Ge Long Hui·2025-04-30 07:06Core Viewpoint - The banking sector in both Hong Kong and A-shares has experienced a collective decline after reaching continuous highs, with significant drops in major banks' stock prices and disappointing first-quarter earnings reports for 2025 [1][4][5]. Group 1: Stock Performance - The A-share banking sector index fell by 1.69%, with notable declines including Huaxia Bank down over 8%, and other banks like Beijing Bank, Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and Agricultural Bank of China dropping more than 3% [1][2]. - In the Hong Kong market, Shengjing Bank fell over 5%, while China Merchants Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and Postal Savings Bank of China dropped more than 4% [1][3]. Group 2: Earnings Reports - Multiple banks reported disappointing earnings for the first quarter of 2025, with Huaxia Bank's net profit at 5.063 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 14.04% [6][8]. - Other banks such as Guizhou Bank, Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank, and China Bank also reported declines in net profit, with decreases ranging from 2.90% to 14.04% [6][8]. Group 3: Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - Analysts noted that the reduction in the Loan Prime Rate (LPR) in 2024 suggests that banks may face pressure on asset yields in 2025, with expectations of further interest rate cuts and reserve requirement ratio reductions [9]. - Despite some banks showing profit growth, the overall performance did not meet market expectations, leading to diminished investor confidence [8]. - Passive funds have increased their holdings in bank stocks, while active funds have reduced their exposure, indicating a shift in investment strategy [10][12].