Guidance raised after exceptional 2Q26 earnings

药明康德(603259)
    WuXi AppTec delivered exceptionally strong results in 1H26, with growthaccelerating through the year despite meaningful FX headwinds. In 1H26, totalrevenue rose 38.9% YoY to RMB28.9bn (2Q: +47.7% YoY), while revenue fromcontinuing operations grew 48.0% YoY (2Q: +55.2% YoY). Adj. net profit surged83.2% YoY to RMB11.6bn (2Q: +91.7% YoY), driving the adj. net margin to arecord 40.0%. Demand visibility continued to improve, with backlog for continuingoperations reaching RMB66.4bn as of 30 June. Mgmt. noted backlog/newbookings grew ~30%/ >40% YoY on a constant exchange basis. Mgmt.substantially raised full-year guidance by projecting 2026 revenue to reachRMB58.5-60.5bn (previously RMB51.3-53.0bn), with revenue from continuingoperations to grow by 35-39% YoY (previously 18-22% YoY). Adj. net profitmargin is expected to remain stable.
    Broad-based growth led by Chemistry on capacity efficiency gains fromlate-stage and commercial projects. Mgmt. expected for greater successfrom several customers’ products, which we believe will be the main growthdriver of the Chemistry segment in 1H26. Mgmt. emphasized that over 80%of commercial projects were converted internally from its own pipeline, andlate-stage plus commercial projects now contribute more than 50% ofrevenue, a structural mix shift that underpins both growth durability andmargin resilience. Specifically, small molecule D&M revenue jumped 72.7%YoY (2Q26: +66.9%), while TIDES revenue grew 44.3% YoY in 1H26 with74.9% YoY growth in 2Q26, lifting full-year TIDES growth guidance to ~45%(from ~40%). Mgmt. attributed quarterly TIDES volatility to deliveryscheduling and complex supply-chain planning, not underlying demand.Testing revenue rose 31.5% YoY (2Q: +35.1%), with safety assessmentservices up 42.8% YoY. Biology revenue steadily grew 11.2% YoY in 1H26(2Q26: +12.3%). Mgmt. highlighted a recovery in global early-stage R&Ddemand over recent quarters, particularly in new modalities, and viewed AIdriven drug discovery as a positive factor for its early-stage business.
    Capacity effectively running at full utilization. TIDES capacity is plannedto reach 130k L by end-2026, with three new workshops under construction -two in Taixing (online in 2027) and one in Singapore (online in 2028). Smallmolecule capacity is targeted at 5mn L by end-2026. The construction of newChangzhou site was initiated ahead of schedule to accommodate demand.The increase of capex to RMB7.5–8.5bn reflects accelerated overseasconstruction and the early Changzhou start, with further potential rise overcoming years. With accelerating backlog, richer late-stage mix and proactivecapacity additions, growth visibility remains well supported through 2H26 andbeyond.
    Maintain BUY. To factor in the strong momentum of small molecule D&M andTIDES business as well as continuous recovery of early-stage business, weraise our earnings forecasts, expecting revenue to grow by 31.4%/ 18.3%/15.1% YoY (for continuing operations: 37.5%/ 18.3%/ 15.1% YoY) and adj.net profit to grow by 59.1%/ 14.9%/ 13.6% YoY in 2026E/ 27E/ 28E,respectively. Hence, we raise our DCF-based TP from RMB143.00 toRMB170.00 (WACC: 9.39%, terminal growth: 2.00%; both unchanged).

2Q26 preview: Revenue on track but profit hurt by FX; No impact from US foreign robots ban

恒立液压(601100)
    We forecast Hengli to deliver 30% YoY revenue growth in 2Q26, driven bystrong hydraulic parts for excavators, as well as fast-growing precision revenue.On the profit side, we expect net profit to largely stay flat YoY at ~RMB800mnin 2Q26, due to (1) high base arising from high gross margin (44%) in 2Q25, (2)FX loss of ~RMB200mn, based on our estimates, as a result of the appreciationof RMB in 2Q26. On the other hand, we believe the latest ban on foreignhumanoid robots (source) sales in the US will have no impact on Hengli, giventhat the majority of Hengli’s capacity of robotic ball screws is allocated to a majorUS robot manufacturer. Our TP is unchanged at RMB125 (based on 48x 2026EP/E, 1.5SD above the historical average to reflect both the upcycle of hydraulicbusiness and the huge growth potential of precision business). Hengli remainsa key pick in our universe. Reiterate BUY.
    New ban on foreign robotic devices in the US. The US FederalCommunications Commission (FCC) released on 28 Jul that non-US madeadvanced mobile robots (including humanoids and quadrupeds) and powerinverters will be banned from selling in the US (unless exemptions aregranted), due to national security concerns. We believe Hengli, acomponent supplier tied mainly to the US humanoid robot supply chain, willsee insignificant impact from such ban.
    Risk factors: (1) Slowdown of demand for hydraulic components; (2)slower-than-expected new business development.

1H26 preview: 2Q OPAT strength persists while NBV takes a breather

中国平安(601318)
    Ping An is set to release its 1H26 results on Aug 20 (Thu) post-market. We estimateGroup OPAT at RMB83.3bn (+7.2% YoY), implying a robust 2Q26 increase of 6.8%,(vs. +7.6% in 1Q26). We expect Group NPAT to reach RMB83.8bn (+23% YoY),slightly above OPAT, reflecting positive short-term investment variances from the 2Qequity market rally (i.e. CSI300: +12% in 2Q26 vs. -4% in 1Q26/+1% in 2Q25) andrevaluation gains on the conversion value of the outstanding convertible bonds.
    Key drivers for this solid 1H26 performance include 1) L&H OPAT expected togrow ~3% YoY (CMBI est) benefiting from a more stable interest rate environmentin 2Q26 (i.e. 10YR government bond yield down 5.7bps, vs. -17bps in 2Q25), whichshould aid new business contractual service margin (NB CSM) growth. This ispartially offset by a near-term deceleration in CSM release, as in-force book mixshifts toward savings products; 2) P&C underwriting to improve on disciplinedexpense controls, and we project 1H26 COR to edge down to 95.1% (vs. 95.2% in1H25); 3) PAB to deliver quality growth in line with its year-start guidance; 4) Assetmanagement profit momentum likely sustained thanks to improving sentiment andtrading activities. We remain positive on the Group’s core earnings trajectory,and reiterate our view on L&H CSM growth inflection by FY26E. Maintain BUY,with TP at HK$86/RMB75 (unchanged) based on SOTP implying 0.83x FY26E P/EV.
    L&H core metrics back on track. We estimate 2Q26 Group OPAT atRMB42.5bn (+6.8% YoY) driven by cross-segment growth. L&H OPAT is likelyto sustain its uptrend as CSM release gradually returns to a growth trajectory.We estimate the Group’s NB CSM to rise by mid-teens YoY in 1H26 against amore stabilized interest rate backdrop, though partially offset by a lower CSMrelease rate due to in-force product mix shift toward savings-type policies. Wemaintain our view that L&H CSM growth inflection will reach by FY26E..
    2Q NBV may moderate on stringent regulations and margin recalibration.We forecast 1H26 NBV at RMB25bn (+12% YoY), implying a flattish 2Q26. Thismoderation reflects 1) stringent regulatory oversight on bancassurance expensesextending from commissions to the full fee structure (i.e. Circular 65 in Mar 2026);2) a high base effect following the actuarial assumption changes as of end-FY25,which left NBV margin in 1H25 unadjusted. Looking into 2H26E, we think the highbase impact on new policy sales could be more evident in 3Q26, while the NBVmargin drag should gradually normalize toward year-end.
    Higher OCI allocation lowers bottom-line upside from equity rally. Unlikemajor peers, Ping An captured less NPAT upside from the 2Q equity market rally(i.e. CSI 300 +12%) largely due to its higher allocation of stocks and equity fundsto FVOCI relative to FVTPL. As of FY25, Ping An’s FVOCI stock exposure wasat 43.6% (vs. listed peers at 10%-31%). We forecast net asset value atRMB1.12tn by 1H26, supported by 1) robust retained profit growth from netearnings, and 2) a modest positive impact from higher FVOCI reserves (lowerspot yields) partially offset by an increase in insurance finance reserves amid thedownward trending 20-day avg. bond yield.
    Valuation: Ping An-H is trading at 0.52x FY26E P/EV and 0.75x FY26E P/B, witha yield of 6% and an average three-year forward operating ROE >13%. We areconstructive on the prospect of Ping An’s core business improvements, including1) accelerating Life OPAT growth in FY26E driven by CSM release and balanceapproaching to inflection; 2) PAB profit enhancement; and 3) ongoing de-riskingof the AM segment. Maintain BUY, with our TP at HK$86/RMB75 (unchanged)for H/A share, which implies 0.83x FY26E P/EV and 1.2x FY26E P/B.

Takeaways from plant visit: More positive than we thought

恒立液压(601100)
    We arranged a site visit tour for investors to Hengli’s production base inChangzhou on 3 Jun. Key takeaways include: (1) Strong demand for linearguideways driven by machine tools and semiconductor segments; (2) Hugepotential for ball screws for humanoid robots due to strong commitment from themajor customer; (3) Capacity for cylinders, pumps and valves are running at fullutilisation driven by a wide range of downstream demand such as miningequipment and agricultural machinery. We revise up our 2027E/28E earningsforecasts by 4%/7%, due to higher volume assumptions. We now forecastPrecision Industry revenue (linear guideways & ball screws) to increase fromRMB80mn in 2025 to RMB0.4bn/1bn in 2027E/28E. We revise up our TP toRMB125 (from RMB109), based on 48x 2026E P/E, 1.5SD above the historicalaverage (previously 1SD). Our expanded premium is to reflect both the upcycleof hydraulic business and the huge growth potential of precision business.Reiterate BUY.
    Key takeaways:
    Linear guideways: At present, 90% of the linear actuator products arelinear guideways which are produced in Changzhou factory. The productsare applied in machine tools and semiconductor sectors which saw verystrong demand. High precision is required in these applications.
    Ball screws for humanoid robots: A typical humanoid robot needs a totalof 14 ball screws (4 for each leg; 3 for each arm excluding fingers). Henglibelieves the keys to success in ball screw business include (1) productdesign; (2) production yield rate (for cost reduction); and (3) inspection (forproduct quality). Hengli has strong bonding with the major overseascustomer and can participate in certain product design. Hengli’s productscurrently account for <10% of the total value of a humanoid robot but willpotentially increase to 10-20% in the future. According to Hengli, ball screwshipment volume is insignificant at the moment but is expected to see strongvolume growth in 2H26E, and it will likely allocate the production of ballscrews to Mexico plant. We expect Hengli will further expand its capacityover the coming years.
    Strong growth across hydraulic business lines: Demand for excavatorcylinders, pumps & valves is robust, and capacity is running at full utilisation.For instance, strong mining activities in Africa have boosted highreplacement demand for mining equipment. For pumps & valves, Hengli isconfident of increasing their penetration in the major US machinerymanufacturer (10% at present), as the Japanese hydraulic componentsmakers have just raised ASP.