Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-19 06:29Core Viewpoint - The insurance sector is poised for strategic investment opportunities due to the growth in net assets and investment returns, supported by shifts in resident savings towards insurance assets, alongside favorable policies [1][9]. Group 1: Performance Metrics - The insurance index is projected to rise by 31.31% in 2025, outperforming other financial sectors such as banking (12.04%) and brokerage (4.05%) [1]. - Individual stocks like New China Life, Ping An, China Pacific Insurance, China Life, and China Property & Casualty are expected to see significant increases in their stock prices, with respective gains of 46.03%, 35.87%, 26.6%, 21.21%, and 10.39% in 2025 [1]. - The A-share insurance sector is anticipated to maintain strong performance into 2026, with continued growth in the liability side and improved investment returns on the asset side [1]. Group 2: Liability Side Developments - The transformation of participating insurance products is enhancing competitiveness, attracting funds due to their "guaranteed + floating" return characteristics amid declining bank deposit rates [2][10]. - The ongoing shift in resident deposits and the reduction in large bank certificates of deposit are expected to further expand the growth of the insurance liability side [2][11]. - The demand for pension and health protection is driving the appeal of insurance products, which are expected to capture a larger share of resident savings and fixed-income investments [2][12]. Group 3: Asset Side Strategies - Insurers are increasing their allocation to equity assets due to pressure on interest margins and the challenges of bond yields not covering the costs of new premium inflows [5][14]. - The need for higher investment returns is pushing insurers to enhance their equity investment capabilities, especially as the industry transitions to a full-scale transformation of participating insurance by 2027 [5][15]. - The long-term trend indicates a significant increase in the proportion of equity investments within insurance portfolios, driven by the need for better returns [5][15]. Group 4: Policy Environment - Regulatory policies since September 2024 have encouraged insurance capital to enter the market, with expectations of substantial annual inflows into A-shares [7][16]. - The introduction of structural easing policies aims to optimize asset allocation and reduce capital requirements for insurance companies, supporting long-term market stability [7][16]. - The focus on nurturing patient capital and guiding long-term investments is expected to stabilize the capital market, with a particular emphasis on technology sectors for potential high returns [8][17].