JPM: CG SERVICES (06098.HK) Reports Lower-Than-Expected 1H25 Profit, Increases Dividend Guidance
Financial Performance: CG SERVICES reported a 15% year-on-year decline in core net profit for 1H25, which was 6% below JPMorgan's expectations, despite a 10% increase in revenue.
Administrative Expenses Impact: The profit miss was attributed to higher-than-expected administrative expenses, which grew by 23% year-on-year, leading to a contraction in gross profit margin.
Dividend Payout Commitment: Management has set a target dividend payout ratio of 60% for FY2025, up from 33% in FY2024, suggesting a potential dividend yield of 6.5-7%.
Market Reaction and Forecasts: Following the results, market consensus on EPS forecasts may be lowered, but the increased dividend guidance could lead to a positive stock price reaction, with JPMorgan rating the stock as Underweight and setting a target price of $5.
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Earnings Growth Expectations: Chinese property managers are projected to see a 10% year-over-year earnings growth in 2025, which is below the market expectation of 12% and slower than previous years' growth rates.
Factors Affecting Performance: UBS attributes the slower growth to declines in cash collection rates, value-added service revenue, and profit margins among property managers.
Top Performers: GREENTOWN SER is expected to lead in performance among major property managers, followed by CHINA RES MIXC, which are also UBS's top picks.
Market Sentiment: JPMorgan anticipates continued weakness in Chinese property developers in 2025, favoring investments in CHINA RES LAND and CHINA JINMAO.

Morgan Stanley's Predictions: The research report indicates that Chinese property managers are expected to meet profit growth expectations, with low single-digit increases and greater differentiation among companies.
Top Performers: GREENTOWN SER and CHINA RES MIXC are projected to achieve the highest profit growth of 10-15% year-over-year, while POLY PPT SER and CHINA OVS PPT are expected to see mid-single-digit growth.
Challenges for Some Companies: CG SERVICES and SUNAC SERVICES may experience declines in core profits due to issues with past project receivables and non-core business impacts.
Impairment Risks: Most companies have largely eliminated impairment risks from related parties, except for ONEWO, which still faces some risk.

Morgan Stanley's Predictions: The research report from Morgan Stanley indicates that Chinese property managers are expected to meet profit growth expectations, with low single-digit increases overall.
Top Performers: GREENTOWN SER and CHINA RES MIXC are projected to achieve the highest profit growth of 10-15% year-over-year, while POLY PPT SER and CHINA OVS PPT are expected to see mid-single-digit growth.
Challenges for Some Companies: CG SERVICES and SUNAC SERVICES may experience declines in core profits due to past project receivable issues and non-core business impacts.
Impairment Risks: Most companies have cleared impairment risks from related parties, except for ONEWO, which still faces some challenges.

Industry Challenges: Chinese property managers are facing difficulties such as weakening collections and rising vacancy fees, with pressure from a weak macro environment and suboptimal service quality affecting fees.
Earnings Projections: Morgan Stanley forecasts a 3% to 7% year-on-year growth in the industry's earnings from 2025 to 2027, with revenue growth around 5%, although profit margins will be pressured by declining collections.
Stock Recommendations: Morgan Stanley recommends investing in high-quality companies with solid asset bases, adjusting target prices for CHINA RES MIXC and GREENTOWN SER, while rating CG SERVICES as Equalweight.
Market Activity: The report includes short selling data and stock performance updates, indicating varying levels of short selling and price changes for the mentioned companies.

BofA Securities' Positive Outlook: BofA Securities maintains a non-consensus positive view on the Chinese real estate industry, anticipating proactive policy-making that could create investment opportunities despite current pressures and low investor positioning.
Preferred Companies: The report favors companies with strong execution capabilities, including CHINA RES LAND, CHINA OVERSEAS, and C&D INTL GROUP, while also expecting CHINA RES MIXC to benefit from consumer stimulus measures.
Earnings Forecast Adjustments: BofA lowered its median EPS forecast for Chinese property developers by 8% for 2025-27, projecting a 20% decline in 2025 earnings, with a weaker-than-expected rebound anticipated in 2027.
Target Price Reductions: Due to downbeat prospects, BofA cut its target price for Chinese property developers by 12%, maintaining an Underperform rating for several companies, including CG SERVICES and POLY DEVELOPMENTS.
Resignation Announcement: Huang Peng has resigned as the chief financial officer of CG SERVICES effective December 5, to focus on managing the Group's incubation businesses.
Continued Role: Despite his resignation as CFO, Huang will remain the executive president and oversee daily management of various incubation segments, including environmental and asset management services.
New Appointment: Tian Tian has been appointed as the new chief financial officer, responsible for the Company's financial management and capital market activities, effective the same day.
Market Impact: The announcement comes amid a short selling activity of $1.95M and a short selling ratio of 6.199% for CG SERVICES.




