Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for Tsingtao Brewery, with a target price of RMB 88.00 based on a current price of RMB 69.50 [2]. Core Insights - Tsingtao Brewery's profitability continues to improve, with H1 2025 revenue and net profit attributable to shareholders reaching RMB 20.491 billion and RMB 3.904 billion, respectively, reflecting increases of 2.11% and 7.21% year-on-year. The net profit margin improved to 19.05% [3][11]. - The company has demonstrated resilience in sales volume, achieving 4.732 million kiloliters, which is a 2.3% increase, outperforming the industry average decline of 0.3% [11]. - The product mix is optimizing, with mid-to-high-end sales volumes accounting for 42.1% of total sales, indicating a clear growth pattern favoring premium products [3][12]. Revenue Analysis - The beer business revenue increased by 1.9% in H1 2025, with a slight decline in ton price of 0.3%. However, Q2 showed a positive trend in ton price, indicating price stabilization [4][12]. - Regional performance varied, with Shandong showing solid fundamentals and East China emerging as a new growth engine, achieving revenue growth of 9.94% [4][12]. Profitability and Cost Management - Gross margin reached 43.7% in H1 2025, with a further increase to 45.84% in Q2, driven by lower unit costs due to falling raw material prices [5][13]. - The operating cash flow/net profit ratio stands at 123%, with a dividend payout ratio exceeding 60%, providing reliable returns in uncertain markets [14]. Investment Recommendations - The report emphasizes the strategic resolve of Tsingtao Brewery in adapting to industry changes, such as the rise of on-demand retail and craft beer diversification. The company is well-positioned to benefit from consumers' renewed preference for high-quality products [14]. - The expected EPS for 2025-2027 is RMB 3.52, RMB 3.75, and RMB 3.95, respectively, with a maintained target price of RMB 88 based on a 25x PE multiple for 2025 [14].

Core Insights - The Chinese beer market is entering a new phase characterized by stock competition and structural adjustments, with a projected 0.6% decline in production for 2024, marking the beginning of a "volume reduction and price increase" cycle [1][3] - Major beer companies are experiencing revenue declines, with the top five companies reporting a 4% drop in total revenue, while profit performance is increasingly divergent [3][5] Industry Performance - In 2024, the beer industry saw a 5.7% decline in revenue, making it the only category in the food and beverage sector to experience negative growth [5] - Key players like China Resources Beer, Budweiser APAC, and Tsingtao Brewery reported revenue declines of 0.76%, 8.9%, and 5.3% respectively, while Chongqing Brewery's revenue fell by 1.15% [5][8] - The total sales volume for major companies also decreased, with China Resources Beer down 2.5% and Budweiser APAC down 11.8% [8] Profitability Trends - Tsingtao Brewery managed a slight profit increase of 1.81%, while Yanjing Brewery saw a significant profit growth of 63.74%, contrasting with declines in profits for other major players [3][10] - Yanjing Brewery's revenue grew by 3.2%, allowing it to surpass Chongqing Brewery and become the fourth largest in the industry [10] Market Dynamics - The beer market is witnessing a shift in consumer preferences, particularly among younger generations who favor lighter drinking experiences, leading to a decrease in traditional beer consumption [12][13] - The restaurant industry is facing challenges, with a significant reduction in the number of registered dining establishments, impacting beer sales in on-premise channels [12][13] Strategic Responses - Companies are adapting by exploring new sales channels such as e-commerce and instant retail to meet changing consumer demands [13][14] - The rise of craft beer is also influencing the market, with a notable increase in the number of craft beer companies established in recent years [14] High-End Market Challenges - Despite efforts to target the high-end market, growth appears to be plateauing, with many companies facing competition from lower-priced craft beers [15][16] - Companies like Qingdao Beer and China Resources Beer are focusing on brand building and product innovation to maintain competitiveness in the high-end segment [15][18]