Core Insights - The monthly active users (MAU) of securities apps reached 175 million in December 2025, marking a 1.75% month-on-month increase and a 2.26% year-on-year increase, achieving a new monthly high for the year [4][3] - Throughout 2025, the MAU of securities apps experienced a recovery after a dip in the middle of the year, with a significant rebound in November leading to a peak at year-end [4][2] - The competition for traffic between third-party platforms and brokerage self-operated apps intensified, with brokerages accelerating the integration of AI technology in advisory and trading scenarios to enhance service models and user experience [4][12] Monthly Active Users Overview - In December 2025, the MAU for securities apps was 175.32 million, with notable monthly changes: November had 172.30 million (up 2.06% month-on-month) and October had 168.82 million (down 3.38% month-on-month) [5][4] - The MAU trend for 2025 showed a starting point of 161.84 million in January, peaking in December after a recovery phase post-May [4][5] Leading Apps and Market Dynamics - The top three securities apps by MAU in December were Tonghuashun (36.70 million), Dongfang Caifu (18.22 million), and Dazhihui (12.97 million) [6][5] - Among brokerage self-operated apps, Huatai's Zhangle Wealth reached over 12 million MAU, followed by Guotai Haitong Junhong with 10.40 million [6][5] - The number of brokerage apps with an average monthly active user count exceeding 6 million increased to 14 in 2025, indicating a growing concentration in the market [8][7] AI Technology Integration - The application of AI technology in the securities industry has accelerated, with multiple brokerages launching intelligent tools across key areas such as intelligent research, trading, and advisory services [12][11] - Notable advancements include the upgrade of trading robots by Galaxy Securities and the introduction of AI advisory platforms by various brokerages, enhancing service efficiency and user experience [13][12] - Despite the current limitations of AI tools in guaranteeing stable investment returns, their functionality is expanding, addressing various investment challenges and improving investors' capabilities in data analysis and strategy formulation [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - The report from Kaiyuan Securities expresses optimism about the brokerage sector, highlighting the sustained growth of brokerage performance and the pressure on the funding side, indicating a significant lag in the brokerage sector [1] Group 1: Regulatory Developments - On January 16, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) solicited opinions on the draft of the "Supervision and Management Measures for Derivative Transactions (Trial) (Draft for Comments)" [2] - The policy aims to strengthen the standardized management of the derivatives market, clarifying the CSRC's regulatory scope and emphasizing enhanced monitoring and cross-market regulation [3] - The policy supports the steady development of the derivatives market, encouraging risk management activities and limiting excessive speculation [3] Group 2: Impact on Brokerage Firms - The enhanced transparency in derivatives regulation is expected to benefit the long-term development of brokerage firms' derivatives business, providing a more stable operational framework for brokers and investors [4] - The derivatives business is highly concentrated, with top-tier brokers holding significant advantages; as of November 2023, the market share of the top five firms in swap and OTC options was 66% and 59%, respectively [4] - Top-tier brokers, such as CITIC Securities and Guotai Junan, can directly engage in stock hedging transactions, while secondary brokers are limited in their trading capabilities [4] Group 3: Market Stability and Investment Recommendations - Derivative tools are seen as beneficial for stabilizing market fluctuations, with the potential for relaxed scale restrictions favoring leading brokers [5] - The CSRC's commitment to a robust monitoring system for derivatives trading is expected to facilitate high-quality development in the derivatives business, contributing to market stability [5] - Investment recommendations include top brokers with strong international business and undervalued stocks, such as Huatai Securities and Guotai Junan, as well as firms with significant wealth management advantages like GF Securities [5]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Increase" rating for the financial technology sector, indicating a positive outlook compared to the benchmark index [5][34]. Core Insights - The acceleration of AI applications is driving growth in the financial technology sector, with significant increases in stock prices observed during the reporting period [2][8]. - The financial technology index rose by 7.4% from January 4 to January 16, 2026, outperforming the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 index, which increased by 2.2% [8][12]. - Key segments within the financial technology sector, such as financial IT and financial information services, have shown remarkable performance due to the positive impact of AI applications [9][12]. Summary by Relevant Sections AI Applications and Financial Technology Growth - The financial technology sector has seen a surge in stock prices, with notable increases in financial IT and financial information services, attributed to the recent advancements in AI applications [9][12]. - The financial IT segment experienced a growth of 10.59%, while financial information services grew by 13.06% during the reporting period [12]. Financial IT Upgrades and Market Stability - Collaborations between financial institutions and technology companies are enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery, such as the partnership between UnionPay and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China to utilize digital RMB for elder care services [13][14]. - The introduction of AI-driven operational frameworks is transforming financial operations, exemplified by the collaboration between Huawei and Bank of Communications [14]. Regulatory Developments in Financial Information Services - Recent regulatory changes, including the adjustment of margin requirements for financing transactions, aim to mitigate leverage risks in the market [15]. - The tightening of regulations in the financial information services sector is expected to enhance market stability and investor confidence [15][17]. Third-Party Payment and Compliance Enhancements - The People's Bank of China has introduced new anti-money laundering regulations that will significantly impact compliance processes within financial institutions [17]. - Adjustments in transaction fees by payment platforms aim to improve user experience while adhering to regulatory requirements [18]. Consumer Finance Sector Developments - A notable case of regulatory action was taken against a bank for imprudent loan practices, marking a significant enforcement action in the consumer finance sector [19]. Individual Company News and Announcements - Key developments include the completion of a cross-border acquisition by Jiufang Zhitu and the implementation of share reduction plans by executives at Dongfang Caifu [20][22]. - Innovations in AI assessment benchmarks and data management platforms have been introduced by companies like Qifu Technology and Changliang Technology, enhancing their competitive positioning in the market [20][21]. Investment Recommendations - The report highlights several companies poised to benefit from the ongoing digital RMB initiatives and AI advancements, including Changliang Technology, Yuxin Technology, and Jiufang Zhitu [26]. - The potential for growth in the consumer finance sector is also noted, with recommendations for companies focusing on intelligent customer service and marketing solutions [26].

Group 1 - A-shares financing balance has reached a new high of 27,012.4 billion yuan, with a net buy of 1,006.51 billion yuan this week [2][20] - The electronics and computer sectors saw net purchases exceeding 10 billion yuan, with amounts of 16.445 billion yuan and 11.438 billion yuan respectively [2][20] - The power equipment sector is expected to benefit from increased fixed asset investments by the State Grid Corporation, projected to reach 400 billion yuan during the 14th Five-Year Plan, a 40% increase from the previous plan [4][21] Group 2 - Notable stocks with significant net purchases include China Ping An (3.343 billion yuan), TBEA (2.279 billion yuan), and Zhongji Xuchuang (1.979 billion yuan) [4][24] - The storage chip sector is experiencing a "super bull market," with DDR5 memory prices rising over 300% since September 2025, and DDR4 prices increasing over 150% [23] - Investors are optimistic about the power sector, with 9% of surveyed investors expressing confidence in this area, driven by the anticipated investments in the power grid [15][33]

Core Insights - The brokerage apps have become an important window for observing the comprehensive strength and service innovation trends of various brokerages, with active users reaching 175 million in December 2025, marking a 1.75% month-on-month increase and a 2.26% year-on-year increase, setting a new monthly record for 2025 [1] Group 1: User Engagement and Competition - Two brokerage apps, Huatai Securities' "Zhangle Wealth" and Guotai Junan's "Guotai Junan Junhong," lead the monthly active user rankings with 12.12 million and 10.40 million users respectively, showing month-on-month growth of 2.59% and 2.12% [2] - Other major brokerage apps also demonstrated high user engagement, with Ping An Securities' app reaching 8.88 million active users (up 2.06%), and several others exceeding 7 million [2] - The brokerage app with the highest month-on-month growth was "Zhangshan Securities," which saw a 2.99% increase, reaching 7.30 million active users [2] Group 2: Year-on-Year Growth - The brokerage app with the most significant year-on-year growth was "Xingye Securities Youlibao," which achieved a 20.66% increase, reaching 1.87 million active users in December [3] - Other apps like "Changjiang e-Number" and "Zhangle Wealth" also experienced steady growth, with year-on-year increases exceeding 5% [3] Group 3: Wealth Management Transformation - In December 2025, the Shanghai Composite Index rose by 2.06%, prompting brokerages to enhance their apps by refining advisory services and adding smart trading tools and insurance sections to meet diverse investment needs [4] - Optimizing advisory services has become a key focus for brokerage app upgrades, with companies like Guosen Securities launching new advisory service sections and products tailored to different customer segments [4] - The introduction of insurance sections in brokerage apps has emerged as a highlight, with Ping An Securities and other firms offering various insurance products and educational content to users [4] Group 4: Industry Trends and Future Directions - Analysts indicate that in the context of declining commission rates, the transformation towards wealth management is essential for brokerages to overcome development bottlenecks, evolving from mere securities brokerage to comprehensive wealth management institutions [5] - The inclusion of insurance products can enhance the stability and risk resistance of customer asset portfolios, allowing brokerages to provide more precise and comprehensive services throughout the customer lifecycle [6]

Core Viewpoint - The trading volume in the Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing markets exceeded 1.5 trillion yuan, indicating a decrease of 192 billion yuan compared to the same time the previous day, with an estimated total trading amount of approximately 3.5 trillion yuan for the day [1][1]. Summary by Relevant Sections - **Market Performance** - The Shanghai Stock Exchange recorded a trading volume of 585.6 billion yuan [1]. - The Shenzhen Stock Exchange reported a trading volume of 895.9 billion yuan [1]. - The Beijing Stock Exchange's North 50 index had a trading volume of 18.5 billion yuan [1].

Group 1 - The software leading ETF (159899) has seen a net inflow of funds for three consecutive trading days, accumulating a total scale of 290 million yuan [1] - This ETF closely tracks the CSI Software Index, covering leading companies in various segments such as basic software, application software, and industrial software, with AI application-related concepts accounting for 35% of its weight [1][2] - The top ten holdings in the index include companies like Tuowei Information and Kingsoft Office, which are expected to benefit from the industry boom driven by AI technology [1] Group 2 - The AI application sector is experiencing a new wave of technological breakthroughs and ecosystem construction, highlighted by the launch of new features in the Qianwen APP, which has surpassed 10 million monthly active users within two months of its launch [2] - Ant Group has also introduced a new product called "Wuli," further expanding the AI application ecosystem [2] - Policy support is evident, with recent publications emphasizing the importance of application-driven development in the AI industry, and successful AI implementations in regulatory systems showcasing its potential in governance [3] Group 3 - Significant progress in technological self-innovation is marked by the collaboration between Zhipu and Huawei to open-source the first multi-modal SOTA model trained on domestic chips, indicating a breakthrough in AI infrastructure [3] - Market analysis suggests a shift in algorithm mechanisms from pursuing "traffic" to building "trust," which may lead to a systematic re-evaluation of content value from official media and professional publishing companies [3] - As domestic large models penetrate multiple scenarios, the AI application sector is entering a phase of accelerated industrialization [3]

Group 1 - The internet finance sector experienced a significant rise on January 14, with companies like Lakala and Junzheng Group hitting the daily limit up [1] - Tonghuashun saw an increase of over 10%, reaching a historical high [1] - Other companies such as Sifang Jingchuang, Huijin Co., Dazhihui, Caifu Trend, and Guiding Compass all rose by more than 5% [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that traditional manufacturing companies in China are the ones realizing performance amidst the global tech market surge, with the future bull market in China relying on physical assets and manufacturing capacity value [1] - Recommended investment sectors include upstream resources (copper, aluminum, lithium, oil, coal) benefiting from potential increases in physical asset consumption and midstream industries like basic chemicals and steel as PPI rebounds [1] - Domestic sectors such as food and beverage, aviation, and apparel are expected to benefit from price stabilization and recovery in domestic demand [1] Group 2 - The introduction of commercial real estate REITs is expected to accelerate market expansion, with 12 consumer REITs currently listed, benefiting from ample inventory and simplified regulations [3] - AI PCB copper powder materials are entering a prosperous cycle, with the copper powder industry expected to see rapid profit growth due to increased usage in PCB production [3] - The copper powder's processing fee is projected to significantly increase, as its usage in PCB production is expected to rise from 15% to over 27% by 2029 [3] Group 3 - Insurance capital has shown a strong interest in equity stakes, with 39 instances of shareholding this year, primarily favoring high-dividend stocks in banking, infrastructure, and logistics [5] - The liquid cooling market for data centers is projected to reach $21.8 billion by 2027, driven by increased efficiency and lower power usage effectiveness (PUE) [5] - Domestic manufacturers are expected to benefit from the rising demand for liquid cooling solutions in AI servers, with a focus on those capable of mass production of core components [5] Group 4 - The Shanghai Composite Index is experiencing a primary upward trend, with financial stocks driving market gains and trading volumes exceeding 3 trillion yuan [11] - Various style indices have adjusted, with cyclical and growth sectors experiencing notable corrections due to recent rapid increases and external market influences [11] - The growth sector is seeing a reduction in momentum for further adjustments, with a focus on sectors benefiting from domestic demand policies such as machinery, home appliances, and consumer electronics [11]

Core Viewpoint - The A-share market experienced a brief surge followed by a decline, with the financial technology sector remaining strong, particularly highlighted by the performance of the Huatai-PineBridge Financial Technology ETF [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The A-share market saw the Shanghai Composite Index rise over 1% before turning negative, while the financial technology ETF Huatai-PineBridge (159103) surged over 3% and peaked at a 7.1% increase during early trading [1] - The trading volume in the A-share market has been robust, with total trading exceeding 30 trillion yuan for four consecutive days, indicating heightened market activity [8] Group 2: Investor Sentiment - Individual investor activity has increased significantly, with net inflows of 155.7 billion yuan, marking a 64.1 billion yuan increase from the previous period, the second-highest net inflow in nearly a year [8] - Retail investors are increasingly participating in the market through direct stock purchases and indirectly via funds and ETFs, with a shift from net outflows to net inflows in retail ETF investments [8] Group 3: Financial Technology Sector Outlook - The financial technology sector is expected to benefit from both short-term market activity and mid-term policy support, with internet brokerages likely to see significant performance improvements due to increased trading volumes [2][8] - The financial IT companies with strong positions in securities IT systems, cross-border payments, and AI financial applications are anticipated to be the core beneficiaries of the evolving market landscape [2][8] Group 4: Policy and Growth Projections - The Chinese financial technology policy framework from 2021 to 2025 aims to promote innovation and enhance risk control across various sectors, with market size projected to grow to 651.5 billion yuan by 2028 [8] - The financial technology sector is poised for growth driven by AI applications, with historical performance indicating that it has outperformed other sectors during significant AI market trends [8][11]