Summary of Conference Call on the Construction Industry Industry Overview - The construction industry has initiated an anti-involution campaign, with responses from state-owned enterprises (SOEs), national enterprises, and private enterprises aimed at avoiding unfair competition such as bid-rigging and lowest-bid wins, which is expected to improve the industry ecosystem [1][2] - Major infrastructure projects like the Yalong River Hydropower Station, with an investment scale of 1.2 trillion yuan, are anticipated to become new growth points for infrastructure demand, alongside projects like the Zhejiang-Jiangxi-Guangdong Canal and the Pinglu Canal [1][3] Core Insights and Arguments - The construction industry is currently at the bottom of the chip, stock price, and supply-demand structure, with a strong push for steel structure buildings expected to increase penetration rates, shifting market expectations from pessimistic to optimistic [1][3] - Historical data indicates that supply-side contraction can lead to economic improvement, and reducing vicious competition can enhance corporate profit levels; policy support and improved market conditions are crucial for the sustainable development of the construction industry [1][4][5] - The construction industry does not have fixed capacity, allowing for flexible adjustments based on demand changes, which differentiates it from other cyclical industries like cement and steel [7] Investment Recommendations - Focus on Honglu Steel Structure, which is expected to benefit from rising steel prices, leading to a dual boost in valuation and performance; it has greater earnings elasticity compared to traditional SOEs [1][6] - Attention should also be given to undervalued SOEs such as China Power Construction and China Energy Construction, which may see valuation recovery as competition improves [9] - Other recommended stocks include high-dividend SOEs like China State Construction and Sichuan Road & Bridge, which are expected to improve operational quality [9] Marginal Changes and Policy Catalysts - The construction industry is experiencing its first revenue decline in 2024 due to severe internal competition, with leading firms reporting economic profits of only 1-2% [2] - The anti-involution measures, including avoiding bid-rigging and illegal subcontracting, are expected to bring about significant industry changes [2] Future Development Conditions - The sustainable development of the construction industry relies on continued policy support and market environment improvements, including the promotion of large-scale infrastructure projects [5] - Reducing vicious competition and enhancing corporate profitability are essential for future growth [5] Potential Risks and Opportunities - The steel structure industry may see similar opportunities as the steel sector experiences price increases due to potential joint production cuts and rising demand expectations [8] - Companies like Zhongcai International and Zhonggong International, which serve downstream cement and steel plants, may face short-term challenges due to reduced capital expenditures but could benefit from improved cash flow conditions in the long run [9]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" and maintained [11] Core Insights - The China Iron and Steel Association held a meeting on July 15, proposing strict control of new capacity and promoting the collaborative development of the steel structure construction industry [2][8] - The trend of reducing "involution" in the steel industry is expected to support steel prices, with measures to control crude steel production and eliminate backward capacity [14] - The promotion of steel structures is anticipated to enhance standards and penetration rates, addressing issues like low penetration in residential buildings and high costs [14] - The report emphasizes the performance elasticity of Honglu Steel Structure, highlighting its potential for profit recovery with rising steel prices and improved sales policies [14] Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The meeting emphasized the need for a new capacity governance mechanism to prevent overcapacity risks and promote healthy competition in the steel industry [14] - The focus is on data governance and policy coordination to maintain supply-demand balance [14] Market Trends - The report notes that the trend of reducing "involution" may lead to a potential increase in steel prices, supported by government policies aimed at structural adjustment [14] - The steel structure market is expected to expand as policies promote its adoption in various construction sectors [14] Company Focus - Honglu Steel Structure is highlighted for its dual performance drivers, with profit recovery expected as steel prices rise and operational efficiencies improve through automation [14] - The company is positioned as a high-elasticity investment opportunity, with significant upside potential if market conditions improve [14]

Company and Industry Summary Company Overview - The company, founded in 1999, is a large publicly listed group specializing in the design, research and development, sales, manufacturing, and construction of steel structures and related products. It has ranked first in the national steel structure industry for six consecutive years and has received numerous accolades, including being listed among China's top 500 private manufacturing enterprises and the top 50 competitive enterprises in national construction steel structures [1][2]. Industry Insights - The company has been involved in landmark projects such as the Bird's Nest for the Beijing Olympics and the Beijing Daxing International Airport, showcasing its extensive experience and technical capabilities in the steel structure industry [2]. Financial Performance 2024 Annual Performance - New contracts signed amounted to 21.97 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.4% [3]. - Revenue reached 18.49 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 12.03% [3]. - Net profit attributable to shareholders was 510 million yuan, a decrease of 6.69% year-on-year [3]. - Cash flow from operating activities was 771 million yuan, up 63.92% year-on-year [3]. - Steel structure sales totaled 1.353 million tons, an increase of 10.9% year-on-year [3]. - Total assets at the end of 2024 were 25.614 billion yuan, a 9.80% increase from the previous year [3]. Q1 2025 Performance - New contracts signed in Q1 2025 were 6.14 billion yuan, a slight increase of 0.7% year-on-year [7]. - Revenue for Q1 2025 was 4.82 billion yuan, a significant increase of 41.16% year-on-year [7]. - Net profit attributable to shareholders was 124 million yuan, up 27.34% year-on-year [7]. Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) transformation strategy, with EPC projects accounting for 47.9% of new contracts, a growth of 44.7% [4]. - The BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) business has seen significant growth, with contracts worth 220 million yuan signed, a year-on-year increase of 48.4% [4]. - The company has established joint ventures in locations such as Hainan and the Netherlands, achieving a contract amount of 810 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 103.5% [5]. Innovation and Technology - The company invested 685 million yuan in R&D, representing 3.70% of its revenue, an increase of 3.10% year-on-year [5]. - It has developed proprietary AI software for steel structure design, enhancing efficiency in production and design processes [6]. Valuation Enhancement Plan - The company has implemented a valuation enhancement plan focusing on high-quality development, cash flow management, and technological innovation [8]. - It aims to increase new orders by over 10% year-on-year in 2025 [7]. Investor Relations - The company has maintained active communication with investors, holding three performance briefings and responding to 138 interactive questions [9]. - A cash dividend of 0.08 yuan per share was declared for 2024, representing a 31.12% payout ratio, an increase of approximately 10% from the previous year [9]. This summary encapsulates the key points from the earnings call, highlighting the company's performance, strategic initiatives, and industry positioning.

Fund Utilization and Return - The company approved the temporary use of idle raised funds amounting to 500 million yuan for liquidity support, with a usage period not exceeding 12 months [2] - As of August 15, 2024, the company returned 392 million yuan of the temporary liquidity support to the raised funds account, and subsequently returned the remaining 108 million yuan [3] Share Pledge and Release - The controlling shareholder, Jinggong Holdings Group, recently released 58 million shares and pledged 50 million shares of the company [6] - As of the announcement date, a total of 419.22 million shares held by Jinggong Holdings and its subsidiaries were under pledge, accounting for 70.93% of their total holdings and 21.07% of the company's total share capital [6] Pledge Details - The pledge of shares is primarily for operational needs and does not involve guarantees for major asset restructuring or other obligations [7] - The controlling shareholder and its concerted actors have 40 million shares maturing in the next six months and 150 million shares maturing within the next year, with corresponding financing balances of 93 million yuan and 370 million yuan respectively [9] Impact on Company Operations - The share pledges will not affect the company's production and operations, nor will they lead to changes in actual control [10] - The controlling shareholder has a good credit status and repayment ability, with various income sources available for debt repayment [9][11]