M/LT Profitability Trajectory Intact Despite Expense Hikes in 4Q25
发布时间:2026-04-09 来源:华泰证券
Jiangsu Changhai Composite Materials (Changhai) reported 2025 revenue/ attributable NP of RMB3.14bn/330mn, up 17.9/18.8% YoY, with attributable NP missing our prior estimate of RMB400mn mainly due to higher YoY financial expenses and forex losses in 4Q25, coupled with lower initial GPM from ultra-high modulus fiberglass during the mass supply ramp-up phase. In 4Q25, revenue/attributable NP reached RMB780/70mn, +2.7/-4.6% YoY. Full-year capacity expansion drove strong sales volume growth in fiberglass, while the chemical segment saw improved profitability. We remain positive on the company's dual-driver of "fiberglass + chemicals". Maintain BUY.
Fiberglass sales volume buoyant; chemical profit improved
By segment, the company's fiberglass and products/chemical products generated 2025 revenues of RMB2.46bn/640mn (+24.8/-0.9% YoY), with GPM at 23.3/24.2%, -0.7/+4.7pp YoY. Benefiting from unleashing full-year capacity, fiberglass and products sales volume rose by 30.1% YoY to 392,000 tonnes, while chemical products sales volume increased by 5.0% YoY to 75,000 tonnes. We estimate the 2025 average selling prices (ASPs) of fiberglass/chemical products at RMB6,268/8,586 per tonne, down by 4.1/5.7% YoY, with gross profit per tonne at RMB1,461/2,074, -6.9%/16.9% YoY. The YoY declines in fiberglass ASP and gross profit per tonne were mainly due to product mix changes, including the impact of ultra-high modulus fiberglass yarn and related products. While chemical revenue dipped slightly YoY, cost reductions drove a notable GPM improvement. By region, domestic/overseas revenue reached RMB2.51bn/630mn in 2025, +24.03/-1.4% YoY, with GPM at 21.0/33.0%, up by 1.3/0.6pp YoY, reflecting profitability gains in both markets.
4Q25 financial expense ratio disrupted expenses in the ST
In 2025, the company's operating expense (opex) ratio was 12.5%, up by 0.1pp YoY. The sales, general & administrative, and R&D expense ratios all saw slight YoY declines, mainly benefiting from the dilution effect of revenue growth. However, the financial expense ratio rose by 1.0pp YoY, primarily concentrated in 4Q25 due to increased interest expenses from convertible bonds, short-term borrowings, and forex losses. The company's 2025 net operating cash flow (NOCF) was RMB140mn, down by 68.8% YoY, mainly impacted by higher payments for undeposited time deposits. As of end-2025, its debt-to-assets ratio stood at 35.1%, largely flat YoY.
Earnings forecasts and valuation
Based on the company's 2025 operating data and considering that the ramp-up of high-modulus products and profitability improvement will take time, we lower our gross margin and earnings forecasts, projecting attributable NP of RMB460/610/ 690mn for 2026-2028 (down by 22/20% from our previous estimates of RMB600/760mn for 2026-2027). Given the company's relative weakness in E-glass yarn/fabric, we assign an 18x 2026E PE, a 16% discount to its peers' average of 21x on Wind consensus, corresponding to our target price of RMB20.34 (previous: RMB21.56 based on 22x 2025E PE, representing a 24% discount to its peers' average of 29x). The narrowing valuation discount versus peers mainly reflects the commencement of batch supply for wind power high-modulus products from 4Q25.
Risks: glass fiber demand falling short of our expectations, glass fiber prices declining more than we expected, and a significant increase in energy costs.