Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-07-04 08:00Core Viewpoint - Bank stocks are gaining popularity among investors, with notable examples of high returns, such as a student earning over 13% in four months from bank stocks [1][3]. Group 1: Market Performance - The China Securities Bank Index saw a 34.7% increase in 2024 and a further 13% rise in the first half of 2025, leading among all industry indices [2][3]. - Among 42 A-share listed banks, 15 reached historical highs in stock prices during the first half of 2025 [2]. - The performance of state-owned banks lagged behind, with an average increase of only 8.8% in the first half of 2025, ranking last among various bank categories [3][4]. Group 2: Individual Bank Performance - Agricultural Bank led the six major state-owned banks with a 12.7% increase, while Postal Savings Bank had the lowest increase at just 1% [4]. - Shanghai Pudong Development Bank and Qingdao Bank topped the A-share listed banks with increases of 34.9% and 32.4%, respectively, in the first half of 2025 [7][8]. - Zhengzhou Bank was the only bank to experience a decline in stock price, dropping 1.9% in the first half of 2025 [9]. Group 3: Dividend and Yield Analysis - The average dividend yield for state-owned banks was 4.04% as of June 30, 2025, with a price-to-book ratio of 0.71, indicating a relatively high cost-performance ratio [6]. - Despite high dividend rates, some banks like Postal Savings Bank and Lanzhou Bank saw minimal stock price increases, highlighting that dividend yield does not solely determine stock performance [10]. Group 4: Investment Sentiment and Future Outlook - The market sentiment towards bank stocks remains mixed, with some investors questioning whether to increase their investments or take profits after recent gains [1][11]. - Analysts emphasize that the sustainability of high dividend yields depends on banks' profitability, valuation, and dividend policies, which are crucial for maintaining investor interest [14].