策略周评20250921：四季度胜负手，可能是哪些方向？

Core Insights - The report suggests that the key market drivers in the fourth quarter may shift towards cyclical sectors and low-positioned technology branches, as historical trends indicate a structural change in market dynamics during this period [1][2][4]. Market Trends - The report highlights that the main risk-reward ratio for leading sectors has decreased, necessitating a shift in investment focus. The concentration of capital in AI upstream hardware has led to a few stocks disproportionately influencing the market [2][3]. - Historical data from 2010 to 2024 shows that sectors with the highest gains in the first three quarters tend to underperform in the fourth quarter, with financial and stable sectors having a higher probability of outperforming the market [2][3]. Institutional Behavior - In the fourth quarter, institutions are likely to prioritize locking in profits from previously successful investments rather than seeking further excess returns. This behavior is driven by the need to mitigate ranking volatility risks, leading to a potential sell-off in previously high-performing sectors [3][4]. Cyclical Sector Opportunities - The report identifies that if optimistic economic expectations materialize, the fourth quarter will present a favorable window for cyclical investments. Historical examples from 2015 to 2022 demonstrate that consumer sectors often yield excess returns during this period [4][5]. Technology Sector Dynamics - Within the technology sector, the report anticipates a "high cut low" strategy, where investments will shift from high-performing upstream hardware to relatively underperforming segments within the AI industry chain [8][11]. - Specific areas of interest include midstream storage and AIDC-related facilities, which are expected to benefit from increasing demand driven by AI applications and capital expenditures from domestic cloud providers [9][10]. Application Sector Potential - The report emphasizes that while downstream AI applications have lagged, their potential for growth remains significant. The emergence of breakthrough products and business models could catalyze a shift in investor sentiment towards these applications [10][11]. - Notable segments to watch include AI in pharmaceuticals, humanoid robots, smart driving, and AI applications, which are positioned for potential growth as market narratives evolve [10][11].