AGRICULTURAL BANK OF CHINA(SH:601288) Zhong Guo Jing Ying Bao·2025-10-21 11:53Core Viewpoint - The A-share banking sector is experiencing a significant rally, with Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) breaking the "price-to-book" (PB) ratio barrier, marking a shift in market perception towards bank valuations [1][2][3] Summary by Sections Agricultural Bank of China Performance - As of October 21, ABC's stock price reached 7.88 CNY per share, surpassing its net asset value of 7.65 CNY per share, a first among the four major state-owned banks since 2018 [2][3] - ABC's stock has shown a 13-day consecutive rise, indicating strong market interest and a potential shift in investor sentiment towards bank stocks [1][2] Market Dynamics and Investor Sentiment - The recent performance of ABC is seen as a signal of renewed investor interest in undervalued bank stocks, particularly during market adjustments when stable returns are sought [2][3] - Analysts suggest that the banking sector is entering a bottoming phase, with expectations of a recovery in valuations as economic conditions improve [5] Other Banks Approaching Net Asset Value - Other banks such as China Merchants Bank, Chengdu Bank, Changshu Bank, and Hangzhou Bank are also nearing their respective net asset values, with stock prices at 41.98 CNY, 18.40 CNY, 7.08 CNY, and 16.39 CNY, compared to their net asset values of 42.1 CNY, 19.47 CNY, 8.79 CNY, and 18.02 CNY [4] - The trend of banks breaking the "price-to-book" barrier is expected to continue, driven by stable earnings and high dividend yields appealing to investors [4] Future Outlook for the Banking Sector - Analysts predict that banks with strong asset quality and stable profitability are more likely to break the "price-to-book" barrier in the future, supported by regulatory policies and market confidence [4] - The focus will be on whether the valuation recovery in the banking sector can be sustained, as it is influenced by policy, capital flow, and fundamental performance [4]