| Valuation method | Value, $ | Upside, % |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence (AI) | 23.19 | 275 |
| Intrinsic value (DCF) | 2.97 | -52 |
| Graham-Dodd Method | 2.32 | -63 |
| Graham Formula | n/a |
Snowsky Salt Industry Group Co., Ltd. is a leading Chinese salt producer and distributor operating in the basic materials sector. Formerly known as Hunan Salt Industry Co., Ltd., the company specializes in producing and selling various salt products including daily-use salt, alkali salt, industrial salt, cooking salt, and thenardite. Headquartered in Changsha, China, and founded in 2011, Snowsky Salt operates as a subsidiary of Hunan Province Light Industry & Salt Industry Group Co. Ltd. The company boasts an extensive portfolio of 98 registered trademarks, positioning it as a significant player in China's essential chemicals market. As a state-influenced enterprise, Snowsky Salt benefits from stable demand patterns given salt's essential nature in food, industrial processes, and chemical manufacturing. The company's vertical integration and regional dominance in Hunan province provide a solid foundation for its operations in China's highly regulated salt industry, which continues to see consolidation and modernization under government supervision.
Snowsky Salt presents a defensive investment profile with moderate growth prospects. The company's low beta of 0.476 indicates relative stability compared to the broader market, appealing to risk-averse investors. With a market capitalization of approximately CNY 9.48 billion and revenue of CNY 5.39 billion, the company maintains reasonable scale in its niche market. The net income of CNY 303.8 million and diluted EPS of 0.18 reflect modest profitability, while the dividend per share of 0.087 suggests income generation potential. However, significant capital expenditures of CNY -773.8 million indicate substantial ongoing investments, potentially pressuring short-term cash flows despite healthy operating cash flow of CNY 477.3 million. The company's strong cash position (CNY 1.9 billion) and manageable debt (CNY 356.3 million) provide financial flexibility. Key risks include regulatory changes in China's salt industry, pricing controls, and potential oversupply in regional markets.
Snowsky Salt Industry Group operates in a highly regulated and fragmented market with distinct competitive dynamics. As a subsidiary of a provincial government-owned group, the company benefits from regional protectionism and established distribution networks within Hunan province. This government affiliation provides advantages in regulatory compliance, licensing, and access to key industrial customers. The company's portfolio of 98 registered trademarks indicates strong brand recognition in its operating region, though this advantage is geographically constrained. Snowsky's vertical integration in salt production and distribution creates cost efficiencies, but the commodity nature of salt products limits pricing power and differentiation opportunities. The company faces competition from both large state-owned enterprises and smaller regional producers, with market share often determined by provincial boundaries and government allocations rather than pure competitive advantages. While the essential nature of salt provides stable demand, the industry faces long-term challenges from health concerns reducing table salt consumption and potential industrial demand fluctuations. Snowsky's competitive positioning is primarily defensive, relying on regional dominance rather than innovative differentiation, which may limit growth prospects beyond its core geographic market.