Investment Rating - The report upgrades the investment rating of ZTO Express to "Buy" [6] Core Views - In Q3 2025, ZTO Express achieved a revenue of RMB 11.86 billion, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%, with an adjusted net profit of RMB 2.51 billion, reflecting a 5.0% increase year-on-year [1][2] - The growth in express delivery revenue was driven by a 9.8% increase in package volume and a 1.7% increase in average price per package [1] - The company anticipates a total package volume for 2025 to be between 38.2 billion and 38.7 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 12.3% to 13.8% [2] Summary by Sections Q3 2025 Performance - Adjusted net profit increased by 5.0% year-on-year to RMB 2.51 billion, with a revenue of RMB 11.86 billion [1] - The express delivery business generated RMB 11.02 billion in revenue, up 11.6% year-on-year, supported by a 9.8% increase in package volume [1][2] Operational Data - The company completed 9.57 billion express deliveries in Q3 2025, a 9.8% increase year-on-year, capturing a market share of 19.4% [2] - The number of collection and delivery points exceeded 31,000, with approximately 10,000 owned vehicles [2] Revenue and Cost Analysis - The core revenue per package was RMB 1.22, an increase of RMB 0.02 year-on-year, with cost efficiencies leading to a reduction in sorting and transportation costs [3] - The adjusted net profit per package was RMB 0.26, slightly down from RMB 0.27 in Q3 2024, but improved by RMB 0.05 from Q2 2025 [3] Profit Forecast - ZTO Express is expected to focus on network stability and competitive advantages, with projected net profits for 2025-2027 at RMB 9.62 billion, RMB 11.02 billion, and RMB 12.08 billion respectively [4]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Outperform" rating with a target price of HKD 195.99, based on a 15x P/E for 2025 [4][14]. Core Insights - The "Same Building and Sharing" concept has established a stable foundation for the franchise network, contributing to the company's leading position in the industry [4][23]. - The company has shown steady revenue growth, with projected revenues of RMB 471.07 billion, RMB 516.85 billion, and RMB 577.06 billion for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, reflecting year-on-year growth rates of 6%, 10%, and 12% [3][11]. - The net profit attributable to the parent company is expected to be RMB 95.65 billion, RMB 106.33 billion, and RMB 119.29 billion for the same years, with year-on-year growth rates of 8%, 11%, and 12% [3][11]. Financial Summary - Total revenue for 2023 is projected at RMB 38,419 million, increasing to RMB 44,281 million in 2024, and further to RMB 47,107 million in 2025, with a growth rate of 8.6% in 2023 and 15.3% in 2024 [3][13]. - Gross profit is expected to rise from RMB 11,663 million in 2023 to RMB 13,717 million in 2024, and then to RMB 13,571 million in 2025 [3]. - The company's P/E ratio is projected to decrease from 14.96 in 2023 to 12.25 in 2025, indicating a potential increase in valuation attractiveness [3][15]. Business Analysis - The company has maintained a leading market share in the express delivery sector, achieving a market share of 14.4% in 2016 and consistently holding the top position since then [4][23]. - The franchise model has been pivotal in the company's growth, allowing for efficient cost management and stable revenue generation [4][23]. - The report highlights the importance of early investment in core assets, which has contributed to the company's operational efficiency and market share growth [4][23]. Industry Overview - The express delivery industry is transitioning into a phase of moderate growth, with projected compound annual growth rates of 23.45% for business volume and 16.03% for revenue from 2017 to 2024 [36]. - The report notes that the industry is expected to reach a milestone of 1 trillion packages, driven by e-commerce growth and improved operational efficiencies [36].

Investment Rating - The transportation industry is rated as "Outperform" [2] Core Insights - Crude oil freight rates are rising while ocean freight rates are declining. The China Import Crude Oil Comprehensive Index (CTFI) reached 2325.40 points on November 20, up 4.2% from November 13. VLCC market activity remains strong, but overall market activity is expected to decline without actual cargo support [3][14] - Changlong Airlines has initiated its IPO process, and VOLANT has signed a confirmation order for the VE25-100 eVTOL aircraft with a state-owned investment group, with the order amount exceeding 100 million yuan [3][16] - The China-Europe Railway Express has surpassed 3500 trips this year, marking a historical high. A new "passenger-cargo-mail integration" model has been launched in cooperation between Rizhao Public Transport and SF Express [3][22] Summary by Sections Industry Hot Events - Crude oil freight rates are high while ocean freight rates are declining. The Shanghai port export price to Europe was $1367/TEU, down 3.5%, and to the US West and East Coast was $1645/FEU and $2384/FEU, down 9.8% and 8.3% respectively [3][15] - Changlong Airlines is preparing for its IPO, with a focus on expanding its operational capacity and market reach [3][16] - The China-Europe Railway Express has achieved a record of over 3500 trips this year, with a focus on high-value goods transportation [3][23] High-Frequency Data Tracking - The Baltic Air Freight Price Index has increased both month-on-month and year-on-year, indicating a positive trend in air freight pricing [4][28] - Domestic express delivery volume increased by 7.90% year-on-year in October 2025, with total express delivery volume reaching 176 billion pieces [4][50] - The national highway freight truck traffic increased by 2.57% week-on-week, indicating a recovery in road logistics [4][18] 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 low-altitude economy sector, with recommendations for CITIC Offshore Helicopter [5] - Investment opportunities in the road and rail sectors, recommending companies such as Gansu Expressway and Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway [5]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the transportation industry is "Positive" (maintained) [4] Core Views - The express delivery industry is experiencing resilient demand, with a "de-involution" trend driving up express prices, enhancing corporate profit elasticity, and creating favorable competition opportunities in the medium to long term [15] - The shipping market is expected to benefit from the OPEC+ production increase cycle and the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts, with a notable improvement in the oil transportation market's outlook for Q4 2025 [15] - The shipping market is anticipated to recover, supported by environmental regulations limiting the operation of older fleets and the upcoming production of the West Manganese iron ore by the end of 2025 [15] Summary by Sections Express Logistics - In October 2025, the express delivery industry achieved a business volume of 17.6 billion pieces, a year-on-year increase of 7.9%, with revenue reaching 131.67 billion yuan, up 4.7% year-on-year [4][24] - Major players like YTO, Shentong, and Yunda showed varied growth rates, with YTO's volume increasing by 12.78% and Shentong by 3.97%, while Yunda's volume decreased by 5.11% [4][30] - The industry is transitioning towards high-quality development, with significant improvements in single-ticket revenue due to price increases driven by the de-involution trend [4] Shipping and Ports - VLCC freight rates reached a new high of $136,843 per day, the highest since Q2 2020, driven by tight available capacity and stable inquiry rhythms [8] - The Capesize bulk carrier spot freight rates surpassed $30,000 per day, reflecting a 20% increase over the past week, supported by seasonal demand recovery and strong import demand from China [8] - The BDI index increased by 7.1% to 2225 points, indicating a robust recovery in the bulk shipping market [9] Aviation - In October 2025, civil aviation transported approximately 68 million passengers, a year-on-year increase of 5.8%, and cargo/mail transport reached 917,000 tons, up 13.3% [58] - The overall passenger load factor for major airlines was 86.88%, showing a slight increase from the previous month [62] Road and Rail - From November 10 to November 16, 2025, national freight logistics operated smoothly, with rail freight reaching 81.8 million tons, a 0.17% increase week-on-week [14] - In October 2025, road freight volume was 3.706 billion tons, a year-on-year increase of 0.08% [64] Supply Chain Logistics - The logistics landscape is evolving, with companies like Shenzhen International expected to benefit from the transformation of logistics parks, providing performance elasticity [15] - The industry is witnessing a slowdown in competition, with companies like Debang and Aneng Logistics showing significant profit improvements due to strategic transformations [15]

Summary of the Conference Call for Zhongtong Express Company Overview - The conference call discusses Zhongtong Express, a key player in the express delivery industry in China, focusing on its strategies and performance in the context of industry dynamics and macroeconomic factors [2][3]. Core Industry Insights - The company is implementing a policy to combat excessive competition, aiming to stabilize prices in the express delivery industry and enhance service quality for high-quality development [2][4]. - The industry is experiencing a slowdown in volume growth, primarily due to rising prices leading to increased logistics costs, which significantly affect price-sensitive e-commerce businesses [4][13]. - The overall market growth is expected to stabilize around 10% in 2026, with a shift in focus towards service quality and operational efficiency [4][14]. Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, the company reported a package volume of 9.57 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%, with adjusted net income rising 5% to 2.51 billion [3][9]. - The average selling price (ASP) of core express services increased by 1.7%, contributing to total revenue growth of 11.1% to 11.9 billion [9]. - However, gross profit decreased by 11.4% to 3 billion, and operating profit fell by 15.4% to 2.4 billion, indicating challenges in maintaining profitability amidst rising costs [9]. Strategic Development Plans - The company is focusing on enhancing product and service capabilities through five key areas: 1. Establishing a comprehensive end-to-end quality management system centered on service quality [5]. 2. Improving last-mile delivery capabilities and upgrading sorting centers [5]. 3. Optimizing network policies and incentive mechanisms for transparency and fairness [5]. 4. Increasing end-to-end cost efficiency through advanced technology and digital tools [5]. 5. Maintaining fairness and grassroots interests by improving communication and governance [5]. Innovations and New Initiatives - Zhongtong Express is developing a warehousing cloud platform and last-mile delivery network to provide integrated logistics solutions, with plans to enter modeling, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors for efficient solutions [6]. - The company aims to differentiate itself by directly connecting products from factories to consumers and delivering agricultural products from farms to tables [6]. Market Outlook and Challenges - Despite short-term challenges and uncertainties in the macroeconomic recovery, the company remains optimistic about the long-term prospects of the express and logistics industry, expecting a total package volume of 3.82 to 3.87 billion for the year, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 12.3% to 13.8% [8]. - The company acknowledges potential impacts from antitrust policies on market pricing but believes that a more orderly competitive landscape will support its strategic execution [8][10]. Cost Management Strategies - The company emphasizes the importance of capacity and infrastructure development to maintain cost advantages, focusing on reducing end-to-end costs through efficient resource allocation and technology investments [15]. - Measures include enhancing automation capabilities for network partners and optimizing resource distribution based on network capacity layouts [15][16]. Conclusion - The express delivery industry is transitioning from high-speed growth to a focus on high-quality development, driven by regulatory policies and market expectations [12]. - Zhongtong Express is positioning itself to lead this transition by improving service quality, operational efficiency, and maintaining a competitive edge through innovation and strategic partnerships [12].

Summary of ZTO Express Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: ZTO Express (ZTO.N) - **Industry**: Transportation & Infrastructure in Hong Kong/China Key Points and Arguments Market Share and Competition - ZTO has gained market share in Q4 2025, achieving low-teens year-over-year volume growth quarter-to-date, outperforming the industry due to a decrease in low-value parcels in the market [4][12] - Management believes that market competition has improved, with leading players resuming share gains, which was a positive surprise compared to expectations of stable market shares due to customer lock-up [2][4] - ZTO is not participating in aggressive pricing competition, which is deemed irrational for smaller players with thin margins and weak balance sheets [5][12] Financial Performance - 3Q25 net profit exceeded expectations due to tax credits, while gross profit and operating profit missed estimates [3] - Adjusted EBITDA was in line with expectations, and excluding tax benefits, unit profit increased quarter-over-quarter [3] - The 2025 volume outlook was slightly lowered due to a slowdown in market volume growth [3] Earnings Forecasts and Price Target - EPS forecasts for 2025-2027 have been raised by 3%, 6%, and 4% respectively, reflecting the 3Q25 results and healthier average selling price dynamics [6][15] - The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) assumption was slightly lowered to 13.2% from 13.3% due to a decrease in the cost of debt [6][16] - The price target has been increased by 5% to US$25.00, implying a 13x 2026 estimated P/E, which is below the domestic peer average of 16x [6][16] Shareholder Returns and Capital Expenditure - ZTO expects higher absolute shareholder returns year-over-year, assuming no irrational competition [14] - Capital expenditure guidance for 2025 is approximately Rmb5.5-6 billion, expected to decline to Rmb5 billion in 2026 [14] Risks and Opportunities - Risks still exist, but the company is optimistic about achieving both market share gain and profit growth in 2026 [5][29] - The retail business handles over 9 million daily parcels, representing 8-9% of total volume, with management targeting a higher retail parcel mix in 2026 [13] - Potential mergers and acquisitions are being considered as a growth option [14] Valuation and Investment Thesis - ZTO is viewed as a long-term winner in the industry, with attractive risk-reward dynamics, trading at 11x 2026 estimated P/E and a forward free cash flow yield of 7-8% compared to a peer average of 1% [7][29] - The company’s market leadership in volume and unit profitability supports a positive outlook, with a moderate probability of achieving both market share gain and profit growth [24][29] Additional Important Information - The effective tax rate is expected to be 18%, with a significant reduction in tax expenses noted [17] - The company’s market cap is currently Rmb107,605 million, with an average daily trading value of US$10 million [9] - The stock price closed at US$18.97 on November 19, 2025, indicating a 32% upside to the new price target [9] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the ZTO Express conference call, highlighting the company's performance, market dynamics, and future outlook.

Group 1: ByteDance and E-commerce Integration - ByteDance has integrated its Chinese e-commerce, life services, and advertising engineering teams into a new department called "Product R&D and Engineering Architecture - China Transactions and Advertising" to enhance R&D efficiency and competitiveness in the e-commerce and life services sectors [1] Group 2: Pinduoduo Financial Performance - Pinduoduo reported Q3 2025 revenue of 108.28 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9%, with net profit of 29.33 billion yuan, up 17% [2] - The revenue from online marketing services and other businesses was 53.35 billion yuan, growing 8%, while transaction service revenue reached 54.93 billion yuan, increasing by 10% [2] Group 3: Vipshop Financial Performance - Vipshop achieved Q3 2025 net revenue of 21.4 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 3.4%, with adjusted net profit of 1.5 billion yuan, up 14.6% [3] - The number of active users reached 40.1 million, growing 1.3%, and total merchandise transaction volume was 43.1 billion yuan, increasing by 7.5% [3] Group 4: JD.com Delivery App Launch - JD.com announced the launch of an independent app for its delivery service, which aims to capture a larger share of the instant delivery market [4] - The introduction of JD Review and JD True List is expected to enhance user engagement and platform transparency [4] Group 5: Hema's Pet Food Brand Adjustment - Hema's founder, Hou Yi, announced the closure of several physical stores for the pet food brand "Paiteshengsheng" due to unsatisfactory performance, shifting focus to online operations [5] - This decision reflects the competitive challenges in the pet food market and aims to optimize resource allocation [5] Group 6: Xibei Employee Salary Increase - Xibei has implemented an average salary increase of 500 yuan per month for frontline employees since September, in response to recent controversies [6][7] - This move is intended to boost employee satisfaction and loyalty, enhancing internal cohesion and service quality [7] Group 7: Postal Industry Performance - In October, the express delivery business generated revenue of 131.67 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%, with a total business volume of 18.99 billion pieces, up 6.5% [8] - The growth in express delivery revenue and volume indicates increasing consumer reliance on online shopping [8] Group 8: Flash Delivery Financial Performance - Flash Delivery reported Q3 2025 revenue of 1.005 billion yuan, showing a slight decline year-on-year, while net profit increased by 83.6% to 43.7 million yuan [9] - The order volume for Q3 was 63.2 million, down from 64.8 million in Q2 [9] Group 9: Zhongtong Express Financial Performance - Zhongtong Express achieved Q3 2025 revenue of 11.86 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 11.1%, with adjusted net profit increasing by 5% to 2.51 billion yuan [10] - The total package volume reached 9.57 billion pieces, growing by 9.8% [10] Group 10: Kuaishou AI Revenue Growth - Kuaishou reported Q3 2025 revenue exceeding 300 million yuan for its AI segment, with total revenue growing by 14.2% to 35.6 billion yuan [11] - The e-commerce GMV for Q3 increased by 15.2% to 385 billion yuan, indicating strengthened competitiveness in live commerce and content e-commerce [11]

E-commerce and Retail - ByteDance integrates its Chinese e-commerce, lifestyle services, and advertising engineering teams into a new "China Transaction and Advertising" department to enhance R&D efficiency and competitiveness in the e-commerce sector [1] - Pinduoduo reports Q3 revenue of 108.28 billion yuan, a 9% year-on-year increase, with net profit rising 17% to 29.33 billion yuan, indicating a slowdown in revenue growth and a strategic shift towards long-term value over short-term profits [2] - Vipshop achieves Q3 net revenue of 21.4 billion yuan, a 3.4% year-on-year increase, with adjusted net profit rising 14.6%, reflecting improved platform activity despite the need for ongoing reforms in core business areas [3] - JD.com announces the launch of an independent app for its food delivery service, aiming to capture a larger share of the instant delivery market and enhance user engagement through new features [3] - Hema's founder, Hou Yi, announces the closure of several physical stores for the pet food brand "Paiteshengsheng," citing a mismatch between operational performance and initial goals, while shifting focus to online business [4] - Xibei raises salaries for frontline employees by an average of 500 yuan per person per month to boost morale and service quality amid recent controversies [5][6] Logistics and Supply Chain - The State Post Bureau reports that in October, express delivery revenue reached 131.67 billion yuan, a 4.7% year-on-year increase, with business volume growing by 6.5%, highlighting the increasing reliance on online shopping [6] - Flash Delivery reports Q3 revenue of 1.005 billion yuan, a slight decline year-on-year, but net profit increases by 83.6% to 43.7 million yuan, indicating effective cost control [7] - ZTO Express announces Q3 revenue of 11.86 billion yuan, an 11.1% year-on-year increase, with adjusted net profit growing by 5% to 2.51 billion yuan, reflecting strong market competitiveness [8] Innovation and Investment - Keling AI reports Q3 revenue exceeding 300 million yuan, with Kuaishou's total revenue growing by 14.2% to 35.6 billion yuan, indicating progress in AI commercialization and strengthening competitiveness in live commerce [8]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for ZTO Express (2057.HK) is "Buy" [1] Core Views - The report highlights that ZTO Express achieved a year-on-year growth of 9.8% in parcel volume for Q3 2025, driven by a strong performance in the bulk parcel segment, which saw nearly 50% growth year-on-year [3][6] - The company adjusted its full-year parcel volume growth target down to 12.3% to 13.8%, reflecting a more cautious outlook while emphasizing quality and market share expansion [5] - The report suggests that the express delivery industry still has significant growth potential, particularly in the context of e-commerce and the ongoing "anti-involution" trend, which shifts focus from quantity to quality [6] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - For the first three quarters of 2025, ZTO Express reported total revenue of 34.588 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.3%, with adjusted net profit of 6.818 billion yuan, down 8.1% year-on-year [2] - In Q3 2025, the company achieved revenue of 11.865 billion yuan, up 11.1% year-on-year, and adjusted net profit of 2.506 billion yuan, up 5.0% year-on-year [2] Operational Metrics - In Q3 2025, ZTO Express handled 9.573 billion parcels, marking a 9.8% increase year-on-year, with a market share of approximately 19.4%, maintaining the leading position in the industry [3] - The average revenue per parcel in Q3 was 1.15 yuan, reflecting a 2.3% increase year-on-year, attributed to improved pricing dynamics due to the "anti-involution" trend [3] Cost and Profitability - The cost per parcel in Q3 was approximately 0.59 yuan, down 8.5% year-on-year, with significant reductions in line-haul and sorting costs [4] - The adjusted net profit per parcel was 0.262 yuan, down 4.3% year-on-year, but up 25.6% quarter-on-quarter, indicating improved profitability trends [4] Future Outlook - The report projects adjusted net profits for ZTO Express to be 9.870 billion yuan in 2025, with growth rates of -2.08%, 14.21%, and 11.11% for the following years [7] - The company is expected to leverage its scale and operational efficiencies to achieve stable growth in both parcel volume and profitability [7]

Core Viewpoint - Zhongtong Express reported a third-quarter revenue of 11.86 billion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 11.1% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.3% [1] - The significant growth in profitability is attributed to the "anti-involution" policy leading to an increase in express delivery prices [1] Financial Performance - The net profit attributable to shareholders for the third quarter was 2.52 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 5.3% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 30.2% [1] - Adjusted net profit for the third quarter was 2.49 billion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 3.6% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 22.9% [1] - For the first three quarters, the company's net profit attributable to shareholders was 6.46 billion yuan, showing a year-on-year increase of 0.3%, while the adjusted net profit was 6.73 billion yuan, down 9.2% year-on-year [1] Volume and Pricing Trends - In the third quarter, the company completed a delivery volume of 9.57 billion parcels, with a year-on-year increase of 9.7% but a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 2.8% [1] - The average revenue per parcel in the third quarter was 1.22 yuan, with a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.02 yuan [1] - The company expects a 10.1% quarter-on-quarter increase in delivery volume for the fourth quarter, driven by the traditional e-commerce peak season [1] Cost and Profitability - The average cost per parcel in the third quarter was 0.91 yuan, with a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.09 yuan [2] - The adjusted operating profit per parcel was 0.25 yuan, down 0.08 yuan year-on-year but stable quarter-on-quarter [2] - The company anticipates further cost reduction potential in the long term due to economies of scale and automation [2] Industry Outlook - The "anti-involution" policy is expected to shift the express delivery industry from a focus on volume growth to high-quality development [2] - The overall growth rate of delivery volume in the industry is slowing, with a reported year-on-year increase of 7.9% in October [2] - Zhongtong Express, as a market leader with a 19.4% market share, is expected to be less affected by the reduction in low-value parcel demand [2] Valuation Adjustments - The profit forecasts for 2025, 2026, and 2027 have been raised by 10%, 5%, and 2% respectively, with adjusted net profit forecasts also increased [3] - The valuation multiple has been lowered to 15.2x for 2025E PE, and the target price has been reduced by 10% to 185.9 HKD / 23.9 USD [3]