Choon Sen Loo
Analyst · Yiming Liu from Haitong Securities. Please ask you question, Yiming
Thank you, Weng Ming. Now let me review our unaudited six months results ended December 31, 2024. Revenue was RMB8.8 billion or $1.2 billion compared with RMB8.9 billion in second half 2023. The total number of engines sold in second half 2024 increased by 10.9% to 163,843 units compared with 147,700 units in second half 2023. The increase was mainly due to higher sales in truck, bus, industrial and marine and power generation markets. The better performance in truck and bus engine sales was achieved despite a decline by 9.9% in sales of commercial vehicles, excluding gasoline and electric power vehicles compared to second half 2023, as reported by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, CAAM. Gross profit increased by 14.3% to RMB1.4 billion or $195.7 million from RMB1.2 billion in second half 2023. The increase was mainly due to higher unit sales volume combined with lower material costs. Overall gross margin was 15.9% in second half 2024 compared with 13.9% in second half 2023. Other operating income increased by 31.2% to RMB401.5 million or $25.9 million compared with RMB306.2 million in second half 2023. The increase was mainly due to higher government grants, higher rebate on value-added taxes, and recognition of technology licensing fees. Research and development, R&D expenses increased by 25.6% to RMB591.1 million or $22.2 million compared with RMB470.5 million in second half 2023, due to higher mold costs and impairment of a discontinued R&D project. Total R&D expenditures, including capitalized costs, were RMB726 million or $101.0 million representing 8.2% of revenue in second half 2024, as compared to RMB599.2 million, representing 6.8% of revenue in second half 2023. Selling, general and administrative, SG&A expenses increased by 25.1% to RMB1.1 billion $147.0 million from RMB844.6 million in second half 2023. This increase was mainly due to higher trade receivables provision, and higher travelling, personnel and selling expenses compared with the same period last year. SG&A expenses represented 12% of revenue for second half 2024 compared with 9.5% for second half 2023. Operating profit declined to RMB160.1 million or $22.3 million from RMB221.8 million in second half 2023. The operating margin was 1.8% compared with 2.5% in second half 2023. Finance costs decreased by 20.4% to RMB37.1 million or $5.2 million from RMB46.5 million in second half 2023 primarily due to lower bills discounting. The share of financial results of the associates and joint ventures grew by 80.2% to a profit of RMB58.5 million or $8.1 million, compared with RMB32.5 million in second half 2023. The improvement was mainly driven by higher profits at MTU Yuchai Power Company Limited, MTU Yuchai. Additionally, Y&C Engine Co., Ltd., Y&C Engine and Guangxi Purem Yuchai Automotive Technology Co., Ltd., Purem Yuchai achieved profitability in second half 2024 compared to a loss in the same period last year. Income tax expense was RMB26.4 million or $3.7 million compared with RMB37.9 million in second half 2023. Net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company was RMB82.7 million or $11.5 million compared with RMB107.1 million in second half 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per share were RMB2.19 or $0.30 compared with RMB2.62 in second half 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per share for second half 2024 and second half 2023 were based on a weighted average of 37,809,894 shares and 40,858,290 shares, respectively. Now we'll review the unaudited financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Revenue was RMB19.1 billion or $2.7 billion compared with RMB18 billion in financial year 2023. The total number of engines sold in financial year increased by 13.7% to 356,586 units compared with 313,493 units in FY 2024. The increase was mainly due to higher sales in the truck, bus, industrial and marine and power generation markets. The stronger performance in truck and bus engine sales was achieved despite a 2.6% year-on-year decrease in sales of commercial engines, excluding gasoline and electric powered vehicles in financial year 2024 as reported by CAAM. Gross profit increased by 10.8% to RMB2.8 billion or $392.1 million, compared with RMB2.5 billion in FY 2023. Gross margin increased to 14.7% compared with 14.1% in financial year 2023. The increase in gross margin was mainly attributable to higher revenue from increased unit volume, and continuing cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by greater labor and overhead expenses. Other operating income increased by 30.1% to RMB575.7 million or $80.1 million, compared with RMB442.4 million in FY 2023. The increase was mainly due to higher government grants, higher rebate on value-added taxes, and recognition of technology licensing fees. R&D expenses increased by 12.3% to RMB984.7 million or $137 million, compared with RMB876.6 million in FY 2023, mainly attributable to higher mold costs and impairment of a discontinued R&D project. Yuchai had continued with its initiatives to enhance the engine efficiency and performance of its National VI and Tier-4 emission standard compliant engines, marine power generation applications, while advancing new energy solutions. Total R&D expenditures, including capitalized costs, were RMB1.2 billion or $165.4 million, representing 6.2% of revenue for financial year 2024, compared with RMB1.1 billion, representing 5.9% of revenue for financial year 2023. SG&A expenses were RMB1.8 billion or $252.1 million, representing 9.5% of revenue in FY 2024, compared with RMB1.5 billion, representing 8.3% of revenue in financial year 2023. This increase was mainly due to higher trade receivables provision, and higher travelling, personnel and selling expenses compared with financial year 2023. Operating profit was RMB597 million or $83 million, compared with RMB609.4 million in financial year 2023. The operating margin was 3.1% compared with 3.4% in financial year 2023. Finance costs decreased by 22.2% to RMB78 million or $10.8 million from RMB100.2 million in financial year 2023, primarily due to lower bills discounting. The share of financial results of the associates and joint ventures increased by 63.6% to income of RMB101.5 million $14.1 million or compared with income of RMB62.1 million in financial year 2023. The improvement was mainly driven by higher profits at MTU Yuchai. Additionally, Y&C Engine and Purem Yuchai achieved profitability in financial year 2024 compared to a loss last year. Income tax expense declined by 13.3% to RMB128.8 million or $17.9 million as compared with RMB148.5 million in financial year 2023. Net profit attributable to China Yuchai's shareholders was RMB323.1 million or $44.9 million compared with RMB285.5 million in financial year 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per share were RMB8.21 or $1.14 compared with RMB6.99 in financial year 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per share for FY 2024 and FY 2023 were based on a weighted average of 39,325,763 shares and 40,858,290 shares, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, the Company's outstanding shares were, following a share buyback plan, reduced to 37,518,322 from 40,858,290 shares as of December 31, 2023. Now we will go through our balance sheet highlights as of December 31, 2024. Cash and bank balances were RMB6.4 billion or $895 million compared with RMB6.0 billion at the end of financial year 2023. Trade and bills receivables were RMB8.8 billion or $1.2 billion, compared with RMB7.8 billion at the end of financial year 2023. Inventories were RMB4.7 billion or $647.5 million compared with RMB4.6 billion at the end of financial year 2023. Trade and bills payables were RMB8.5 billion or $1.2 billion compared with RMB7.6 billion at the end of FY 2023. Short-term and long-term loans and borrowings were RMB2.5 billion or $349.1 million compared with RMB2.5 billion at the end of financial year 2023. I will now turn the call over to Kevin for a comment for Q&A section.