21世纪经济报道·2025-08-14 08:48Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent acquisition of shares by China Ping An in China Pacific Insurance, marking a rare instance of an insurance company acquiring another insurance company, which has not occurred in six years. This move is seen as a strategic financial investment and reflects a shift in asset allocation within the insurance sector [1][6][10]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - On August 13, China Ping An increased its holdings in China Pacific Insurance by approximately 1.74 million shares, bringing its total ownership to about 5.04% of the H-shares, thus triggering the "lifting the stake" threshold [1][6]. - The acquisition was executed at a price of HKD 32.07 per share, totaling approximately HKD 55.84 million [6][7]. - Following the announcement, shares of China Pacific Insurance surged nearly 6% in A-shares and about 7% in H-shares, contributing to a broader rally in the insurance sector [1][4]. Group 2: Market Context and Trends - The insurance industry has seen a resurgence in share acquisitions, with over 20 instances of stake increases in 2023 alone, surpassing the total for the previous year [6][8]. - The current market environment, characterized by declining interest rates and an "asset shortage," has prompted insurance companies to seek high-dividend, low-valuation equity assets [7][8]. - China Pacific Insurance is viewed as an attractive target due to its high dividend yield and potential for valuation recovery, with a current H-share price of HKD 36.14 and a dividend yield of 3.26% [7][8]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The acquisition signals a shift in the insurance sector towards high-quality development and mutual trust among leading insurance firms, moving away from mere scale expansion [8][11]. - The article highlights that the insurance sector is undergoing a transformation, which may lead to improved operational quality and a gradual recovery in valuations [11][12]. - The rarity of insurance companies acquiring other insurance firms is attributed to high ownership concentrations among major shareholders and the current low valuation levels in the insurance sector [10][11].