Xiangcai Securities·2025-06-16 06:42Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the insurance industry, indicating a positive outlook for investment opportunities in the sector [82]. Core Insights - The adjustment of predetermined interest rates is expected to enhance the value of new business, with a projected decrease in the rate to 2% in the third quarter, which will lower the rigid cost of liabilities and improve product profitability [8][12]. - The expansion of long-term stock investment trials is anticipated to increase the flexibility of the asset side, with insurance companies actively seeking higher-yield risk assets to mitigate the pressure from interest rate spreads [20][27]. - There is a need for further optimization in asset-liability matching, as mismatches in duration can lead to fluctuations in net assets, particularly under the IFRS 17 standards [42][50]. - The valuation of insurance companies is primarily driven by improvements in the asset side, with the current PEV valuation level at 0.70, indicating that market valuations are below the intrinsic value of the companies [59][67]. Summary by Sections 1. Adjustment of Predetermined Interest Rates - The upper limit for the predetermined interest rate for ordinary life insurance is currently set at 2.5%, with a projected decrease to 2% in the upcoming quarter, which is expected to enhance the new business value [8][12]. - The insurance premium income for life insurance is showing signs of recovery, with a cumulative growth of 1.3% as of April 2025, marking a positive shift in the market [12][14]. 2. Expansion of Long-term Stock Investment Trials - The total scale of long-term stock investment trials has reached 222 billion, with several major insurance companies participating [25]. - The demand for high-yield risk assets is increasing as insurance companies seek to cover the rigid costs associated with liabilities [27][33]. 3. Need for Optimization in Asset-Liability Matching - The mismatch in asset and liability durations is causing volatility in net assets, necessitating better alignment to mitigate risks associated with interest rate changes [42][50]. - The average net investment yield for listed insurance companies remains around 4%, which poses challenges for long-term asset yield stabilization [50][56]. 4. Valuation Driven by Asset Side Improvements - The contribution of insurance contract services to profits is significant, with new business value expected to enhance overall performance [59][61]. - The current average PB valuation for five A-share insurance companies is 1.6, indicating a moderate valuation level compared to historical data [67][71].