Commissioning Smart Computing Projects Helped Realize Profit
发布时间:2026-08-09 来源:华泰证券
In 1H26, Aofei Data Technology (Aofei) achieved operating revenue of RMB1,469mn (+27.95% YoY), an attributable NP of RMB197mn (+123.64% YoY), a recurring attributable NP of RMB170mn (+96.32% YoY); and EBITDA of RMB891mn (+50.0% YoY). As domestic AI LLMs and applications develop, demand for AI compute has further increased, driving continued improvement in the occupancy rates of delivered AI computing centers. Unit depreciation and amortization costs and financial expenses have been diluted, resulting in profit growth significantly outpacing revenue growth. Aofei’s key projects in Langfang Gu’an, Tianjin Wuqing, Zhangjiakou Huailai, and Guangzhou Nansha are progressing steadily in construction and delivery, with operating cash flow improving concurrently. Maintain BUY.
IDC growth robust, while intelligent computing project delivery expands operational scale
By segment, in 1H26, the company’s IDC service revenue grew by 28.1% YoY to RMB1,147mn, with the gross margin up by 0.33pp YoY to 33.82%, benefiting from improved occupancy rates at data center projects amid the AI computing wave. Other internet-related services revenue grew by 28.7% YoY to RMB250mn, with the gross margin up by 5.62pp YoY to 28.85%. In 1H26, the eighth building of the Langfang Gu’an Data Center and phase-I of the Jiangsu Wuxi Data Center were completed and commenced operations. As of end-June 2026, the company’s self-built and self-operated data center cabinets, converted on a standard cabinet basis, exceeded 86,000 units, with operational scale of approximately 382MW. In addition, the civil works for the Hebei Huailai Data Center project have been largely completed, with plans to build a large data center with 15,000 cabinets, laying the foundation for subsequent scale expansion.
Advancing ABS and REIT filings
In 1H26, Aofei’s overall gross margin was 34.42%, up by 0.94pp YoY. With improved occupancy rates at delivered AI computing centers, diluted unit depreciation and amortization costs and financial expenses, coupled with enhanced operating efficiency, the company’s 1H26 sales/G&A/R&D expense ratios declined by 0.56/0.57/0.21pp. The attributable NPM increased by 5.72pp YoY to 13.38%. In 1H26, credit impairment losses were RMB2mn, narrowing notably from RMB55mn in 1H25. Fair-value changes on financial assets contributed RMB30mn, supporting profit. Additionally, we note that the company is advancing the filing of a holding-type real estate ABS for the Tianjin Wuqing Data Center and a public REIT for the Guangzhou Nansha project, which could broaden its financing channels and revitalize existing assets.
Positive on sustained EBITDA & profit growth on ample project pipeline
Considering the significant GPM improvement following accelerated project occupancy amid the AI computing wave, further improvements in operating efficiency, declining expense ratios, and rising profit upside, we raise our earnings forecasts. We estimate 2026/2027/2028 EBITDA at RMB1,765/2,135/2,511mn (previous: RMB1,581/1,918/2,285mn, representing upward revisions of 11.6/11.3/9.9%). Comparable peers trade at an average 2026E EV/EBITDA of 20x on Wind consensus. As Aofei’s 2026-2028E EBITDA CAGR of 25.5% is higher than its comparable companies’ average of 21.5%, we apply 22x 2026E EV/EBITDA, deriving our target price of RMB32.60 (previous: RMB34.91, based on 26x 2026E EV/EBITDA). Maintain BUY.
Risks: lower customer utilization than we expect; project construction and delivery delays; intensifying industry competition; rising financing costs.