Core Viewpoint - The article discusses how JD.com, under the leadership of Liu Qiangdong, prioritizes employee welfare and long-term sustainability over immediate profits, contrasting with industry trends focused on efficiency and cost-cutting [3][10]. Group 1: Company Strategy - JD.com reported a revenue of 1,158.8 billion yuan in 2023, but its net profit was only 41.4 billion yuan, significantly lower than competitors like Moutai, which had a net profit of 89.3 billion yuan [3]. - The company has added over 20,000 full-time employees in 2023, while competitors like Pinduoduo have seen significant profit growth without similar increases in workforce [7]. - JD.com is investing in long-term strategies, such as a trade-in service and rural logistics integration, which focus on building a sustainable system rather than just driving immediate sales [8]. Group 2: Employee Welfare - JD.com emphasizes providing formal contracts and social security for employees, which is seen as a luxury in the current job market [5]. - The company has implemented initiatives like interest-free housing loans for employees and building warehouses in remote areas, which do not directly impact profit margins but may strengthen the company's foundation for future growth [10]. - Liu Qiangdong's philosophy is that making money is not the only measure of success; ensuring employee security and dignity is equally important [10][12]. Group 3: Industry Context - The current industry trend is towards efficiency, cost reduction, and automation, while JD.com is taking a contrary approach by hiring more staff and investing in employee benefits [10]. - The article raises concerns about the future of the industry if companies prioritize profits over human considerations, questioning the sustainability of such a model [12].

Core Insights - The 618 shopping festival is evolving, reflecting changes in consumer behavior and market dynamics, with a shift towards more rational consumption and new trends emerging [1][2]. Group 1: Trends in E-commerce - The 618 festival has expanded internationally, with Chinese products finding new markets abroad, particularly in the U.S., due to favorable trade conditions [3][6][7]. - E-commerce platforms are simplifying their promotional rules, moving away from complex discount structures to more straightforward pricing strategies, enhancing the shopping experience [9][12]. - There is a resurgence of focus on extreme cost-performance ratios, with consumers prioritizing value optimization over mere low prices [13][14]. Group 2: Consumer Preferences - Consumers are increasingly seeking personalized products and niche brands, reflecting a desire for unique and customized shopping experiences [15][16]. - The integration of content and e-commerce is becoming seamless, allowing consumers to purchase directly from social media platforms, enhancing convenience [17][19]. - Instant retail is gaining traction, with consumers expecting rapid delivery times, transforming the logistics landscape [20][22]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - Platforms are shifting their focus from low prices to quality and service, indicating a move towards refined operations in the e-commerce sector [23]. - The "trade-in" model is stimulating market activity, particularly in durable goods, by encouraging consumers to upgrade their products [24][26]. - The potential of lower-tier markets is being recognized, with brands and platforms targeting these areas for growth opportunities [28][30]. Group 4: Technological Integration - AI is enhancing the shopping experience, making interactions with products and platforms more efficient and personalized [31][33][36]. - The overall landscape of the 618 festival is transforming, with a focus on consumer-led trends, value-driven purchases, and technological advancements [37].

Core Insights - The consumer platform "What Worth Buying" released the consumption trend for the "618" mid-year shopping festival, indicating a strong interest in "trade-in" programs, with related keywords' GMV increasing by 26.37% year-on-year [1] - Experience-based consumption is becoming a significant driver for many consumers, with ticket sales for movies, concerts, and events seeing a GMV increase of 555.90% year-on-year [1] - Other categories such as gaming hardware, outdoor equipment, and photography also experienced substantial growth, with GMV increases of 300.19%, 62.20%, and 18.01% respectively [1] Category Summaries - **Trade-in Programs**: The enthusiasm for "trade-in" remains high, contributing to a 26.37% year-on-year growth in GMV for related keywords, with significant increases in categories like audio playback, home appliances, and mobile communications, which saw GMV growth of 54.84%, 44.38%, and 29.08% respectively [1] - **Experience Consumption**: Experience-based purchases are gaining traction, with ticket sales for entertainment events showing a remarkable growth of 555.90% year-on-year, indicating a shift towards experiential spending [1] - **Other Categories**: The gaming hardware sector saw a GMV increase of 300.19%, while outdoor gear and photography equipment also showed growth rates of 62.20% and 18.01% respectively, highlighting diverse consumer interests [1]

Group 1: China People's Insurance Group - In 2024, China People's Insurance Group provided risk coverage of 31.75 trillion yuan, paid out 448.5 billion yuan in claims, and handled over 180 million claims, leading the industry in all three metrics [1] - The company launched the first comprehensive insurance for pilot projects nationwide and issued the first batch of major technology innovation insurance products, with an investment scale of 32.7 billion yuan [1] - China People's Insurance Group signed the United Nations Principles for Sustainable Insurance and insured 11.59 million new energy vehicles, with green risk coverage of 184 trillion yuan and an investment scale of 100.4 billion yuan for green development [1] Group 2: Digital Financial Innovation - In 2024, China People's Insurance Group's insurance solutions for the computing power industry were included in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's pilot program for cybersecurity insurance services [2] - The company has developed over 150 general AI capabilities, with daily usage exceeding 1 million times, and its proprietary AI model products have been applied in over 10 scenarios [2] Group 3: Overseas Payment Services - In Q1 2025, UnionPay's mobile payment transactions in Australia and New Zealand increased by over four times year-on-year, with Auckland's public transport transactions growing tenfold since the launch of UnionPay's contactless payment service [5] - UnionPay has established a comprehensive payment service network in Australia and New Zealand, with nearly all POS merchants and ATMs accepting UnionPay payments [6] Group 4: JD Group's Supply Chain Advantage - JD Group launched a 200 billion yuan export-to-domestic sales support plan to help foreign trade enterprises expand into the domestic market, with thousands of companies already in substantive procurement discussions [7] - The company has implemented a trade-in program since 2015, covering over 200 categories and reaching over 90% of rural areas in China [7][8] Group 5: Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group - Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group is focused on building a world-class pharmaceutical brand and has been recognized for its intelligent manufacturing capabilities [9] - The company has established 80 traditional Chinese medicine planting bases and is committed to enhancing its health management services [10] Group 6: Luzhou Laojiao Group - Luzhou Laojiao Group integrates traditional culture with modern technology to enhance its competitive edge and promote high-quality development in the liquor industry [11] - The company has established a national-level solid-state brewing technology innovation center and is developing a digital platform for the entire industry chain [11] Group 7: China Feihe Limited - China Feihe emphasizes independent innovation to enhance its core competitiveness and has established a full industry chain in the dairy sector [13] - The company has developed domestic production lines for key dairy ingredients and launched a leading infant formula based on extensive breast milk research [14] Group 8: WeBank - WeBank has served over 420 million individual customers and more than 580,000 small and micro enterprises through its digital financial products [16] - The bank maintains a high level of technology investment, with over 50% of its staff being technology personnel, and has developed over 220 AI applications [16]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for JD Group [7] Core Views - JD Group's revenue for 4Q24 increased by 13.4% year-on-year to RMB 347 billion, exceeding the expected growth of 9.0%. The non-GAAP net profit reached RMB 11.3 billion, a 34.2% increase, driven by better-than-expected operating profit in the retail segment [1][2] - The "trade-in" initiative is expected to support revenue growth in 2025, while exploration in new business areas like food delivery is crucial for long-term growth and valuation expansion [1][3] - The company has a low trading valuation multiple of 9.4x for 2025E non-GAAP PE, alongside significant shareholder returns planned for 2024, which includes a buyback of USD 3.6 billion and dividends of USD 1.5 billion [1][4] Revenue and Profitability - JD Retail's total revenue for 4Q24 was RMB 307.1 billion, up 14.7% year-on-year, with operating profit of RMB 10 billion, a 44.7% increase [2] - The number of active buyers has seen double-digit growth for five consecutive quarters, with 4Q24 growth reaching the highest in nearly five quarters [2] - The "trade-in" initiative contributed to a 15.8% increase in revenue from electronic products, while daily necessities grew by 11.1% [2] Business Exploration and Profit Impact - JD is actively exploring new business scenarios like food delivery to enhance user engagement and transaction scenarios, which may have a limited impact on profits in 2025 [3] - The adjusted net profit for JD Group in 2025 is expected to grow by 7.6% to RMB 51.5 billion, with a stable adjusted net profit margin [3] Profit Forecast and Valuation - The report adjusts the non-GAAP net profit forecast for 2025/2026 upwards by 0.7% and 4.9% to RMB 51.5 billion and RMB 58.3 billion, respectively, and introduces a 2027 forecast of RMB 64.9 billion [4][21] - The target price based on SOTP valuation is set at USD 51.88 per ADS and HKD 201.57 per ordinary share, reflecting a valuation multiple of 10.8x, 9.5x, and 8.6x for 2025/2026/2027E non-GAAP PE [4][23]