| Valuation method | Value, $ | Upside, % |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence (AI) | 24.67 | 68 |
| Intrinsic value (DCF) | 3.07 | -79 |
| Graham-Dodd Method | 1.19 | -92 |
| Graham Formula | 0.87 | -94 |
Delong Composite Energy Group Co., Ltd. is a diversified energy and services company headquartered in Chengdu, China, operating primarily in the regulated natural gas utilities sector. The company's core business involves the supply and distribution of natural gas through pipelines, serving both residential households and industrial users across its operational regions in China. This utility operation provides a stable revenue base through long-term infrastructure investments and regulated tariffs. Beyond its energy distribution activities, Delong has diversified into complementary businesses including hotel operations, property investment and development, and interior decoration services. The company, which changed its name from Sichuan Datong Gas Development Co., Ltd. in February 2022, operates in China's rapidly growing natural gas market, which is benefiting from the country's energy transition policies aimed at reducing coal dependency. As a utilities provider, Delong plays a critical role in regional energy infrastructure while maintaining strategic diversification to mitigate sector-specific risks and capitalize on China's urban development trends.
Delong Composite Energy presents a mixed investment profile with both defensive characteristics and significant challenges. The company's regulated gas utility business provides stable, predictable cash flows with a beta of 0.617, indicating lower volatility than the broader market. However, concerning financial metrics include minimal profitability with net income of just 19 million CNY on 1.74 billion CNY revenue, representing razor-thin margins. The company maintains moderate leverage with total debt of 308 million CNY against cash of 142 million CNY, while generating positive operating cash flow of 135 million CNY. The absence of dividends and modest market capitalization of 2.36 billion CNY suggest this is a speculative micro-cap investment. The primary investment thesis hinges on China's natural gas adoption growth, but execution risks in the company's diversified non-core businesses and weak profitability metrics present significant headwinds.
Delong Composite Energy operates in a highly fragmented Chinese natural gas distribution market characterized by regional monopolies and significant government regulation. The company's competitive positioning is primarily regional, focusing on specific service areas where it holds pipeline infrastructure advantages. Unlike national players, Delong lacks scale benefits, which limits its bargaining power with suppliers and ability to invest in extensive infrastructure expansion. The regulated nature of gas distribution provides some protection from pure price competition but also caps profitability through government-controlled tariffs. Delong's diversification into hotels, property development, and interior decoration represents both a strategic hedge and a competitive distraction—these businesses lack synergy with the core utility operations and may dilute management focus. The company's small market capitalization and limited financial resources constrain its ability to compete with larger, better-capitalized peers in bidding for new concession areas or technological upgrades. While regional presence provides some defensive moat, Delong faces intensifying competition from both state-owned enterprises expanding their networks and private players consolidating regional markets. The company's competitive advantage appears limited to its existing infrastructure in served territories rather than distinctive operational capabilities or technological innovation.