Phosphorus Industry Chain Boom Continues
发布时间:2026-08-13 来源:华泰证券
Hubei Yihua has reported 1H26 results: revenue of RMB13.4bn (up by 12% YoY), an attributable net profit of RMB320mn (down by 20% YoY), and a recurring net profit of RMB240mn (down by 25% YoY). For 2Q26, revenue came in at RMB6.6bn (up by 8% YoY, down by 2% QoQ), with an attributable net profit of RMB140mn (down by 48% YoY, down by 24% QoQ), which missed our estimate of RMB200mn, mainly due to higher phosphate fertilizer raw-material costs. Maintain OVERWEIGHT, as we expect the phosphate industry cycle to stay supportive and think that Hubei Yihua has an advantage in terms of scarce DAP production capacity.
1H26 phosphate fertilizer prices rose YoY
According to the 1H26 report, phosphate compound fertilizer revenue rose by 53% YoY to RMB4.78bn, driven mainly by higher phosphate fertilizer prices; the gross margin fell by 11pp YoY to 7%, largely due to rising raw-material costs. Urea revenue edged down by 1% YoY to RMB1.64bn, with the gross margin up by 2pp YoY to 15%. PVC revenue declined by 7% YoY to RMB2.10bn, while the gross margin improved by 8pp YoY to -1%. Other chlor-alkali product revenue dipped by 2% YoY to RMB1.08bn, with the gross margin down by 17pp YoY to 34%, mainly reflecting lower product prices. Fine chemical revenue grew by 15% YoY to RMB1.11bn, helped by the commissioning of certain new projects; the gross margin slipped by 3pp YoY to 20%. Coal revenue fell by 12% YoY to RMB1.25bn, with the gross margin down by 2pp YoY to 42%, as product prices declined. Overall, the 1H26 gross margin contracted by 4.4pp YoY to 14.3%, primarily due to price pullbacks in some products.
Phosphate cycle remains supportive
According to Baiinfo, as of 11 August 2026, prices for the company’s key products stood at RMB4,395/tonne for DAP, RMB4,421/tonne for MAP, RMB1,742/tonne for urea, RMB4,317/tonne for PVC (calcium carbide process), and RMB702/tonne for caustic soda (32% liquid), changes of +11%/+12%/-6%/-19%/-18% from end-March. Phosphate fertilizer prices rose on cost support and demand-side drivers, while chlor-alkali product prices remained under pressure. According to Bloomberg, as of 7 August 2026, overseas DAP (US Gulf) and urea (Middle East granular) prices were USD794/tonne and USD400/tonne, up by 15% and down by 51% from end-March, respectively. Phosphate fertilizer prices continued to climb on tight overseas supply and cost support, while urea prices eased from March levels as Middle East tensions abated; the domestic-overseas price spread remains wide. We think that the phosphate industry cycle is likely to stay supportive, underpinned by expanding global planted acreage and tight phosphate resources. Should export restrictions ease going forward, companies with phosphate fertilizer and urea export qualifications stand to benefit.
Earnings forecasts and valuation
We maintain our 2026/2027/2028 attributable net profit forecasts at RMB1.21/1.46/1.75bn, up by 50/21/20% YoY, with EPS of RMB1.11/1.34/1.61. Based on the peer average 13x 2026E PE, we assign a 13x 2026E PE to the company and derive a target price of RMB14.43 (previous RMB17.76, based on 16x 2026E PE). Maintain OVERWEIGHT.
Risks: slower new project progress than we expect, significant raw material price volatility, and restrictions on phosphate fertilizer exports.