Changjiang Securities·2026-02-24 23:30Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the industry [9] Core Insights - As of February 22, the cumulative year-on-year growth rate of national express delivery volume for the first five weeks of the year is 1.9%, a significant slowdown compared to 29.3% in the same period last year. This slowdown is attributed to increased compliance costs due to precise tax audits and the positive price growth resulting from regulatory measures against excessive competition. The industry is expected to maintain single-digit growth rates through 2026, with leading companies likely to gain market share [2][4][5]. Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The express delivery volume growth has significantly slowed, with the current growth rate at 1.9% compared to 29.3% last year. This is primarily due to increased compliance costs for merchants and a positive price growth trend since September 2025 [4][5]. Market Dynamics - The leading express companies are expected to see their market share increase as the competitive landscape shifts. In January, the growth rates for major companies were as follows: YTO Express at 29.8%, Shentong Express at 25.6%, and Yunda Express at 10.8% [4][5]. Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on leading express companies such as Zhongtong and Yuantong, which are currently valued at historical lows. Attention is also drawn to SF Express, which has been optimizing its product structure and is expected to see a profitability turnaround [5]. Logistics Data - Air freight prices have remained stable despite the off-peak season, with strong demand for high-tech products contributing to this trend. The average utilization rates for Eastern Airlines and Southern Airlines logistics are reported at 10.7 hours and 14.0 hours, respectively [7][28].