白酒周期调整到哪个阶段？

Summary of the White Liquor Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The white liquor industry is currently experiencing a cyclical adjustment, with sales performance not yet turning positive despite meeting expectations during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The main reasons for this include weak business demand and slow recovery of banquet scenarios [1][2] - The industry is expected to see a gradual narrowing of sales decline until it turns positive in the second quarter of next year, with a significant drop in sales unlikely [1][2] Key Points on Sales and Inventory - Actual sales have declined by approximately 20%-30%, while reported figures show a smaller decline, indicating that many companies are controlling their results [5][6] - The inventory cycle in the white liquor industry is long, leading to a slow recovery. Channel inventory has not been fully cleared, and it will take several months to do so [3][4] - Strong brands like Moutai and Wuliangye are still increasing inventory, while other brands are forced to reduce it. This has created a significant brand differentiation in the market [3][4] Financial Performance and Reporting - Most liquor companies are unlikely to meet their annual targets due to a significant drop in payments, which is greater than the decline in sales. The third-quarter reports are expected to be significantly lower than anticipated [5][6] - The second quarter of next year is projected to be a turning point for the industry, with some companies already achieving profit recovery [8] Market Sentiment and Stock Performance - The overall performance of the white liquor sector has been disappointing this year, heavily impacted by the ban on alcohol consumption. However, due to ample market liquidity and low stock prices, the absolute bottom is believed to have been reached [9] - The stock price of leading companies like Moutai is supported by dividend yields, limiting downside potential. Future upward movement will depend on significant improvements in sales and a continued narrowing of declines [9][10] Future Outlook - The third-quarter reports will be crucial for assessing inventory clearance and market confidence. If both inventory and reports are cleaned up, the market may gain confidence for forward-looking allocations [10] - A neutral to slightly optimistic stance is recommended, with potential relative gains from short-term sales exceeding expectations and the rebound in stock prices [11]