1Q26 Free Cash Flow Up 89% YoY
发布时间:2026-05-26 来源:华泰证券
Sanfeng Environment has released its 1Q26 report: revenue was RMB1,521mn (-2.16/+8.31% YoY/QoQ), attributable net profit (NP) was RMB430mn (+5.02/+238.72% YoY/QoQ), in line with our forecast of RMB409-450mn, and recurring NP was RMB429mn (+10.04% YoY). Based on current developments and future trends in domestic and overseas solid waste markets, the company has formulated long-term plans while advancing its dual-engine market expansion strategy covering both domestic and overseas markets. We believe the company possesses high-quality assets, with growth potential across its operations and equipment businesses as well as domestic and overseas markets. Maintain BUY.
Engineering construction gross margin rose by 12.4pp YoY
For 2025, the company's revenue was RMB5,559mn (-7.21% YoY; excluding the impact of Sanfeng City Environmental Services no longer being included in the consolidated scope, comparable revenue declined by 3.30% YoY) and its attributable NP was RMB1,231mn (+5.38% YoY). By segment, the solid waste operation business maintained steady growth, while the engineering construction business saw significant profitability improvement. 1) Solid waste project operations: revenue increased by 0.46% YoY to RMB4.08bn, while gross margin declined by 0.15pp YoY to 38.24%. Total waste processing volume from wholly owned, controlled, and entrusted operation projects reached 15,885.8kt (+5.32% YoY). Total power generation amounted to 6,248mn kWh (+4.9% YoY), on-grid electricity reached 5,519mn kWh (+5.33% YoY), and steam sales totaled 1,110.6kt (+18.6% YoY). 2) Engineering construction: revenue declined by 23.47% YoY to RMB1,468mn, while gross margin increased by 12.40pp YoY to 34.16%, mainly due to a higher contribution from overseas projects. The company continues implementing its domestic and overseas dual-engine market strategy. We expect overseas orders to continue contributing incremental earnings growth in the future.
Steady free cash flow growth supports higher dividends
For 2025, the company's net operating cash flow reached RMB2,355mn (+15% YoY), mainly due to increased recovery of national subsidy funds, in our view. Capital expenditure (cash paid for the purchase and construction of fixed assets, intangible assets, and other long-term assets, same below) was RMB468mn (-17% YoY), resulting in free cash flow of RMB1,888mn (+27% YoY). The 2025 DPS was RMB0.266 (vs RMB0.245 in 2024), while the dividend payout ratio increased to 36.13% (vs 35.07% in 2024), both showing steady improvement. For 1Q26, net operating cash flow was RMB451mn (-15% YoY), while capital expenditure fell to RMB50mn (-84% YoY), resulting in free cash flow of RMB401mn (+89% YoY). We expect solid free cash flow growth to support further dividend increases.
Earnings forecasts and valuation
We project 2026/2027/2028 attributable NP of RMB1,329/1,381/1,424mn (+3%/ +1%/- vs our previous estimates), implying EPS of RMB0.79/0.83/0.85. The upward revisions mainly reflect better-than-expected gross margin in the engineering construction business in 2025 and the company's overseas business expansion. We believe the improvement trend in gross margin for this segment will persist. Considering the company's growth potential across operations and equipment businesses as well as domestic and overseas markets, alongside a downward trend in capital expenditure, improving free cash flow, and room for higher dividends, we value the stock at 16.0x 2026E PE, above its peers' average of 14.5x on Huatai Research estimates, for our target price of RMB12.64 (previous: RMB11.10, based on 15.2x 2025E PE). Maintain BUY.
Risks: Lower acquisition and execution of overseas orders than we expect, reductions or cancellation of electricity tariff subsidies, lower collection of waste treatment fees and power generation revenue than we expect.