Summary of Unigroup Guoxin Microelectronics Co Ltd Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Unigroup Guoxin Microelectronics Co Ltd - **Ticker**: 002049.SZ - **Industry**: Greater China Technology Semiconductors - **Market Cap**: Rmb71,995 million - **Current Stock Price**: Rmb84.74 (as of October 27, 2025) - **Price Target**: Rmb50.00, indicating a downside of 41% from the current price Key Financial Highlights - **3Q25 Earnings**: - EPS: Rmb0.67, flat QoQ and up 110% YoY, but 5% below the estimate of Rmb0.71 [6][4] - Revenue: Rmb1,857 million, down 8% QoQ but up 34% YoY, exceeding estimates by 13% [6][4] - Gross Margin: Increased to 58.3% from 56.3% in 2Q25, up 2 percentage points QoQ and 3.9 percentage points YoY [6][4] Market and Demand Insights - **Demand Recovery**: Specialty IC demand is recovering, with an increase in sales volume [2][4] - **Contractual Liability**: Decreased by 8% QoQ in 3Q25, suggesting that order momentum may not be as strong as sales growth [2][4] Valuation and Risks - **Valuation Methodology**: Based on a residual income model with an assumed cost of equity of 8.6% and a medium-term growth rate of 10% [8][4] - **Risks to Upside**: - Revenue contribution from new projects - Stronger-than-expected demand from specialty FPGA - Technology improvements in space-grade specialty IC [9][4] - **Risks to Downside**: - Slower-than-expected new project development - Government budget allocation shifts away from national defense [9][4] Analyst Ratings - **Stock Rating**: Underweight (UW) [4][4] - **Industry View**: Attractive [4][4] Additional Financial Metrics - **Fiscal Year Ending**: December 2024, 2025e, 2026e, 2027e - **Projected EPS**: Rmb2.17 (2025e), Rmb2.75 (2026e), Rmb3.26 (2027e) [4][4] - **P/E Ratios**: 46.4 (2024), 39.0 (2025e), 30.8 (2026e), 26.0 (2027e) [4][4] - **ROE**: Expected to rise from 10.1% (2024) to 17.1% (2027e) [4][4] Conclusion Unigroup Guoxin Microelectronics Co Ltd is experiencing a mixed financial performance with a notable recovery in specialty IC demand. However, the decrease in contractual liability raises concerns about future order momentum. The company is rated as underweight, reflecting cautious sentiment among analysts despite an attractive industry outlook.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call of Jing Sheng Electromechanical Industry Overview - Jing Sheng Electromechanical focuses on three main business areas: semiconductor equipment, substrate materials, and consumables [2][3][5] - The company is actively advancing its 12-inch silicon epitaxy equipment, achieving international advanced levels in key indicators [2][3] - The transition from 6-inch to 8-inch silicon wafers is a significant trend in the industry, with expectations that 8-inch will become mainstream by 2027 [6][10] Company Performance - In the first three quarters of 2025, Jing Sheng Electromechanical reported revenue of 8.273 billion yuan and a net profit of 901 million yuan [3] - The company has successfully delivered 12-inch silicon epitaxy equipment to leading domestic clients and is developing new products such as laser external groove and laser slotting equipment [3][4] - The third quarter saw improved profitability due to high-margin semiconductor equipment revenue and effective cost control [3][12] Product Development and Market Strategy - The first 12-inch silicon carbide substrate processing pilot line has been completed, with 100% domestic equipment [2][5] - The company is expanding its global supply capabilities by building an 8-inch silicon carbide substrate project in Penang, Malaysia [2][7] - Jing Sheng Electromechanical is positioned as a leader in the 12-inch silicon carbide substrate market, with competitive advantages in 6-inch and 8-inch sizes [2][6] Competitive Landscape - The silicon carbide substrate industry is expected to see increased concentration among leading companies, with potential price declines due to scale supply increases [2][7] - The company aims to maintain its competitive edge through technological innovation and cost control, particularly in larger sizes [2][6] Future Outlook - The semiconductor equipment industry is expected to maintain high growth due to China's focus on expanding its semiconductor industry and increasing self-sufficiency [12][20] - The company anticipates a rebound in the photovoltaic equipment market in 2026, following a challenging 2025 [15][17] - The demand for silicon carbide in high-power applications, such as data centers, is projected to grow significantly, driven by its low-loss characteristics [11][13] Additional Insights - The company is investing in advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance efficiency for downstream clients [4] - The transition to larger wafer sizes is expected to lead to a healthier price trend for 8-inch wafers due to limited domestic capacity [10] - The company is also exploring various thermal materials, including silicon nitride and gallium nitride, to meet the growing demand in power semiconductors [18][20] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call, highlighting the company's strategic positioning, performance metrics, and future industry trends.

昊华能源 20251027 摘要 Q&A 公司在 2025 年前三季度的经营情况如何？主要影响因素是什么？ 2025 年前三季度，公司实现归母净利润 5.5 亿元，同比下降 50.5%。其中， 单三季度归母净利润为 1.06 亿元，同比下降 59%，环比下降 38%。主要原因 是煤炭价格的下跌和煤炭产销量的减少。尽管吨煤和甲醇的吨利润环比有所改 善，但煤炭产销下降成为总毛利下降的核心原因。 2025 年第三季度公司生产受到哪些具体因素影响？ 2025 年第三季度，公司生产受到多方面因素影响。首先，搬家倒面导致主题 矿井从一井两个面变为一井一个面，影响了产量。其次，红阳煤矿在 8 月份遭 遇罕见暴雨，内蒙古地区发生水灾，当地政府要求停产并撤离人员。此外，红 旗南煤矿附近公路被暴雨冲毁，也影响了销售和生产。这些因素导致公司三季 2025 年第三季度，煤炭价格下跌和产销量减少是导致公司总毛利下降 的主要原因，尽管吨煤和甲醇的吨利润有所改善，但未能抵消煤炭产销 下降的影响。 2025 年第三季度，搬家倒面、红阳煤矿水灾停产、红旗南煤矿附近公 路被毁等多重因素导致公司产量同比减少、环比略有减少，对业绩产生 负面影响。 ...

Summary of Haile Wind Power Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Haile Wind Power - **Industry**: Wind Power Manufacturing Key Points Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Haile Wind Power reported revenue of 1.64 billion yuan and a net profit of 141 million yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 779% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 299% [4] - The company shipped 203,000 tons in Q3, with factory investment income of approximately 3.1 million yuan, but also recognized bad debt provisions of 26.68 million yuan, which may impact profits [4] Product Structure and Market Strategy - The company plans to fully transition to deep-sea product structures by the end of 2025, focusing on large jacket foundations and expanding into overseas markets [2][6] - The expected shipment volume for Q4 is around 200,000 tons, with a product structure shift anticipated, where the proportion of jackets is expected to rise to 40%-50% in 2026 [2][8] - Current orders on hand total approximately 689,000 tons, including deep-sea projects, with expected shipments slightly higher than this year's total of 600,000 to 700,000 tons [2][23] Project Approvals and Policy Outlook - There is a high probability of deep-sea project policies being implemented soon, with four projects already approved and more than ten planned [10][11] - The company is actively pursuing financing plans to support the construction of the Qidong Phase II and Zhanjiang bases, as well as fulfilling deep-sea order deliveries [3][26] Cost Structure - The cost structure for main products shows that raw materials account for 75%-80% of costs for towers and monopiles, while for jackets, it is slightly lower at 60%-70% [5] Production Capacity and Utilization - The maximum production capacity for jackets is expected to be around 300,000 tons, with current production facilities in Qidong and Tongzhou Bay [12][13] - The profitability of jackets is significantly affected by depreciation and amortization, which is expected to normalize as production capacity utilization improves [12][15] International Expansion - The company is advancing its international strategy, with the UK A27 project expected to sign contracts in Q1 or Q2 of 2026 [6][21] - The overseas business is progressing steadily, with expectations for results in 2026 [27] Future Outlook - The industry is expected to see an installation capacity of over 12 GW in 2026, with the company’s construction volume anticipated to exceed this figure [9] - The company plans to transfer five wind farms, potentially generating 900-1,000 million yuan in cash flow, although completion may extend into next year [3][24] Challenges and Risks - The company faces challenges related to bad debt provisions, with a total of 450 million yuan recognized, and the need for a stable model for debt recovery as sales scale increases [14] - Historical project delays may affect future shipments, with some projects pushed to Q1 or Q2 of the following year [25] Conclusion - Haile Wind Power is positioned for growth with a strategic shift towards deep-sea products and international markets, although it must navigate financial challenges and project execution risks to realize its potential.

Summary of Guodian Measurement Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Guodian Measurement - **Industry**: Testing and Measurement Services, focusing on high-tech sectors including aerospace, low-altitude economy, integrated circuits, and digital economy Key Financial Highlights - **Revenue**: - Q3 2025 revenue reached 9.37 billion CNY, a year-on-year increase of 14.91% [2][3] - Year-to-date revenue for the first three quarters was 24.16 billion CNY, up 11.86% year-on-year [2][3] - **Net Profit**: - Q3 2025 net profit was 1.41 billion CNY, a 29.73% increase year-on-year [2][3] - Year-to-date net profit for the first three quarters was 2.38 billion CNY, up 26.51% year-on-year [2][3] Strategic Focus Areas - **Commercial Aerospace and Low-altitude Economy**: - Company is actively investing in these sectors, planning to raise 3 billion CNY for building testing platforms [2][5] - Anticipates rapid growth in commercial aerospace and low-altitude economy due to supportive policies [6][7] - **High-tech Services**: - Transitioning from a general testing organization to a high-tech service provider focused on new productivity and technological innovation [3][4] - **Integrated Circuits**: - Significant growth in integrated circuit testing, with revenue for the first three quarters at 2.08 billion CNY, a 21.31% increase year-on-year [5] International Expansion - **International Strategy**: - Achieved Amazon export certification and exploring partnerships in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa [8][9] - Monthly revenue contribution from international operations is currently at a million CNY, expected to grow [10] Business Segment Performance - **Measurement Calibration**: - Revenue for the first three quarters was 5.56 billion CNY, a slight increase of 0.46% year-on-year [3][5] - **Electromagnetic Compatibility and Certification**: - Revenue for the first three quarters was 2.75 billion CNY, up 13.56% year-on-year [5] - **Life Sciences**: - Revenue for the first three quarters was 3.36 billion CNY, down 5.9% year-on-year [5] Future Outlook - **2026 Growth Projections**: - Company expects to maintain a focus on high-end manufacturing, aerospace, and digital sectors, with a positive outlook despite potential slowdowns in specific industries [11][19] - **Revenue Contribution from Emerging Fields**: - New sectors like satellite internet and low-altitude economy are projected to contribute 1 to 2 billion CNY in revenue [18] Competitive Advantages - **Testing and Measurement Capabilities**: - As a leading third-party testing organization, the company has a comprehensive service capability and a nationwide presence [12][13] - **Technological Innovation**: - Rapid investment in technology and innovation, particularly in commercial aerospace and integrated circuits [4][14] Conclusion - **Long-term Growth Strategy**: - The company aims to continue its growth trajectory by focusing on high-tech sectors and optimizing its business structure, with a goal of maintaining a high growth rate in the coming years [19]

Summary of Guangwei Composite's Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Guangwei Composite - **Industry**: Composite Materials and Equipment Manufacturing Key Financial Performance - **Revenue**: - Total revenue for the first three quarters decreased by 32.22% year-on-year, but Q3 revenue increased by 5.24% year-on-year and 23.58% quarter-on-quarter, indicating signs of recovery [2][3] - Q3 revenue reached 1.986 billion yuan, with a net profit of 415 million yuan, down 32.55% year-on-year [3] - **Net Profit**: - Net profit for Q3 was 145 million yuan, down 41.05% year-on-year but up 26.88% quarter-on-quarter [3] - Non-recurring net profit for Q3 was 130 million yuan, down 43.45% year-on-year but up 24.66% quarter-on-quarter [3] Segment Performance - **Fiber Segment**: Revenue decreased by 12.54% year-on-year to 1.003 billion yuan [4] - **New Energy Materials Segment**: Revenue increased by 58.95% year-on-year to 652 million yuan, driven by rapid growth in wind power carbon credit business [4] - **General New Materials Segment**: Revenue decreased by 1.94% year-on-year to 180 million yuan [4] - **Auxiliary Materials Technology Segment**: Revenue decreased by 26.34% year-on-year to 60 million yuan [4] - **Equipment Business**: Traditional product shipments were below expectations, but new model products showed stable growth [5] Market Dynamics - **Production Capacity**: - The Baotou production base is affected by industry competition, leading to low product prices and high fixed costs, which negatively impacted performance [2][5] - Expected production capacity utilization in Q4 is around 60%, primarily for hydrogen energy shell products [2][11] - **Carbon Fiber Prices**: Prices are stabilizing, but the industry faces cost pressures and intense competition. High-performance fibers like T300 and T400 have stable prices, while high-end product prices have slightly decreased [2][13] Orders and Contracts - **Order Status**: - The equipment business has sufficient orders, with some clients signing long-term contracts extending to 2026 or 2027 [3][14] - The T1,000 product is in the validation stage, with promising application prospects in equipment and civil aviation [15] - **Military Procurement**: Current military contracts are annual, with no additional orders expected until existing contracts are fulfilled [10] Future Outlook - **Traditional Products**: Demand for traditional products has been declining since 2014, but is expected to stabilize in 2025 or 2026 [17][18] - **Research and Development**: Increased R&D spending is focused on optimizing fiber performance and enhancing product applications, which is crucial for future growth [23] - **Market Expansion**: The company is looking to expand into high-end aerospace, civil aviation, hydrogen energy, and other emerging fields to absorb carbon fiber capacity [26] Financial Management - **Short-term Borrowing**: Short-term loans increased to 681 million yuan to supplement working capital due to dividend payments and project loan repayments [31] Additional Insights - **Low-altitude Business**: Detailed revenue data for the low-altitude business is currently unavailable, with a more comprehensive analysis expected in the annual report [7] - **Special Equipment Materials**: The company is focusing on existing major clients in the special equipment sector, with potential for new clients as market policies evolve [30]

Summary of Huqin Technology Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Huqin Technology - **Industry**: Technology, specifically focusing on high-performance computing, smart terminals, AIoT, and automotive electronics Key Financial Performance - **Revenue Growth**: - Total revenue for the first three quarters reached 128.88 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 69.6% [3] - Q3 revenue was 44.94 billion RMB, up 22.8% year-on-year [3] - **Net Profit**: - Net profit attributable to shareholders was 3.1 billion RMB, a 51.2% increase year-on-year [2] - Q3 net profit was 1.21 billion RMB, reflecting a 59.5% year-on-year growth [2] - **Gross Margin**: - Overall gross margin was 7.8%, with Q3 gross margin rising to 8.2% [3] Business Segment Performance - **High-Performance Computing**: - Revenue reached 74.1 billion RMB, accounting for 58.6% of total revenue, with a 70% year-on-year growth [4] - **Smart Terminal**: - Revenue was 45 billion RMB, making up 35.6% of total revenue, with an 84% year-on-year increase [4] - **AIoT Products**: - Revenue of 5.5 billion RMB, representing 4.4% of total revenue, with a 73% year-on-year growth [4] - **Automotive and Industrial Products**: - Revenue reached 1.8 billion RMB, with a 77% year-on-year increase [2][4] Research and Development - **R&D Investment**: - R&D expenses for the first three quarters totaled 4.62 billion RMB, a 23.7% increase year-on-year [7] - R&D personnel accounted for nearly 30% of the workforce, with close to 20,000 employees [7] - **Innovation Focus**: - The establishment of X Lab to drive innovation in emerging technology fields [16] Market Position and Customer Base - **Customer Concentration**: - Top five customers account for approximately 50% of revenue, with the largest customer contributing less than 15% [6] - **ODM Leadership**: - Maintains leading position in the smartphone ODM market, with a projected shipment of 250 million smartphones over the next five years [15] Future Outlook - **Revenue Goals**: - Aiming for three business segments to each exceed 100 billion RMB in revenue within 4-5 years [12] - **Profitability Expectations**: - Anticipates gross margins to gradually improve, targeting a healthy range of 8% to 9% [12] - **Data Business Growth**: - Expects data product revenue to grow by at least 30% next year, despite challenges from chip restrictions [14] Strategic Initiatives - **Long-term Strategy**: - Emphasizes a long-term investment approach, with new business segments typically taking 7-8 years to reach profitability [24][25] - **Global Manufacturing Expansion**: - VMI 3D manufacturing layout in Vietnam, Mexico, and India, with overseas production accounting for about 20% of total capacity [23] Additional Insights - **Cash Flow Management**: - Current cash flow is in a short-term maintenance state, with improvements noted in Q3 [22] - **Talent Strategy**: - Plans to recruit 2,200 new graduates, with a focus on maintaining a high concentration of talent in the ODM industry [29] This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call, highlighting Huqin Technology's robust financial performance, diverse business segments, strategic initiatives, and future growth prospects.

Summary of Huaming Equipment Q3 2025 Conference Call Industry and Company Overview - **Company**: Huaming Equipment - **Industry**: Electrical Equipment and Power Systems Key Points and Arguments Market Performance - The **tap changer business** showed strong performance in both domestic and international markets, with **over 40% growth** in overseas revenue maintained in Q3 2025, and domestic market revenue growth faster than the first half of the year, expecting stable growth for the year [2][3][4] - **North American market** operations are normal, generating tens of millions in revenue annually, while the **Middle Eastern market** is progressing faster with local layout considerations, though significant revenue increases are not expected in the short term [2][6] Financial Performance - Q3 2025 financial performance was impacted by the first-time recognition of **share-based payment expenses**, leading to an increase in sales expenses due to rapid overseas business growth [3] - The **acquisition of power station assets** has no significant immediate financial impact as risks were previously accounted for, but it may lower interest costs and accelerate cash flow recovery over 15 to 20 years [5] Order and Revenue Trends - **Maintenance orders** have seen significant growth, exceeding a **20% compound growth rate** from previous years, although seasonal factors have affected actual revenue growth [7] - The **numerical control equipment** business is rapidly growing due to increased industry demand, technological innovation, and effective marketing strategies, becoming a new important revenue source [8] Export Business Outlook - The outlook for future quarters and next year's export business remains optimistic, although order conditions in Q4 and next year need monitoring, with copper price fluctuations potentially affecting delivery schedules [4] Domestic vs. Overseas Revenue - Overseas revenue is growing rapidly, while domestic market prices and gross margins are declining, limiting the domestic market's support for overall performance [9] - The ratio of **direct to indirect exports** is approximately **1:1**, indicating a balanced approach to international sales [10] Impact of Overseas Projects - Participation in overseas data center projects has limited impact on overall performance, as the number of tap changers required per project is small, but these projects could enhance electricity demand and drive upstream generation capacity [11] Strategic Focus and Future Goals - The company is focusing on consolidating and developing existing regions, particularly in **Europe and Asia**, with no major investment plans in North America and the Middle East at this stage [12] - Current production capacity is sufficient, with good order feedback from Indonesia and Turkey, and domestic capacity is not yet at full utilization [13] - The **gross margin** for tap changers remains stable with slight improvements, indicating no significant changes [14] - The goal for 2025 is to achieve **break-even** and aim for faster growth thereafter, with steady progress on shareholder plans [15]

Summary of Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd. Conference Call Industry Overview - The commodity prices are supported by weak demand and supply disruptions, with a stabilization in the market due to improved China-U.S. trade relations [2][3] - The energy metals sector has shown a clear upward trend, particularly driven by the surge in demand for electric vehicles [2] - Energy metals have underperformed the non-ferrous sector by 80% over the past three years, but cobalt prices have increased from 150,000 CNY/ton in 2024 to 400,000 CNY/ton in February 2025, with expectations to reach 500,000 CNY/ton by 2026 [2][5] Company Insights: Huayou Cobalt - Huayou Cobalt's business encompasses cobalt, nickel, and lithium, with cobalt currently reflecting the catalytic effect, while nickel and lithium have not yet significantly contributed to performance [2][5] - The company benefits from the Congolese government's policies and the growing demand for new energy, with minimal downstream impact even if cobalt prices rise to 500,000 CNY/ton [2][6] - The Indonesian project is expected to achieve a production capacity of 220,000 to 240,000 tons next year, including approximately 24,000 tons of cobalt, unaffected by quotas [2][6] Market Dynamics - The lithium carbonate market is driven by energy storage demand, with expectations of achieving supply-demand balance or even shortages by 2026 [2][7] - Despite a recent downturn, lithium prices are stabilizing, and if energy storage demand continues to grow, prices are likely to rise [7] Cost Management and Production Efficiency - Huayou Cobalt has significantly reduced its lithium production costs from 120,000 CNY/ton to 70,000 CNY/ton, with future projections of 60,000 CNY/ton as the sulfate lithium project scales up [4][8] - The company aims for an annual lithium production capacity of 60,000 to 80,000 tons through improved recovery rates and resource utilization [8] Financial Performance and Projections - The company is expected to generate profits of 3 billion CNY each from nickel and cobalt businesses, totaling 6 billion CNY [6] - Plans to increase wet-process capacity by 120,000 tons by 2027 could effectively double the company's output [6] Competitive Advantages - Huayou Cobalt's integrated operational model enhances synergy across upstream metals, midstream precursors, and downstream cathode materials, leading to cost reductions [13] - Strong project execution capabilities and a competitive edge in Indonesian wet-process refining contribute to its market position [13] Future Outlook - The energy metals sector is at a transformative point, with prices expected to rise due to stable demand and marginal supply changes [14] - Huayou Cobalt's integrated operations and financial optimization position it well to capitalize on industry opportunities, indicating significant growth potential and undervaluation in stock price [14]

Company and Industry Summary Company Overview - The company discussed in the conference call is 新洁能 (XJ Energy), which operates in the semiconductor industry, focusing on power devices and applications in various sectors including automotive electronics, industrial automation, and AI computing. Key Points Industry and Market Trends - The third quarter faced challenges due to the traditional off-season and rising foundry costs, leading to a 5.5% year-over-year decline in revenue to 456 million yuan [3][4] - However, September showed a recovery with year-over-year growth, and the company is optimistic about future performance based on October sales and existing orders [2][3] - The company anticipates a return to positive revenue growth in the fourth quarter, supported by rising prices in power devices and increased foundry utilization rates [9][10] Revenue Breakdown - The revenue distribution across different sectors is as follows: - Industrial Automation: 38% - Photovoltaic Energy Storage: increased from 13% to 16% - Automotive Electronics: increased by 2 percentage points from the first half of the year - AI Computing and Communication: 6% - General Consumer: 17% - Robotics: 6% [5][6] Product Development and Strategy - The company is upgrading silicon-based products and expanding into GaN (Gallium Nitride) and SiC (Silicon Carbide) applications, with a mixed-signal product expected to launch in 2026 [2][6] - Focus areas include automotive electronics, intelligent driving servers, and robotics, with significant progress in automotive-grade MOSFET applications [6][17] - The company has received nearly 100 inquiries and new orders worth millions due to recent events affecting competitors, indicating strong order acquisition capabilities [7][13] Financial Performance and Margin Outlook - The company reported a net profit of 99.4 million yuan for the third quarter, down 13.23% year-over-year, primarily due to seasonal impacts and increased costs [3] - The gross margin is expected to improve as domestic clients begin to implement price increases for products like IGBT [9][10] - The company has not engaged in price reductions but is optimistic about maintaining pricing power due to rising costs in the supply chain [14][19] Future Demand and Order Expectations - The company is optimistic about future demand, particularly in emerging applications such as automotive electronics and AI servers, with potential orders exceeding 200 million yuan in the next 1-2 years [12][17] - The recovery in industrial sectors, including significant sales from DJI drones, is expected to contribute positively to revenue [12] Competitive Position and Customer Acquisition - The company has a competitive edge with over 3,000 Modbus part numbers and a comprehensive range of automotive-grade components, facilitating smooth transitions for new clients [21] - New customer acquisition includes both domestic and international clients, with a notable increase in orders following competitor issues [21][22] Price Trends and Market Dynamics - Both domestic and international prices for power products are rising, with local manufacturers beginning to increase prices for IGBT products [24] - The overall market is showing signs of recovery, with the third quarter of 2025 likely being the lowest point for the company and the industry [16][25] Conclusion - The company is positioned for growth despite recent challenges, with a strong focus on emerging markets and product innovation. The outlook for the fourth quarter and beyond is positive, supported by improving market conditions and strategic pricing initiatives.