CMS·2026-01-05 06:04Group 1: Core Insights - The report maintains a "recommended" investment rating for the express logistics industry, highlighting the expected orderly competition and gradual optimization of the competitive landscape [1] - The express logistics sector is projected to benefit from the growth of e-commerce and reverse logistics, with a significant increase in business volume and revenue in 2025 [7][12] - The average price in the express industry has shown signs of recovery due to anti-involution policies, with a narrowing year-on-year decline in prices [18][24] Group 2: Industry Overview - In 2025, the total express business volume reached 180.74 billion pieces, a year-on-year increase of 14.9%, while total revenue was 1,355.06 billion yuan, up 7.1% [7][12] - The growth in express logistics is attributed to the expansion of e-commerce into lower-tier markets and the increasing demand for reverse logistics [12][14] - The average price per package has decreased by 12.5% year-on-year, reflecting the impact of low-cost e-commerce and live-streaming sales [12][14] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Major companies like SF Express and YTO Express have seen an increase in market share, with SF Express's market share rising by 1.3 percentage points year-on-year [24][31] - The competitive dynamics have shifted, with leading companies maintaining growth while smaller firms face pressure to adapt to pricing strategies [24][25] - The report emphasizes the importance of head companies having stable cash flows and low debt levels, positioning them as quasi-dividend stocks [8][12] Group 4: Investment Strategy - The report suggests that the express logistics industry is currently undervalued, with expectations for improved profitability as competition stabilizes and pricing levels stabilize [7][12] - Key investment targets include Zhongtong Express, YTO Express, Shentong Express, and Yunda Express, which are expected to benefit from the evolving market dynamics [7][12] - The cross-border logistics segment is also highlighted for its growth potential, particularly in Southeast Asia and emerging markets, driven by the expansion of e-commerce [7][12]