Nongfu Spring (9633.HK) Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Nongfu Spring - **Stock Code**: 9633.HK - **Industry**: Beverage (Water, Tea, Juice) Key Financial Projections - **FY25 Sales**: Expected to reach RMB 51.1 billion, representing a 19% year-over-year growth - **FY25 Net Income**: Projected at RMB 15.2 billion, a 26% increase year-over-year - **Net Profit Margin (NPM)**: Anticipated to expand to 29.8%, up by 1.6 percentage points year-over-year [1][7] Sales Growth Expectations - **2H25 Sales Growth**: - Water: 28% year-over-year - Tea: 21% year-over-year - **Sales Momentum**: Driven by effective channel and promotion strategies, particularly in sugar-free tea offerings [1][6] Market Position and Strategy - **Market Share**: The gap in market share has narrowed significantly since 2023, indicating strong competitive positioning [6] - **Channel Strategies**: Focus on "thousands box display" and "mid-large size SKU full coverage" to enhance market penetration [1] Cost Management and Profitability - **Gross Profit Margin (GPM)**: Expected to expand by 2.4 percentage points to 59.7% in 2H25, supported by lower raw material costs (PET and sugar) [8] - **Operating Expense Management**: Anticipated savings in operating expenses due to disciplined management [8] Future Outlook - **2026 Projections**: Continued growth expected with a focus on water and tea segments, aiming for double-digit sales growth [8] - **Cost Trends**: Some cost benefits from PET and sugar are expected to moderate, but overall cost management remains a priority [8] Earnings Revisions - **Revenue and NP Estimates**: Increased by 1-2% for 2025-2027, reflecting better sales momentum [7] - **Target Price**: Raised from HK$58.6 to HK$60.0, maintaining a 30x target 2027E P/E [7][13] Risks and Challenges - **Key Risks**: - Lower-than-expected sales momentum in tea and water - Higher-than-expected cost inflation - Increased competition in the beverage industry [13] Summary of Financials - **Revenue Growth**: - Packaged Drinking Water: 19% for FY25 - Tea Beverage Products: 21% for FY25 - **Operating Profit Margins**: Expected to remain stable with slight improvements in key segments [9][11] Conclusion Nongfu Spring is positioned for strong growth in the beverage sector, particularly in water and tea, supported by effective channel strategies and cost management. The company is expected to maintain a positive outlook for 2026, with potential risks that need to be monitored closely.

Summary of China Beverages Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Beverages** industry, particularly the **ready-to-drink (RTD)** segment and competition from **freshly-made drinks (FMD)**. - The covered China Beverages names have outperformed the MSCI China Staples Index, with an average increase of approximately **20% YTD** compared to **17% YTD** for the index [1][4]. Key Insights and Arguments - **Cautious Outlook**: The company adopts a more selective stance in the beverage sector due to rising competition and cautious pricing trends expected into **2026**. Increased promotions and a shift towards larger pack sizes are anticipated by the end of **2025** [1][4]. - **Top Picks**: **Eastroc** is highlighted as a top pick due to its potential for market share gain and portfolio expansion, supported by strong channel execution and resilience against FMD competition [1][4]. - **Nongfu's Performance**: Nongfu is expected to recover market share in packaged water, with an estimated **80%+** market share in the sugar-free tea segment by the end of this year, up from **65%-70%** in **2024** [1][4]. - **Earnings Adjustments**: Earnings for **UPC** and **Tingyi** have been adjusted down by **3%-8%** and **1%-3%** respectively for **2025E-27E** due to slower sales growth trends. Conversely, Nongfu's earnings have been revised up by **0.2%-1.7%** for the same period [1][4]. Competitive Landscape - **FMD Competition**: The competition from FMD brands is intensifying, particularly in **3Q**. The impact on RTD beverages is more pronounced than previously expected, with a projected **3%** volume hit to bottled beverages for the full year **2025** [1][6]. - **Promotional Pressure**: Increased promotions have led to weakened pricing for RTD drinks, with a narrowing price gap between RTD and mass-market FMD [1][8]. - **Market Dynamics**: Historical brand disputes in the beverage industry have shown long-lasting negative impacts on sales and market share dynamics, providing opportunities for competitors to gain market share [1][7][13]. Financial Projections - **Earnings Growth Expectations**: Expected year-over-year earnings growth for **Nongfu/Eastroc/Tingyi/UPC** in **2H25** is **29%/35%/7%/17%** respectively, while **CR Beverage** is projected to see a **49%** earnings decline [1][4]. - **Cost Trends**: Anticipated **3%-6%** unit cost deflation in **2025** is expected to lead to **2.0-3.3ppt** gross profit margin (GPM) expansion. However, cost benefits are moderating, particularly in **PET/sugar** [1][24][25]. Additional Insights - **Wahaha Brand Dynamics**: The potential launch of a new brand "Wa Xiao Zong" by Hongsheng Group in **2026** could shift market dynamics in the bottled water segment, particularly affecting Wahaha's market share [1][16][17]. - **Scenario Analysis**: The report includes scenario analyses predicting potential market share movements for **Nongfu** and **CR Beverage** based on the dynamics surrounding the Wahaha brand dispute [1][20][21]. Conclusion - The China Beverages industry is facing heightened competition and changing market dynamics, particularly from FMD brands. Companies like Eastroc and Nongfu are positioned to capitalize on these changes, while others like UPC and Tingyi may face challenges. The financial outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with adjustments made to earnings forecasts reflecting the competitive landscape.