Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the higher education sector, indicating a "Buy" recommendation for specific companies such as New Higher Education, Neusoft Ruixin, Xijiao International Holdings, and Zhonghui Group [30]. Core Insights - The report anticipates a turning point in educational investment, with improved operational efficiency expected in the higher education sector. It notes that while revenue growth for higher education companies is generally slowing due to a deceleration in student enrollment, tuition fee increases are becoming the primary driver of revenue growth [3][12]. - The report predicts that the average revenue growth rate for six higher education companies in FY25 will be 8.8%, a decline of 2.8 percentage points from the previous year and a drop of 11.8 percentage points from the five-year average [4][13]. - The report highlights that the average tuition fee growth for FY25 is expected to remain stable at 9.3%, which is an increase of 1.2 percentage points compared to the five-year average [4][12]. Summary by Sections Market Review - The education index increased by 2.9% during the week, outperforming the Hang Seng Index by 0.4 percentage points. Year-to-date, the education index has risen by 14.21%, lagging behind the Hang Seng Index by 7.23 percentage points [11]. Financial Projections - The report forecasts that the average gross profit growth for the six higher education companies in FY25 will be 3.7%, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points from the previous year and a drop of 14.4 percentage points from the five-year average. The average gross profit margin is expected to be 43.6%, down 2.9 percentage points from the previous year [5][18]. - The average number of teachers is projected to grow by 2.9% in FY25, continuing to outpace student enrollment growth. Teacher salaries are expected to increase by an average of 14.7%, indicating a trend towards hiring higher-caliber talent [5][18]. Cost Management - The average sales expense ratio for FY25 is projected to be 2.5%, remaining stable compared to the previous year. The average management expense ratio is expected to rise to 11.8%, while the average financial expense ratio is anticipated to decrease to 3.7% [6][22]. Operational Efficiency - The report suggests that the operational efficiency of higher education companies is expected to bottom out, with quality improvements in education becoming the main theme of the industry. It predicts that the cost growth for higher education companies will align with student enrollment growth in the coming year [8][27]. - The report also indicates that as educational investment peaks, the resumption of dividends from higher education companies is anticipated [29].