Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" [2] Core Viewpoints - The report highlights that British American Tobacco's (BAT) new tobacco products are showing signs of profitability recovery, particularly the HNB product Hilo, which is expected to drive future earnings growth [2][3] - For the first half of 2025, BAT reported revenues of £12.069 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 2.2%, but a 1.8% increase when adjusted for fixed exchange rates. New tobacco product revenues remained stable at £1.651 billion, accounting for 13.7% of total revenue [2][3] - The adjusted gross margin for new tobacco products increased by 2.5 percentage points to 59.6%, which is 10 percentage points higher than traditional cigarettes, indicating a potential for continued profitability improvement [2][3] Summary by Sections Revenue Performance - In H1 2025, BAT's revenue from new tobacco products was £1.651 billion, with a stable year-on-year performance and a 2.4% increase when adjusted for fixed exchange rates. This segment accounted for 13.7% of total revenue, up 0.3 percentage points year-on-year [2] - The overall tobacco market is expected to see a 2% decline in sales volume globally in 2025, while BAT anticipates its own growth to be between 1% and 2%, with new tobacco products expected to achieve mid-single-digit growth [2] Product Performance - The vaping segment saw revenues of £740 million in H1 2025, down 15.3% year-on-year, with a volume of 250 million units sold, a decrease of 12.9%. The decline in the US was attributed to illegal disposable products and inventory disruptions, while the European market is recovering due to improved regulatory conditions [2][3] - The HNB segment generated £440 million in revenue, with a slight year-on-year increase of 0.8%. Sales volume was 10.1 billion units, up 1.6%. The APMEA region showed an 8.7% increase in HNB sales, driven by significant contributions from Japan and Kazakhstan [3] - The oral tobacco segment experienced a revenue increase of 38.1% year-on-year, reaching £470 million, with a global market share increase of 4.4 percentage points. The US market saw a remarkable revenue growth of 372% year-on-year, driven by the successful nationwide launch of Velo Plus [4] Market Outlook - The report emphasizes the potential for HNB products to continue driving growth, with a focus on product iteration and market expansion. Key companies to watch include Smoore International, China National Tobacco Corporation, and core suppliers like Xianhe Co. and Yingqu Technology [4]

Summary of Smoore International and the E-Cigarette Industry Update Company and Industry Overview - **Company**: Smoore International - **Industry**: E-Cigarette and Vapor Products Key Points and Arguments 1. **Revenue Performance**: Smoore International reported an 18% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first half of 2025, with both ODM business and free brand business showing strong growth, particularly among small clients [2][5] 2. **U.S. Market Recovery**: The enforcement of regulations against non-compliant disposable e-cigarettes in the U.S. is expected to clear the market of non-compliant products, creating a better environment for compliant products and aiding Smoore's business recovery [3][7] 3. **European Market Changes**: The implementation of a ban on disposable e-cigarettes in Europe starting June 1, 2025, is anticipated to increase the market share of compliant products, which is favorable for Smoore in the long term [4][7] 4. **Profit Decline Factors**: Smoore's profit decreased by 21% to 35% in the first half of 2025, primarily due to increased equity incentive costs and legal-related expenses, with equity incentive costs expected to rise by over 300 million yuan for the year [5][12] 5. **New Product Trials in Japan**: The new product Hilo, developed in collaboration with British American Tobacco, has shown optimistic trial results in Sendai, Japan, with a high user satisfaction rate and a significant conversion rate from traditional smokers [6][7] 6. **Future Growth Trends**: The HNB (Heat-Not-Burn) market is expected to grow, with favorable conditions in the U.S. and Europe, and successful product trials in Japan indicating a positive outlook for Smoore's future [7][10] 7. **Impact of Tariffs on Indonesian Factory**: The tariff issues related to the Indonesian factory are expected to have a limited impact on overall performance due to high product markup and low unit prices, as the products are considered addictive consumer goods [8][12] 8. **Sales Performance in Japan**: The overall sales situation in Japan is optimistic, with expectations of meeting annual performance guidance despite 2025 not being a high-profit year [9][10] 9. **Traditional E-Cigarette Market Trends**: The traditional e-cigarette market in the U.S. and Europe is showing marginal improvement, indicating a positive trend in both policy and operational aspects [10][12] 10. **THC and Medical Aesthetics Growth**: The THC vaporization products are stabilizing, and related fields such as medical aesthetics are showing promising growth prospects, potentially providing new growth opportunities for Smoore [11][12] Additional Important Insights - **Stock Volatility and Investment Value**: Despite lower profits in 2025, Smoore's long-term investment value remains significant, warranting close attention from investors [12]