第一财经·2025-11-13 05:49Core Viewpoint - The banking sector in the A-share market has experienced a dramatic reversal in the fourth quarter, with the Shenwan Banking Index rising nearly 9% since the beginning of the quarter, significantly outperforming the broader market [3][5]. Group 1: Market Performance - The banking sector, which was the only declining sector in the third quarter with a drop of 10.19%, has seen a strong recovery, with Agricultural Bank and Industrial and Commercial Bank reaching historical highs [5][6]. - As of November 12, the Shenwan Banking Index has increased by 8.86% in the fourth quarter, compared to a 3.02% rise in the Shanghai Composite Index during the same period [5][6]. - Individual stocks have shown even greater gains, with Agricultural Bank and Chongqing Bank rising over 27%, and Shanghai Bank and Xiamen Bank increasing by more than 17% [5][6]. Group 2: Fund Flows and Investor Sentiment - In the third quarter, public funds reduced their holdings in the banking sector by 53.59 billion shares, with 42 out of 55 bank stocks experiencing reductions [6][7]. - In contrast, over 60 billion yuan has flowed into bank-related ETFs in the fourth quarter, indicating a shift in market sentiment towards banking stocks [6][7]. - Institutional interest in the banking sector has increased, with 11 banks receiving attention from 62 different institutions for research since the beginning of the fourth quarter [6][7]. Group 3: Investment Drivers - The recovery in banking stocks is attributed to multiple factors, including stable cash flows, high dividends, and low valuations, which have made them attractive in a risk-averse environment [7][8]. - The low allocation of active funds to the banking sector has reached a five-year low, suggesting potential for increased investment as market conditions evolve [7][8]. - Policy changes are also seen as a driving force for increased allocation to banking stocks, as public funds look to rebalance their portfolios [8][9]. Group 4: Divergent Views on Investment Value - There is a division among institutional investors regarding the investment value of banking stocks, with some believing that the sector still holds significant potential for growth, especially among regional banks [9]. - Others express caution, suggesting that the recent gains may be driven by short-term factors and that the sustainability of these trends remains uncertain [9].