2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2025-08-14 07:40Core Viewpoint - China Ping An has increased its stake in China Pacific Insurance (CPIC) H-shares, reaching 5.04% ownership, marking a significant move in the insurance sector after six years of inactivity in such transactions [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Details - China Ping An acquired approximately 1.74 million shares of CPIC H-shares at a price of HKD 32.07 per share, totaling around HKD 55.84 million [2]. - The insurance sector has seen over 20 instances of stake acquisitions this year, surpassing the total from the previous year [2]. Group 2: Reasons for the Acquisition - The need for insurance capital to allocate more high-dividend, low-valuation equity assets is driving this move, with CPIC being a rare target due to its high dividend yield and potential for A/H share price correction [3]. - As of the latest data, CPIC H-shares have a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 7.49 and a dividend yield of 3.26%, making them attractive compared to their A-share counterparts [3]. - CPIC's strong financial performance, with a projected 65% year-on-year increase in net profit for 2024 and a total insurance premium income of CNY 282.01 billion in the first half of the year, enhances its appeal [3]. Group 3: Market Context and Trends - The insurance industry is undergoing a transformation, with a shift from scale expansion to high-quality development, as indicated by the rising stock prices of major insurance companies [4]. - The insurance index has increased nearly 16% this year, with CPIC's stock rising nearly 20% [4]. - The rarity of insurance companies acquiring stakes in other insurance firms is attributed to high ownership concentrations among major shareholders, limiting the availability of shares for acquisition [6]. Group 4: Future Implications - The current low valuation levels in the insurance sector, driven by long-term interest rate declines, have suppressed the willingness of insurance capital to increase holdings [7]. - However, ongoing transformations in the insurance industry may improve operational quality and reduce risks, potentially leading to a recovery in sector valuations [7]. - The acquisition by China Ping An may signal a shift in investment logic from defensive positioning to identifying structural opportunities within the insurance sector [7].