Core Viewpoint - In 2025, China's capital market continued to recover, enhancing the securities industry's ability to serve the real economy and new productive forces, with significant improvements in investor asset allocation and satisfaction. The merger of Guotai Junan and Haitong Securities was completed, accelerating the construction of a first-class investment bank, while securities firms strengthened their overseas subsidiaries, deepening high-level opening-up. Looking ahead to 2026, the securities industry's functional capabilities are expected to be better utilized, contributing to the construction of a financial powerhouse [1]. Industry Development: Functional Capabilities and Capital Strength - The securities industry's functional capabilities became increasingly significant in 2025, serving the real economy and new productive forces effectively. Notable companies such as Moer Thread and Nidec were listed, and major firms like CATL and Zijin Mining successfully completed IPOs in Hong Kong, with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange regaining its position as the top global IPO market [2]. - Investor satisfaction improved significantly in 2025, with the scale of financial products sold by securities firms growing. In the first half of the year, 42 listed securities firms achieved financial product sales revenue of 5.568 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 32% [2]. Investment Banking: Recovery and Service to the Real Economy - In 2025, the investment banking sector showed signs of recovery, focusing on serving the real economy through equity financing and mergers and acquisitions. The A-share IPO market saw over 100 companies listed, with total fundraising reaching 110 billion yuan, indicating a shift towards quality over quantity [5]. - The Hong Kong IPO market also rebounded, with 91 companies completing IPOs and raising a total of 259.889 billion HKD, marking a significant recovery [6]. - Mergers and acquisitions became a key avenue for investment banks to deepen their service to the real economy, with policies guiding the market towards industry integration and transformation [6]. Wealth Management: Transition to Management Fees - In 2025, the wealth management business of securities firms saw significant growth, with total revenue from related businesses reaching approximately 145.028 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 37.4% [9]. - The shift from earning transaction commissions to management and service fees was evident, with online account openings exceeding 90% and over 80% of transactions conducted via mobile apps [11]. - The demand for wealth management services is expected to grow, driven by an increase in residents' financial assets, particularly in equity [12]. Asset Management: New Development Paths - The asset management industry underwent significant restructuring in 2025, with total private asset management product scale reaching 57.9 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.95% from the beginning of the year [13]. - The pursuit of public fund licenses by securities firms was paused, with many withdrawing applications, indicating a shift towards exploring differentiated development paths [14]. - Collaboration between asset management and wealth management is emerging as a new development path, with a focus on meeting diverse client needs [15]. Mergers and Acquisitions: Accelerated Restructuring - The wave of mergers and acquisitions in the securities industry intensified in 2025, with significant cases such as the merger of Guotai Junan and Haitong Securities and the absorption of Dongxing Securities and Xinda Securities by CICC [16][17]. - The restructuring is characterized by a focus on resource integration and strategic transformation, supported by clear policy incentives [17]. - The industry is expected to see a clearer new structure in 2026, with a focus on leading firms and potential growth among mid-sized securities companies [18].