Profit YoY Turns Positive on Expanded GPM + Investment Income
发布时间:2026-05-03 来源:华泰证券
China Southern Airlines(CSA)reported 1Q26 revenue of RMB47,782mn,up 10.1%YoY,with attributable net profit turning to aprofit of RMB1,481mn(vs.a net loss of RMB747mn in 1Q25).Net profit for 1Q26 was below our expectation of RMB1,850mn,likely,in our view,due to slightly higher-than-we-expected unit ex-fuel costs.While current international oil prices remain amarket focus,we think Chinese airlines may be able to effectively pass on rising fuel costs to passengers.Additionally,restricted transit at Middle Eastern international hubs could divert both passenger and cargo demand to China's civil aviation sector.Over the medium to long term,we anticipate the industry climate will recover from the bottom,driving the company into aprofitable cycle.Maintain BUY on both.
PLF edges down YoY from its high,yield improves
In 1Q26,the company allocated more capacity to international routes,with supply up 16.1%YoY and 14%vs 1Q19,while the PLF rose slightly by 0.9pp YoY to 84.6%.Domestic route capacity grew steadily,with supply up 5.3%YoY,though the PLF declined from ahigh base,falling 0.7pp YoY to 85.4%.The decline in domestic PLF dragged down overall performance,with total PLF dipping 0.3ppYoY to 85.1%.However,we think the company may have shifted focus to fare increases amid high PLF levels,coupled with‘anti-involution’measures,leading to an estimated~2%YoY increase in yield per RPK in 1Q26.Meanwhile,cargo operations remained stable with slight improvement,as the freight load factor rose 0.9pp YoY in 1Q26,and the TAC Pudong Outbound Index increased 6.2%YoY.Under A-share GAAP,1Q26 revenue reached RMB47,782mn,a 10.1%YoY increase.
1Q26 earnings turn profitable on multiple factors
In 1Q26,unit cost per ASK declined by 0.8%YoY,with average ex-factory jet fuel prices down 8%YoY,coupled with improved yield per RPK,driving the company's gross profit up by RMB1,488mn YoY to RMB5,170mn,while the gross margin rose by 2.3pp YoY to 10.8%.Additionally,likely benefiting from FX gains(the RMB appreciated by 1.6%against the USD in 1Q26,significantly higher than the 0.1%appreciation in 1Q25),financial expenses came down by RMB466mn YoY to RMB859mn.Meanwhile,CSA recorded an investment loss in 1Q25 due to the capital injection into Sichuan Airlines,while investment income in this period increased by RMB929mn YoY to RMB246mn.Together,these factors helped turn attributable net profit from aloss of RMB747mn in 1Q25 to aprofit of RMB1,481mn in 1Q26.
Earnings forecasts and valuation
We raise our 2026 attributable NP forecast to RMB1,567mn(previous:RMB-2,376mn)and lift our 2027/2028 forecast by 16/10%to RMB6,929/11,682mn,mainly reflecting better-than-we-expected fuel cost pass-through.We estimate 2026E BVPS at RMB2.05.CSA’s 10-year average A-/H-share PB multiple is 2.3x/1.4x.Considering apotential industry recovery post oil price stabilization and possible upticks in profitability metrics such as ROE,we maintain apremium of 3.8/2.6x 2026E PB(unchanged).Our new target prices are RMB7.80 and HKD6.10(previous:RMB6.95 and HKD5.30).Maintain BUY on both.
Risks:Weaker demand/faster domestic fleet expansion than we expect,hikes in costs(e.g.,maintenance),oil-price and forex-rate volatility,a private placement diluting profitability,airplane mishaps.