Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the overseas education sector, particularly highlighting the potential rebound in profitability for higher education companies as they enhance their operational efficiency and educational quality [4][16]. Core Insights - The profitability of higher education companies is expected to improve as they transition from a phase of high costs to a more stable operational environment, driven by an increase in the quality of education and student enrollment structures [4][16]. - The report emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality education and optimizing student demographics, which is reflected in the rising average tuition fees and accommodation costs [2][3][4]. Summary by Sections Overseas Education - The education index increased by 1% during the week, underperforming the Hang Seng Index by 1.8 percentage points, with a year-to-date increase of 8.2% [6]. - New Higher Education Group reported a revenue of 2.6 billion yuan for FY25, a 7.8% increase year-on-year, with adjusted net profit rising by 5.2% to 812 million yuan [2][7]. - The student enrollment decreased slightly by 0.6%, but the proportion of undergraduate students increased, leading to an 8.1% rise in average tuition fees to 16,700 yuan per year [2][7]. - The company’s operational costs grew by 9.2% to 1.68 billion yuan, with labor costs rising significantly, indicating a focus on maintaining educational quality [3][8]. - The report predicts that the peak of cost increases has passed, and profitability is set to rebound, with expected net profits of 880 million yuan and 1 billion yuan for FY26 and FY27, respectively [4][9]. Key Companies - Xijiao International Holdings reported a revenue of 3.96 billion yuan for FY25, a 6.1% increase, but net profit fell by 36.9% due to previous high costs [11][12]. - The company has optimized its school management by reducing the number of institutions, which is expected to enhance operational efficiency and profitability [12][13]. - The report suggests focusing on several key players in the sector, including New Oriental, TAL Education, and Huazhong Education, as they are expected to benefit from the improving market conditions [16]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends attention to Hong Kong-listed higher education companies, as the profitability outlook is improving with reduced capital expenditures and stabilized operational costs [16]. - It also highlights the potential for growth in vocational education companies, particularly those adapting to market demands and enhancing their service offerings [16].