Increased Copper Mine Output Outlook Intact Despite Natural Disaster
发布时间:2026-05-07 来源:华泰证券
In 2025, HBIS Resources (HBIS) recorded revenue of RMB5,839mn (+4.61% YoY), attributable NP of RMB567mn (+0.19% YoY), and recurring attributable NP of RMB566mn (+0.15% YoY). In 1Q26, revenue came in at RMB907mn (-26.59% YoY), with attributable and recurring attributable NP both at RMB23mn (-82.02 and -82.02% YoY). The notable earnings contraction in 1Q26 was mainly due to approximately two months of mine suspension caused by extreme floods in South Africa, which temporarily disrupted production and sales of copper and iron ore products. As mining operations gradually resume and reach full capacity, we think earnings should recover quarter by quarter. Maintain BUY.
Rising share of copper and dipping vermiculite GPM eroded 25 profit
In 2025, the company's revenue growth was driven by a 15.78% YoY increase in copper business revenue to RMB1,507mn, while magnetite revenue remained largely flat at RMB3,784mn and vermiculite revenue rose by 9.03% YoY to RMB436mn. The company's overall gross margin was 60.23% (-1.34pp YoY), with magnetite gross margin of 81.00% (+2.79pp YoY), copper gross margin of 18.49% (+0.02pp YoY), and vermiculite gross margin of 38.32% (-23.51pp YoY). The decline in overall gross margin was primarily due to higher revenue contribution from the lower-margin copper business and a significant decline in vermiculite gross margin. The expense ratio was 45.28% (+2.03pp YoY), with sales expenses of RMB1,974mn (-4.06% YoY), administrative expenses of RMB824mn (+31.96% YoY, mainly due to increased employee compensation and labor service fees), and financial expenses of -RMB154mn (a 42.76% YoY decline in gains, mainly due to reduced FX gains).
Rigid cost led to significant GPM contraction
In 1Q26, the company's revenue decline was mainly due to severe flooding at its South African subsidiary in January 2026, which caused water accumulation in the Phase I and Phase II copper mine tunnels, leading to a production halt of approximately two months. This resulted in a significant fall in copper product sales, while magnetite production and sales were also subject to temporary disruptions. With costs remaining largely unchanged and revenue sharply declining, gross margin saw a notable decrease. The 1Q26 expense ratio was 43.49% (+4.81pp YoY), with sales expenses of RMB279mn (-25.61% YoY), administrative expenses of RMB135mn (-11.40% YoY), and financial expenses of -RMB19mn (due to reduced FX gains). Meanwhile, 1Q26 net operating cash flow was RMB121mn (-17.25% YoY), with sales collections at RMB1,097mn (-24.33% YoY) and procurement payments of RMB714mn (-33.01% YoY). The steeper decline in collections vs procurement payments led to the YoY decline in cash flow.
Maintain BUY
For the copper business segment, considering supply disruptions, we lower our
production and sales volume forecasts while raising copper price expectations. For the magnetite segment, we increase production and sales volume forecasts but lower magnetite price and cost assumptions. Given the company's expense ratio rising 2.03pp YoY, we have raised our expense ratio forecast, resulting in attributable NP of RMB644/869/1,060mn for 2026/2027/2028, representing a downward revision of 31.58/25.54% for 2026/2027, with EPS of RMB0.99/1.33/ 1.62. Considering the company's active transition from iron ore to copper business and its abundant resources, we value the stock at 18.85x 2026E PE, below its peers’ average of 15.71x, rendering a target price of RMB18.66 (previous: RMB24.80 based on 17.2x 2025E PE). Maintain BUY.
Risks: Significant volatility in copper and iron ore prices, capacity constraints in South Africa straining shipment scale, risks arising from overseas production and natural disasters, FX volatility.