Blue Lotus China New Economy Research, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Eric Wen

Blue Lotus China New Economy Research

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>ZTO reported C4Q23 top-line, GAAP EBIT, and non-GAAP net income (2.2%), (3.8%), and in-line vs. cons., respectively;</li>
<li>There are two concurrent trends in the last-mile market: (1) improved service quality, and (2) smaller parcel sizes. Both are favorable to ZTO, in our view;</li>
<li>ZTO announced new shareholder return plans, which we estimate could return US$ 1.4bn to investors in 2024 for a 7.7% yield;</li>
</ul>


ZTO reported C4Q23 top-line, GAAP EBIT, and non-GAAP net income (2.2%), (3.8%), and in-line vs. cons., respectively;
There are two concurrent trends in the last-mile market: (1) improved service quality, and (2) smaller parcel sizes. Both are favorable to ZTO, in our view;
ZTO announced new shareholder return plans, which we estimate could return US$ 1.4bn to investors in 2024 for a 7.7% yield;


[ZTO Express (ZTO US, BUY, TP US$24) Target Price Change]: Two Trends, Both Are Favorable to ZTO

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

<ul>
<li>In Q423, ZTO's parcel volumes grew by +32% Y/Y, faster than market growth</li>
<li>But weak pricing resulted in EPS growth of just +2% Y/Y in the period</li>
<li>In FY24, management expects parcel growth to roughly halve - AVOID</li>
</ul>


In Q423, ZTO's parcel volumes grew by +32% Y/Y, faster than market growth
But weak pricing resulted in EPS growth of just +2% Y/Y in the period
In FY24, management expects parcel growth to roughly halve - AVOID


ZTO Express Q423 Results & Guidance in One Simple Table | +32% Volume --> +2% EPS?! | AVOID

<ul>
<li>Industry and company reports show ASP declines gained momentum in April</li>
<li>April volume jumped 36% Y/Y on a weak comp from 2022 (Covid-19 lockdowns)</li>
<li>Our thesis: pricing is getting weaker, and this trend will soon impact margins</li>
</ul>


Industry and company reports show ASP declines gained momentum in April
April volume jumped 36% Y/Y on a weak comp from 2022 (Covid-19 lockdowns)
Our thesis: pricing is getting weaker, and this trend will soon impact margins


Monthly Express Tracker | Prices Continue to Slide | Volume Pops | (May 2023)

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Ying Pan

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>JD US/DADA US/3690 HK:JD.com Upgrades "Hour Delivery" to "Instant Delivery", reflecting strong growth potential in the on-demand retail sector.(+)</li>
<li>700 HK: &lt;Honors of Fighters&gt; will be released on May 24th.(+)</li>
<li>ZTO US/1519 HK/PDD US/BABA US/Douyin: PDD launches new product price competitiveness rules (+/+/-/-/-)</li>
</ul>


JD US/DADA US/3690 HK:JD.com Upgrades "Hour Delivery" to "Instant Delivery", reflecting strong growth potential in the on-demand retail sector.(+)
700 HK: &lt;Honors of Fighters&gt; will be released on May 24th.(+)
ZTO US/1519 HK/PDD US/BABA US/Douyin: PDD launches new product price competitiveness rules (+/+/-/-/-)


[Blue Lotus Daily - TMT Update]:JD US/DADA US/3690 HK/700 HK/ZTO US/1519 HK/PDD US/BABA US/Douyin

<ul>
<li>Non-Core items boosted Q3 earnings, but core margins plunged vs Q2</li>
<li>In a surprise move, ZTO has abandoned its aggressive pursuit of share</li>
<li>Medium term growth is likely to slow, and pressure on margins remains</li>
</ul>


Non-Core items boosted Q3 earnings, but core margins plunged vs Q2
In a surprise move, ZTO has abandoned its aggressive pursuit of share
Medium term growth is likely to slow, and pressure on margins remains


ZTO Express Q3: Margins Plunge Vs Q2 | Abandons Pursuit of Share Gains | Is There a New Strategy?

China

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. operates as an express delivery company. The Company provides express delivery service through their nationwide network, as well as other value-added logistics services. ZTO Express serves customers globally.

Price Gauge
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ZTO Express Cayman (ZTO US)

[ZTO Express (ZTO US, BUY, TP US$24) Target Price Change]: Two Trends, Both Are Favorable to ZTO

ZTO's strong financials, favorable market trends, and new shareholder return plans position the company for continued growth and investor returns.

Blue Lotus Research Institute

ZTO Express Q423 Results & Guidance in One Simple Table | +32% Volume --> +2% EPS?! | AVOID

ZTO managed to convert +32% volume growth in Q423 into just +2% EPS growth. Looking at 2024, management expects volume growth to slow dramatically.

Tracking Traffic

Monthly Express Tracker | Prices Continue to Slide | Volume Pops | (May 2023)

In April, express volume shot up 36% against easy Y/Y comps, but ASPs deepened their recent decline. We believe pricing will continue to...

Tracking Traffic

[Blue Lotus Daily - TMT Update]:JD US/DADA US/3690 HK/700 HK/ZTO US/1519 HK/PDD US/BABA US/Douyin

JD.com upgrades "Hour Delivery" to "Instant Delivery" showing growth potential in on-demand retail; new game to release May 24th; PDD introduces...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

[ZTO Express (ZTO US, BUY, TP US$24) Target Price Change]: Two Trends, Both Are Favorable to ZTO

​ZTO's strong financials, favorable market trends, and new shareholder return plans position the company for continued growth and investor returns.

Blue Lotus Research Institute

ZTO Express Q423 Results & Guidance in One Simple Table | +32% Volume --> +2% EPS?! | AVOID

ZTO managed to convert +32% volume growth in Q423 into just +2% EPS growth. Looking at 2024, management expects volume growth to slow dramatically.

Tracking Traffic

Monthly Express Tracker | Prices Continue to Slide | Volume Pops | (May 2023)

In April, express volume shot up 36% against easy Y/Y comps, but ASPs deepened their recent decline. We believe pricing will continue to...

Tracking Traffic

[Blue Lotus Daily - TMT Update]:JD US/DADA US/3690 HK/700 HK/ZTO US/1519 HK/PDD US/BABA US/Douyin

​JD.com upgrades "Hour Delivery" to "Instant Delivery" showing growth potential in on-demand retail; new game to release May 24th; PDD introduces...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

ZTO Express Q3: Margins Plunge Vs Q2 | Abandons Pursuit of Share Gains | Is There a New Strategy?

ZTO has long employed a strategy of market share gains it uses to offset declining unit prices. Under current depressed market conditions, it has...

Tracking Traffic

ZTO's strong financials, favorable market trends, and new shareholder return plans position the company for continued growth and investor returns.

JD.com upgrades "Hour Delivery" to "Instant Delivery" showing growth potential in on-demand retail; new game to release May 24th; PDD introduces...