Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2025-08-20 06:49Core Viewpoint - The announcement of the second batch of high-speed train procurement by China Railway Group on August 19, 2025, exceeded expectations, indicating strong demand for new trains driven by robust passenger traffic growth and an upcoming peak in operational mileage [1][2][3]. Group 1: Train Procurement and Demand - The second batch of procurement includes 210 sets of high-speed trains, comprising 108 standard sets, 30 cold-resistant sets, and 72 high-capacity sets [2]. - Year-to-date, China Railway Group has tendered a total of 278 high-speed train sets, surpassing last year's total of 265.5 sets, reflecting continued growth in demand [3]. - The railway infrastructure investment target for 2025 is set at 590 billion yuan, with an aim to complete 2,600 kilometers of new lines, suggesting sustained high levels of fixed asset investment in the railway sector [3]. Group 2: Railway Freight and Locomotive Updates - From January to July, the national railway transported 2.331 billion tons of goods, marking a 3.3% year-on-year increase, indicating stable growth in freight transport [4]. - The total number of locomotives in China is projected to be 22,500 by 2024, with approximately 4,000 old diesel locomotives expected to be replaced by new energy locomotives before 2027 [4]. - In 2023, China Railway Group has procured 455 locomotives, a 26.39% increase year-on-year, with the highest procurement of diesel locomotives in recent years due to the need for replacing outdated models [4]. Group 3: Investment Recommendations - The railway industry is expected to maintain high levels of activity, with continued strong demand for new train sets and maintenance services, supporting steady growth in the performance of railway equipment companies [5]. - Recommended stocks include China CNR Corporation (601766), Times Electric (688187), and others, indicating a positive outlook for the sector [5].