Core Insights - China Eastern Airlines announced a 6.84% year-on-year increase in passenger capacity for October 2025, measured in available seat kilometers [1] - The passenger turnover, measured in passenger kilometers, is expected to rise by 10.58% year-on-year for the same period [1] - The passenger load factor is projected to be 87.52%, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 2.97 percentage points [1] - The cargo and mail turnover, measured in cargo and mail ton kilometers, is anticipated to increase by 14.59% year-on-year for October 2025 [1]

Core Viewpoint - The aviation industry is experiencing a continuous digestion of existing supply, with aircraft utilization rates exceeding 2019 levels during peak season, indicating a potential slowdown in supply growth in the future. The significant increase in international routes and limited domestic capacity growth suggest an optimization of the domestic competitive landscape, with high passenger load factors likely to improve ticket prices. Favorable oil prices and exchange rates are expected to lead to a "not-so-slow" trend in Q4, with a significant reduction in losses anticipated for the aviation industry by Q4 2025 and a release of profit elasticity in 2026 [1]. Group 1: Flight and Passenger Volume - Flight and passenger volume growth: In Q3 2025, overall, domestic, international, and regional flight volumes increased by 3%/2%/12%/7% year-on-year, while overall, domestic, international, and regional passenger volumes grew by 3.90%/2.84%/15.31%/-2.37% year-on-year [1]. - Airlines' capacity deployment: Except for Juneyao Airlines, overall capacity investment increased, focusing on international routes. In Q3 2025, ASK (Available Seat Kilometers) for major airlines showed year-on-year growth of 1.9%/5.7%/6.0%/4.4%/14.1%/-1.4% [2]. - Passenger turnover growth outpaced available seat kilometers growth, with load factors remaining high. In Q3 2025, passenger turnover for major airlines increased by 3.6%/6.2%/8.9%/4.2%/14.0%/-0.4% year-on-year, with industry load factors for July to September averaging 84.5%/87.5%/86.3%, up 0.5/0.6/2.4 percentage points year-on-year [2]. Group 2: Revenue and Cost Analysis - Revenue growth driven by capacity increase and passenger volume: In Q3 2025, total operating revenue for major airlines grew by 0.9%/3.0%/3.1%/1.8%/6.0%/-1.9% year-on-year [3]. - Decrease in oil prices alleviated fuel costs, while capacity investment diluted fixed costs, although variable costs increased. In Q3 2025, operating costs for major airlines increased by 0.07%/1.63%/1.51%/-1.43%/8.74%/-0.46% year-on-year [3]. - Revenue per available seat kilometer decreased, but the decline in costs was generally greater than the decline in revenue. In Q3 2025, revenue per available seat kilometer for major airlines decreased by 1.03%/2.55%/2.72%/2.41%/7.09%/0.47%/5.28%, while costs decreased by 1.84%/3.86%/4.26%/5.54%/4.70%/8.21% [3]. Group 3: Profitability and Market Outlook - Favorable oil prices and exchange rates positively impacted net profits. In Q3 2025, the average price of aviation kerosene was 5593 RMB/ton, down 11.05% year-on-year, and the USD/CNY exchange rate decreased by 0.74%, affecting net profits of major airlines [4]. - Slightly better-than-expected net profits for China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines. In Q3 2025, net profits for major airlines were 36.76/38.40/35.34/27.88/11.67/5.84/3.69 billion RMB, with year-on-year growth rates of -11.31%/+20.26%/34.37%/-0.75%/-6.17%/-25.29%/+31.60% [4]. Group 4: Investment Recommendations - Investment themes include performance elasticity from ticket price increases, recommending major airlines with larger fleets and strong cyclical attributes, as well as Hainan Airlines benefiting from policy advantages and Juneyao Airlines with optimal route networks among private carriers [5]. - Emphasis on the certainty of operational performance, recommending airlines with stable subsidies like China Express Airlines and those with clear cost advantages and neutral exchange rate exposure like Spring Airlines [5].

Group 1 - The core stock price of China Eastern Airlines increased by 2.10% to 5.35 CNY per share, with a trading volume of 738 million CNY and a market capitalization of 118.17 billion CNY as of November 17 [1] - Year-to-date, the stock price has risen by 33.75%, with a 1.71% increase over the last five trading days, an 11.92% increase over the last 20 days, and a 33.42% increase over the last 60 days [2] - The company reported a total revenue of 106.41 billion CNY for the first nine months of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 3.73%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 2.10 billion CNY, which is a significant increase of 1623.91% year-on-year [2] Group 2 - The main business revenue composition includes passenger service revenue at 92.50%, cargo service revenue at 3.86%, ticket refund fees at 1.74%, other revenues at 1.28%, and ground service revenue at 0.62% [2] - As of September 30, 2025, the number of shareholders for China Eastern Airlines was 149,900, a decrease of 3.37% from the previous period [2] - The company has distributed a total of 3.30 billion CNY in dividends since its A-share listing, with no dividends paid in the last three years [3]

Market Reaction - The Nikkei 225 index opened with a significant drop, falling over 1% and breaching the 50,000 points mark before narrowing its losses by around 9:50 AM [1] - Several consumer stocks in Japan experienced substantial declines, with FOOD&LIFE COMPANIES down over 14%, Japanese electronics down over 11%, and Shiseido down over 9% [3] Economic Data - Japan's Cabinet Office reported a 1.8% year-on-year decline in real GDP for the third quarter, marking the first negative growth in six quarters [3] - The actual GDP for the third quarter decreased by 0.4% compared to the previous quarter [3] Diplomatic Tensions - High-ranking Japanese officials made provocative statements regarding Taiwan, suggesting potential military involvement, which has drawn significant criticism from China and the international community [3] - The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued travel warnings for its citizens in Japan, citing a rise in crimes against Chinese nationals and a deteriorating security environment [5] Airline Industry Impact - Following the travel warnings, major Chinese airlines announced flexible ticket policies for flights to Japan, allowing free changes and refunds for tickets purchased before November 15 [7][8] - Chinese airlines account for approximately 80% of the flight volume on the China-Japan route, with a significant reduction in weekly flights observed [9] Tourism Statistics - In September 2025, foreign visitors to Japan reached 3.267 million, a 13.7% increase year-on-year, with Chinese tourists being the largest group [9] - In the first three quarters of this year, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan increased by 42.7%, making China the largest source of inbound tourism for Japan [9] Trade Relations - China remains Japan's largest trading partner, with a total trade volume of $308.3 billion expected in 2024, including $156.25 billion in imports from China [10] - The deterioration of Japan-China relations is anticipated to have negative repercussions for the Japanese populace, as highlighted by Japanese officials [10]

Group 1: Macroeconomic Outlook - The report anticipates a non-typical economic recovery in 2026, driven by confidence rebuilding and policy support, with a potential for profit improvement in the latter half of the year [9][10] - Key factors contributing to export resilience include fiscal expansion in developed economies, easing of US-China tariff conflicts, and improvements in China's industrial competitiveness [9] - The report emphasizes the importance of reform in driving economic benefits, suggesting that 2026 will mark a significant acceleration in reform efforts [9][10] Group 2: A-Share Market Strategy - The report outlines a two-phase bull market strategy, with 2025 characterized as "Bull Market 1.0" focused on technology, and 2026 potentially entering "Bull Market 2.0" with broader market participation [10][11] - It predicts that 2026 will see a rebound in profitability across the A-share market, with expected growth rates of 7% in 2025 and 14% in 2026 for net profits [10][11] - The transition from "Bull Market 1.0" to "Bull Market 2.0" is expected to be marked by a shift towards cyclical stocks and a resurgence in technology-driven sectors [10][11] Group 3: Bond Market Strategy - The bond market outlook for 2026 suggests a low-interest environment with ongoing asset allocation adjustments, although the attractiveness of bond assets may be limited [11][12] - The report highlights the importance of timing in duration strategies, with a focus on credit certainty as a key investment theme [12][13] - Potential risks include a shift towards a more bearish market due to inflationary pressures and fiscal policy changes [12][13] Group 4: Shipping and Shipbuilding Sector - The report indicates a positive outlook for the shipbuilding sector, driven by rising second-hand ship prices surpassing new build prices, signaling a potential supercycle [20][21] - Historical trends show that improvements in shipping market conditions typically lead to delayed increases in shipbuilding stock prices, suggesting a similar pattern may occur [20] - The report emphasizes the importance of monitoring oil tanker rental rates and their impact on shipbuilding market dynamics [20][21] Group 5: Environmental Sector - The environmental sector is expected to benefit from stable municipal environmental profits, improved cash flows, and adjustments in water pricing, highlighting opportunities in environmental assets [19][21] - The report suggests that the dual carbon goals and AI integration will drive growth in the environmental sector, with specific recommendations for companies involved in waste management and renewable energy [19][21] - The focus on municipal environmental projects is expected to enhance the attractiveness of certain stocks within the sector [19][21]

Group 1 - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China advises tourists to avoid traveling to Japan due to rising safety concerns and criminal cases targeting Chinese citizens [2][3] - The Ministry of Education issues a warning for students studying in Japan, highlighting the deteriorating security situation and urging them to enhance their safety awareness [2][3] Group 2 - A new AI-based scam is emerging in the e-commerce sector, where consumers use AI tools to create fake defect images to claim refunds for low-cost items [2][3] - Reports indicate that this scam has developed into a more systematic gray industry, with individuals offering training on how to execute these refund tricks for a fee [7][8] Group 3 - Tim Cook may step down as CEO of Apple as early as next year, with John Ternus being the likely successor [3] - Apple plans to change its iPhone release strategy starting in 2026, moving to a spring and fall release schedule instead of the traditional fall-only launch [9] Group 4 - Samsung announces a significant investment of 450 trillion KRW in South Korea over the next five years, focusing on semiconductor expansion and job creation [9] - Multiple airlines, including Air China and China Southern Airlines, have announced free cancellation and modification policies for tickets related to Japan due to safety concerns [11] Group 5 - Xiaomi's CEO Lei Jun defends the company's design philosophy for its vehicles, emphasizing that aesthetics and safety are not mutually exclusive [8] - Several smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi and OPPO, are delaying storage chip purchases due to soaring prices, with some facing inventory shortages [12] Group 6 - Berkshire Hathaway's latest 13F report reveals that Warren Buffett has significantly reduced his stake in Apple, while increasing his investment in Alphabet [16] - The establishment of the first financial asset investment company by a joint-stock bank in China aims to support the optimization of capital structures for tech and private enterprises [11]

Core Viewpoint - Chinese airlines, including China Southern Airlines, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines, have announced special handling procedures for tickets related to flights to Japan due to recent travel advisories from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs [1][22]. Group 1: China Southern Airlines (CSN) - Applicable tickets include those purchased or exchanged before November 15, 2025, for flights to and from Japan between November 15, 2025, and December 31, 2025 [2]. - Ticket change rules allow for the first change to a flight on the same route without a change fee, with fare differences applicable [2]. - Refunds can be requested without a refund fee within the ticket validity period [3]. Group 2: Air China (CA) - Applicable conditions for tickets include those purchased before November 15, 2025, for flights to specific Japanese cities during the same travel window [7]. - Ticket change rules permit the first change without a fee, but fare differences will apply, and subsequent changes must follow ticket conditions [10]. - Refunds can be processed without a fee for unused segments within the ticket validity period [10]. Group 3: China Eastern Airlines (CES) - Applicable tickets include those issued before November 15, 2025, for flights involving Japan during the specified travel dates [13]. - Ticket change policies allow for one free change if made within three days before or after the original flight [17]. - Refunds for unused segments can be processed without a fee, with conditions applying for previously changed tickets [17].

Summary of the Investor Presentation on HK/China Transportation Industry Overview - **Industry Focus**: The presentation covers the transportation sector in Hong Kong and China, specifically focusing on airlines, shipping, and express delivery [1][6]. Airlines - **Market Outlook**: The outlook for Chinese airlines remains bullish, driven by a supply-driven upcycle. Business demand is gradually recovering, with summer weaknesses fading [2][73]. - **Pricing Dynamics**: There is a closing pricing inflection due to continuous improvements in Passenger Load Factor (PLF) and a consensus among airlines against anti-involution practices [2][69]. - **Key Picks**: - Top pick: Air China-H (0753.HK) - Other recommendations: China Eastern Airlines-H (0670.HK), China Southern Airlines-H (1055.HK), Spring Airlines (601021.SS) [2][73]. - **Performance Metrics**: - 3Q25 total Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) grew by 6.3% YoY, reaching +23% compared to 2019 levels [12][14]. - Domestic PLF improved to 89.4% in October, up by 4.1 percentage points YoY [28][69]. - Business route passenger growth recovered to 5.9% in October from approximately 3% during the summer [24][69]. Shipping - **Geopolitical Influences**: Geopolitical dynamics are significant factors affecting the shipping industry. VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) rates have reached new highs due to increased demand for "legitimate tankers" [3][80]. - **Tanker Market**: The tanker upcycle is expected to continue, with limited VLCC deliveries until the second half of 2026 [80][84]. - **Container Shipping Outlook**: The outlook for container shipping remains uncertain due to oversupply and disruptions from global trade frictions. The container ship orderbook/fleet ratio is at 32%, indicating high supply pressure [3][115][118]. Express Delivery - **Market Trends**: The express delivery industry is experiencing decelerated volume growth, with smaller players losing market share amid anti-involution initiatives. Leading players are consolidating and acquiring a majority of segment profits [4][125][127]. - **Key Players**: ZTO (ZTO.N) and YTO (600233.SS) are highlighted as market share leaders, while concerns remain for smaller players like Yunda (002120.SZ) due to sustained profit pressure [9][130]. Additional Insights - **Inbound Travel Recovery**: International demand growth for airlines remains robust, with total international capacity recovering to approximately 85% of 2019 levels, and that operated by Chinese airlines reaching about 105% [29][31]. - **Profitability Metrics**: The correlation between load factors and margins suggests that improved PLFs will support higher profitability for airlines [70][72]. - **Market Consolidation**: The express delivery market is consolidating, with leading players benefiting from anti-involution measures, while smaller players struggle to maintain market share [125][127]. This summary encapsulates the key insights and metrics from the investor presentation, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and outlook of the transportation sector in Hong Kong and China.

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Overweight (Maintain)" [2] Core Viewpoints - The supply-demand pattern continues to improve, signaling the start of an upward cycle for the aviation industry. In Q3 2025, the industry's existing supply is being continuously digested, with peak season aircraft utilization exceeding that of 2019, indicating a potential slowdown in future supply growth. Additionally, significant investment in international routes and limited growth in domestic capacity suggest an optimization of the domestic competitive landscape, with high passenger load factors likely leading to improved ticket prices. Currently, favorable oil prices and exchange rates are expected to create a "not-so-slow" trend in Q4, with the industry likely to significantly reduce losses and release profit elasticity in 2026 [3][45]. Summary by Sections Industry Performance - In Q3 2025, overall flight volume increased by 3% year-on-year, with domestic and international flight volumes growing by 2% and 12%, respectively. Passenger volume also rose by 3.90% overall, with domestic and international passenger volumes increasing by 2.84% and 15.31% [3][12][19]. - The aircraft utilization rate has improved year-on-year, with the industry achieving an average utilization of 10 hours in July and August, exceeding the same period in 2019 by 3% and 4% [3][26]. Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, the total operating revenue for major airlines increased year-on-year, with China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and others showing growth rates of 3.0%, 3.1%, and 1.8%, respectively. However, the operating costs for most airlines also increased, with China Southern and China Eastern slightly exceeding expectations [3][35][41]. - The average price of aviation kerosene in Q3 2025 was 5593 RMB/ton, a decrease of 11.05% year-on-year, contributing to lower operational costs for airlines [3][41]. Investment Recommendations - The investment focus is on two main lines: 1. The performance elasticity brought by rising ticket prices, recommending major airlines with larger fleets and strong cyclical attributes, as well as Hainan Airlines benefiting from specific policies, and the privately-owned airline with the best route network, Juneyao Airlines [3][45]. 2. The certainty of operational performance, recommending Huaxia Airlines with stable subsidies and Spring Airlines, which has clear cost advantages and neutral exchange rate exposure [3][45].

Core Viewpoint - Multiple Chinese airlines have announced special handling policies for tickets related to flights to Japan due to recent travel advisories from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassies in Japan, urging citizens to avoid travel to Japan and to enhance safety awareness [1][2]. Group 1: Applicable Conditions - The special handling policies apply to tickets purchased or exchanged before 12:00 on November 15, 2025, with travel dates between November 15, 2025, and December 31, 2025, for flights to and from various Japanese cities [2][7][9][11][13][21][25][27]. Group 2: Ticket Change and Refund Rules - For ticket changes, the first change is free of charge, but fare differences may apply. Subsequent changes must adhere to the original ticket conditions [4][6][10][12][18][22][26]. - Refunds for unused segments are allowed without a refund fee, but previously changed tickets will follow the original ticket conditions for refunds [5][12][19][22][26]. - If passengers wish to change the itinerary or carrier, it is recommended to refund the original ticket and purchase a new one [6][10][12][18][22][26]. Group 3: Specific Airline Policies - China National Airlines, Southern Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Spring Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, and Shandong Airlines have all issued similar policies regarding ticket changes and refunds for flights to Japan [2][7][9][11][13][21][25][27].