Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Gross margin compression in China's express industry has been going on for years and predates the Covid crisis. But margins have enjoyed a modest recovery since late 2021</li>
<li>Since 2019, margins have fallen and the distribution of profits among China's listed express companies has changed dramatically, with two clear-cut losers</li>
<li>Even though two listed express companies have seen their profitability compressed dramatically, there are no signs of industry consolidation -- and some parties like it that way</li>
</ul>


Gross margin compression in China's express industry has been going on for years and predates the Covid crisis. But margins have enjoyed a modest recovery since late 2021
Since 2019, margins have fallen and the distribution of profits among China's listed express companies has changed dramatically, with two clear-cut losers
Even though two listed express companies have seen their profitability compressed dramatically, there are no signs of industry consolidation -- and some parties like it that way


Chinese Express Consolidation? Lesser Players Battered for Years, But Still No Knockout Punch

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zto-express" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23628:1" rel="noopener">ZTO Express (ZTO US)</a> parcel volume increased by 20.5% Y/Y in Q1, better than market growth</li>
<li>Unit prices fell by 3.7%, slightly worse than peers in Q1 2023, and Revenue missed consensus</li>
<li>EPS beat expectations on lower unit costs, and management raised full-year volume target</li>
</ul>



ZTO Express (ZTO US) parcel volume increased by 20.5% Y/Y in Q1, better than market growth
Unit prices fell by 3.7%, slightly worse than peers in Q1 2023, and Revenue missed consensus
EPS beat expectations on lower unit costs, and management raised full-year volume target


ZTO Express Q1 Results Surprise: Despite Lower Pricing, Margins Up Y/Y | Mgmt Raises Volume Guidance

<ul>
<li>March parcel volume growth (22.7%) improved against an easy comp (-3.1%) from 2022</li>
<li>Prices are declining, too (-3.2% Y/Y) -- not yet precipitous, but worst since Q1 2022</li>
<li>Based on what we see, ZTO's 2023 volume targets will still be difficult to meet</li>
</ul>


March parcel volume growth (22.7%) improved against an easy comp (-3.1%) from 2022
Prices are declining, too (-3.2% Y/Y) -- not yet precipitous, but worst since Q1 2022
Based on what we see, ZTO's 2023 volume targets will still be difficult to meet


TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Express: Volume Up Versus Weak Comp | Prices Down | Yunda Lags Group

<ul>
<li>Combined January-February express industry parcel volume was up just 4.6% Y/Y, and ASPs were down -1.8% Y/Y</li>
<li>Listed express companies' parcel volume and government-reported online tangible goods sales in the first two months of 2023 also both up a modest ~5% Y/Y</li>
<li>In a year when one express player hopes to list its shares, it's unclear who will be willing to concede market share. We expect price competition to intensify in 2023.</li>
</ul>


Combined January-February express industry parcel volume was up just 4.6% Y/Y, and ASPs were down -1.8% Y/Y
Listed express companies' parcel volume and government-reported online tangible goods sales in the first two months of 2023 also both up a modest ~5% Y/Y
In a year when one express player hopes to list its shares, it's unclear who will be willing to concede market share. We expect price competition to intensify in 2023.


TRACKING TRAFFIC: Chinese Express / No Signs of a Sharp Recovery in Jan-Feb Data

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zto-express" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23628:1" rel="noopener">ZTO Express (ZTO US)</a> met consensus Q422 EPS estimate despite a miss on Revenue</li>
<li>Management expects to exceed industry volume growth (around +10%) in 2023</li>
<li>Likely obstacles to a sharp earnings recovery are: ASP momentum, "new-old" competition, and a lack of demonstrated cost control</li>
</ul>



ZTO Express (ZTO US) met consensus Q422 EPS estimate despite a miss on Revenue
Management expects to exceed industry volume growth (around +10%) in 2023
Likely obstacles to a sharp earnings recovery are: ASP momentum, "new-old" competition, and a lack of demonstrated cost control


ZTO Express Q4/2022 Results & Guidance:  Moderate Growth in '23, but Also Obstacles

China

Yunda Holding Co Ltd operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides industrial investment, enterprise management, business consulting, car rental, technical development, information technology, and advertising services. Yunda Holding serves customers in China.

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Yunda Holding (002120 CH)

Chinese Express Consolidation? Lesser Players Battered for Years, But Still No Knockout Punch

Margins in China's express sector have been falling for years. However, there are few signs of consolidation: companies remain profitable, and...

Tracking Traffic

ZTO Express Q1 Results Surprise: Despite Lower Pricing, Margins Up Y/Y | Mgmt Raises Volume Guidance

ZTO's Q1 results showed strong volume growth, but also weaker unit pricing and a lack of control over SG&A expenses. We retain our negative view on...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Express: Volume Up Versus Weak Comp | Prices Down | Yunda Lags Group

In March, Chinese express industry volume was up 22.7% Y/Y against easy comps, but ASPs declined the most since February 2022. We still believe ZTO...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC: Chinese Express / No Signs of a Sharp Recovery in Jan-Feb Data

So far in 2023, parcel volume has recovered only moderately. We believe the industry may again see price deterioration after a brief respite in 2022.

Tracking Traffic

ZTO Express Q4/2022 Results & Guidance: Moderate Growth in '23, but Also Obstacles

ZTO guides strong volume growth and potentially better unit economics in '23, but we expect price pressure to return, and the company needs to rein...

Daniel Hellberg

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