Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the companies in the higher education sector, specifically for New Higher Education Group and Xijiao International Holdings [8][11]. Core Insights - The profitability of higher education companies is expected to rebound as the peak of cost increases has passed, with improvements in operational efficiency anticipated due to reduced capital expenditures [4][11]. - New Higher Education Group reported a revenue of 2.6 billion yuan for the fiscal year 2025, a year-on-year increase of 7.8%, with adjusted net profit reaching 812 million yuan, up 5.2% [6][8]. - The student structure is continuously optimized, with an increase in the proportion of undergraduate students, leading to higher average tuition fees [6][7]. - The report highlights the importance of maintaining high-quality education and the strategic focus on enhancing educational facilities to improve student learning environments [3][4]. Summary by Sections 1. Higher Education Sector - The education index increased by 1% during the week, outperforming the Hang Seng Index by 1.8 percentage points [5]. - New Higher Education Group's student enrollment decreased slightly by 0.6% to 139,000, but the proportion of undergraduate students increased, contributing to an 8.1% rise in average tuition fees to 16,700 yuan per year [6][7]. - The company’s operational costs rose by 9.2% to 1.68 billion yuan, with significant increases in labor costs, which grew by 14.7% [3][7]. 2. Cost Management and Profitability - The peak of cost increases is believed to have passed, with capital expenditures decreasing from 920 million yuan in fiscal year 2024 to 690 million yuan in fiscal year 2025 [4][8]. - The report anticipates a recovery in gross profit margins starting from fiscal year 2026, with projected profits for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 adjusted to 880 million yuan and 1 billion yuan, respectively [8][11]. - Xijiao International Holdings reported a revenue of 3.96 billion yuan for fiscal year 2025, a 6.1% increase, while net profit decreased by 36.9% [9][10]. 3. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on Hong Kong-listed higher education companies, as profitability is expected to improve with reduced capital expenditures and a more favorable revenue distribution model [13]. - Companies such as New Higher Education Group, Xijiao International Holdings, and others are highlighted as potential investment opportunities due to their strategic adjustments and market positioning [13].