AGRICULTURAL BANK OF CHINA(SH:601288) Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2025-10-16 14:12Core Viewpoint - The A-share banking sector has regained market attention after several months of correction, with a notable increase in stock prices driven by rising risk aversion and the commencement of mid-term dividends [1][2]. Group 1: Market Performance - The banking sector has shown a continuous upward trend, with a 1.3% increase this week and 39 out of 42 stocks closing in the green [2]. - Major banks such as CITIC Bank and Agricultural Bank led the gains, with increases of 3.84% and 3.03% respectively [3][2]. - The banking sector's performance in the first half of the year was strong, with a 13% increase, but faced a 10.2% decline in the third quarter [1]. Group 2: Investment Drivers - The recent rally in bank stocks is attributed to heightened market risk aversion and the attractive dividend yields as banks begin their mid-term dividend distributions [5][6]. - The average dividend yield for listed banks has risen to 4.4%, which is 64 basis points higher than the low in July, enhancing their appeal to long-term investors [7]. - Insurance capital has shown a preference for bank stocks, with banks representing approximately 37% of the total market value of A-share stocks held by insurance funds [8]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Analysts suggest that the banking sector is likely to benefit from policy support and positive performance signals, indicating a stabilization trend [8]. - The long-term performance of bank stocks is closely tied to macroeconomic conditions, with potential for significant growth if the economy continues to improve [8].