Product Mix Upgrades Fuel Strong Earnings Growth
发布时间:2026-05-12 来源:华泰证券
In 2025, Baosteel posted revenue of RMB317.5bn (-1.43% YoY), attributable NP of RMB10.3bn (+40.53% YoY) and ex-nonrecurring attributable NP of RMB9.9bn (+44.76% YoY), beating our estimate of RMB9.4bn, mainly on a recovery in per-tonne steel profit. In 1Q26, the company reported revenue of RMB77.1bn (+5.74% YoY), attributable NP of RMB2.2bn (-8.59% YoY) and ex-nonrecurring attributable NP of RMB2.2bn (-8.59% YoY). The 1Q26 profit decline was mainly due to lower steel prices YoY alongside relatively resilient iron ore costs, which compressed per-tonne profitability. We expect earnings to recover as the share of high-end products rises and overseas market expansion continues. Maintain BUY.
Strong 2025 results on cost efficiency and product mix upgrade
The decline in revenue in 2025 was driven by lower selling prices, though a sharp fall in raw and auxiliary material prices supported profit improvement. Blended gross margin in 2025 reached 7.24% (+1.79pp YoY). Heavy plate gross margin rose 4.80pp to 7.00%, and CRC gross margin rose 3.20pp to 8.50%. The total expense ratio was 3.29% (-0.06pp YoY), with selling expenses of RMB1.8bn (+6.03% YoY), administrative expenses of RMB3.8bn (-6.42% YoY), R&D expenses of RMB3.9bn (+3.10% YoY) and financial expenses of RMB1.0bn (-23.04% YoY). The decline in financial expenses was mainly due to a smaller interest-bearing debt and lower financing rates. In terms of cash flow, 2025 net operating cash flow was RMB33.6bn, up by RMB5.9bn YoY, mainly from higher net profit and an increase in operating payables.
1Q26 revenue growth with lower steel prices weighing on profit
In 1Q26, sales volume of "2+2+N" products reached 8.62mn tonnes, up by 0.38mn tonnes YoY, while export order intake reached 1.96mn tonnes, up by 0.42mn tonnes YoY. However, lower steel prices YoY combined with relatively firm iron ore costs narrowed per-tonne profit and led to a YoY profit decline. On cash flow, 1Q26 net operating cash flow was RMB4.4bn, broadly flat YoY, mainly reflecting parallel movements in sales collections and procurement payments.
"1+6" Strategy: driven by premiumization, AI & green development
The company continues to advance its "1+6" strategy focused on premiumization, AI, green development, efficiency and internationalization, while deepening its "one company, multiple bases" management model. On the business side, 2025 sales volume of "2+2+N" products reached 34.16mn tonnes (+11.70% YoY), with export volume hitting a record high of 6.48mn tonnes, and the share of high-value-added products continuing to rise. For 2026, the company plans "2+2+N" product sales of 34.86mn tonnes, exports of over 10% of total volume, and a per-tonne cost reduction of more than RMB100/t. We expect earnings to remain solid as strategic products such as high-end silicon steel and auto sheet continue to ramp up.
Maintain BUY
Given solid progress in cost reduction and efficiency improvement, we raise our forecasts based on sales volume and per-tonne net profit of CRC and steel pipe while lowering our expense ratio assumption. We now expect 2026/2027/2028E attributable NP of RMB12.3bn/RMB15.0bn/RMB16.0bn, up by 0.73%/5.12% for 2026/2027 from our prior forecast, corresponding to BPS of RMB9.46/RMB9.80/ RMB9.87. Based on the company's 10-year average P/B of 0.83x, we set a target price of RMB7.85 (previous: RMB8.15, based on average P/B of 0.84x since 2017). Maintain BUY.
Risks: Weaker-than-expected downstream demand, sharp swings in raw material and fuel prices, intensifying industry competition, escalating international trade frictions.