Ping An Securities·2025-11-05 10:38Investment Rating - The report maintains a "stronger than the market" rating for the banking sector [1][4]. Core Views - As of the end of October, 42 listed banks reported a 1.5% year-on-year increase in net profit for the first three quarters of 2025, an improvement of 0.7 percentage points compared to the first half of 2025 [4][9]. - The report highlights a continued recovery in profitability, driven by a rebound in interest income and non-interest income [4][10]. - The report anticipates that the positive signals from interest margin and non-interest income will persist into the fourth quarter of 2025, with a focus on the impact of policies aimed at reducing competition and the quality of retail assets [15][4]. Summary by Sections Profitability Analysis - The net interest income for the first three quarters of 2025 decreased by 0.6% year-on-year, while non-interest income from fees and commissions grew by 4.6% [10][6]. - The report notes that the profitability of individual banks varies, with some banks like Shanghai Pudong Development Bank and Agricultural Bank of China showing significant growth rates of 10.2% and 3.0% respectively [4][9]. Operational Breakdown - Total asset growth for the 42 listed banks was 9.3% year-on-year, with loan growth at 7.7% and deposit growth at 7.9% [22][4]. - The annualized net interest margin for the third quarter was stable at 1.36%, with a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities [4][6]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests a shift towards reallocation rather than trading, emphasizing the importance of structural changes in funding flows that support valuation recovery in the banking sector [6][4]. - Specific banks such as Chengdu Bank, Jiangsu Bank, and Suzhou Bank are highlighted for their regional advantages and potential for continued profit growth [6][4].