Changjiang Securities·2026-01-19 12:44Investment Rating - The investment rating for the banking sector is "Positive" and is maintained [13]. Core Insights - The market sentiment has significantly improved since the beginning of the year, leading to substantial net outflows from major index funds like CSI 300 and SSE 50, with bank stocks experiencing the highest decline among primary sectors [2][6]. - Despite the recent pressure on bank stocks due to net outflows from index funds, there is an expectation that the market will continue to focus on high-quality bank stocks with stable or improving fundamentals, presenting good investment opportunities [2][8]. - The pricing power of fundamental factors for bank stocks is expected to increase in 2026, with a projected reversal in net interest income growth and stable performance from major banks [10]. Summary by Sections Market Dynamics - Since Q3 2025, bank stocks have been under pressure due to capital outflows, primarily from public funds and ETFs, reflecting a shift in institutional investor strategies [6][7]. - The net outflow from CSI 300 and SSE 50 ETFs reached 103.6 billion and 19.7 billion respectively during January 15-16, significantly above normal levels [7]. Valuation and Dividend Yield - Bank stocks are considered systematically undervalued under the PB-ROE framework, with current PB valuations below net asset value [9]. - The expected dividend yields for major state-owned banks have risen above 4%, with some leading banks like China Merchants Bank and Jiangsu Bank reaching yields of 5% to 6% [9][26]. Performance Outlook - Major banks are expected to maintain stable growth in 2026, with credit growth projected to be flat year-on-year, focusing on operational efficiency rather than scale [10]. - The non-interest income pressure from financial market activities has eased, and overall revenue growth is anticipated to be driven by net interest income [10].