ab Global Research owered by UBS Evidence Lab YES P 2 July 2025 China Logistics Sector APAC Focus: Parcel pricing near bottom, prefer smaller players on vol. and margin expansion Investors are increasingly concerned about the pricing dynamics in China's parcel industry. However, we believe price competition will largely stabilise, supported by UBS Evidence Lab survey (> Access Dataset) and our supply-demand analysis. We expect ZTO, YTO, STO, Yunda and J&T (Tongda) in aggregate to deliver a 2024-27E earnings ...

Asia Pacific Equity Research 23 June 2025 This material is neither intended to be distributed to Mainland China investors nor to provide securities investment consultancy services within the territory of Mainland China. This material or any portion hereof may not be reprinted, sold or redistributed without the written consent of J.P. Morgan. S.F. Holding Co. Ltd - A/H How the leader stays ahead? May operation data sheds some light SF Holdings has defied expectations with its remarkable performance in the lo ...

Core Insights - FedEx is facing challenges but is at the bottom of its decline as its turnaround and optimization strategy gains traction [1] - The planned spin-off of the freight segment is progressing well, with increasing package volume in the core Express segment and improved profitability [2] - The company has a robust capital return outlook, trading at a low valuation with a reliable dividend yield [3] Financial Performance - In fiscal Q4 2025, FedEx reported revenue of $22.2 billion, a 0.5% increase year-over-year, driven by the core Express segment [5] - The Freight segment saw a 3.8% decline, representing about 10% of total business [5] - The company achieved $2.2 billion in DRIVE-related savings and a 5.2% increase in operating income, with adjusted earnings of $6.07, up 12% year-over-year [6] Guidance and Market Sentiment - FedEx issued mixed guidance for Q2, forecasting flat to 2% revenue growth but a weaker earnings forecast of $3.70, which is $0.35 below consensus [7] - Despite the weak earnings forecast, growth is expected to accelerate compared to revenue, with capital return remaining safe [8] - Analysts have mixed responses to FedEx's Q4 results, with a 12-month stock price forecast averaging $285.75, indicating a potential upside of 28.68% [10] Shareholder Returns - FedEx has consistently increased its dividend payments, with a payout ratio suggesting sustainable double-digit growth [4] - Share buybacks have reduced the share count by 4.5% in F2025, enhancing per-share distribution [4] - Institutions own about 85% of FedEx stock, providing a strong support base as they continue to buy [11]

4 June 2025 | 7:59PM HKT China Logistics Intense price competition to further weigh on express profitability; Buy integrated players SF/JDL & leader ZTO Our China express delivery coverage concluded 1Q25 results with better-than-expected volumes yet widened year-on-year declines in economy parcel ASPs, leading to group GP/EBIT yoy declines for most franchise-based express delivery names, while integrated full-service logistics service providers delivered relative earnings strength/resilience (SF 1Q EBIT +20 ...

Core Insights - ZTO Express reported first-quarter 2025 earnings of 37 cents per share, matching the previous year's quarter, while total revenues of $1.50 billion fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.67 billion but showed year-over-year improvement [1] Financial Performance - The core express delivery business revenue increased by 9.8% year over year, driven by a 19.1% growth in parcel volume, despite a 7.8% decrease in parcel unit price [3] - Adjusted net income for the quarter was $2.3 billion, with retail volume increasing by 46% year over year [2] - Gross profit decreased by 10.4% from the year-ago quarter, with gross margin falling to 24.7% from 30.1% [4] Operational Highlights - ZTO achieved a parcel volume of 8.5 billion during the first quarter [2] - KA revenues, generated by direct sales organizations, surged by 129.3%, attributed to an increase in e-commerce return parcels [3] - Revenue from freight forwarding services declined by 11.6% year over year due to falling cross-border e-commerce pricing [3] Cash and Share Repurchase Program - As of the end of the first quarter, ZTO had cash and cash equivalents of $1.71 billion, down from $1.84 billion at the end of the previous quarter [5] - The board approved an increase in the share repurchase program to $2 billion, extending the effective period through June 30, 2025 [5][6] Guidance - ZTO reaffirms its 2025 parcel volume guidance of 40.8 billion to 42.2 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 20-24% [7]

Core Viewpoint - ZTO Express is set to report its first-quarter 2025 results on May 20, with earnings expected to be flat at 47 cents per share and revenues projected to rise by 21% year over year to $1.67 billion [1] Group 1: Earnings Expectations - High operating expenses are anticipated to negatively impact the company's bottom-line performance, although top-line growth is expected to be driven by strong parcel volumes [2] - ZTO Express has updated its 2025 parcel volume guidance to a range of 40.8 billion to 42.2 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 20-24% [3] - The ongoing trade war between the United States and China is expected to influence the results for the upcoming quarter [3][4] Group 2: Previous Performance - In the fourth quarter of 2024, ZTO Express reported mixed results, with earnings of 44 cents per share falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 46 cents, while total revenues of $1.77 billion exceeded the estimate of $1.65 billion [7]