Core Viewpoint - CITIC Securities maintains a "Buy" rating for ZTO Express (02057, ZTO.US), highlighting a positive outlook for the company's financial performance in the upcoming quarters [1] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, the company's net profit attributable to shareholders increased by 5.3% year-on-year and 30.2% quarter-on-quarter [1] - The net profit per ticket rose by 6.7 cents to 0.26 yuan, driven by a combination of factors including price adjustments and cost management [1] - The increase in express delivery revenue per ticket was 3.6 cents quarter-on-quarter, while transportation and sorting costs per ticket increased by 1.6 cents [1] - Other costs per ticket rose by 1 cent, leading to a gross profit increase of 1 cent per ticket [1] - The effective tax rate per ticket decreased by 4 cents due to tax rebates, and fair value changes increased by 1 cent, contributing to the net profit increase [1] Industry Outlook - The industry is undergoing a strategic shift towards a dual focus on quality and quantity, favoring companies with scale advantages, high service quality, operational efficiency, and competitive costs [1] - ZTO Express is expected to benefit from its strong cost control, service capabilities, and high profitability, positioning it well to capture more market share [1] - By 2026, the express delivery sector may experience a return to differentiated growth, with ZTO's advantages likely to become more pronounced [1] - The company anticipates a simultaneous release of volume and profit, projecting a net profit growth rate of 10% to 15% year-on-year for 2026 [1]