CK ASSET(01113) - 2025 H1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the first half of 2025 reached CNY 39.13 billion, an increase of 12.7% compared to 2024 [2] - Profit before IP revaluation was CNY 6.8 billion, with a per share profit of CNY 1.94, up 1.6% [2] - Profit attributable to shareholders was CNY 6.3 billion, or CNY 1.8 per share, down 26.2% due to an IP revaluation deficit of CNY 3 billion [3] - Recurring revenue increased to CNY 31.76 billion, representing 81% of total revenue, while recurring profit contribution improved to CNY 8.5 billion, accounting for 83% of total profit contribution [3] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Property sales revenue was CNY 7.34 billion, up nearly 59%, but profit contribution decreased by 2.9% to CNY 1.77 billion, with a contribution margin of 24% [4] - Property rental revenue decreased by 3.7% to CNY 3 billion, with a profit contribution of CNY 2.3 billion, maintaining a contribution margin of 77.1% [6] - Hotel and service suite revenue was CNY 2.2 billion, up 2.9%, while profit contribution fell by 3.5% to CNY 794 million [9] - Infrastructure and utility operations saw revenue increase to CNY 12.5 billion, up 5.9%, with profit contribution rising by 5.4% to CNY 629 million [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Contribution from Hong Kong was 27%, Mainland China 15%, and overseas markets 58% [3] - Overall occupancy in Hong Kong was around 86%, while the European portfolio exceeded 99% [6] - The retail properties experienced an 11.5% revenue drop, primarily due to the expiration of a joint venture in Shanghai [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain a strong recurring income from its investment property portfolio, hotels, and utility operations, while development operations are expected to contribute less in the coming years [20][21] - The capital allocation strategy focuses on maintaining low leverage while generating significant cash flow for new investments, particularly in commercial and retail properties in Hong Kong [21][23] - The company is interested in land replenishment and corporate lending transactions, prioritizing returns and risks over specific sectors or regions [25][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted that the macro environment remains uncertain, with interest rates expected to decline, but they will manage cash flow carefully [21] - The Hong Kong residential property market is experiencing high inventory levels, leading to generous launch pricing [27] - The company is optimistic about the Greater Bay Area, targeting Hong Kong buyers for properties there [31] Other Important Information - The company has a total land bank of 124 million square feet, with 67 million square feet under development [16][17] - The company maintains a stable credit rating from Moody's and Standard & Poor's, both rated A with a stable outlook [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is your view on earnings in the next few years, particularly your earnings from development operations? - Earnings from recurring income businesses are expected to remain strong, but earnings from development operations will not be significant [20] Question: What is the company's capital allocation strategy for the remainder of the year? - The company will not expand or invest at the expense of leverage and is focused on maintaining cash flow while being open to new investments [21][22] Question: What are the key criteria for new investments and acquisitions? - The focus is on returns and risks rather than specific sectors or regions, with an interest in land replenishment and property investments in Hong Kong [25][26] Question: What is your view on the Hong Kong residential property market? - The primary market volume has picked up, but price momentum is lacking due to high inventory levels [27] Question: Could you give us an update on the completion schedule of the Anderson Road project? - A delay in the project completion date cannot be avoided, but the impact on operations is small [29] Question: What kind of development margins should we expect for the full year? - The second half will see profit contributions from several projects, but Blue Coast is expected to incur losses [30] Question: What is your strategy to generate sales momentum in the Mainland? - Marketing campaigns targeting Hong Kong buyers for properties in the Greater Bay Area have shown good responses [31] Question: What is the performance outlook for the pub division in the UK? - The team is working to improve efficiency, and while there are cost pressures, the second half is expected to be better [37]