Core Viewpoint - Zheshang Securities upgraded ZTO Express (02057) to a "Buy" rating, citing robust Q3 performance with simultaneous volume and price growth in the context of "anti-involution" [1] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, ZTO achieved revenue of RMB 11.86 billion, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%, with a gross profit of RMB 2.96 billion and an adjusted net profit of RMB 2.51 billion, up 5.0% year-on-year [1] - The express delivery business revenue reached RMB 11.02 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 11.6%, driven by a 9.8% increase in package volume and a 1.7% rise in unit price [1] - Cash flow from operating activities was RMB 3.2 billion, remaining stable year-on-year, with capital expenditures of RMB 1.19 billion [1] Market Position and Growth - In Q3 2025, the company completed 9.57 billion express deliveries, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%, capturing a market share of 19.4% [2] - The volume of scattered goods business grew nearly 50% year-on-year, contributing positively to profits [2] - The annual package volume forecast for 2025 is adjusted to between 38.2 billion and 38.7 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 12.3% to 13.8% [2] Network and Infrastructure - As of September 30, 2025, ZTO had over 31,000 collection and delivery points and approximately 6,000 direct network partners [3] - The company operates around 10,000 self-owned trunk vehicles and has 95 sorting centers, 91 of which are operated by the company [3] Pricing and Cost Management - The core unit revenue in Q3 2025 was RMB 1.22, an increase of RMB 0.02 year-on-year, with a rise in key account customer pricing offsetting some cost impacts [4] - The combined sorting and transportation costs per unit decreased by RMB 0.05, attributed to improved transportation cost efficiency [4] - The management expense ratio remained stable at 5.3% of revenue [4] - The first round of price increases has covered over 90% of regions, with a second round expected post-National Day, supporting express delivery prices during the peak season [4]

Investment Rating - The report upgrades the investment rating of ZTO Express to "Buy" [6] Core Views - In Q3 2025, ZTO Express achieved a revenue of RMB 11.86 billion, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%, with an adjusted net profit of RMB 2.51 billion, reflecting a 5.0% increase year-on-year [1][2] - The growth in express delivery revenue was driven by a 9.8% increase in package volume and a 1.7% increase in average price per package [1] - The company anticipates a total package volume for 2025 to be between 38.2 billion and 38.7 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 12.3% to 13.8% [2] Summary by Sections Q3 2025 Performance - Adjusted net profit increased by 5.0% year-on-year to RMB 2.51 billion, with a revenue of RMB 11.86 billion [1] - The express delivery business generated RMB 11.02 billion in revenue, up 11.6% year-on-year, supported by a 9.8% increase in package volume [1][2] Operational Data - The company completed 9.57 billion express deliveries in Q3 2025, a 9.8% increase year-on-year, capturing a market share of 19.4% [2] - The number of collection and delivery points exceeded 31,000, with approximately 10,000 owned vehicles [2] Revenue and Cost Analysis - The core revenue per package was RMB 1.22, an increase of RMB 0.02 year-on-year, with cost efficiencies leading to a reduction in sorting and transportation costs [3] - The adjusted net profit per package was RMB 0.26, slightly down from RMB 0.27 in Q3 2024, but improved by RMB 0.05 from Q2 2025 [3] Profit Forecast - ZTO Express is expected to focus on network stability and competitive advantages, with projected net profits for 2025-2027 at RMB 9.62 billion, RMB 11.02 billion, and RMB 12.08 billion respectively [4]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the transportation industry is "Positive" (maintained) [4] Core Views - The express delivery industry is experiencing resilient demand, with a "de-involution" trend driving up express prices, enhancing corporate profit elasticity, and creating favorable competition opportunities in the medium to long term [15] - The shipping market is expected to benefit from the OPEC+ production increase cycle and the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts, with a notable improvement in the oil transportation market's outlook for Q4 2025 [15] - The shipping market is anticipated to recover, supported by environmental regulations limiting the operation of older fleets and the upcoming production of the West Manganese iron ore by the end of 2025 [15] Summary by Sections Express Logistics - In October 2025, the express delivery industry achieved a business volume of 17.6 billion pieces, a year-on-year increase of 7.9%, with revenue reaching 131.67 billion yuan, up 4.7% year-on-year [4][24] - Major players like YTO, Shentong, and Yunda showed varied growth rates, with YTO's volume increasing by 12.78% and Shentong by 3.97%, while Yunda's volume decreased by 5.11% [4][30] - The industry is transitioning towards high-quality development, with significant improvements in single-ticket revenue due to price increases driven by the de-involution trend [4] Shipping and Ports - VLCC freight rates reached a new high of $136,843 per day, the highest since Q2 2020, driven by tight available capacity and stable inquiry rhythms [8] - The Capesize bulk carrier spot freight rates surpassed $30,000 per day, reflecting a 20% increase over the past week, supported by seasonal demand recovery and strong import demand from China [8] - The BDI index increased by 7.1% to 2225 points, indicating a robust recovery in the bulk shipping market [9] Aviation - In October 2025, civil aviation transported approximately 68 million passengers, a year-on-year increase of 5.8%, and cargo/mail transport reached 917,000 tons, up 13.3% [58] - The overall passenger load factor for major airlines was 86.88%, showing a slight increase from the previous month [62] Road and Rail - From November 10 to November 16, 2025, national freight logistics operated smoothly, with rail freight reaching 81.8 million tons, a 0.17% increase week-on-week [14] - In October 2025, road freight volume was 3.706 billion tons, a year-on-year increase of 0.08% [64] Supply Chain Logistics - The logistics landscape is evolving, with companies like Shenzhen International expected to benefit from the transformation of logistics parks, providing performance elasticity [15] - The industry is witnessing a slowdown in competition, with companies like Debang and Aneng Logistics showing significant profit improvements due to strategic transformations [15]

Group 1: Aviation and Airports - The number of visa-free foreign visitors to China has increased by 52%, which is expected to drive the recovery of aviation and gradually restore airport profitability [2][5][7] - International passenger traffic is projected to grow by 25% in 2025, with a significant contribution from visa-free foreign visitors [16][18] - Major airports have seen passenger throughput recover to 2019 levels, with international passenger volume at Pudong Airport increasing by 23% year-on-year [28][26] Group 2: Shipping and Ports - Exports to ASEAN and Africa have increased by 15% and 28% respectively, benefiting regional shipping and port companies [3][44] - The new land-sea corridor in the western region has seen container volume grow by 70%, indicating strong demand for shipping services [3][44] - The global shipping demand is expected to grow slowly in 2026, with supply pressures potentially leading to lower freight rates [33] Group 3: Highways and Logistics - There is a potential for toll increases on existing highways, with some provinces already raising rates by over 30% [45][47] - The express delivery sector is showing signs of recovery, with price increases expected as competition stabilizes [58][60] - The logistics supply chain is expected to benefit from the monetization of traffic and new business growth, with significant revenue increases projected [61][64] Group 4: New Energy Vehicles and Smart Driving - Sales of electric heavy trucks have surged by 198%, with freight costs reduced by 16%, indicating a shift towards electrification in logistics [4][73] - The penetration rate of new energy vehicles is rapidly increasing, with significant implications for road transport efficiency and cost [80][79] - Companies in the smart driving sector are expected to see substantial growth, driven by technological advancements and increased market demand [81]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the transportation industry is "Positive" (maintained) [4] Core Views - The express delivery sector is showing resilience in demand, with a "de-involution" trend leading to price increases, which is expected to enhance corporate profitability. Long-term positive competition opportunities are anticipated in the e-commerce express delivery market [14] - The shipping sector is expected to benefit from the OPEC+ production increase cycle and the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts, with a notable improvement in the oil transportation market anticipated in Q4 2025 [14] - The shipbuilding sector is in the early stages of a green renewal cycle, with demand driven by shipping market recovery and green updates. The shipbuilding market is expected to see improved activity as various constraints ease [14] - The aviation sector is projected to see Q3 performance as a signal for a long-term market upturn, with stable demand growth and cost improvements expected [14] - The supply chain logistics sector is expected to see performance elasticity from the transformation of logistics parks in South China, with a focus on high dividends and value reassessment [15] Summary by Sections Express Delivery - The "Tongda" companies reported Q3 2025 performance with improved single-ticket profits, reflecting the impact of price increases. YTO, Shentong, and Yunda's revenues were 18.27 billion, 13.55 billion, and 12.66 billion yuan, respectively, with year-on-year growth of 8.73%, 13.62%, and 3.29% [5] - YTO's business volume reached 7.721 billion pieces, a year-on-year increase of 15.0%, while Shentong and Yunda's volumes were 6.515 billion and 6.417 billion pieces, with year-on-year growth of 10.7% and 6.6% [5] Shipping - VLCC TCE rates surged to $125,000/day, a 10-year high, driven by tightening capacity and increasing demand [7] - The SCFI index rose by 10.5% week-on-week, indicating a positive trend in container shipping rates [8] - The BDTI index increased by 8.47% week-on-week, reflecting rising oil tanker rates [9] Aviation - Global passenger demand grew by 3.6% in September 2025, with a load factor of 83.4% [10] - China National Airlines plans to purchase up to 10 A350F freighters, with a total value of approximately $4.65 billion [11] Road and Rail - National logistics operations were stable from October 20 to 26, with rail freight at 79.224 million tons, a 1.37% decrease [12] - Sichuan Chengyu reported Q3 2025 revenue of 1.96 billion yuan, a 1.52% year-on-year decline, but net profit increased by 8.96% [13]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the transportation industry [15] Core Insights - The transportation industry shows signs of recovery with various segments experiencing different levels of performance, driven by factors such as fuel cost reduction, normalization of travel demand, and strategic adjustments by companies [2][41] Summary by Sections Aviation - In Q3 2025, listed airlines saw significant improvement in fuel costs, leading to a notable divergence in profitability among carriers. The international growth rate outpaced domestic, with a 19% increase in available seat kilometers (ASK) and a 22% increase in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) compared to the same period in 2019 [6][23] - The average fuel price decreased by 11% year-on-year, contributing to improved profitability for airlines like China Eastern and Southern, while others faced challenges due to maintenance issues [31][37] Airports - Listed airport companies benefited from the normalization of travel, with gradual increases in passenger flow and stable costs leading to improved profitability. For instance, Shanghai Airport reported a 52.5% year-on-year increase in net profit for Q3 2025 [7][45][47] Express Delivery - The express delivery sector saw improvements in franchise profitability, while direct operations faced pressure due to increased strategic investments aimed at solidifying core business foundations. The overall market trend indicated a "weak volume, stable price" scenario [8][49] Cross-Border Logistics - Cross-border logistics continued to face external pressures, with significant declines in shipping prices due to geopolitical factors. However, cargo airlines maintained relatively stable profits due to fleet expansions [9][10] Bulk Supply Chain - Despite weak domestic demand, the implementation of "anti-involution" policies since July has led to improved operational efficiency and profitability for leading supply chain companies [10] Maritime Transport - The maritime sector showed signs of recovery, with oil and bulk shipping profitability improving. Container shipping, while still under pressure, showed better-than-expected performance due to seasonal demand and easing trade tensions [11][12] Ports - Port operations benefited from increased imports of bulk commodities, leading to year-on-year growth in performance, particularly in dry bulk and container segments [12][45] Highways - The highway sector experienced a recovery in traffic volume in Q3 2025, resulting in positive year-on-year profit growth for major listed companies [13] Railways - Railway passenger and freight demand showed slight growth, with companies diversifying into non-coal freight and logistics services to enhance profitability [14]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [6]. Core Views - The company achieved a total express delivery volume of 6.52 billion pieces in Q3 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 10.7% and a market share of 13.2% [2][4]. - The implementation of anti-involution measures since August 2025 has led to a recovery in e-commerce express delivery prices, benefiting the company [2]. - The average price per delivery piece increased to 2.05 yuan, up 2.1% year-on-year and 4.2% quarter-on-quarter [2]. - The company's net profit attributable to shareholders reached 300 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 40.3% [4]. - The company plans to acquire 100% of Daniao Logistics for 362 million yuan, which is expected to enhance delivery volume and revenue scale [9]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, the company reported operating revenue of 13.55 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 13.6% [4]. - The non-net profit attributable to shareholders was 320 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 59.6% [4]. - The company maintained good expense control, with total expenses of 420 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.3% [9]. Market Position and Strategy - The company’s market share remained relatively stable, with a slight increase of 0.2 percentage points quarter-on-quarter [9]. - The company is enhancing service experience through digital applications and improving hub node construction [9]. - The anti-involution measures are expected to provide significant profit elasticity in Q4 2025 [2]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates net profits attributable to shareholders of 1.39 billion, 1.78 billion, and 2.03 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively [9]. - The report projects a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.8, 13.1, and 11.5 for the same years [9].

Group 1 - The Beijing Stock Exchange (BSE) is accelerating the launch of the North Exchange 50 ETF and is researching the introduction of fixed-price trading after hours [4] - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and other departments have jointly issued implementation opinions to promote long-term capital entering the market [5] - The implementation opinions focus on optimizing the market ecosystem, developing equity public funds, and encouraging banks and trust funds to participate in the capital market [6] Group 2 - Huahong Technology reported a third-quarter net profit of 117 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23,211.89%, and a net profit of 197 million yuan for the first three quarters, up 7,110.70% year-on-year [8] - New Yisheng achieved a third-quarter revenue of 6.068 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 152.53%, and a net profit of 2.385 billion yuan, up 205.38% year-on-year [9] - Industrial Fulian reported a third-quarter revenue of 243.172 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 42.81%, and a net profit of 10.373 billion yuan, up 62.04% year-on-year, driven by the expansion of the AI server market [10]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a narrowing decline in express delivery prices in September, indicating a stronger-than-expected effort to combat "involution" in the industry, leading to a temporary easing of competitive pressure. The outlook remains positive for leading express delivery companies with confirmed performance growth and potential valuation recovery opportunities in e-commerce logistics [1][3][4]. Group 1: Industry Performance - In September 2025, the total express delivery volume increased by 12.7% year-on-year, with SF Express leading the growth at 31.81% [1]. - The total express delivery volume for the first nine months of 2025 reached 1,450.8 billion pieces, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 17.2% [1]. - The e-commerce express delivery volumes for YTO, Yunda, and Shentong in September 2025 were up 13.6%, 3.6%, and 9.5% year-on-year, respectively [1]. Group 2: Market Concentration - The market concentration in the express delivery industry continues to increase, with the CR8 for the first nine months of 2025 at 86.9, up 1.7 year-on-year, indicating a notable rise in the market share of leading companies [2]. - In Q3 2025, the market shares for YTO, Yunda, Shentong, and Jitu were 15.6%, 13.0%, 13.2%, and 11.3%, respectively, with leading companies showing an increase in market share compared to Q2 [2]. Group 3: Pricing Trends - The express delivery industry saw a revenue increase of 7.2% year-on-year in September 2025, while the average revenue per ticket decreased by 4.9% [3]. - The average revenue per ticket for YTO, Yunda, and Shentong in September 2025 showed year-on-year increases of 1.38%, 0.50%, and 4.95%, respectively [3]. - The decline in average revenue per ticket has narrowed, suggesting a reduction in price competition due to regulatory efforts against "involution" [3]. Group 4: Investment Recommendations - The article suggests that the ongoing "anti-involution" measures will effectively ease competitive pressures in the industry, with expectations for profitability recovery in e-commerce logistics in the second half of the year [4]. - The future profitability elasticity will depend on the sustainability of price increases, with a focus on regulatory oversight from the postal administration [4].

Core Viewpoint - The express delivery industry in China is expected to see a significant increase in parcel volume and revenue, with a focus on the "anti-involution" trend that is easing competitive pressures and potentially improving profitability in the second half of the year [1][6]. Group 1: Industry Performance - In September 2025, the national express delivery parcel volume reached 16.88 billion, a year-on-year increase of 12.7%, while the total volume from January to September was 145.08 billion, up 17.2% year-on-year [2][3]. - The express delivery industry revenue in September 2025 increased by 7.2% year-on-year, although the average revenue per parcel decreased by 4.9%. For the first nine months, revenue grew by 8.9% year-on-year, with a 7.1% decline in average revenue per parcel [4][5]. Group 2: E-commerce Express Delivery - Major e-commerce express delivery companies such as YTO, Yunda, and Shentong reported parcel volume growth in September 2025 of 13.6%, 3.6%, and 9.5% respectively, with year-to-date growth rates of 19.4%, 13.0%, and 17.1% [2][3]. - The average revenue per parcel for YTO, Yunda, and Shentong in September 2025 showed slight increases, while their year-to-date figures reflected declines of 4.9%, 5.7%, and 2.0% respectively [4][5]. Group 3: Market Concentration - The market concentration in the express delivery industry is increasing, with the CR8 (concentration ratio of the top 8 companies) reaching 86.9% in the first nine months of 2025, an increase of 1.7% year-on-year [3]. - In Q3 2025, the market shares of leading companies such as YTO, Yunda, Shentong, and Jitu were 15.6%, 13.0%, 13.2%, and 11.3% respectively, with slight changes compared to Q2 [3]. Group 4: Pricing Trends - The decline in average revenue per parcel has narrowed in September 2025, indicating a reduction in price competition due to the "anti-involution" measures. This trend is expected to continue, promoting healthier competition in the long term [4][5]. - The average revenue per parcel for SF Express in September 2025 decreased by 13.3%, with a year-to-date decline of 13.0% [5]. Group 5: Investment Recommendations - The "anti-involution" trend is anticipated to alleviate competitive pressures, with expectations for profitability recovery in e-commerce express delivery in the latter half of the year. Future profitability will depend on the sustainability of price increases [6]. - Companies with strong performance growth, such as SF Express, YTO Express, ZTO Express, Jitu Express, and Yunda, are recommended for investment [6].