Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, total revenue was $6.554 billion, a 6% increase year-over-year [3] - EBITDA reached $786 million, up 16.6% from the previous year [3] - Operating profit was $598 million, reflecting a 19.4% increase year-over-year [3] - Profit attributable to owners was $364 million, a 20.9% increase compared to last year [3] - Basic earnings per share rose to $2.84, marking a 20.9% increase year-over-year [3] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Packaged meats accounted for 49.5% of total revenue and 83.8% of operating profit [4] - Pork business contributed 42.9% of revenue and 21.9% of operating profit [4] - Other businesses contributed 7.6% of revenue but incurred a loss of $34 million [4] - In North America, operating profits increased by 72.8% to $330 million [8] - In China, operating profit was $250 million, down 14.3% year-over-year [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In China, the average hog price was RMB 15.99 per kilogram, up 7.3% year-over-year [6] - In the U.S., the average hog price was $1.44 per kilogram, up 14.1% year-over-year [6] - In Europe, the average hog price was $1.40 per kilogram, down 11.8% year-over-year [7] - The number of slaughter hogs in China increased by 0.1% year-over-year to 195 million heads [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to consolidate global resources, enhance market competitiveness, and focus on industrialization, diversification, internalization, and digitalization [10] - Priorities include improving the pork business, expanding the market network, and optimizing the business portfolio [10][11] - The company plans to adapt to market changes and strengthen competitive edges to drive steady improvements in sales volume and results [10] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that consumer demand remains soft, impacting the packaged meat business [12] - The company is implementing eight measures to return the packaged meat business to growth, including specialized sales forces and increased marketing investments [14][16] - Management expects the packaged meat business to stabilize in the second quarter and grow in the second half of 2025 [16] - The hog production business is expected to improve significantly in 2025, driven by reduced raising costs and improved KPIs [21] Other Important Information - The company anticipates that the profit per ton for packaged meats will be lower than last year but will remain at a relatively high level [17] - The hog production business in China is expected to see significant improvements, with a projected profit increase of around RMB 500 million year-over-year [21] - The company is focusing on maintaining a strong position in the global pork industry while tailoring strategies based on local market conditions [43][44] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the reasons for the decline in the packaged meat business in Q1? - Management cited soft consumer demand, destocking by distributors, and slow adaptation to market channel changes as key reasons [12][13] Question: What measures are being taken to return the packaged meat business to growth? - Eight measures were outlined, including specialized sales forces, expanding the point of sales, and increased marketing investments [14][16] Question: What is the outlook for hog prices and production in China? - Management expects hog prices to be lower than last year, but improvements in hog production are anticipated due to reduced raising costs [20][21] Question: How will tariffs impact the hog production business? - Tariffs are expected to have limited short-term impact on hog prices, but may affect raising costs in the long term [35][56] Question: What is the expected contribution of different product categories in the packaged meat business? - Frozen and snack products are expected to grow faster, with contributions increasing from around 5% to 8% by the end of the year [62]
WH GROUP(00288) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript