Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" [1] Core Insights - The company reported FY26Q2 net revenue of $119.1 million, a year-on-year increase of 14.7%, with net profit attributable to shareholders at $4.55 million, up 42.3%, and Non-GAAP net profit at $7.29 million, reflecting a 68.6% increase [2] - The revenue exceeded expectations primarily due to the recovery in new education business and the revival of Dongfang Zhenxuan, with profit growth outpacing revenue growth due to a 1.2 percentage point increase in gross margin and a 2.6 percentage point decrease in sales expense ratio [2] - The company has successfully advanced its shareholder return plan, having fully paid the first cash dividend of $0.06 per ordinary share and initiated a $300 million share buyback plan, repurchasing approximately 1.6 million ADS for a total consideration of about $86.3 million as of January 27, 2026 [2] Summary by Relevant Sections Business Performance - Non-academic business showed a recovery with a 6.4% increase in enrollment and a 10.2% rise in deferred revenue in the first half of the year. The new education business grew by 21.6% year-on-year in FY26Q2, significantly up from 15.3% in FY26Q1, driven by a focus on core education services and improved teaching quality [3] - The deferred revenue balance reached $2.162 billion, a 10.2% year-on-year increase, slightly up from 10.0% in FY26Q1 [3] Profitability Metrics - The company's gross margin and net profit margin for FY26Q2 were 53.3% and 3.8%, respectively, reflecting year-on-year increases of 1.2 and 0.7 percentage points. The sales and management expense ratios decreased by 2.6 and 0.1 percentage points, respectively [4] Financial Guidance - The company provided FY26Q3 guidance for revenue growth of 11-14% in USD terms, with an annual revenue growth forecast of 5%-10% for FY26. New business is expected to grow by 20%-25%, while high school business is projected to grow by 13% [5] - Long-term, the company is positioned as a rare national leader with stable core education revenue, focusing on cost reduction and efficiency improvements, which are expected to enhance profit margins [5] - The company maintains its revenue forecasts for FY26-28 at $5.297 billion, $5.778 billion, and $6.296 billion, respectively, and net profit forecasts at $458 million, $526 million, and $577 million, respectively, corresponding to EPS of $0.28, $0.32, and $0.35 [5]

Core Viewpoint - The company is experiencing a gradual stabilization in its core business, leading to a significant improvement in shareholder returns, with a target price adjustment to $74.5 or HKD 57.9, maintaining a buy rating [1] Performance Overview - For FY26Q1, the company reported a net revenue of $1.52 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.1%, slightly exceeding previous guidance [1] - Operating profit reached $310 million, up 6% year-on-year, while Non-GAAP operating profit was $336 million, reflecting an 11.3% increase [1] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was $240 million, down 1.9% year-on-year, primarily due to dividend withholding tax and fluctuations in other income [1] - The Non-GAAP net profit attributable to shareholders was $258 million, a decrease of 1.6% year-on-year, with a Non-GAAP operating profit margin of 22.0%, up 1.0 percentage points year-on-year [1] Education Business Performance - In FY26Q1, the overseas exam preparation and study abroad consulting businesses grew by 1.0% and 2.0% year-on-year, respectively, with rapid growth in overseas youth exam training partially offsetting declines in adult exams [2] - The university and adult exam business saw a year-on-year growth of 14.4% [2] - New business revenue increased by 15.3% year-on-year, with non-academic tutoring registrations reaching 530,000, a 9.5% increase [2] - The number of active paying users for smart learning systems and devices reached 452,000 in Q4, a year-on-year increase of 39.9% [2] FY26Q2 and FY26 Outlook - The company expects FY26Q2 net revenue to be between $1.132 billion and $1.163 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 9% to 12% [3] - The net revenue forecast for FY26 remains unchanged, with expected total revenue between $5.145 billion and $5.39 billion, indicating a year-on-year growth of 5% to 10% [3] Shareholder Return Plan - In July 2025, the company approved a three-year shareholder return plan, committing to return no less than 50% of the previous fiscal year's net profit to shareholders starting from FY26 [4] - The announced shareholder return plan for FY26 includes a cash dividend of $190 million (to be paid in two installments) and a $300 million share buyback within the next 12 months, resulting in a total return of approximately $490 million [4]

Core Viewpoint - First Shanghai has given New Oriental-S (09901, EDU.US) a target price of $74.5 / HKD 57.9 based on a 25x PE for FY26E net profit, maintaining a buy rating due to the stabilization of core business and significant shareholder returns [1] Group 1: Performance Overview - For FY26Q1, the company reported a net revenue of $1.52 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.1%, slightly exceeding previous guidance [2] - Operating profit reached $310 million, up 6% year-on-year, while Non-GAAP operating profit was $336 million, reflecting an 11.3% increase [2] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was $240 million, down 1.9% year-on-year, primarily due to dividend withholding tax and fluctuations in other income [2] Group 2: Education Business Performance - In FY26Q1, the overseas exam preparation and study abroad consulting businesses grew by 1.0% and 2.0% year-on-year, respectively, with youth exam training showing faster growth [3] - The university and adult exam business saw a year-on-year growth of 14.4% [3] - New business revenue increased by 15.3% year-on-year, with non-academic tutoring registrations reaching 530,000, a 9.5% increase [3] - The active paying users for the smart learning system and devices reached 452,000, up 39.9% year-on-year [3] Group 3: FY26Q2 and FY26 Outlook - The company expects FY26Q2 net revenue to be between $1.132 billion and $1.163 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 9% to 12% [4] - For FY26, the total net revenue is projected to be between $5.145 billion and $5.39 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 5% to 10% [4] Group 4: Shareholder Return Plan - In July 2025, the company approved a three-year shareholder return plan, committing to return no less than 50% of the previous fiscal year's net profit to shareholders starting from FY26 [5] - The shareholder return plan includes a cash dividend of $190 million (to be paid in two installments) and a $300 million buyback within the next 12 months, resulting in a total return rate of approximately 5% [5] - The total planned return through dividends and buybacks amounts to $490 million [5]