Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-30 10:30Core Insights - The securities industry is experiencing a significant transformation, with a reduction in workforce and a shift towards a more professional and service-oriented model [3][10]. Workforce Changes - By the end of 2025, the total number of employees in the securities industry is projected to decrease by 5,897, bringing the total to 320,000, marking three consecutive years of decline since 2023 [13]. - The number of employees in general securities business and securities brokers has significantly decreased, with both categories losing over 5,000 employees [10]. - Conversely, the number of analysts increased by 336, and investment advisors saw a net increase of 5,754, indicating a shift towards specialized roles [10][12]. Analyst Growth - The analyst workforce has seen a notable increase, surpassing 6,000 by 2025, doubling from around 3,000 before 2022 [12]. - Despite pressures in other business lines, competition for research talent among brokerages has intensified, with several prominent analysts switching firms [12]. - The top ten firms with the largest increases in analyst numbers include Guotai Junan Securities, CITIC Securities, and Founder Securities, with Guotai Junan adding 43 analysts [14]. Decline in Sponsoring Representatives - The number of sponsoring representatives has decreased for the first time in eight years, totaling 8,526 by the end of 2025, down by 180 from the previous year [15]. - This decline is attributed to a slowdown in equity financing and stricter regulatory requirements, leading to a "project drought" in the market [15].