59% [2] - The company’s gross margin for FY 2024 was 48.57%, which improved to 48.42% in Q1 2025 [5] - The company’s sales volume in FY 2024 was 2.9749 million tons, a decrease of 0.75%, but increased to 883,500 tons in Q1 2025, reflecting a growth of 1.93% [3] Product and Regional Performance - In FY 2024, the company’s revenue from high-end, mainstream, and economy products was 8.592 billion CNY, 5.243 billion CNY, and 335 million CNY respectively, with the economy segment showing a growth of 15.56% [3] - In Q1 2025, revenue from high-end, mainstream, and economy products was 2.603 billion CNY, 1.550 billion CNY, and 910 million CNY respectively, with all segments returning to growth [3] - Revenue from the Northwest, Central, and Southern regions in FY 2024 was 3.884 billion CNY, 5.969 billion CNY, and 4.316 billion CNY respectively, with all regions showing growth in Q1 2025 [4] Future Projections - Revenue forecasts for 2025 and 2026 have been adjusted to 15.065 billion CNY and 15.449 billion CNY respectively, with an additional forecast for 2027 at 15.785 billion CNY [9] - EPS forecasts for 2025 and 2026 have been revised to 2.58 CNY and 2.72 CNY respectively, with a new forecast for 2027 at 2.79 CNY [9]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [6] Core Views - The company achieved revenue of 4.355 billion yuan in Q1 2025, a year-on-year increase of 1.46%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 473 million yuan, up 4.59% year-on-year, slightly exceeding expectations [1] - The company's beer business saw a recovery in sales volume, with a total of 883,500 tons sold in Q1 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 1.93% [2] - Cost improvements have driven profitability enhancements, with gross margin and net margin increasing by 0.52 and 0.67 percentage points year-on-year to 48.42% and 21.61%, respectively [4] - The company is expected to focus on non-current drinking channels and strengthen core market penetration, with stable product structure and controlled expense ratios [5] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, the company reported a revenue of 4.355 billion yuan, with a net profit of 473 million yuan, and a non-recurring net profit of 467 million yuan, all showing positive year-on-year growth [1] - The sales volume for the beer business was 883,500 tons, with an average price per ton of 4,804 yuan, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.34% year-on-year [2] Product and Regional Performance - High-end beer revenue reached 2.603 billion yuan, up 1.21% year-on-year, while mainstream beer revenue was 1.550 billion yuan, up 1.99% year-on-year [2] - The company’s revenue from different regions showed balanced performance, with the Northwest, Central, and Southern regions generating revenues of 1.178 billion, 1.835 billion, and 1.231 billion yuan, respectively [3] Cost and Profitability - The company’s operating cash flow increased by 24.88% year-on-year to 1.350 billion yuan, indicating strong cash flow performance [4] - The cost per ton decreased by 1.45% year-on-year to 2,543 yuan, attributed to lower raw material and packaging costs [4] Future Outlook - Revenue growth is projected at 2.0%, 2.6%, and 2.6% for 2025-2027, with net profit growth expected at 14.4%, 4.4%, and 4.3% for the same period [5] - The estimated earnings per share (EPS) for 2025, 2026, and 2027 are 2.6, 2.8, and 2.9 yuan per share, respectively, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21.9, 21.0, and 20.1 [5]