Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs reports that ZTO Express's Q3 net profit exceeded expectations due to normalized price competition, with adjusted net profit growing by 5% year-on-year, surpassing the bank's and market forecasts by 27% and 25% respectively [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - ZTO Express's adjusted net profit for Q3 increased by 5% year-on-year, exceeding Goldman Sachs' and market expectations [1] - The bank raised ZTO Express's target price to HKD 179 for H-shares and USD 23 for US shares, maintaining a "Buy" rating [1] Group 2: Future Projections - Goldman Sachs has revised its revenue forecasts for ZTO Express from 2025 to 2027 upwards by 0% to 4% and adjusted net profit forecasts by 6% to 8% [1] - For Q4 of this year, ZTO Express is expected to see a 10% year-on-year increase in package volume and a 1% rise in average price, leading to an anticipated 12% year-on-year revenue growth [1]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" [7] Core Views - The company's third-quarter performance showed revenue of 11.86 billion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 11.1% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.3%. The net profit attributable to the parent company was 2.52 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 5.3% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 30.2%. The significant growth in profitability is primarily attributed to the rise in express delivery prices under the "anti-involution" policy [1][2] - The report anticipates that the "anti-involution" policy will continue to support the company's performance in the fourth quarter, alongside the traditional peak season for e-commerce, leading to further increases in both delivery volume and revenue per package [1][4] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In Q3, the company achieved a single-package revenue of 1.22 yuan, with a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.02 yuan. The total express delivery volume reached 9.57 billion packages, showing a year-on-year growth of 9.7% but a quarter-on-quarter decline of 2.8% due to seasonal factors and rising prices affecting lower-value packages [2][3] - The single-package cost increased to 0.91 yuan, with a quarter-on-quarter rise of 0.09 yuan. The adjusted operating profit per package was 0.25 yuan, down 0.08 yuan year-on-year but stable quarter-on-quarter [3] Industry Outlook - The report indicates that the express delivery industry is shifting from a focus on volume growth to high-quality development due to the "anti-involution" policy. The overall growth rate of express delivery volume is expected to slow down, but the company, as a market leader with a 19.4% market share, is less affected by the reduction in low-value package demand [4][5] Earnings Forecast and Valuation - The earnings forecast for the company has been raised, with net profit estimates for 2025, 2026, and 2027 adjusted to 89.8 billion yuan, 106.6 billion yuan, and 121.1 billion yuan respectively. However, 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 [5][11]

Group 1: Zhongtong Express - Zhongtong Express reported a revenue of 11.86 billion yuan for Q3 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 11.1% [1] - Adjusted net profit increased by 5.0% to 2.51 billion yuan, indicating strong competitiveness and operational efficiency in the express delivery market [1] - The total package volume reached 9.57 billion pieces, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%, with a slight increase in core express revenue per order by 0.02 yuan [1] Group 2: Volcano Engine - Gartner released its 2025 global "AI Application Development Platform Magic Quadrant," ranking Volcano Engine fifth globally and first in China for its "implementation capability" [2] - As of September 2025, the Doubao large model processed an average of 30 trillion tokens daily, a remarkable increase of 253 times since its launch in May 2024 [2] - The presence of multiple domestic AI companies in the report highlights the significant position of Chinese AI technology in the global market [2] Group 3: Vipshop - Vipshop achieved a net revenue of 21.4 billion yuan in Q3 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3.4% [3] - Adjusted net profit rose by 14.6% to 1.5 billion yuan, indicating improved financial performance [3] - The number of active users reached 40.1 million, a 1.3% increase year-on-year, with total merchandise transaction volume growing by 7.5% to 43.1 billion yuan [3]

Group 1: Zhongtong Express - Zhongtong Express reported a revenue of 11.86 billion yuan for Q3 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 11.1% [1] - Adjusted net profit for the third quarter increased by 5.0% to 2.51 billion yuan [1] - The total package volume reached 9.57 billion pieces, showing a year-on-year growth of 9.8% [1] - The core express single ticket revenue increased by 0.02 yuan [1] Group 2: Volcano Engine - Gartner released its first large model report, placing Volcano Engine's "implementation capability" fifth globally and first in China [2] - As of September 2025, the Doubao large model processed an average of 30 trillion tokens daily, a 253-fold increase since its launch in May 2024 [2] - The presence of multiple domestic AI companies in the report highlights the significant position of Chinese AI technology in the global market [2] Group 3: Vipshop - Vipshop achieved a net revenue of 21.4 billion yuan in Q3 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 3.4% [3] - Adjusted net profit for the third quarter was 1.5 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 14.6% [3] - The number of active users reached 40.1 million, growing by 1.3% year-on-year, while the total merchandise transaction volume was 43.1 billion yuan, up by 7.5% [3]

Core Viewpoint - ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. is recognized as one of the leading express delivery companies in China, handling the highest volume of packages in the country [1] Company Overview - ZTO Express operates in the express delivery sector, which is a critical component of China's logistics and e-commerce industries [1] - The company is categorized as a large-cap entity, although it also draws attention from analysts who typically focus on small- to mid-cap companies [1] Market Position - ZTO Express surpasses all competitors in terms of package volume, indicating a strong market presence and operational capacity [1]

Core Insights - ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. is recognized as one of the leading express delivery companies in China, handling more packages than any other competitor in the country [1] Company Overview - ZTO Express operates primarily in the express delivery sector, which is a critical component of China's logistics and e-commerce infrastructure [1] Market Position - The company is categorized as a large-cap entity, although the focus of the analysis is typically on small- to mid-cap companies that are often overlooked by investors [1]

Core Insights - ZTO Express is striving to maintain its market position amid increasing competition in the express delivery industry [1] - The company reported a package volume of 9.57 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%, and an adjusted net profit growth of 5.0% to 2.51 billion yuan for Q3 2025 [1] - ZTO has lowered its full-year package volume guidance to a range of 38.2 billion to 38.7 billion, corresponding to a year-on-year growth rate of 12.3% to 13.8% [1] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, ZTO's revenue reached 11.86 billion yuan, reflecting an 11.1% year-on-year increase [1] - The operating cash flow for the quarter was 3.21 billion yuan, marking a 3.2% increase [3] - The total operating costs amounted to 8.909 billion yuan, a 21.4% increase compared to the same period last year [3] Competitive Landscape - ZTO's package volume lead over YTO Express decreased from 20.1 billion to 18.5 billion year-on-year [1] - The express delivery industry is undergoing a strategic shift from "high quantity" to "quality and quantity" [1][7] - The government has initiated measures to curb irrational low-price competition, leading to a stabilization and gradual increase in average express delivery prices [4] Operational Developments - ZTO has 95 sorting centers and over 31,000 collection/delivery points, with more than 6,000 direct network partners [3] - The company is focusing on enhancing its end capabilities and upgrading sorting capabilities at stations to reduce delivery costs [3] - ZTO's core express single ticket revenue increased by 0.02 yuan, with a nearly 50% year-on-year increase in scattered goods volume [2][3] Industry Trends - The express delivery industry is experiencing a "反内卷" (anti-involution) movement, with 22 provinces raising express delivery prices this year [4][5] - ZTO's strategy has been characterized as stable, while competitors like YTO are adopting more aggressive tactics [5][6] - The industry is expected to see significant changes in 2024 as the anti-involution measures are further implemented [6] Technological Advancements - ZTO is investing in technology, with AI applications across the entire logistics chain, including the use of unmanned vehicles and sorting systems [7] - The company has established over 80 subsidiaries and has a total warehouse area exceeding 2 million square meters [7] - ZTO's cloud warehouse technology recently completed nearly 200 million yuan in Series A financing, indicating strong growth potential [7]

Core Insights - ZTO Express reported its Q3 2025 unaudited financial results, showing a package volume of 9.57 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%, with adjusted net profit rising by 5.0% to RMB 2.51 billion and revenue reaching RMB 11.86 billion, up 11.1% [1] - The founder and CEO emphasized a strategy focused on quality, market share expansion, and maintaining healthy profitability, with a strong growth momentum in the parcel business, which saw nearly 50% year-on-year growth [1] - The CFO noted an increase in core express revenue per ticket by RMB 0.02, with a stable management expense structure at 5.3% of revenue, and a capital expenditure of RMB 1.2 billion for the quarter [1] Financial Performance - Package volume for Q3 2025 was 9.57 billion, a 9.8% increase year-on-year [1] - Adjusted net profit grew by 5.0% to RMB 2.51 billion [1] - Revenue reached RMB 11.86 billion, reflecting an 11.1% year-on-year increase [1] - Operating cash flow was RMB 3.21 billion, up 3.2% [1] Strategic Outlook - The company adjusted its full-year package volume guidance to a range of 38.2 billion to 38.7 billion, corresponding to a year-on-year growth rate of 12.3% to 13.8% [1] - The CEO expressed confidence in the company's ability to enhance service quality, business scale, and profitability amidst a complex macro environment [1] - The company operates 95 sorting centers and over 31,000 pickup and delivery points, with more than 6,000 direct network partners [1] Share Buyback Program - As of September 30, 2025, the company has repurchased a total of 52.92 million American Depositary Shares for $1.3 billion, with $700 million remaining in the share buyback program [2]

Exhibit 99.1 ZTO Reports Third Quarter 2025 Unaudited Financial Results Parcel Volume Increased 9.8% to 9.6 Billion Adjusted Net Income Grew 5.0% to RMB2.5 Billion SHANGHAI, Nov 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK: 2057), a leading and fast- growing express delivery company in China ("ZTO" or the "Company"), today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025. The Company grew parcel volume by 9.8% year over year while maintaining ...

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommendation" rating for the express delivery industry, expecting the industry index to outperform the benchmark index by over 5% in the next 3-6 months [2][28]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes investment opportunities in the express delivery sector under the theme of "anti-involution," highlighting a verification period for revenue and performance elasticity. It recommends YTO Express and Shentong Express, which have recently been upgraded to "Strong Buy" due to their strong performance indicators and potential for significant earnings elasticity [3][6]. - The report also highlights J&T Express, which saw a 79% year-on-year increase in Southeast Asia parcel volume in Q3, benefiting from high regional demand and the "anti-involution" trend, which is expected to stabilize domestic market profitability [3][6]. - SF Express is viewed positively due to its accelerated operational strategies leading to increased revenue growth, with the highest parcel volume growth year-to-date. The report suggests that the company's free cash flow can be sustainably optimized, making it an attractive investment after recent stock price adjustments [3][6]. Summary by Sections Industry Data - In October, the express delivery industry achieved a parcel volume growth rate of 7.9%, completing 17.6 billion parcels, a year-on-year increase of 7.9%. Cumulatively, from January to October, the industry completed 162.68 billion parcels, up 16.1% year-on-year [6][8]. - The industry's revenue in October reached 131.67 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%, with cumulative revenue from January to October at 1,217.41 billion yuan, up 8.5% year-on-year. The average revenue per parcel in October was 7.48 yuan, down 3.0% year-on-year [6][8]. Company Performance - In October, SF Express led the industry with a year-on-year parcel volume growth of 26.3%, followed by YTO Express at 12.8%, while Shentong Express and Yunda Express experienced lower growth rates [6][8]. - SF Express also led in revenue growth for October, with a year-on-year increase of 13.7%, while Shentong Express and YTO Express followed with 11.8% and 9.0% respectively [6][8]. - The report notes that Shentong Express had the highest year-on-year increase in average revenue per parcel at 2.18 yuan, while SF Express saw a significant decline of 10.0% year-on-year to 13.18 yuan [6][8].