Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" and is maintained [9] Core Insights - The report emphasizes the continuation of anti-involution regulations, which are expected to enhance the growth certainty of leading companies in the logistics sector. The focus is on improving compliance levels and optimizing algorithms within courier companies to balance interests among headquarters, franchisees, and couriers [2][4] - The report highlights that the adjustment of delivery fees in provinces like Sichuan aims to secure the income levels of frontline workers, while regulatory measures in grain-producing areas like Guangdong and Yiwu help maintain stable prices. The pressure from social security compliance provides cost support for courier prices, limiting the risk of price declines [2][4] - The advancement of e-commerce value-added tax is accelerating the industry's process of eliminating inefficiencies, with low-efficiency practices like fake orders rapidly declining. This environment favors leading courier companies such as Zhongtong, Yuantong, and Shentong, which are expected to see increases in market share, profitability, and valuation [5] Summary by Sections Regulatory Environment - The report indicates that the national postal work meeting in 2026 will focus on comprehensive rectification of "involution-style" competition, marking a shift from "end correction" to "system reconstruction" in industry regulation [4] - The report notes that the anti-involution regulations are becoming a consensus in the industry, with a strong emphasis on compliance transformation for courier companies [4] Market Dynamics - The report states that the courier business volume growth rate has improved, with a cumulative year-on-year growth rate of 6.4% as of March 1, 2026. The volume of postal courier collected during the Spring Festival period increased by 13.2% year-on-year [7] - The air freight market is showing resilience, with air freight price indices reflecting strong demand during the off-peak season, particularly for high-tech products [7] Company Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on leading courier companies such as Zhongtong, Yuantong, and Shentong, which are expected to benefit from the favorable regulatory environment and market dynamics [5]

Core Viewpoint - ZTO Express's business volume growth rate has slowed down in Q3 2025, but profitability has improved due to anti-involution measures. Cost efficiency continues to rise, although future cost reduction potential may narrow. The company's market share has slightly declined, but its leading position remains stable [1][2][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, ZTO Express reported revenue of 11.86 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%. Total business volume reached 9.57 billion parcels, up 9.8%, but the growth rate has slowed compared to Q2 and is slightly behind peers [2]. - Net profit and adjusted net profit for Q3 were 2.54 billion yuan and 2.51 billion yuan, respectively, reflecting year-on-year growth of 6.7% and 5%. The improvement in profit growth is attributed to the recovery of industry price levels and optimization of the company's business structure [2]. - The company has revised its annual business volume guidance down to 38.2-38.7 billion parcels from the previous 38.8-40.1 billion parcels, anticipating stable growth of around 8% in Q4 [2]. Group 2: Cost Efficiency - In Q3 2025, the cost per parcel was 0.91 yuan, an increase of 0.09 yuan year-on-year. The transportation cost per parcel decreased by 11.5% to 0.34 yuan, benefiting from economies of scale and improved route planning [3]. - Sorting costs per parcel fell by 1.9% to 0.25 yuan, primarily due to the benefits from automation equipment investments. Although the growth rate of business volume is slowing, the company is expected to maintain a downward trend in transportation and sorting costs, albeit at a reduced rate [3]. Group 3: Market Position - ZTO Express's market share in Q3 2025 was 19.37%, showing a slight decline of 0.64 and 0.13 percentage points year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, respectively. Despite this, the company retains its leading position in the industry [3]. - The ongoing anti-involution regulations are expected to shift industry competition from quantity expansion to quality improvement, favoring leading express companies with high-quality services and mature product systems [3].