Industry Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" rating for the overseas consumer discretionary sector [1][2] Core Views - The logistics and express delivery industry is undergoing a transformation driven by technological innovation, with digitalization and automation being key to cost reduction and efficiency improvement [3] - Companies like ZTO Express, JD Logistics, and SF City are expected to benefit from cost control measures, potentially unlocking shareholder return opportunities [5] - The industry's shift towards refined operations and profit release is expected to enhance shareholder returns, with a focus on companies that excel in cost management [5] Key Company Summaries ZTO Express - ZTO Express has significantly reduced costs through automation, with 464 automated sorting devices in 2023, leading to a decrease in per-parcel sorting costs [3] - The company's dividend payout ratio reached 41.2% in 2023, with expectations of maintaining at least 40% in 2024, potentially increasing the dividend yield to around 4.5% [3] - ZTO's market share increased to 20.0% by Q3 2024, with a projected parcel volume of 337-339 billion for the year [69] JD Logistics - JD Logistics achieved a gross margin of 11.7% in Q3 2024, up 3.8 percentage points year-over-year, driven by automation and route optimization [3] - The company is expected to generate adjusted net profits of 72.6 billion, 79.5 billion, and 87.9 billion yuan for 2024-2026, with adjusted net profit margins of 4.0%, 4.1%, and 4.2% respectively [74] SF City - SF City's gross margin improved to 6.9% in H1 2024, with net profit increasing by 105.1% year-over-year [77] - The company's revenue is expected to grow to 149 billion, 176 billion, and 203 billion yuan for 2024-2026, with adjusted net profits of 1.36 billion, 2.11 billion, and 3.40 billion yuan respectively [77] Industry Trends and Data - The express delivery industry's cost structure is heavily influenced by sorting and transportation, which account for 80% of total costs [15] - Automation and digitalization have led to significant cost savings, with ZTO Express saving approximately 2.8 billion yuan in labor costs through automated sorting devices [31] - The industry's capital expenditure to depreciation and amortization ratio has been declining, indicating a more conservative investment strategy [32] Investment Strategy - The report recommends focusing on companies with high dividend yields and those that can release profits through cost reductions, such as ZTO Express, JD Logistics, and SF City [64] - The industry's digital transformation and automation upgrades are expected to drive high-quality development, improving operational efficiency and profitability [64]
海外快递物流行业2025年策略:转向精细化运营释放利润,股东回报决胜负
兴业证券·2025-01-23 06:05