Summary of Key Points from the Equity Research Report on China Express Delivery Industry Overview - The A-share Express Delivery Index has increased by 18% since July, outperforming the CSI300 index which rose by 4% [3] - The profitability improvement across the express delivery industry has not been fully reflected in stock prices, particularly for major players like YTO, which saw an 80%+ improvement in PE ratios due to express price hikes in Q4 2021 [3] Core Insights - **Price Recovery and Policy Support**: The ongoing anti-involution policy and expected price floor increases in regions like Guangdong (RMB0.4-0.5 increase to RMB1.4 per parcel) are anticipated to enhance profitability and earnings visibility for delivery players in 2026 [3][5] - **ASP Trends**: Major players experienced a year-on-year increase in Average Selling Price (ASP) of 13-21% in 2022, but ASP is expected to remain flat in 2026 due to a higher mix of low-priced parcels and price sensitivity among consumers [4] - **Volume Growth**: Industrial parcel volume growth is projected to slow to approximately 10-15% year-on-year in 4Q25-2026, following a low growth of 2% in 2022 due to pandemic impacts [4] Company Ratings and Target Prices - **Upgrades**: YTO and Yunda have been upgraded to "Buy" from "Hold" due to recent policy-driven price hikes, while STO Express remains a preferred choice with a maintained "Buy" rating [6][11] - **Target Prices**: - SF Holding-A: Target price raised from RMB47.10 to RMB56.00 [7] - YTO Express: Target price raised from RMB13.70 to RMB20.40 [28] - Yunda: Target price raised from RMB7.60 to RMB10.40 [40] Financial Estimates - **Revenue and Profit Changes**: - YTO Express's revenue estimates lowered by 2% in 2025, 3% in 2026, and 5% in 2027 due to fierce price competition [24] - Yunda's net profit estimates raised by 7% in 2025, 12% in 2026, and 10% in 2027 due to improved ASP and cost management [36] - **Cost Management**: Expected unit costs to drop by 3-5% year-on-year in 2025 due to better scale effects [4] Risks and Challenges - **Price Competition**: Intensifying price competition poses a risk to ASP and could negatively impact revenue and earnings [22] - **Capacity Expansion**: Slower-than-expected capacity expansion could limit competitiveness and share price growth [22] - **Goodwill Impairment**: Risks associated with goodwill impairment could affect earnings negatively [22] Conclusion - The express delivery sector in China is poised for a recovery supported by policy changes and price adjustments, with major players like YTO and Yunda expected to benefit significantly. However, risks related to competition and operational efficiency remain critical factors to monitor.