ZTO Express (Cayman) (NYSE:ZTO) Sets New 12-Month High on Strong Earnings

Shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:ZTO) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The company traded as high as $26.20 and last traded at $25.5440, with a volume of 701066 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $23.73.

The transportation company reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.03. ZTO Express (Cayman) had a net margin of 18.50% and a return on equity of 14.30%. The business had revenue of $2.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. The firm’s revenue was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 8th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 8th. This represents a dividend yield of 305.0%. ZTO Express (Cayman)’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.41%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on ZTO. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research lowered ZTO Express (Cayman) from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wall Street Zen downgraded ZTO Express (Cayman) from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, February 21st. Finally, Macquarie Infrastructure upgraded ZTO Express (Cayman) from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Sunday, February 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, ZTO Express (Cayman) currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $22.36.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ZTO Express (Cayman)

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ZTO. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in ZTO Express (Cayman) during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Leonteq Securities AG purchased a new stake in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) in the fourth quarter valued at $35,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 61.4% in the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,021 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 769 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) in the third quarter worth $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 41.65% of the company’s stock.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $15.02 billion, a PE ratio of 16.13, a P/E/G ratio of 4.30 and a beta of -0.20. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $23.37 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.98.

About ZTO Express (Cayman)

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc is one of China’s leading express delivery companies, specializing in both domestic and cross-border parcel logistics. The company operates a technology-enabled network that connects shippers, independent pickup and delivery stations, regional sorting hubs and end customers. ZTO’s service portfolio includes standard express, heavy-weight parcel delivery, time-definite shipments and e-commerce logistics solutions tailored for online retailers and marketplaces.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Shanghai, ZTO has grown rapidly by leveraging a franchise-style operating model that engages a broad network of independent contractors.