Core Insights - CSX Corporation has reopened the expanded Howard Street Tunnel, a significant infrastructure project costing over $450 million, aimed at modernizing freight rail service along the East Coast [1][7] - The expansion will eliminate a critical bottleneck on the I-95 corridor, allowing double-stacked intermodal trains to pass through Baltimore by early 2026, enhancing CSX's operational efficiency and competitive advantage [2][7] - The project was a result of a public-private partnership involving CSX, the State of Maryland, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Federal Railroad Administration, modernizing a 19th-century structure while maintaining its historical integrity [3] Company Performance - CSX has been actively rewarding shareholders through dividends and buybacks, recently increasing its quarterly dividend by 8% to 13 cents per share in February [4][7] - The company is recognized for its strong free cash flow generation, which supports its shareholder-friendly initiatives [4] Industry Context - Other companies in the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry, such as Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, have also demonstrated a commitment to returning value to shareholders through dividends and buybacks [4][6] - Union Pacific has consistently increased its dividends, returning $4.3 billion to shareholders in the first half of 2025 [5] - Norfolk Southern returned $1.85 billion to its shareholders in 2023, with a current quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share [6]

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America Securities has raised the non-GAAP earnings per share forecast for New Oriental Education & Technology Group (09901, EDU.US) for the fiscal years 2026 to 2027 by 4% and 5% respectively, primarily due to better-than-expected revenue decline in overseas business and improved profit margins [1] Group 1 - Target price increased by 5% to HKD 45.4, with the US stock target price rising to USD 58.2, maintaining a "Buy" rating [1] - The company holds USD 4.8 billion in cash and has strong free cash flow generation capabilities, estimated to reach USD 500 million to USD 700 million from fiscal years 2026 to 2028 [2] - Current dividend payout ratio is equivalent to 50% of net profit (USD 371 million for fiscal year 2025), indicating significant room for improvement [2] Group 2 - Management guidance indicates that overseas revenue is expected to decline in the low single digits for the August quarter and fiscal year 2026, but non-US/UK consulting and related services (accounting for about 60% of consulting revenue) are expected to grow above expectations [2] - K9 business growth may temporarily fall below the annual target of 20% due to course scheduling adjustments and competition, but is expected to accelerate again starting from the November quarter [2] - Profit margin resilience is anticipated due to cost control, improved margins in K12 and Dongfang Zhenxuan, and narrowing losses in the cultural tourism business, which may offset pressure on overseas business profit margins [2]

Core Viewpoint - The company is launching a special action plan titled "Quality Improvement, Efficiency Enhancement, and Return to Shareholders" to enhance operational quality and investor returns while adhering to national policies and market demands [1][3][33]. Group 1: Operational Strategy - The company aims to deepen strategic guidance and optimize its renewable energy project development, focusing on both centralized and distributed wind and solar energy projects [2][3]. - The company will enhance its project investment decision-making process and adapt to regional energy policies to improve operational efficiency [2][3]. - The company plans to diversify into energy storage and hydrogen sectors to promote multi-energy complementarity [2][3]. Group 2: Investor Returns - The company emphasizes a long-term stable operation philosophy, prioritizing cash dividends as the main profit distribution method, committing to distribute no less than 30% of the average distributable profit over the last three years [3][4]. - The company will develop a long-term shareholder return plan, balancing reasonable returns with sustainable development [3][4]. Group 3: Investor Communication - The company will enhance its information disclosure mechanisms to ensure transparency and maintain investor relations, including regular roadshows and performance briefings [4][5]. - The company aims to establish a systematic and multi-level investor communication mechanism to improve investor relationship management [4][5]. Group 4: Corporate Governance - The company is committed to optimizing its corporate governance structure, ensuring clarity in responsibilities and compliance with regulatory requirements [5][6]. - The company will enhance the effectiveness of its board committees and protect the rights of minority shareholders [5][6]. Group 5: Accountability and Responsibility - The company will strengthen the accountability of key stakeholders, linking their performance evaluations to the company's operational efficiency and market performance [6]. - The company plans to implement a contract-based management system for its management team to enhance operational vitality and efficiency [6].

Group 1 - New Oriental-S (09901) shares increased by over 5%, reaching a price of HKD 41.62 with a trading volume of HKD 114 million [1] - Guosheng Securities reported that as of FY25Q4, the company's deferred revenue (customer prepayments) was USD 1.955 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 9.8%, indicating growth in the collection side which supports future revenue [1] - The company projects FY2026Q1 net revenue (including Dongfang Zhenxuan) to grow by 2% to 5% year-over-year, reaching USD 1.464 to 1.507 billion, with conservative guidance due to a high base in FY25Q1 and rescheduling of K12 business due to the early Spring Festival in 2025 [1] Group 2 - Daiwa noted that after reviewing New Oriental-S's operational status for the summer semester of 2025 and the performance of Dongfang Zhenxuan for FY2025, the overall business development of the group appears stable, with improved K-9 fall student retention rates and no further deterioration in overseas exam preparation services [2] - New Oriental announced plans to distribute no less than 50% of its net profit attributable to shareholders from the previous fiscal year in the form of dividends or share buybacks starting from FY2026 [2] - Daiwa believes that the anticipated shareholder return ratio could significantly exceed the group's commitment of 50%, potentially reaching high double-digit percentages or even over 100%, which is seen as a key positive catalyst for the shares [2]

Group 1 - The company plans to repurchase up to HKD 100 million of its H shares in the open market, reflecting confidence in its performance and commitment to shareholder returns [1] - The company has announced three repurchase plans since 2024, each not exceeding HKD 100 million, with the first two already completed [1] - The company has prioritized shareholder returns, distributing dividends of RMB 200 million at the end of 2024 and RMB 190 million in mid-2025, indicating strong management confidence [1] Group 2 - The company opened 250 new stores in H1 2025, with a net increase of 270 stores in rural areas, aligning with the trend of expanding into lower-tier markets [1] - The company is expected to successfully achieve its goal of adding 1,000 new stores this year, with strong demand anticipated in Q4 [1] - The company has demonstrated improved operational capabilities, with same-store revenue growth and a significant turnaround of loss-making stores, validating positive operational trends [2] Group 3 - The company's core operating profit margin reached 5.9% in H1 2025, an increase of 1.2 percentage points year-on-year, while the net profit margin also improved to 5.9%, up by 2.7 percentage points [2] - The company is currently valued at less than 20 times earnings for 2025, suggesting a favorable investment opportunity [2] - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are estimated at RMB 7.29 billion, RMB 8.39 billion, and RMB 9.55 billion, with corresponding net profits of RMB 420 million, RMB 500 million, and RMB 580 million, indicating strong growth [2]

Core Viewpoint - Dayu Water-saving announced an action plan titled "Quality Return and Double Improvement" aimed at enhancing the company's overall performance and shareholder value [1] Group 1: Action Plan Details - Focus on core business development to achieve high-quality growth [1] - Emphasize innovation-driven strategies to enhance the company's core competitiveness [1] - Optimize governance structure to improve the company's operational standards [1] - Strengthen information disclosure quality for efficient communication of company value [1] - Prioritize shareholder returns to share the benefits of development [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the report indicates that New Oriental's overall business development is stabilizing, with improved K-9 fall student retention rates and no further deterioration in overseas exam preparation services [1] - New Oriental plans to distribute no less than 50% of its net profit attributable to shareholders from the previous fiscal year in the form of dividends or share buybacks starting from the fiscal year 2026 [1] - The report anticipates that the shareholder return ratio could significantly exceed the committed 50%, potentially reaching high double-digit percentages or even over 100%, which is seen as a key positive catalyst for the stock [1] Group 2 - Daiwa has raised its revenue forecasts for New Oriental for the fiscal years 2026 to 2028 by 1% to 2%, and its earnings per share forecasts by 0.2% to 5% [1] - The rating for New Oriental has been reaffirmed as "Buy," with the target price increased from HKD 43 to HKD 49 [1]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [1] Core Insights - The company has demonstrated confidence through multiple share buybacks, with a total of up to HKD 100 million planned for repurchase, reflecting management's commitment to shareholder returns [7] - The company is expected to open 1,000 new stores this year, capitalizing on the growing demand in lower-tier markets, with a strong performance in the first half of 2025 [7] - The company's operating capabilities have been validated, with a significant increase in profitability and a low valuation, making it a recommended investment [7] Financial Projections - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are estimated at RMB 72.9 billion, RMB 83.9 billion, and RMB 95.5 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 13%, 15%, and 14% respectively [1] - The net profit attributable to the parent company is forecasted to be RMB 4.2 billion, RMB 5.0 billion, and RMB 5.8 billion for the same period, with growth rates of 81%, 19%, and 17% respectively [1] - The company's earnings per share (EPS) is projected to increase from RMB 0.15 in 2025 to RMB 0.21 in 2027 [1]

Core Points - The "2025 Phoenix Star Listed Company Awards" ceremony was held in Guangzhou, recognizing companies in various key areas such as innovation, shareholder returns, social responsibility, and growth [1][2] - The "Best Shareholder Return Listed Company" award emphasizes sustainable profitability and shareholder equity growth, integrating financial metrics with ESG performance [2][6] Group 1: Award Winners - The winners of the "Best Shareholder Return Listed Company" award include COSCO Shipping Holdings, Orient Overseas International, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Gujing Distillery, and Bosideng [2][4] - Orient Overseas International has distributed over $14.4 billion in dividends over the past four years, maintaining a stable dividend payout ratio of 50% [5][6] - COSCO Shipping Holdings has distributed cash dividends totaling 113.6 billion yuan over the past four years, with a dividend payout ratio of 50% in the last three years [9][10] - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has maintained a dividend payout ratio of over 30% since its listing in 2006, with a total cash dividend exceeding 1.5 trillion yuan [12][13] - Gujing Distillery plans to distribute 3.172 billion yuan in cash dividends for 2024, maintaining a high dividend payout ratio [15][16] - Bosideng achieved a revenue of 25.902 billion yuan in the 2025 fiscal year, with a net profit of 3.514 billion yuan, and a high dividend payout ratio of 84.1% [18][19] Group 2: Company Performance - Orient Overseas International reported a net profit of $2.577 billion for 2024, with a basic earnings per share of $3.90 [6][10] - COSCO Shipping Holdings achieved a revenue of 233.859 billion yuan in 2024, with a net profit of 49.172 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 105.78% [10] - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has maintained a stable net interest margin and steady growth in intermediary business income, with a non-performing loan ratio better than the industry average [13] - Gujing Distillery's revenue for the first half of 2025 was 13.880 billion yuan, with a net profit margin of 27.22% [16] - Bosideng's revenue growth of 11.6% in a challenging industry environment demonstrates its resilience and commitment to shareholder returns [19]

Core Viewpoint - FedEx's recent financial results indicate a stable stock price despite a low valuation, making it an attractive investment opportunity due to its improving performance in a difficult market environment [1][6]. Financial Performance - FedEx reported a revenue of $22.2 billion for Q1 FY26, reflecting a 3% year-over-year growth [3][5]. - Adjusted operating income reached $1.30 billion, up 7% year-over-year, with an adjusted operating margin of 5.8%, an increase of 20 basis points [3][5]. - The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) grew by 6% year-over-year, amounting to $3.83 [3][6]. Cost Management and Profitability - The company achieved $200 million in cost savings, contributing to strong profit growth despite challenging market conditions [5]. - FedEx's earnings growth is supported by a commitment to shareholder returns, with a dividend of $350 million and a stock buyback of $500 million during the quarter [19][20]. Business Segments - The freight segment faced challenges, but the domestic package business, including ground and priority packages, remained strong, driving overall revenue growth [9][12]. - FedEx continues to focus on high-value assets while moving away from low-value ones, which is crucial for strategic growth [9][10]. Future Outlook - The company is entering its peak season, expecting mid-to-high single-digit sales growth, which is considered impressive [16]. - Despite uncertainties related to tariffs and trade policies, FedEx is committed to improving its operations and maintaining profitability [16][19]. Valuation and Shareholder Returns - FedEx's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 15, which is manageable given the company's ongoing revenue growth [19]. - The company maintains a dividend yield of 2.5% and aims to sustain a shareholder return rate exceeding 6% [19][20].