Core Insights - The shareholder letter serves as a vital communication bridge between companies and investors, showcasing strategic vision and industry insights [1] - Companies like Berkshire Hathaway, Alibaba, and Midea Group utilize shareholder letters to convey their operational results, strategic directions, and unique investment philosophies [1][3] - The voluntary nature of these letters reflects a deeper business logic, allowing companies to actively communicate core information to the market [2] Group 1: Importance and Function of Shareholder Letters - Shareholder letters provide a narrative that explains "why" and "what" companies are doing, complementing the cold numbers of financial reports [2] - They serve as a tangible expression of corporate values, helping to manage shareholder expectations and reduce short-term market volatility [2][3] - The letters are seen as a test of corporate integrity, with discrepancies between stated goals and actual performance highlighting the importance of transparent communication [3] Group 2: Case Study of Yiatong - Yiatong's shareholder letter emphasizes a customer-centric business model and innovative service concepts, reflecting its strategic focus and commitment to value delivery [4] - The 2021 letter, written by the former secretary Zhang Lei, acknowledges past strategic shortcomings and aims to rebuild investor confidence through transparent communication [5] - The letter's structure revolves around gratitude towards stakeholders, showcasing the company's transition from a distributor to a value integrator in the supply chain industry [5][6] Group 3: Regulatory Perspective - The voluntary nature of shareholder letters highlights the interaction between market autonomy and regulatory oversight, emphasizing the need for truthful and complete information disclosure [7] - Effective capital market regulation should balance respect for market dynamics with the necessity of maintaining information integrity [7][8] - The diversity in expression within shareholder letters enriches the information ecosystem, allowing companies to communicate their strategies effectively while adhering to disclosure norms [7][8]