Chinese Utilities: Lackluster Sector Performance as Subsidy Settlement Remains Slow

Year-to-date share price performance of China utilities under our coverage was generally lackluster, and we believe the market remains concerned about slow subsidy settlements and falling tariffs. We maintained our fair value estimates per share for CGN Power (HKD 2.24); China Longyuan (HKD 12.00); China Resources Power, or CR Power (HKD 25.00); China Suntien Green Energy (HKD 3.66); China Three Gorges Renewables, or CTGR (CNY 4.68); and Datang Renewable, or DR (HKD 2.94). Our preference among the renewable players is China Longyuan given its strong capacity growth and leadership position in the sector. Meanwhile, CR Power is our pick for investors who like exposure to coal-fired power, as the recovery in profitability for the thermal power segment should continue in 2024.