Core Viewpoint - SF Express has voluntarily abandoned its participation in the Douyin e-commerce return service for 2026, indicating a strategic shift in its business operations [1] Group 1: Business Strategy - SF Express is withdrawing from the return logistics market, which will now be handled by other logistics providers such as JD, Zhongtong, and YTO [1] - The decision is attributed to internal business and strategic adjustments within SF Express, reflecting ongoing pressures for business growth [1] Group 2: Industry Impact - The shift in return service responsibilities signifies a potential change in the competitive landscape of e-commerce logistics in China [1] - Other logistics companies may benefit from the opportunity to fill the gap left by SF Express in the return service market [1]

Core Insights - ZTO Express Cayman (ZTO) is experiencing strong operational efficiency and liquidity, leading to impressive share performance, suggesting it is a good time for investment [1] Factors Favoring ZTO Stock - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share (EPS) has been revised upward by 6.5% for the current year and by 6.6% for 2026, indicating broker confidence in the stock [2] - ZTO shares have surged 12.1% over the past 90 days, outperforming the Zacks Transportation - Services industry's growth of 2.9% [3][8] - ZTO currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting strong market sentiment [5] Growth Factors - Parcel volume growth is a significant tailwind for ZTO, with a 9.8% year-over-year increase in Q3 2024 and express delivery revenues rising 11.6% year-over-year, contributing to overall growth [6][8] - The company projects its 2025 parcel volume to be between 38.2 billion and 38.7 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 12.3-13.8% [6] Financial Health - ZTO's current ratio improved from 0.96 in Q3 2024 to 1.38 in Q3 2025, indicating sufficient funds to meet short-term obligations [7]

Core Insights - Douyin has switched its return logistics to multiple courier companies, including JD Logistics, Zhongtong, YTO, and others, starting from December 16, indicating a significant shift in its return business strategy [1] - The average daily return volume for Douyin e-commerce reaches millions of orders, presenting a lucrative market opportunity for courier companies [1][4] - The competition among courier companies for return services is intensifying, as they recognize the higher profitability of return shipments compared to regular deliveries [2] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The average daily return business volume in China exceeds 20 million packages, highlighting the potential for courier companies to expand their market share amid slowing growth in traditional e-commerce channels [4] - Courier companies are increasingly focusing on return services due to their higher profit margins, with return shipments generating around 4 to 5 yuan per package, compared to minimal profits or losses on regular e-commerce deliveries [2] Group 2: Operational Challenges - Douyin e-commerce is tightening its assessment of collection rates, meaning courier companies that fail to meet standards risk losing their contracts or being switched out [5] - Courier companies are hiring dedicated personnel to improve collection rates and meet the high frequency of pickup demands, indicating a significant operational shift [5] - The complexity of return logistics, including quality checks, packaging, and scheduling, poses challenges for courier companies, particularly in maintaining efficiency and managing high complaint rates [6][8] Group 3: Financial Incentives - Courier companies are offering incentives to their networks, with a reported profit share of 2.72 yuan per package, which includes a base profit and a timely pickup bonus [6] - However, achieving these financial incentives is challenging due to strict performance assessments and the need for efficient operations [6] Group 4: Industry Sentiment - There is a growing sentiment among couriers that the return process is less attractive due to low pay and high complaint rates, leading to concerns about profitability and job satisfaction [8] - The current e-commerce environment, characterized by price wars and refund policies, is causing stress across the supply chain, affecting courier companies significantly [8]

Economic News - The Federal Reserve announced a 25 basis point reduction in the federal funds rate target range to 3.5%-3.75%, marking the third rate cut since 2025 [1] - Vietnam's National Assembly amended the mineral law to prohibit the export of rare earth ores starting January 1, 2026, emphasizing strict control over exploration and processing [1] - The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security held a seminar in collaboration with the International Labour Organization [1] - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology emphasized the importance of pilot innovation in manufacturing as a key link connecting innovation, technology, and industry [1] - The Ministry of Commerce plans to enhance policy support for the retail industry's innovation and transformation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period [1] - The Ministry of Commerce will work with local governments to implement policies to stabilize foreign trade and promote market diversification [1] - The China Textile Import and Export Chamber reported that yarn and fabric exports reached $69.18 billion from January to October 2025, a 2.1% year-on-year increase [1] - The Ministry of Finance plans to issue special government bonds due in 2025, with a total face value of CNY 400 billion for the first phase and CNY 350 billion for the second phase [1] - The National Internet Information Office is conducting a special campaign to rectify online chaos in the automotive industry [1] - The Ministry of Education reported an increase in the number of students returning from studying abroad, with 495,000 expected to return in 2024, a 19.1% increase from 2023 [1] Company News - Pop Mart announced changes in its board of directors, with new appointments effective December 10, 2025 [4] - Kweichow Moutai announced a cash dividend of CNY 23.957 per share, totaling CNY 30 billion, with the ex-dividend date on December 19 [4] - Nanjing Highway plans to invest up to CNY 9.033 billion in the construction of the Nanyang Yangtze River Bridge southern connection project [4] - ZTE Corporation is in communication with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding compliance investigations related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act [4] - Oracle reported Q2 FY2026 revenue of $16.1 billion, a 14% year-on-year increase, with cloud revenue of $8 billion, a 34% increase, but below market expectations [4] Transportation Industry - The transportation sector has shown signs of recovery, with the strong cycle sectors benefiting from anti-involution policies [5] - The focus for 2026 will remain on sectors benefiting from anti-involution and high certainty stocks, with a long-term impact expected from these policies [6] - The express delivery industry has seen a recovery in profitability, with rising prices and a reduction in low-price competition [7] - The airline sector has improved performance due to lower oil prices and better management of ticket pricing, with a cautious approach to aircraft procurement expected to continue [8] - The highway sector has experienced significant stock price adjustments, with a focus on high dividend yield and low debt ratio companies expected to gain more attention [9]

Core Insights - The report emphasizes that domestic demand is recovering ahead of external demand, with a focus on low base effects in 2026, making bottomed-out sectors worth attention [3] - It highlights that upstream sectors are recovering before downstream sectors, with significant demand elasticity expected in early 2026, particularly in bulk supply chains and dry bulk shipping [3] - The report notes that price increases are anticipated before volume growth, with a focus on dry bulk shipping, e-commerce logistics, and airlines benefiting from supply constraints and favorable oil exchange rates [3] Industry Overview - The transportation sector ranked 29th in the market as of December 10, 2025, reflecting significant pressure on fundamentals, with a -1% performance in the Shenwan primary transportation index [18][19] - The report identifies structural opportunities in logistics and shipping, despite the overall economic cycle affecting the sector [20] - It indicates that the transportation sector's performance is closely tied to economic fundamentals, with a notable correlation between ROE and economic cycles [23] Sub-industry Analysis - In logistics, domestic demand is stabilizing while external trade remains robust, with expectations of price increases due to anti-involution policies [11][20] - The airline sector is experiencing improvements in supply and demand, with a focus on capturing opportunities in private airlines and airport duty-free consumption recovery [11][20] - The shipping sector, particularly dry bulk shipping, is highlighted as a cost-effective opportunity for 2026, driven by supply and demand dynamics [11][20] Investment Strategy - The report suggests a strategy of seeking alpha within beta, focusing on sectors with low beta characteristics that are expected to turn around in 2026 [11][20] - It emphasizes the importance of identifying individual stocks within the transportation sector that can outperform the broader market, given the anticipated recovery in demand [11][20] - The report outlines a cautious but optimistic outlook for 2026, with a focus on sectors that have shown resilience and potential for recovery [11][20]

Core Viewpoint - ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. is currently viewed as a more attractive investment option compared to TFI International Inc. based on valuation metrics and earnings outlook [3][7]. Valuation Metrics - ZTO has a forward P/E ratio of 12.82, significantly lower than TFI's forward P/E of 23.63, indicating ZTO may be undervalued [5]. - The PEG ratio for ZTO is 4.13, while TFI's PEG ratio is 5.67, suggesting ZTO has a more favorable growth outlook relative to its valuation [5]. - ZTO's P/B ratio stands at 1.36, compared to TFI's P/B of 3.08, further supporting the notion that ZTO is undervalued [6]. Earnings Outlook - ZTO holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting a positive revision trend in earnings estimates, while TFI has a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), indicating a negative outlook [3][7]. - The improving earnings outlook for ZTO positions it as a superior value option in the current market [7].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the perplexing logistics routes taken by express deliveries in China, highlighting a case where a package of lamb from Gansu to Chengdu took an indirect route via Nanjing, raising questions about efficiency and resource allocation in modern logistics [1][2][3]. Group 1: Logistics Operations - The delivery route for the lamb involved a journey of over 2900 kilometers instead of the direct 600 kilometers, illustrating a complex logistics operation that seems counterintuitive to consumers [1][2]. - The logistics process involves packages being routed through major hubs, such as Nanjing, which serves as a central distribution point for express deliveries in China [5][6]. - The "Y" shaped route taken by the package symbolizes the modern logistics challenges where consumers question the efficiency of such operations despite technological advancements [2][3]. Group 2: Economic Considerations - The logistics companies utilize an "axle-radial distribution model" to consolidate packages at central hubs, which helps in achieving economies of scale and reducing costs [6][7]. - The cost of shipping a single package is significantly higher when not consolidated, emphasizing the need for logistics companies to optimize routes for cost efficiency [8][9]. - The logistics industry's approach to routing is a calculated decision balancing cost, efficiency, and network stability, which may appear irrational to consumers but is strategically sound [7][8]. Group 3: Hub Selection and Strategy - Major logistics companies, including China Post and SF Express, have strategically chosen hub locations based on factors like traffic infrastructure, regional economic potential, and government planning [9][10]. - The establishment of logistics hubs in cities like Nanjing and Hubei is part of a broader national strategy to enhance logistics efficiency across the country [11][12]. - The future of logistics in China aims to create a more interconnected and efficient network that minimizes unnecessary detours while maximizing operational efficiency [12][13].

Core Viewpoint - ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. is identified as a strong momentum stock with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating potential for significant near-term gains [3][11]. Momentum Characteristics - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, with the strategy of buying high and selling higher [1]. - ZTO's shares have increased by 7.44% over the past week, outperforming the Zacks Transportation - Services industry, which rose by 2.95% during the same period [5]. - Over the last month, ZTO's price change is 15.07%, compared to the industry's 4.99% [5]. Long-Term Performance - ZTO's shares have gained 13.75% over the past quarter and 17.25% over the last year, while the S&P 500 has only increased by 6.25% and 14.29%, respectively [6]. - The average 20-day trading volume for ZTO is 1,514,990 shares, indicating a bullish trend when combined with rising stock prices [7]. Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, three earnings estimates for ZTO have been revised upwards, increasing the consensus estimate from $1.52 to $1.63 [9]. - For the next fiscal year, three estimates have also moved higher, with no downward revisions noted [9].

Investment Rating - The report rates the transportation industry as "Outperform" [2] Core Views - Crude oil freight rates have declined from high levels, with mixed changes in ocean freight rates. The China Import Crude Oil Composite Index (CTFI) was reported at 2321.90 points on December 4, down 7.9% from November 27. The VLCC market has seen transactions at major loading ports, with shipowners trying to maintain price levels despite a cooling market [3][14] - China Eastern Airlines has launched the world's longest one-way flight route from Shanghai to Buenos Aires, reducing travel time by over 4 hours. Additionally, a ton-class eVTOL was included in urban firefighting drills for the first time [3][16] - In November, China's express delivery volume exceeded 180 billion items for the first time, marking a new record. The first full schedule China-Europe freight train departed from Shijiazhuang [3][24] Summary by Sections Industry Hot Events - Crude oil freight rates have decreased, with the Middle East route showing a 9.76% drop. The Shanghai port's export rates to Europe and the US have also seen declines of 0.3%, 5.0%, and 4.7% respectively [14][15] - The launch of the longest flight route by China Eastern Airlines connects Shanghai to Buenos Aires, significantly shortening travel time [16][17] - The express delivery volume in China reached a record high of 180 billion items in November, reflecting strong economic vitality [24][26] High-Frequency Data Tracking - The Baltic Air Freight Price Index has increased month-on-month but decreased year-on-year. The Shanghai outbound air freight price index was reported at 5721.00 points, up 2.4% year-on-year [28] - Domestic freight flight numbers decreased by 2.03% year-on-year in November, while international flights increased by 14.88% [30] - The SCFI index for container shipping was reported at 1397.63 points, down 0.39% week-on-week and down 38.06% year-on-year [37] Investment Recommendations - Focus on the equipment and manufacturing export chain, recommending companies like COSCO Shipping, China Merchants Energy Shipping, and Huamao Logistics [5] - Attention to the transportation demand increase driven by hydropower station construction in the Yarlung Tsangpo River downstream [5] - Investment opportunities in low-altitude economy trends, recommending CITIC Offshore Helicopter [5] - Opportunities in the highway and railway sectors, recommending Gansu Expressway, Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, and others [5] - Investment opportunities in the cruise and ferry sectors, recommending Bohai Ferry and Haixia Shares [5] - E-commerce and express delivery investment opportunities, recommending SF Express, Jitu Express, and Yunda [5] - Opportunities in the aviation sector, recommending Air China, China Southern Airlines, and others [5]

Summary of Zhongtong Express Conference Call Company Overview - Zhongtong Express is a leading player in the express delivery industry, holding a significant market share of 22.9% as of 2023, which places it in the first tier of the market, ahead of competitors like YTO Express by 4% [2][3]. Key Points and Arguments Market Position - Zhongtong maintains a strong market leadership position, significantly outperforming other competitors in the express delivery sector [2]. - The company has a notable single-package profitability, with 2023 figures showing its profitability per package is nearly double that of YTO Express, indicating superior net profit margins [2][3]. Customer Satisfaction and Pricing Power - Customers are willing to pay a premium for Zhongtong's services, reflecting high service quality and customer satisfaction. This positions Zhongtong as a leader in service rankings among franchise-based express companies [2][3]. Cost Control and Operational Efficiency - In terms of core cost control, Zhongtong reported a total cost per package of 0.7 yuan in 2023, lower than YTO Express (0.75 yuan) and Yunda (over 0.8 yuan). This efficiency is attributed to refined management practices and economies of scale [2][3]. Industry Dynamics and Policy Impact - The express delivery industry has entered a new phase of intense price competition since April 2023, particularly affecting low-end services. Despite this, Zhongtong's market share and business growth have not met investor expectations, as competitors like Shentong and Jitu have gained market share more rapidly [5]. - A new anti-involution policy will be implemented starting August 2025, aimed at curbing low-end price competition. This is expected to allow leading companies like Zhongtong and YTO to regain market share, with projections indicating they will be among the fastest-growing companies in the fourth quarter [6][7]. E-commerce Returns and Reverse Logistics - Zhongtong has shown rapid growth in the e-commerce returns segment, projected to become the second-largest player in this field by 2025, with profitability levels returning to industry-leading status, closely trailing SF Express [8]. Social Security Policy Impact - The implementation of the social security payment policy will have significant implications for the express delivery industry. Zhongtong, benefiting from economies of scale, will have the lowest social security cost per package, enhancing its competitive position and potentially increasing pricing power [9]. Long-term Opportunities - In the long term, Zhongtong's capital expenditures are expected to decrease by over one-third in the next three years, providing opportunities for increased dividends or share buybacks. The company is also well-positioned in the heavy cargo segment, which is crucial given the labor shortages during peak seasons [10]. Additional Important Insights - Zhongtong's extensive network coverage and infrastructure, including a large fleet of transport vehicles and automated sorting centers, further bolster its cost control and operational efficiency [6]. - The company's sustained growth over the past five years is evidenced by strong financial metrics, market share, and customer satisfaction, solidifying its competitive advantage in the industry [6][10].