Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is maintained as "Buy" with a target price of HKD 27.00 [1][5][6] Core Views - The company's revenue for the first half of 2025 reached HKD 6.013 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 18.3%, while net profit decreased by 28.0% to HKD 0.492 billion. Adjusted net profit was HKD 0.737 billion, down 2.1% year-on-year, aligning with previous forecasts [1][5] - The growth in revenue is attributed to the strengthening of law enforcement and regulatory policies in the US and parts of Europe, leading to a recovery in the company's B2B business and stable growth in its B2C brand business. The decline in net profit is primarily due to increased non-cash share-based payments and rising costs associated with expanding proprietary brand operations [1][2] - The company is expected to continue its recovery in the vaping sector, supported by ongoing improvements in regulatory frameworks in the US and Europe, while new business lines such as HNB (Heated Not Burned) are anticipated to grow significantly [1][5] Summary by Sections Revenue and Profitability - In the first half of 2025, the company's B2B business generated revenue of HKD 4.939 billion, up 19.5% year-on-year, with significant growth in Europe (38.0% increase) due to new compliance regulations. The US market saw a modest increase of 1.5% despite a predominance of non-compliant products [2] - The B2C business achieved revenue of HKD 1.274 billion, a 14.1% increase, with notable performance from the "Lan Zhi" beauty brand in China, which saw a staggering 2595% growth [3] Cost Structure and Expenses - The company's gross margin for the first half of 2025 was 37.3%, a slight decrease of 0.5 percentage points year-on-year, primarily due to rising labor and indirect costs. The distribution and sales expenses increased due to heightened marketing efforts for proprietary brands [4] - The adjusted net profit margin for the first half of 2025 was 12.3%, down 2.5 percentage points year-on-year, reflecting the impact of increased share-based payment expenses [4] Profit Forecast and Valuation - Profit forecasts have been adjusted downward, with expected net profits for 2025, 2026, and 2027 at HKD 1.007 billion, HKD 1.830 billion, and HKD 2.559 billion, respectively. The adjusted profits are projected to be HKD 1.267 billion, HKD 2.140 billion, and HKD 2.759 billion for the same years [5][10] - The target price is set at HKD 27.00, based on a 71x PE ratio for 2026, reflecting the company's potential for long-term growth in the vaping sector and new markets [5][12]

Group 1 - The U.S. non-farm payroll data for July has increased expectations for interest rate cuts in September, leading to a rebound in the Hong Kong stock market [1] - The Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points in each of the next four meetings, according to JPMorgan's updated forecast [1] - The establishment of the Xinjiang Railway Company with a registered capital of 95 billion yuan is anticipated to boost demand for cement by 40 million tons, benefiting various sectors including construction and machinery [2] Group 2 - The lithium carbonate supply side is facing a significant impact as the Jiangxi Jianxia Mine has confirmed a production halt with no short-term plans for resumption [3][6] - The production halt is expected to last over three months, leading to a monthly supply shortage of over 10,000 tons during the peak consumption season [7] - The annual surplus of lithium is projected to decrease from 171,000 tons to approximately 140,000 tons if the production halt extends into 2026, potentially leading to a tight balance in the lithium market [7] Group 3 - Smoore International has released a performance forecast for H1 2025, expecting a year-on-year adjusted net profit change of approximately -1.4% to +24.6% [4] - The company is actively diversifying its business, expanding into the fields of aerosol beauty and medical applications, with a focus on 2025 as a key year for its second growth curve [5] - Smoore's HNB product GloHilo has received positive feedback in Japan, and the company is leveraging its extensive patent portfolio to support its business transformation [4][5]