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]

财通证券研报指出，圆通速递积极求变，造就行业头部地位。市占率持续提升，反内卷下2025Q3业绩 重回增长。规模效应+数字化管理共同推动公司单票成本持续下行，2025H1 公司单票核心成本与龙头 接近。人工智能升级对于公司运输端智能路由规划降本、揽派端末端履约效率提升、营销端客户需求服 务提升、加盟端运营健康发展、最终在成本控制和溢价能力的提升均有推动，看好长期人工智能发展下 公司全网竞争力提升。首次覆盖，给予"买入"评级。 ...

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]

在我们生活的每一个角落，总有党员的身影默默闪现。他们是先锋、是旗帜，是温暖人心的力量源泉。 基层治理，他们化解难题；乡村振兴，他们扎根奉献；产业发展，他们带头探索；科技创新，他们勇攀 高峰……即日起，长沙晚报推出"党代表在身边"专栏，讲述基层党代表联系服务党员和群众、履行代表 职责等方面的鲜活故事，凝聚起围绕中心服务大局、立足岗位创先争优的共识和力量。 长沙晚报全媒体记者 刘捷萍 "操控杆要稳，视线既要盯紧无人机，也要关注航线周边环境。"近日，党的二十大代表、圆通速递长沙 市高桥分公司营运部经理马石光刚拿到中型超视距无人机操控员执照，便与同事分享实操心得。这张执 照，既是他个人技能的突破，更承载着探索低空经济赋能快递业的新思考。 从日均上门派送400多件包裹的快递员，到管理日处理1.7万件快件营运部的经理，再到为国家"十五 五"规划建言的党代表，马石光深耕快递业22年，始终以"桥梁"姿态连接党与基层、个人与行业。考无 人机操控员执照，正是他锚定行业未来的又一次探索。 编者按 在推动行业发展的道路上，马石光的脚步从未停歇。在省"十五五"规划建议座谈会上，他提出的推动快 递行业与制造业"两业融合"的建议得到肯定。 ...

Investment Summary - The transportation industry has shown a significant underperformance compared to the broader market, ranking among the lowest in terms of growth within the Shenwan primary industry indices as of December 8, 2025 [15][16] - The implementation of anti-involution policies has positively impacted the fundamentals of certain segments within the transportation sector, particularly benefiting the aviation and express delivery sectors [26][30] 2026 Outlook - The focus for 2026 remains on sectors benefiting from anti-involution policies and high-certainty stocks, with a long-term impact expected from these policies on stock price movements [5][34] - Key sectors to watch include aviation, express delivery, and regional shipping, while high-dividend and low-debt companies are expected to attract more investor interest in weaker cyclical areas [5][34] Express Delivery Sector - The express delivery industry has seen a recovery in profitability driven by rising single-package prices, with major companies like YTO Express and Shentong Express showing significant improvements [6][35] - The trend of price competition has been curtailed, leading to a decrease in package volume growth as companies focus on maintaining service quality and profitability [6][38] - The competitive strategies among companies have diverged, with YTO and Shentong performing strongly, while Yunda has struggled with profitability and market share [42][53] Aviation Sector - The aviation sector has experienced a notable improvement in performance since Q2 2025, with major airlines reporting increased profitability compared to the previous year [63][64] - The focus for 2026 will be on the transition from high passenger load factors to higher ticket prices, supported by controlled supply and strong demand [69][87] - Major airlines are expected to maintain cautious procurement strategies, with a projected fleet growth of around 5% in 2026 [69][80] Highway Sector - The highway sector has faced significant adjustments in stock prices, leading to a more rational market approach towards high-dividend investments [8][4.1] - Following substantial adjustments, the attractiveness of highway stocks has improved, with a focus on companies with high dividend ratios and low debt levels [8][4.3]

Market Overview - The logistics sector increased by 0.67% on December 10, with Longzhou Co., Ltd. leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3900.5, down 0.23%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13316.42, up 0.29% [1] Top Performers in Logistics Sector - Longzhou Co., Ltd. (002682) closed at 10.49, up 9.96% with a trading volume of 3.12 million shares and a transaction value of 3.12 billion [1] - Jiacheng International (603535) closed at 11.09, up 4.72% with a trading volume of 130,100 shares [1] - Eastern Airlines Logistics (601156) closed at 16.80, up 3.51% with a trading volume of 165,000 shares [1] Underperformers in Logistics Sector - Tiens Co., Ltd. (002800) closed at 14.92, down 3.12% with a trading volume of 52,500 shares [2] - Haicheng Bangda (603836) closed at 14.46, down 2.03% with a trading volume of 59,700 shares [2] - Dongfang Jiasheng (002889) closed at 16.15, down 2.00% with a trading volume of 98,900 shares [2] Capital Flow Analysis - The logistics sector experienced a net outflow of 429 million yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors saw a net inflow of 344 million yuan [2] - The overall capital flow indicates a mixed sentiment, with institutional investors withdrawing funds while retail investors are actively buying [2] Individual Stock Capital Flow - SF Holding (002352) had a net inflow of 1.05 billion yuan from institutional investors, but saw outflows from both retail and speculative investors [3] - Jianfa Co., Ltd. (600153) had a net inflow of 26.63 million yuan from institutional investors, with outflows from speculative and retail investors [3] - Xiamen Guomao (600755) recorded a net inflow of 19.93 million yuan from institutional investors, while also experiencing outflows from other investor types [3]

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 - The current market valuation of the express delivery industry is considered relatively high compared to the performance expected in 2026, with a focus on growth drivers for performance recovery in 2026 [1] Express Delivery Industry Core Data - In October 2025, the national express delivery volume reached 17.6 billion pieces, showing a year-on-year growth of 7.9%, with a decline of 4.9 percentage points compared to the previous month [1] - The average revenue per delivery piece was 7.48 yuan, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 3.0%, with a narrowing decline of 1.9 percentage points compared to the previous month [1] - The total revenue from express delivery business amounted to 131.67 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 4.7%, with a decline of 2.5 percentage points compared to the previous month [1] Consumer Data - From January to October, the total retail sales reached 41.2 trillion yuan, growing by 4.3% year-on-year, with October retail sales at 4.6 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.9% [2] - The cumulative online retail sales of physical goods from January to October reached 10.4 trillion yuan, growing by 6.3% year-on-year, with October online retail sales at 1.25 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.9% [2] - The e-commerce penetration rate for the first ten months was 25.2%, down by 0.7 percentage points year-on-year, while the October penetration rate was 26.9%, up by 0.5 percentage points year-on-year [2] Listed Express Delivery Companies Core Data - The growth rate of delivery volume varies among companies, with SF Express benefiting from proactive business development, achieving a year-on-year increase of 26.3% in October 2025, while Yunda, Shentong, and YTO experienced changes of +12.8%, -5.1%, and +4.0% respectively [3] - The average revenue per delivery piece for SF Express, YTO, Yunda, and Shentong in October was 13.18, 2.23, 2.11, and 2.18 yuan respectively, with year-on-year changes of -10.0%, -3.5%, +4.5%, and +7.4% [3] - In October, the express delivery revenues for SF Express, YTO, Yunda, and Shentong were 20.1 billion, 6.2 billion, 4.5 billion, and 5.0 billion yuan respectively, with year-on-year changes of +13.7%, +9.0%, -0.9%, and +11.8% [3] - The market share of Yunda and Shentong increased, with their respective market shares in October being 13.3%, reflecting a year-on-year change of -0.5% and -0.1 percentage points [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the transportation industry [10] Core Insights - The express delivery sector is benefiting from a reduction in competition, leading to a recovery in delivery prices and an increase in market share for leading companies such as Zhongtong Express and YTO Express [2][8] - The integration of cultural tourism and civil aviation is expected to boost air travel demand, supported by new policies aimed at enhancing accessibility for senior travelers and increasing inbound tourism routes [2][40] - In the shipping sector, Hapag-Lloyd's proposed acquisition of ZIM indicates a potential opening for mergers and acquisitions in a challenging market environment [2][7] Summary by Sections Express Delivery - The express delivery volume reached 4.01 billion pieces from November 24 to November 30, showing a year-on-year increase of 2.4%. The average price of express services has been rising due to a reduction in aggressive pricing strategies among e-commerce platforms [8][16] - The market is witnessing a restructuring with leading companies gaining market share as low-cost competition diminishes [8] Air Travel - Domestic passenger volume has shown a 6% year-on-year increase, while international passenger volume has increased by 11% [6][19] - The average domestic seat occupancy rate has improved by 1.6 percentage points year-on-year, and international occupancy has increased by 0.4 percentage points [23][28] - The new policies from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Administration aim to enhance travel accessibility and promote inbound tourism, which is expected to sustain air travel demand [40][55] Shipping - The average VLCC-TCE rate has decreased by 5.6% to $115,000 per day, while the SCFI index for foreign trade shipping has dropped by 0.4% to 1,398 points [7][19] - The BDI index has risen by 6.5% to 2,727 points, driven by increased shipments of iron ore from Brazil and the upcoming peak season for bauxite shipments from West Africa [7][19] - The proposed acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd is seen as a strategic move to enhance capacity and market share amid declining shipping rates [7][19]