Strong 1Q26 Results as Expenses Control Offsets GPM Headwinds
发布时间:2026-05-22 来源:华泰证券
In 1Q26,Xinxing Pipes achieved revenue of RMB9.9bn(+17.93%YoY),attributable NP of RMB197mn(+43.94%YoY),and ex-nonrecurring attributable NP of RMB169mn(+40.50%YoY).High earnings growth mainly benefited from top-line growth and adecline in the period expense ratio.However,the YoY decline in gross margin(GPM)reflected headwinds on steel prices.We expect continued improvement in earnings as demand from cast pipe water network construction is unleased and the Egypt project moves forward.Maintain OVERWEIGHT.
GPM fell YoY but lower opex ratio unlocked earnings power
GPM fell 1.24pp YoY to 6.37%,mainly due to declining steel prices and feedstock price swings.In 1Q26,the steel industry suffered high costs,weak demand,and weak profitability.The period expense ratio came down 1.02pp YoY to 3.72%.Selling expenses were RMB79mn(-4.43%YoY),G&A expenses were RMB150mn(-8.80%YoY),R&D expenses were RMB73mn(-24.07%YoY),and financial expenses were RMB65mn(+23.31%YoY).Higher financial expenses were mainly related to lower interest income.Non-recurring gains of RMB28mn accounted for 14.21%of attributable NP,which mainly came from gains from the disposal of equity interests in Lianxin Real Estate and government subsidies.Excluding this,ex-nonrecurring net profit grew by 40.50%YoY,reflecting improved core business profitability.
Cast pipe share gains in 1Q26 with industry-leading margins
In 1Q26,the company achieved revenue of RMB9.9bn(+17.93%YoY),attributable NP of RMB197mn(+43.94%YoY),and ex-nonrecurring attributable NP of RMB169mn(+40.50%YoY).According to company disclosures and industry data,national crude steel output fell 4.6%YoY in 1Q26,while steel product output fell 1.7%YoY.The industry's profitable segment narrowed.The cast pipe industry was affected by project funding and the Chinese New Year holiday,leading to low shipments in January-February.In March,demand gradually improved as policy benefits such as water transportation network were delivered.The company's cast pipe products saw aYoY increase in the share of public market tenders.Its steel product costs and profitability remained at the forefront of the industry.Major operating indicators improved significantly YoY.
Mix upgrade while going global
In 2026,the company continues to promote product mix upgrades and international expansion.It aims to increase the share of high-value-added products and expand overseas markets.At the business level,it focuses on improving the overall competitiveness of cast pipes and building adifferentiated steel product portfolio.Special steel and high-end cast pipe products are likely to accelerate volume growth.At the internationalization level,the company is promoting the ramp-up and efficiency improvement of Xinxing Egypt in an integrated way.Growth in export sales volume is likely to continue contributing incremental growth.As policy benefits from water transportation network are delivered and the share of high-value-added products increases,we expect the company's earnings are likely to improve sequentially by quarter.
Maintain OVERWEIGHT
We maintain our earnings forecasts,with EPS of RMB0.28,RMB0.32,and RMB0.40 in 2026,2027,and 2028,respectively,along with BVPS of RMB6.86,RMB7.11,and RMB7.43.Comparable companies are trading at 0.64x 2026E PB based on consensus estimates.We maintain our premium and assign the company 0.74x 2026E PB,deriving atarget price of RMB5.08.Our previous target price was RMB5.21,based on 0.76x 2026E PB.Maintain OVERWEIGHT.
Risks:1.The steel industry's supply-demand dynamic may deteriorate,and steel prices may decline further than we expected;2.Downstream infrastructure investment for cast pipes may fall short of our expectations,and demand realization may slow;3.Raw material and fuel prices may fluctuate sharply,increasing cost pressure;4.International projects may advance more slowly than expected,delaying overseas capacity ramp-up.