Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating to the company, Modern Dairy, with a target price of HKD 1.59 per share, corresponding to a 1.09 times P/B ratio for 2025 [7][11][17]. Core Insights - The company is positioned as a leader in the dairy industry, benefiting from a cyclical recovery and demonstrating strong earnings elasticity. The report anticipates a rebound in raw milk prices and a return to supply-demand balance in the second half of 2025 [3][11][53]. - The company has implemented a cost leadership strategy across its entire supply chain, which includes feed production, dairy farming, and processing, aiming to reduce procurement costs and enhance operational efficiency [11][20][45]. Financial Summary - Total revenue projections for 2025-2027 are estimated at RMB 133.50 billion, RMB 145.99 billion, and RMB 163.47 billion, reflecting growth rates of 0.7%, 9.4%, and 12.0% respectively. The net profit for the same period is expected to be -RMB 5.80 billion, RMB 4.38 billion, and RMB 15.84 billion, with EPS of -0.07, 0.06, and 0.20 yuan per share [5][16][19]. - The gross margin is projected to improve from 26.0% in 2024 to 33.6% by 2027, driven by cost reductions and increased milk prices [5][19]. Industry Position - Modern Dairy holds a 7% market share in the dairy industry as of 2024, with a significant portion of its raw milk sales being secured by its major shareholder, Mengniu Dairy, which has consistently purchased over 90% of the company's raw milk [11][32][20]. - The company has expanded its operations through acquisitions and innovative leasing models, allowing for low-cost expansion and increased production capacity [20][32]. Operational Efficiency - The company has focused on optimizing its herd structure, increasing the proportion of productive cows, and enhancing milk yield through digital management systems. The average milk yield per cow is expected to exceed 13 tons in the first half of 2025 [60][11]. - Cost control measures have led to a significant reduction in feed costs, with the cost per kilogram of milk dropping by 16.7% year-on-year to RMB 1.95 in 2024 [45][46].

Summary of China Shengmu's Conference Call Industry Overview - The raw milk market price in the first half of 2025 is higher than the same period last year, alleviating some financial pressure on companies and delaying the industry's exit speed [2][3] - The industry exit is characterized by a staggered approach, with different types of farms exiting at different stages, leading to a slowdown in overall exit speed [2][3] - The market anticipates a turning point in milk prices in Q3 2025, prompting many farms to continue operations instead of exiting immediately [2][3] Company Insights - China Shengmu's high-quality raw milk products (including organic milk, DHA, A2) account for over 80% of its offerings, primarily supplying Mengniu, with 85% of sales directed to them [2][8] - A three-year strategic agreement and annual milk sales agreement with Mengniu are in place, with milk prices following market trends without locking in prices [2][10][11] - The price of specialty milk has decreased slightly but remains above 4 RMB, with last year's average milk price around 4.4 RMB, showing a decline of less than a single-digit percentage [2][12] - The company expects its annual revenue to remain flat or see slight growth compared to last year, with profits dependent on milk and beef prices in the second half of the year [2][14] Financial Performance - The cash flow situation for the first half of 2025 is stable or slightly down due to lower milk prices, but free cash flow has improved due to reduced investment spending [2][20] - The company is currently in a cash loss state when considering the costs of raising calves, with an average milk price of 4.4 RMB and cash operating costs around 3 RMB [2][7] - The overall milk sales cost is high, particularly due to a large proportion of replacement calves, which increases cash pressure [2][25] Market Dynamics - The supply and demand dynamics are expected to change, with potential market clearing in Q3 2025 now anticipated to be pushed to Q3 2026 [2][26][27] - Factors that could accelerate market clearing include cash flow issues leading to liquidity problems for large farms and significant increases in beef prices [2][28] - The demand for high-end dairy products, especially organic products, continues to grow, with Mengniu's order demand remaining stable [2][15][17] Future Outlook - China Shengmu has no plans for expansion and aims to maintain its current scale while improving efficiency and reducing costs [2][4][18] - The company plans to gradually increase its dividend payout ratio to 30%, depending on profit and cash flow improvements [2][19] - The proportion of breeding cows is expected to increase gradually, contributing positively to production levels [2][30] Additional Considerations - The company does not track overall industry data closely, focusing instead on maintaining quality and meeting supply agreements with core customers [2][5] - The cash cost of feed is approximately 2.65 RMB, slightly above the industry average due to the use of organic feed [2][8]