Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Company and Industry Overview - **Company**: Inner Mongolia Yili (600887 CH) - **Industry**: Dairy sector in China Core Insights and Arguments - **Market Conditions**: The dairy sector is facing challenges such as lukewarm demand and intense competition, with small brands gaining market share through price cuts due to raw milk oversupply [2][9] - **Sales Forecast**: Yili's sales are expected to grow by 2.3% year-over-year in Q3 2025, with liquid milk sales decline narrowing and strong milk powder sales continuing [2][6] - **Earnings Outlook**: Recurrent earnings are forecasted to decline by 4.7% year-over-year, primarily due to flat raw milk costs impacting gross profit margins [2][9] - **Full-Year Guidance**: Yili aims for a 2.8% year-over-year sales increase in 2025, with a reported net margin of 9% [2][9] - **Valuation**: Trading at 15x 2025 consensus earnings, the valuation reflects known sector headwinds, with a price target of Rmb35 [2][9] Financial Performance and Projections - **Liquid Milk Sales**: Expected decline to narrow from -3.1% in Q1 2025 to -0.5% in Q3 2025, with Yili opting not to engage in nationwide discounting [6][9] - **Milk Powder Sales**: Forecasted to grow by 9% in Q3 2025, driven by a Rmb1.6 billion subsidy program and a growing B-to-B business [6][9] - **Raw Milk Costs**: Current costs at Rmb3.02/kg, the lowest since 2011, with expectations of stability in Q3 2025 and slight decline in Q4 2025 [2][18] Investment Thesis - **Management Alignment**: The top four senior management members hold 8% equity, aligning their interests with public shareholders [9][26] - **Profitability**: Yili is recognized for superior profitability and equity return profile, with expectations of sales and earnings growth in the coming years [9][26] - **Market Recovery**: Anticipated demand recovery and potential raw milk cost increases in mid-2026 could favor Yili's sales growth and margins [9][26] Risks and Catalysts - **Downside Risks**: Include intensifying competition, input cost volatility, management changes, and potential food safety issues [30] - **Upside Catalysts**: Stronger-than-expected liquid milk sales, earlier inflection points in raw milk prices, and successful product innovations could positively impact performance [31] Valuation Metrics - **Price Target**: DCF-based price target of Rmb35 implies an 18x/17x P/E for 2026/27 and a 2.0x PEG for 2026 [10][27] - **WACC**: Estimated at 9.0%, with a risk-free rate of 3.0% and a risk premium of 7.0% [10][27] Additional Important Information - **Market Performance**: Yili's share price has underperformed relative to the SHSZ300 Index, with a year-to-date decline of 10.6% [8][20] - **Financial Estimates**: Revenue is projected to grow from Rmb115.4 billion in 2024 to Rmb128.1 billion in 2027, with adjusted net income expected to rise from Rmb6.0 billion to Rmb13.3 billion over the same period [8][15]

Core Viewpoint - Mengniu reported a 16.4% year-on-year (YoY) net profit decrease alongside a 6.9% YoY revenue drop in 1H25, which was below expectations. However, the core operating profit margin (OPM) expanded by 1.5 percentage points YoY, attributed to lower raw milk costs and strict expense control. For FY25, management has revised down revenue guidance to a mid-single-digit (MSD%) or high-single-digit (HSD%) YoY decline, with core OPM expected to remain flat YoY [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - In 1H25, Mengniu's total revenue was RMB41.6 billion, down 6.9% YoY, and net profit was RMB2,046 million, down 16.4% YoY, both missing expectations. The core OPM increased to 8.5%, exceeding expectations due to gross profit margin (GPM) expansion from lower raw milk costs and disciplined expense management. Cash flow improved significantly, with cash flow from operations (CFO) at RMB2.8 billion, up from RMB1.9 billion in 1H24, aided by better working capital management and a 40% YoY reduction in capital expenditures (capex) to RMB1.0 billion [2][3]. Product Category Performance - Liquid milk sales fell by 11% YoY in 1H25, indicating weak dairy consumption demand. However, the YoY sales decline narrowed in Q2 compared to Q1. Other product categories, such as ice cream, milk formula, and cheese, showed resilient growth with YoY increases of 15%, 2%, and 12%, respectively [3]. Management Changes - A change in the CFO position was announced, with Mr. Ping Zhang retiring and Mr. Xinwen Shen appointed as the new CFO effective September 1, 2025. Mr. Shen has extensive experience, having served in various roles within COFCO Corporation Group for around 30 years [3]. Future Guidance - Management anticipates a revenue decrease of MSD% or HSD% YoY for 2025, with core OPM expected to stabilize at over 8%, indicating a half-on-half (HoH) decrease. The long-term OPM expansion target remains intact at +30-50 basis points each year, supported by potential mix upgrades and efficiency gains. Mengniu plans to renew its share repurchase program, potentially valuing up to HK$1 billion over the next 12 months, alongside a steady dividend payout ratio of over 45% based on adjusted net profit [4].

Summary of Mengniu Dairy (2319.HK) 1H25 Results and Key Insights Company Overview - **Company**: Mengniu Dairy - **Ticker**: 2319.HK - **Reporting Period**: 1H25 - **Report Date**: August 27, 2025 Key Financial Highlights 1. **Sales and Net Profit**: - Total sales decreased by **6.9% year-on-year (yoy)** to **Rmb 41.6 billion** - Net profit fell by **16.4% yoy** to **Rmb 2.0 billion** [1][9] 2. **Core Operating Profit (OP)**: - Core OP increased by **13% yoy**, with an Operating Profit Margin (OPM) of **8.5%**, up **150 basis points (bps)** yoy, exceeding the market expectation of **7.6%** [1][8] 3. **Gross Profit Margin (GPM)**: - GPM expanded by **1.5 percentage points (pp)** in 1H25, attributed to lower raw milk costs [1][8] 4. **Cash Flow**: - Operating Cash Flow (OCF) improved to **Rmb 2.8 billion**, a **46% increase** from **Rmb 1.92 billion** in June 2024 [1][8] 5. **Capital Expenditure (Capex)**: - Capex significantly reduced by **40% yoy** to **Rmb 1.0 billion** in 1H25 [1][8] 6. **Net Debt**: - Net debt decreased by **19% half-on-half (HoH)** to **Rmb 14.1 billion** from **Rmb 17.3 billion** at the end of 2024 [1][8] Segment Performance 1. **Liquid Milk Sales**: - Liquid milk sales declined by **11% yoy**, below market expectations by **5%** [1][7] - Fresh milk and low-temperature yogurt showed growth, while ice cream sales increased by **15% yoy** [1][7] 2. **Other Dairy Products**: - Infant formula sales grew by **2% yoy**, and other dairy products (including cheese) increased by **12% yoy** [1][7] Challenges and Risks 1. **Associate Losses**: - Higher associate losses due to raw milk price cycles, with losses of **Rmb 545 million** in 1H25 compared to **Rmb 133 million** in 1H24 [1][9] 2. **Interest Income**: - Interest income decreased to **Rmb 540 million** from **Rmb 914 million** [1][9] 3. **Tax Rate**: - Effective tax rate increased to **24%**, primarily due to associate losses, compared to **18%** in 1H24 [1][9] Future Outlook 1. **Demand Outlook**: - Upcoming onsite briefing scheduled for August 28, focusing on demand outlook for liquid milk, growth expectations for 2H25, and product plans [1][3] 2. **Raw Milk Cycle**: - Industry herd size is declining, with expectations for further reductions, impacting raw milk supply and pricing [1][10] 3. **Shareholder Returns**: - Discussion on shareholder return plans is anticipated in the upcoming briefing [1][3] Management Changes - **CFO Appointment**: Mr. Shen Xinwen appointed as CFO effective September 1, 2025, succeeding Mr. Zhang Ping [2][2] Investment Considerations - **Price Target**: Goldman Sachs maintains a **Buy** rating with a 12-month price target of **HK$ 23.30**, representing an upside of **43.8%** from the current price of **HK$ 16.20** [13][14] - **Risks**: Key risks include slower-than-expected premium demand, intense competition, and potential wider losses in new categories [13][13]

Core Insights - Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. reported total revenue of 115.78 billion yuan for FY2024, reinforcing its status as Asia's leading dairy producer [1] - In Q1 FY2025, Yili experienced better-than-expected growth with simultaneous increases in revenue and net profit despite challenging market conditions [1] Financial Performance - Yili proposed a dividend payout of 7.726 billion yuan for FY2024, achieving a record-high payout ratio of 91.4% [4] - The company initiated a share buyback program of up to 2 billion yuan, resulting in total shareholder returns of 100.4% of profits [4] - Cumulatively, Yili has distributed 50.8 billion yuan in dividends since its listing, ranking first among Chinese dairy companies [4] Business Segments - In FY2024, Yili's liquid milk business generated revenue of 75.003 billion yuan, maintaining its leading position [5] - The ice cream segment reported revenue of 8.721 billion yuan, securing the top spot in revenue and market share for the 30th consecutive year [5] - Milk powder and related businesses achieved record-high revenue of 29.675 billion yuan, with milk powder sales leading in China and goat milk formula ranking first globally [5] International Growth - Yili's international business showed robust growth in FY2024, with overseas ice cream revenue increasing by 13% and infant formula revenue surging by 68% [6] - Flagship brands Cremo and Joyday performed strongly in Southeast Asia, ranking among the top three ice cream brands in Indonesia and Thailand [6] Corporate Responsibility and ESG - Yili promotes a comprehensive green supply chain and engages in rural revitalization initiatives and social responsibility programs [7] - The company achieved an AA rating in MSCI's latest 2024 ESG ratings, the highest in the industry, marking four consecutive years of upgrades [8]