Core Viewpoint - H World Group (华住) shows stable stock performance with a recent closing price of $45.22, reflecting a slight increase of 0.62% on November 18, 2023, and a year-to-date increase of 44.7% [1] Financial Performance - The trading volume on November 18 was 1.7747 million shares, with a total transaction value of $78.9539 million, which is a decrease of 45.65% compared to the previous trading day [1] - Over the past 5 trading days, the stock has seen a cumulative increase of 0.04%, while the increase over the past 60 days is 29.79% [1] Institutional Ratings - Institutional sentiment towards H World Group remains positive, with Zacks Research and HSBC Global Research recently assigning a "Strong Buy" rating [1] Strategic Developments - The launch of the new brand "Qianji Daguan" on October 31 is a significant strategic move for H World Group, aimed at enhancing its position in the hotel supply-side reform [1] - The founder, Ji Qi, highlighted favorable factors such as a large population base and substantial infrastructure development, which are expected to create growth opportunities for the hotel industry, thereby boosting confidence in the development of "Qianji Daguan" [1] - This new brand is anticipated to become a key growth driver for H World Group in the next phase of its development [1]

Core Insights - The hotel industry in China is shifting focus towards third and fourth-tier cities, similar to retail companies like Hema Fresh, indicating significant growth potential in these markets [1][3] - The hotel market's chain rate is projected to reach approximately 40% by 2024, highlighting ongoing opportunities for expansion across various city tiers [1][3] Company Overview - Huazhu Group, founded 20 years ago, has grown to become the fourth-largest hotel group globally, with its HanTing brand leading in room count at 359,475, and its All Seasons brand ranking fourth with 325,999 rooms [3] - The company has diversified its offerings across various hotel types, including economy, midscale, upscale, and serviced apartments, which supports its growth strategy [3] Market Dynamics - Despite having over 20 million hotel rooms, the chain rate in first-tier cities is only 40%, with even lower rates of 25% in third-tier cities and 14% in fourth-tier and below, indicating a fragmented market with significant room for improvement [3][4] - The demand side is experiencing changes, with a decrease in business travel but an increase in inbound tourism and leisure travel, driven by a growing middle-income group exceeding 400 million people [3][4] Industry Trends - The necessity for supply-side reform in the hotel industry is emphasized, focusing on transitioning from single units to chains, enhancing brand value, and improving cost efficiency [4] - The competitive landscape is shifting towards high-cost performance hotels that offer emotional value and service at reasonable prices, rather than solely luxury or low-cost options [4] - Huazhu is adopting modular design and integrated construction to reduce costs for new builds and renovations, while also incorporating technology like robots and self-service machines to enhance guest experience without increasing labor costs [4]