JPMorgan cuts Huaneng Hydropower rating on tariff concerns

Published 14/05/2025, 06:56
JPMorgan cuts Huaneng Hydropower rating on tariff concerns

On Wednesday, JPMorgan analysts adjusted their stance on Huaneng Hydropower (600025:CH), downgrading the stock from ’Overweight’ to ’Neutral’. Accompanying the rating change, the price target was also reduced to RMB10.00 from the previous RMB12.60. The revision reflects concerns over the company’s future financial performance in light of the current economic landscape and its valuation compared to peers.

The analysts at JPMorgan highlighted that despite the expectation for a long-term increase in power prices in Yunnan, the absence of a tariff hike in the years 2025 and 2026, under weaker macroeconomic conditions, could diminish investor appetite for the stock. They noted that Huaneng Hydropower’s lower dividend yield and higher price-to-book value ratio, relative to its peers, make its valuation appear richer, which could lead to a reduced willingness among equity markets to factor in the positive long-term trend.

The downgrade is also based on revised earnings estimates for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, with projections decreasing by 12% to 15%. This adjustment takes into account an anticipated lower power tariff in the Yunnan region and the average price of power dispatched to Guangdong. The analysts have factored these elements into their financial models, signaling a more conservative outlook for Huaneng Hydropower’s earnings potential in the near term.

JPMorgan’s analysis suggests that the expected long-term uptrend in Yunnan’s power prices will persist, but the firm’s current financial metrics and the broader economic context have led to a reassessment of the stock’s near-term investment attractiveness. The revision of the price target to RMB10.00 aligns with this new perspective.

Investors are advised to monitor Huaneng Hydropower’s stock performance as the market digests the implications of JPMorgan’s updated rating and price target. The downgraded rating to ’Neutral’ reflects a more balanced view of the stock’s potential risks and rewards in the context of the current economic environment and industry valuation standards.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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