Core Viewpoint - The express delivery industry is expected to maintain resilient growth in business volume, driven by the ongoing trend of small parcelization and the release of consumption potential in lower-tier markets [1][2]. Group 1: Business Volume and Trends - By August 2025, the cumulative express delivery volume reached 128.2 billion pieces, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 17.8% (on a comparable basis), indicating a counter-cyclical growth trend [1]. - The small parcelization trend continues, with expectations for resilient growth in business volume in the second half of 2025 and into 2026, particularly in the central and western regions and rural areas [1]. Group 2: Pricing and Revenue - From January to August 2025, the average revenue per express delivery ticket was 7.48 yuan, showing a year-on-year decline of 7.3%, but the decline has narrowed compared to the 12.3% drop at the end of 2024, suggesting a stabilization in pricing due to anti-involution policies [1]. - The anti-involution policies have spread nationwide, significantly improving the single-ticket revenue for companies and indicating a potential recovery in profitability for e-commerce express delivery firms in the latter half of the year and next year [2]. Group 3: Cost Dynamics - The scale effect is diminishing under the trend of small parcelization, leading to a slowdown in the decline of core costs per ticket. The cost reduction potential for transportation and transfer is narrowing [1]. - The introduction of unmanned vehicles is expected to open up cost reduction opportunities in last-mile delivery, although new social security regulations may lead to a short-term increase in costs per ticket [1].

Group 1 - The express delivery industry is expected to maintain resilient growth, with a projected business volume of 128.2 billion pieces in August 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 17.8% [2][9] - The trend of small parcelization continues, driven by consumer preferences for cost-effective products, leading to increased repurchase frequency and smaller package sizes [9][41] - The regulatory environment has led to a slowdown in price competition, with the average revenue per delivery in the express industry decreasing by 7.3% year-on-year to 7.48 yuan in the first eight months of 2025, a significant improvement from a 12.3% decline at the end of 2024 [3][13] Group 2 - The express delivery sector is witnessing a shift towards value competition due to the implementation of new social security regulations, which are expected to increase operational costs in the short term but promote long-term industry transformation [4][72] - The concentration of market share among leading companies has increased, with the top six firms maintaining an 80% market share in 2025, indicating a trend of market differentiation among major players [20][26] - The introduction of autonomous delivery vehicles is expected to reduce last-mile delivery costs significantly, with major companies like SF Express and ZTO Express investing heavily in this technology [70][65] Group 3 - The investment strategy emphasizes the importance of e-commerce express delivery leaders, with a focus on companies like SF Express, YTO Express, ZTO Express, and JD Logistics, as they are expected to benefit from improved earnings visibility [77][78] - The report highlights that the profitability of express delivery companies will depend on the sustainability of price increases, with potential for significant profit recovery in the second half of 2025 and into 2026 [60][62] - The report suggests that the ongoing trend of small parcelization and the rise of new consumption models will continue to support steady growth in delivery volumes [41][77]