Core Viewpoint - The recent policy shift by the Ministry of Finance aims to guide insurance funds towards long-term and stable investments, moving from an annual assessment to a five-year evaluation cycle, which is expected to enhance the stability and structure of the A-share market [1][2][5] Group 1: Policy Changes and Implications - The new assessment mechanism for state-owned commercial insurance companies will focus on a combination of annual, three-year, and five-year performance indicators, with weights adjusted to 30%, 50%, and 20% respectively [2] - This adjustment is intended to align financial performance assessments with the actual operational cycles of insurance products, reducing the pressure for short-term financial results [2][3] - The policy is seen as a dual approach to encourage long-term investment behavior while providing clear guidelines for fund allocation in the A-share market [2][5] Group 2: Market Impact and Predictions - It is anticipated that the allocation of insurance funds in the A-share market will increase from approximately 11% to 15% or higher over the next two to three years, with a potential net increase of 300 billion to 500 billion yuan annually [5] - The long-term investment focus is expected to optimize the investment structure of insurance funds, leading to a gradual shift from defensive to a balanced investment strategy [5] - The influx of long-term capital is likely to reduce market volatility and enhance the market's resilience to external shocks, contributing to overall market stability [5][6] Group 3: Investment Preferences and Concerns - There are concerns that insurance funds may concentrate their investments in high-dividend stocks, which could contradict the goal of enhancing market vitality and structure [7][8] - However, high-dividend companies are typically stable and well-governed, and their attractiveness to insurance funds could lead to improved valuations and governance practices [8] - The regulatory framework encourages diversified investments, suggesting that insurance funds will not be limited to specific sectors but will consider a balanced risk-return profile [8][9] Group 4: Risk Management and Regulatory Considerations - The dual nature of insurance funds as stabilizers in the market and potential sources of systemic risk has been highlighted, emphasizing the need for robust regulatory frameworks [9][10] - Recommendations include strict monitoring of investment ratios, dynamic risk management, and enhanced transparency in risk disclosures to mitigate potential financial instability [9][10] - Historical lessons from the UK and US suggest that developing insurance products where investment risks are borne by policyholders could be a viable strategy for promoting insurance fund participation in the market [10]