Core Insights - The insurance industry is witnessing a significant shift in claims and service models, with a focus on digitalization and direct payment services, enhancing the efficiency of claims processing [1][8] - Total claims paid by life insurance companies reached 1.18 trillion yuan, while property insurance companies paid 1.03 trillion yuan in 2025, both showing an increase compared to the previous year [1] - Medical insurance remains the dominant category in terms of claim numbers, while critical illness insurance accounts for a significant portion of claim amounts, highlighting a growing awareness of health risks among residents [5][6] Group 1: Claims Data Overview - Major insurance companies reported substantial increases in claims for 2025, with China Life processing over 62.24 million claims, a 7% increase year-on-year, and total claims amounting to over 100.4 billion yuan, a 10% increase [2] - China Pacific Life reported 4.24 million claims with a total payout of 20.1 billion yuan, while Ping An Life processed 4.96 million claims totaling 41.51 billion yuan [3] - China Property & Casualty Insurance processed over 200 million claims, with a total payout exceeding 380 billion yuan, marking a growth of over 10% [2] Group 2: Critical Illness and Medical Insurance Trends - Medical insurance claims accounted for over 90% of total claims in many companies, while critical illness insurance represented over 50% of the total payout amounts [5][6] - The trend of younger individuals being diagnosed with critical illnesses is rising, with significant claims from the 40-60 age group, and the 18-40 age group showing a high incidence rate [6][7] - Despite the increase in awareness and claims, the average payout for critical illness insurance remains insufficient to cover the high costs of treatment, with many claims below 100,000 yuan [7] Group 3: Digitalization and Service Improvements - The introduction of direct payment services has streamlined the claims process, allowing patients to avoid upfront costs, with China Life reporting 8.17 million direct payment claims totaling over 4.3 billion yuan [8][9] - The digital transformation in the insurance sector has led to over 90% of claims being processed online for several companies, significantly improving efficiency [8][9] - Companies are leveraging technology, including IoT and automated claims processing, to enhance service delivery and customer experience [9]

Core Insights - The insurance industry has shown a stable claims scale for 2025, with major insurers enhancing their protection capabilities and many small to medium-sized insurers experiencing significant business growth [2][3] Claims Scale Stability - The total number of claims for China Life exceeded 62.24 million, a year-on-year increase of 7%, with total claims amounting to over 100.4 billion yuan, up 10% [2] - Ping An Life reported 4.958 million claims with a total payout of 41.51 billion yuan, while Xinhua Insurance had 5.01 million claims totaling 14.7 billion yuan [2] - Smaller insurers like Zhongyou Insurance saw customer service numbers exceed 2.49 million, a growth of over 370%, with claims amounting to 3.2 billion yuan, up over 90% [2] - The claims acceptance rates for several insurers remained high, with China Life, CITIC Prudential, and Ping An Life at 99.8%, 99.7%, and 99.2% respectively [2] High Payouts in Critical Illness Insurance - Critical illness claims accounted for a significant portion of total payouts, with Ping An Life reporting 261,000 claims totaling over 20.86 billion yuan, representing over 50% of total claims [3] - The average payout for critical illness and death claims was notably high, with Zhonghong Insurance reporting average payouts of 181,500 yuan and 184,500 yuan respectively [3] - There exists a substantial coverage gap between critical illness payouts and treatment costs, with Zhongyou Insurance indicating an average payout of 100,000 yuan against an average treatment cost of 400,000 yuan for malignant tumors [3] Growth Potential in Critical Illness Insurance - Analysts predict that the aging population and increasing demand for better medical resources will expand the potential customer base for critical illness insurance, leading to a sales growth period [4] - Medical claims accounted for the highest proportion of total claims for China Life at 60.6%, and over 65% for Cigna Life [4] Technological Empowerment in Claims Services - The integration of information technology has significantly accelerated claims processing times, with Xinhua Insurance reporting an average processing time of 0.5 days for small medical claims under 5,000 yuan [5] - Ping An Life's "111 Fast Claims" service has improved efficiency, with 93% of automated claims being processed within 60 seconds [5] - China Life has implemented a "one-day claim" service for critical illness claims, allowing for same-day processing for eligible cases [6] - The focus on IT in the insurance sector has shifted towards intelligent underwriting and claims systems, with major insurers adopting digital solutions to replace manual processes [6]

Core Viewpoint - Insurance capital is transitioning from a "barbarian at the gate" to a "strategist in the boardroom," with a focus on long-term investments rather than short-term financial gains, as evidenced by a record 41 public shareholding increases in 2025, the highest in nearly a decade [1][16][19] Group 1: Investment Trends - In 2025, insurance capital engaged in 41 public shareholding increases, more than double the average of recent years, indicating a significant shift in investment strategy [2][16] - The majority of these shareholding increases (over 85%) occurred in H-shares, driven by their substantial valuation discounts and smoother acquisition mechanisms [1][19] - Insurance companies are increasingly focusing on financial stocks, particularly banks, as they seek certainty, safety, and valuation flexibility in a complex market environment [1][9] Group 2: Regulatory Environment - Recent regulatory changes have opened up opportunities for insurance capital in equity investments, shifting from restrictions to encouragement of long-term investments [4][18] - The optimization of solvency regulatory standards has expanded the space for equity investments, allowing insurance companies to better match their long-term liabilities with asset returns [4][18] Group 3: Financial Performance - Insurance companies have reported significant increases in investment income, with 11 companies showing positive growth in 2025, including a remarkable 687.16% increase for New China Life [11][26] - The overall investment yield for major insurers has risen, with Ping An Life and China Life reporting increases exceeding 400% in investment income [12][26] Group 4: Strategic Focus - Insurance capital is not only focusing on traditional financial sectors but is also investing in high-tech fields such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology, reflecting a strategic alignment with national economic transformation [9][23] - The long-term nature of insurance capital aligns well with companies that have solid fundamentals and stable cash flows, allowing insurers to share in corporate growth and dividends [3][17]

Core Viewpoint - The recent disclosure of 2025 settlement rates for exclusive commercial pension insurance products by multiple insurance institutions highlights a promising investment opportunity amidst declining bank deposit rates and fluctuating wealth management product values. The majority of these products offer competitive returns, with over 80% of them exceeding a 3.00% settlement rate for 2025 [1][2][8]. Summary by Category Insurance Product Performance - A total of 40 exclusive commercial pension insurance products have been reported, with settlement rates for stable accounts ranging from 2.00% to 4.35%, and for aggressive accounts from 2.50% to 4.55% [1][2]. - Among these products, 70 accounts (87.5%) have a settlement rate exceeding 3.00% [1][2]. - Notably, the products from Nongyin Life and Guomin Pension have all their settlement rates above 4.00%, with Nongyin Life's stable and aggressive accounts both at 4.35% and 4.55%, respectively [8]. Market Context - The backdrop of declining deposit rates has led to increased difficulty for investors seeking stable returns, prompting a shift towards pension insurance products as a viable alternative [2][8]. - The trend of "deposit special forces" among young investors reflects the growing demand for higher interest rates, which has become increasingly challenging to find in traditional banking products [2]. Product Structure and Design - Exclusive commercial pension insurance products are designed with both stable and aggressive accounts, allowing for a balance between guaranteed returns and potential higher yields [10][14]. - The unique structure of these products enables insurance companies to adopt long-term investment strategies, optimizing returns despite a low-interest environment [9][10]. - There is a notable phenomenon where some stable accounts are yielding higher returns than aggressive accounts, contrary to typical expectations [11]. Target Audience and Flexibility - These products cater to the needs of flexible employment groups, offering more adaptable payment options compared to traditional annuity insurance [12][14]. - The ability to choose between different account types and adjust contributions provides consumers with a tailored approach to retirement planning [13][14]. Regulatory Environment - The regulatory framework for exclusive commercial pension insurance includes mechanisms for monitoring settlement rates and ensuring financial stability, which enhances consumer confidence in these products [20].

Core Viewpoint - In a declining interest rate environment, fixed-income assets like bonds are unable to match the long-duration liabilities of insurance companies, leading them to prefer high-dividend stocks as investment targets [1][10]. Group 1: Insurance Companies' Investment Activities - As of January 18, 2024, 81 insurance institutions conducted over 300 investigations into A-share listed companies, involving 80 companies [1]. - On January 9, 2024, Pacific Life announced a significant increase in its stake in Shanghai Airport, acquiring 72.424 million shares, bringing its total ownership to 4.9994% [1]. - The revival of insurance capital's stake acquisitions began in 2024, with approximately 40 acquisitions expected in 2025, marking a ten-year high [11][12]. Group 2: Premium Income Growth - In the first eleven months of 2025, insurance companies reported premium income of 5.76 trillion, a 7.56% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [3][14]. - Life insurance premiums reached 4.42 trillion, up 9.2% year-on-year, while property insurance premiums totaled 1.34 trillion, a 2.48% increase [3][14]. - China Life's premium income surpassed 700 billion in the first eleven months of 2025, with New China Life reporting a full-year premium income of 195.9 billion in the previous year, reflecting a 15% growth [3][14]. Group 3: Asset and Liability Management - The rapid growth of liabilities in insurance companies necessitates matching quality assets in the market [4][15]. - Unlike insurance companies, banks have shorter liability durations, with most deposits maturing within 1 to 3 years, allowing for quicker adjustments in a declining interest rate environment [4][15]. - By mid-2025, the average net investment return for listed insurance companies is projected to approach the cost of guaranteed liabilities, indicating a concerning downward trend [4][16]. Group 4: Stock Investment Trends - Low-valuation, high-dividend, and high-reliability companies are becoming preferred investment targets for insurance companies, as their dividend yields surpass bond returns [6][18]. - By mid-2025, the total stock investment of the five major listed insurance companies reached 1.85 trillion, accounting for 10.35% of total investment assets [6][18]. - China Life led with a stock investment of 620.1 billion, representing 11.83% of its total assets, followed by New China Life with 199.2 billion, or 11.63% [19]. Group 5: Future Projections - By the end of 2024, insurance companies are expected to have invested 2.43 trillion in stocks, with a projected increase to 5.2 trillion by the end of 2026 if stock investment ratios rise to 11.5% [20]. - If the stock investment ratio only increases to 10%, the total investment could still reach 4.5 trillion, reflecting an increase of 880 billion from the previous year [20]. - High-dividend stocks are anticipated to remain a primary investment direction for insurance capital in 2026, serving as a safety net for equity investments [10][20].

Market Performance - The internet insurance sector declined by 1.50%, ranking among the top losers in the concept sector, with major declines seen in companies like Focus Technology, iFlytek, and Weining Health [1] - Among the concept sectors, flexible DC transmission led with a gain of 5.14%, while WiFi 6 saw a decline of 1.79% [1] Fund Flow Analysis - The internet insurance sector experienced a net outflow of 2.237 billion yuan, with 12 stocks seeing net outflows, and 5 stocks exceeding 50 million yuan in outflows [1] - The largest net outflow was from Dongfang Caifu, totaling 1.168 billion yuan, followed by iFlytek, Weining Health, and New China Life with outflows of 716 million yuan, 215 million yuan, and 121 million yuan respectively [1] - Conversely, the stocks with the highest net inflows included China Ping An, China Life, and Tianli Technology, with inflows of 136 million yuan, 18.72 million yuan, and 13.16 million yuan respectively [1] Individual Stock Performance - Dongfang Caifu saw a decline of 1.63% with a turnover rate of 2.24% and a net outflow of approximately 1.168 billion yuan [2] - iFlytek dropped by 4.16% with a turnover rate of 6.81% and a net outflow of about 715 million yuan [2] - Weining Health decreased by 3.64% with a turnover rate of 9.46% and a net outflow of approximately 214 million yuan [2] - New China Life fell by 1.68% with a turnover rate of 1.15% and a net outflow of about 121 million yuan [2] - Seven Wolves increased by 1.76% with a net inflow of approximately 1.225 million yuan [3] - Tianli Technology rose by 0.97% with a net inflow of about 1.316 million yuan [3] - China Life remained stable at 0.00% with a net inflow of approximately 18.72 million yuan [3] - China Ping An slightly decreased by 0.05% with a significant net inflow of approximately 1.361 billion yuan [3]

Core Viewpoint - The insurance sector experienced a slight decline of 0.14% on January 19, with New China Life Insurance leading the drop, while the overall market indices showed modest gains [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 4114.0, up by 0.29% [1] - The Shenzhen Component Index closed at 14294.05, up by 0.09% [1] Group 2: Individual Stock Performance - China Life Insurance (601628) closed at 47.52 with no change [1] - China Pacific Insurance (601601) closed at 44.09, down by 0.23% [1] - China Ping An (601318) closed at 66.30, down by 0.05% [1] - New China Life Insurance (601336) closed at 80.71, down by 1.68% [1] - China Reinsurance (601319) closed at 9.31, up by 0.11% [1] Group 3: Fund Flow Analysis - The insurance sector saw a net outflow of 290 million yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors had a net inflow of 340 million yuan [1] - The detailed fund flow for individual stocks indicates that China Life Insurance had a net inflow of 28.79 million yuan from institutional investors [2] - New China Life Insurance experienced a significant net outflow of 192 million yuan from institutional investors [2]

Core Viewpoint - The insurance sector is experiencing a significant rebound at the beginning of 2026, with insurance stocks rising sharply and sales of insurance products improving due to low deposit rates and favorable market conditions [1][19]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Insurance stocks have seen substantial gains, with New China Life leading with a 17.78% increase as of January 16, 2026. The top five listed insurance companies have all recorded double-digit growth over the past three months, with increases ranging from 10.32% to 23.83% [2][20]. - Historical data indicates that since 2014, there have been five notable bullish trends in the insurance sector, with stock market performance being a key catalyst for these trends [2][20]. Group 2: Sales Performance - The insurance industry is witnessing a resurgence in sales, with reports of significant premium collections, such as one company surpassing 3 billion yuan in first-year premium within four days after New Year [5][23]. - The total insurance premium income in China reached 5.76 trillion yuan by November 2025, marking an increase of 400 billion yuan from the previous year [5][23]. Group 3: Product Trends - The rise in sales is attributed to the popularity of participating insurance products, which combine protection and investment features. These products have become attractive due to their lower guaranteed rates and the current low-interest environment [6][24]. - Major insurance companies are focusing on participating insurance products, with new offerings featuring guaranteed rates around 1.75% and projected returns between 3.5% and 3.9% [7][25]. Group 4: Investment Performance - The total investment income of listed insurance companies reached 887.5 billion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 35.64% [10][28]. - The investment strategies of insurance companies have shifted towards equities, with significant increases in stock and equity fund investments, particularly for companies like China Life and Ping An [12][30]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Analysts express optimism about the continued strength of insurance stocks in 2026, driven by robust premium growth and improved business quality, alongside favorable investment conditions [16][34]. - However, challenges remain, particularly regarding the long-term risks associated with interest rate spreads and the need for insurance companies to diversify their product offerings and improve customer satisfaction [16][35].

Core Viewpoint - The insurance sector is poised for strategic investment opportunities due to the growth in net assets and investment returns, supported by shifts in resident savings towards insurance assets, alongside favorable policies [1][9]. Group 1: Performance Metrics - The insurance index is projected to rise by 31.31% in 2025, outperforming other financial sectors such as banking (12.04%) and brokerage (4.05%) [1]. - Individual stocks like New China Life, Ping An, China Pacific Insurance, China Life, and China Property & Casualty are expected to see significant increases in their stock prices, with respective gains of 46.03%, 35.87%, 26.6%, 21.21%, and 10.39% in 2025 [1]. - The A-share insurance sector is anticipated to maintain strong performance into 2026, with continued growth in the liability side and improved investment returns on the asset side [1]. Group 2: Liability Side Developments - The transformation of participating insurance products is enhancing competitiveness, attracting funds due to their "guaranteed + floating" return characteristics amid declining bank deposit rates [2][10]. - The ongoing shift in resident deposits and the reduction in large bank certificates of deposit are expected to further expand the growth of the insurance liability side [2][11]. - The demand for pension and health protection is driving the appeal of insurance products, which are expected to capture a larger share of resident savings and fixed-income investments [2][12]. Group 3: Asset Side Strategies - Insurers are increasing their allocation to equity assets due to pressure on interest margins and the challenges of bond yields not covering the costs of new premium inflows [5][14]. - The need for higher investment returns is pushing insurers to enhance their equity investment capabilities, especially as the industry transitions to a full-scale transformation of participating insurance by 2027 [5][15]. - The long-term trend indicates a significant increase in the proportion of equity investments within insurance portfolios, driven by the need for better returns [5][15]. Group 4: Policy Environment - Regulatory policies since September 2024 have encouraged insurance capital to enter the market, with expectations of substantial annual inflows into A-shares [7][16]. - The introduction of structural easing policies aims to optimize asset allocation and reduce capital requirements for insurance companies, supporting long-term market stability [7][16]. - The focus on nurturing patient capital and guiding long-term investments is expected to stabilize the capital market, with a particular emphasis on technology sectors for potential high returns [8][17].

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the non-bank financial sector [4]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes a stable approach to prevent significant fluctuations in the market, with a focus on long-term investments and reforms to attract capital [2]. - The insurance sector is expected to benefit from an upward cycle in both liabilities and assets, driven by trends such as the migration of bank deposits and stable long-term interest rates [27]. - The securities sector is experiencing heightened market risk appetite and active trading, benefiting from favorable valuations and performance [27]. Summary by Sections 1. Industry Dynamics - The non-bank financial sector, including securities and insurance, showed positive movements with indices increasing by 1.34% and 1.00% respectively, while the insurance sector faced a decline of 2.63% [9]. - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) is implementing measures to regulate the derivatives market and promote healthy development through counter-cyclical adjustments [1]. 2. Insurance - The insurance industry is entering an upward cycle, with a reported 14.89% year-on-year increase in premium income for New China Life, totaling CNY 195.9 billion [12]. - The Financial Regulatory Bureau's 2026 work meeting highlighted the importance of risk management and the need for non-bank institutions to focus on their core businesses [12]. 3. Securities - The report notes an increase in the financing margin ratio from 80% to 100%, aimed at reducing leverage and protecting investor rights [16]. - CITIC Securities reported a 28.75% increase in revenue for 2025, amounting to CNY 74.83 billion, with a net profit increase of 38.46% [18]. - The average daily trading volume for stock funds reached CNY 40,908.27 billion, reflecting a 21.22% week-on-week increase [19].