

Summary of China Aluminum Industry Conference Call Company Overview - China Aluminum, established in 2001, is a leading company in the aluminum industry globally, primarily engaged in alumina, electrolytic aluminum, trading, and energy sectors. As of the end of 2024, the company has an alumina production capacity of 22.26 million tons, electrolytic aluminum capacity of 7.62 million tons, and coal production capacity of 16.6 million tons. A slight increase in capacity is expected in 2025 [2][3] Key Financial Performance - The company reported a steady revenue stream, with net profit attributable to shareholders reaching 12.4 billion yuan in 2024, an 85% year-on-year increase, driven by a 40% rise in alumina spot prices and a 7% increase in electrolytic aluminum prices [2][7] - The company has gradually reduced its trading segment, with its revenue share decreasing from 56% in 2022 to 44% in 2024 [2][8] Subsidiary Performance - Among its subsidiaries, Guangxi Huasheng led with a net profit of 2.125 billion yuan in 2024, while other subsidiaries like Baotou Foundry, Guizhou Huajin, and others reported net profits around 1.5 billion yuan each [2][6] Capital Expenditure and Resource Management - Capital expenditures have been significant, with amounts of 4.8 billion yuan in 2022, 6.7 billion yuan in 2023, and projected at 10-15 billion yuan in 2024. The company plans to maintain capital expenditures between 10 billion to 15 billion yuan in 2025 [5][10] - China Aluminum controls about half of the domestic bauxite resources, with early production concentrated in Shanxi and Henan. The overseas Boffa mine in Guinea is expected to increase production to 20 million tons in the coming years [5][11] Debt and Dividend Policy - As of the first quarter of 2025, the company's debt-to-asset ratio has decreased to approximately 48%, attributed to significant asset impairments. The dividend payout ratio has increased from 15% to 30% since 2021, with expectations for further increases aligned with performance growth [2][9] Market Outlook and Profit Forecast - For the years 2025 to 2027, projected net profits are 12.38 billion yuan, 14.837 billion yuan, and 17.283 billion yuan, respectively, based on assumptions of electrolytic aluminum prices at 20,500 yuan/ton, 21,000 yuan/ton, and 21,500 yuan/ton, and alumina prices at 3,100 yuan/ton [16] - The current stock price corresponds to a price-to-earnings ratio of approximately 11 times for 2025 and 9.2 times for 2026, maintaining an outperform rating for the company [16] Additional Insights - The trading segment, managed by China Aluminum International Trading Group, is responsible for logistics services and has contributed significantly to profits, with a reported net profit of about 1 billion yuan in 2024 [13][14] - The energy segment, primarily through Ningxia Energy, reported a net profit of 750 million yuan in 2024, with coal production of 13.16 million tons and electricity sales of 16.3 billion kWh [15] This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call, highlighting the company's performance, strategic direction, and market outlook.