Vi e w p o i n t | 29 Jan 2026 01:59:47 ET │ 13 pages China Property Three Red Lines to Ease but Unlikely to Leverage Up for Investment in ST CITI'S TAKE Policies pacing up: talk of easing "three red lines" — Property firms are no longer required to report "three red lines" indicators to authorities (Bloomberg, 29 Jan). We note the "three red lines" were implemented since Aug'2020 in an aim to limit debt and encourage sector deleveraging. Indeed, after the Qiushi Journal article (link) that set a supportive ...

Summary of Conference Call on China Property Industry Industry Overview - The report focuses on the China property industry, specifically analyzing the land acquisitions and sales outlook for 2025 and 2026 [1][10]. Key Findings on Land Acquisitions - **Land Purchase Growth**: The value of land purchases by listed companies increased by 15% year-over-year (yoy) to RMB 478 billion, contrasting with a 7% decline in 300 cities [2][16]. - **Acquisition Concentration**: Only 13 listed companies participated in land purchases in 2025, accounting for 43% of the total, with the top five companies responsible for 71% of the acquisitions [4][24]. - **Geographic Focus**: There was a slight increase in spending in Tier-2 cities, which accounted for 42% of total land purchases in 2025, up from 40% in 2024 [3][32]. - **Top Buyers**: The leading companies in land acquisition included COLI, Poly China, and CR Land, with significant yoy growth from COGO (+96%), Jinmao (+78%), and CMSK (+56%) [4][26]. Sales Outlook - **Sales Projections**: Estimated sales for 2026 are expected to decline by 16% yoy, following a 25% decline in 2025. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are projected to have a smaller decline of 6%, while non-SOEs may see a 17% drop [6][19]. - **Luxury Market Resilience**: High-end properties in core cities are expected to perform better, with companies like Jinmao and Greentown projected to achieve slight sales growth [6][19]. - **Market Dynamics**: The majority of land acquisitions were made by SOEs, which accounted for 75% of land purchases in 2025, indicating a trend towards consolidation in the market [6][19]. Financial Metrics - **Attributable Sales Ratio**: Land purchases represented 33% of attributable sales, marking a new high since 2021, indicating increased investment appetite among leading companies [2][20]. - **Cost Trends**: The average land acquisition cost increased by 23% yoy, reflecting a premium for prime land in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities [3][20]. Additional Insights - **Market Conditions**: The land market was more active in the first half of 2025, driven by a recovery in sales and a decrease in inventory levels in top cities. However, activity slowed in the second half due to declining sales and secondary price drops [19][36]. - **Strategic Focus**: Companies are increasingly focusing on acquiring high-quality land rather than engaging in indiscriminate purchases, with a notable shift towards securing resources in economically robust Tier-2 cities [15][32]. Conclusion - The China property market is experiencing a complex landscape characterized by selective land acquisitions, a focus on high-quality assets, and a challenging sales environment. The performance of leading companies will be critical in navigating these dynamics as they prepare for 2026.

Summary of China Property Market Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the **China Property** market, highlighting significant declines in various metrics related to real estate investment and sales. Key Points Real Estate Investment (REI) Trends - **November REI** experienced a record drop of **30.3% YoY**, marking the sharpest decline on record, with a total of **RMB 0.5 trillion**, the lowest monthly figure since April 2012 [1][11] - **Completion rates** fell by **26% YoY** in November, slightly improved from **28%** in October [1] - **Starts** decreased by **28% YoY**, consistent with a **29%** decline in October [1] - **Residential sales** dropped by **28% YoY**, the largest single-month decline since May 2024 [1] - The **70-cities price index** for new homes decreased by **2.8% YoY** in November, while secondary homes saw a **5.7% YoY** decline [1] Market Dynamics - **Secondary market sales** in 18 key cities fell by **22% YoY** in November, with average weekly volume showing a **13% MoM** increase, driven by price cuts [2] - Listings in 39 cities remained stable, but cities like Shenzhen and Xi'an saw increased listings, putting pressure on prices [2] - A survey indicated only **9%** of depositors expect housing prices to rise in 2026, a historical low [2] Future Projections - The outlook for 2026 suggests a **structural decline** in the market unless liquidity improves, with expectations of: - **REI** down **13% YoY** - National sales down **11% YoY**, with residential sales projected at **RMB 6.8 trillion** [3] - New home average selling prices (ASP) expected to fall by **3% YoY** [3] - Starts anticipated to drop to levels last seen in 2003, with a **15% YoY** decline [3] Policy and Regulatory Environment - The **Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC)** indicated a more proactive policy tone, with potential demand-side easing measures expected in Q4 2025 [4] - Urban renewals and REIT approvals are likely to accelerate, but significant changes in home price expectations are not anticipated due to ample supply [4] - Monitoring for targeted monetary easing or pro-leverage initiatives is advised, though the likelihood remains low [4] Market Sentiment and Investment Recommendations - The sector's share prices corrected in early December amid debates over weak sales and expectations of policy-driven rebounds, particularly following Vanke's debt extension [5] - Anticipated earnings downgrades in December and January for well-known names in the sector [5] - Luxury mall retail sales are expected to maintain a positive trend in Q4 after outperforming in Q3 [5] - Recommended stocks include **Jinmao, C&D, and CRL** as top picks [5] Additional Insights - The **macro environment** shows mixed signals, with November exports beating expectations at **5.9% YoY**, while retail sales decelerated to **1.3% YoY** despite a higher CPI of **0.7%** [1] - Fixed Asset Investment (FAI) remains weak, down **12%** YoY, with a cumulative decline of **2.6%** for the first eleven months [1] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call regarding the current state and future outlook of the China property market, emphasizing the significant challenges and potential policy responses.

Summary of China Property Market Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the **China Property** market, highlighting significant declines in investment, completion rates, and home prices as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for October 2025. Key Points and Arguments Investment and Sales Trends - **Real Estate Investment (REI)** dropped by **22.5% year-over-year** in October, worsening from a **21.6% decline** in September, marking the sharpest decline since November 2022 [1] - **Completion rates** fell by **28% year-over-year**, a significant drop from a **1.5% increase** in September [1] - **New construction starts** decreased by **29% year-over-year**, compared to a **14% decline** in September [1] - **Residential sales** saw a **25% decline**, with the gross floor area (GFA) sold down **20%**, both representing the largest retreats since May 2024 [1] - The **70-cities price index** showed a widening decline, with new home prices down **0.5% month-over-month** and secondary home prices down **0.7% month-over-month** [1] Macro Economic Context - October exports experienced a **1.1% decline**, the first drop in eight months, while fixed asset investment (FAI) missed expectations with a **12% decline** [1] - Credit data remained soft, with new loans and total social financing (TSF) at **RMB 0.2 trillion** and **RMB 0.8 trillion**, respectively, below consensus estimates [1] - Retail sales showed stability with a **2.9% increase**, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) exceeded expectations [1] Local Government Initiatives - Local governments are promoting high-quality property development under the **15th Five-Year Plan**, with new rules linking completed home sales to new land sales [2] - For instance, Pingjiang County in Hunan requires completed home sales for new land acquisitions, with completed homes accounting for **62%** of local sales [2] - Fujian's Fuzhou is linking pre-sales approvals to property firms' credit profiles, and Guangzhou mandates **100% pre-fabrication** for new residential lands starting in 2026 [2] Market Dynamics - Secondary sales in **18 key cities** dropped by **29% year-over-year** in October, with average weekly volumes at **21,000 units**, the second-lowest year-to-date [3] - Listings in **39 cities** remained flat month-over-month, but Tier-1 cities saw a **1.5% increase** [3] - The flexibility in secondary price cuts may lead to continued price weakness and shift demand from new homes to the secondary market [3] Sector Outlook - The property sector is expected to experience range-bound trading, with limited new property policies anticipated apart from execution urgencies [4] - Property sales are likely to remain soft in **Q4 2025** due to high bases and limited support from easing measures in low-tier cities [4] - However, top-10 cities are showing mild growth, with **82%** of listed companies' land acquisitions occurring in these areas, and luxury home sales are outperforming with improved margins [4] - Preferred investment targets include companies with luxury and quality products, such as Jinmao, C&D, CRL, and COLI, which has shown strong sales in Tier-1 cities [4] Additional Insights - The **National Residential Inventory** reached **396 million sqm** by October 2025, indicating a significant amount of unsold inventory [24] - The **transaction amount** for overall real estate in October was **RMB 598 billion**, reflecting a **25.5% decline** year-over-year [9] - The **average weekly primary transaction volume** in October was down **35.4% year-over-year**, indicating a significant slowdown in market activity [27] Conclusion The China property market is facing substantial challenges with declining investment, sales, and prices. Local government initiatives aim to stimulate high-quality development, but the overall outlook remains cautious, particularly for the remainder of 2025. Investors are advised to focus on companies with strong fundamentals and luxury offerings amidst the ongoing market volatility.

Summary of China Property Monthly Tracker Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **Chinese property market**, highlighting significant declines in new property starts, sales, and construction activities, indicating a downturn in the sector. Key Points Market Performance - **New starts** in October 2025 fell to the lowest monthly level (excluding January and February) since the current downturn began [2][9] - **Primary sales** volume and value declined by **19%** and **24%** year-over-year (YoY), respectively, while construction activities (completion and new starts) plunged nearly **30%** YoY [2][9] - **Secondary sales volume** also fell short of expectations, contributing to a broader weakening in market sentiment and income expectations [2][9] Price Trends - The **average selling price (ASP)** for properties continued to decline, with primary ASPs down **0.5%** month-over-month (MoM) and secondary ASPs down **0.7%** MoM in October [9][31] - The **ASP** in tier-1 cities showed a **0.3%** decline for primary and **0.9%** for secondary markets, indicating a divergence in pricing trends [9][31] Future Expectations - For November 2025, expectations include: 1. Continued price weakness, especially in secondary ASPs across all cities [3][11] 2. An expansion in the YoY decline for primary transaction volume and value, with new starts remaining weak [3][11] 3. A narrowing trend in secondary transaction volume YoY, but still recording substantial declines [3][11] 4. A further decline in land sales volume and a potential negative YoY change in land sales value [3][11] Developer Insights - Developers' land acquisition profitability improved slightly month-over-month in October, with land acquisition spending averaging **28%** of contract sales, down from **54%** in September [2][10] - The report notes that developers are likely to be less aggressive in land banking for the remainder of the year, having largely met their full-year land replenishment plans [18][10] Government Policies and Market Sentiment - The report highlights ongoing discussions regarding the removal of housing purchase restrictions in core districts of tier-1 cities, which could positively impact home purchases [4][10] - There is a noted deterioration in the demand-side strength score, which dropped to **37 out of 100**, indicating a challenging environment for home purchases and secondary market performance [53][55] Construction and Investment Trends - Construction activities are expected to see a high single-digit percentage decline YoY for completions and a **30-40%** decline for new starts in November [17][11] - Developers are expected to focus on smaller projects with better ASP visibility and easier product positioning, rather than larger land parcels requiring phased development [18][10] Financial Metrics - The report provides a detailed summary of key market indicators, including: - **GFA sold**: **61 million sqm** in October, down **18.8%** YoY - **Property sales**: **Rmb 0.6 trillion**, down **24.3%** YoY - **ASP**: **Rmb 9,723/sqm**, down **6.8%** YoY - **New starts**: **37 million sqm**, down **29.5%** YoY - **Completions**: **37 million sqm**, down **28.2%** YoY [20][29] Conclusion - The Chinese property market is experiencing significant challenges, with declining sales, construction activities, and prices. The outlook for November remains cautious, with expectations of continued weakness in both primary and secondary markets. Developers are adjusting their strategies in response to market conditions, and government policies may play a crucial role in shaping future demand.

Summary of Conference Call on China Property Market Industry Overview - The conference focused on the **China property market**, specifically in **Shenzhen** and **Guangzhou**. The analysis included insights from developers, financial institutions, and property managers, highlighting contrasting trends between high-end and broader market segments [1][6]. Key Insights Market Trends - **Luxury Segment Performance**: There is a strengthening in luxury retail sales and affluent asset under management (AUM) growth, with double-digit percentage increases, but this has not yet translated into improved sales for high-end residential projects in Shenzhen and Guangzhou [3][6]. - **New Home Prices**: Prices for new homes remain resilient, with a premium over secondary homes due to better quality offerings. However, the sell-through pace for new homes has slowed, raising concerns about the sustainability of this pricing premium [3][7]. - **Urban Renewal Challenges**: Funding is identified as a significant bottleneck for urban renewal development, which is crucial for demand. Despite policy announcements, funding sources remain a fundamental restraint [3][8]. Financial Health of Banks - Selected banks reported a **10 percentage point increase** in loan-to-value (LTV) ratios to approximately **40%-55%** for mortgage asset balances, indicating limited non-performing loan (NPL) risk. Stress tests suggest these banks could tolerate an additional **20% decline** in property prices in high-tier cities [5][6]. Technology and Efficiency - The adoption of AI and digital applications is becoming increasingly important in the property sector, focusing on operational efficiency and sustainable profitability. Examples include automated cleaning robots and enhanced customer profiling by banks [5][6]. Policy Environment - Experts expressed caution regarding the effectiveness of current easing measures, such as mortgage rate cuts and HPR relaxations, which have had limited impact on market confidence. The need for broader macroeconomic policies or aggressive property-specific stimulus measures is emphasized [10][19]. Additional Observations - **Market Conditions**: The overall market remains in a downturn, with secondary prices falling **20%-30%** and transaction volumes decreasing from **6,000 units** in June to **4,000 units** in October [10][19]. - **Urban Population**: Approximately **1/3** of Guangzhou's and **60%** of Shenzhen's urban populations reside in urban villages, highlighting the potential for urban renewal projects [8][19]. - **Luxury Mall Recovery**: High-end malls are experiencing a recovery driven by luxury retail sales, with significant contributions from high-net-worth customers. The occupancy rate of luxury malls remains high at **97%** [26][28]. Conclusion - The China property market is characterized by a divergence between high-end and broader market segments, with luxury retail showing resilience while the overall market faces challenges. The need for effective policy measures and funding solutions for urban renewal is critical for future recovery. The integration of technology in property management is also seen as a key driver for efficiency and profitability in the sector [1][6][10].

Summary of China Property Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Property - **Event**: CPC Forth Plenary Session (20-23 Oct) Key Points and Arguments 1. **Development Model and Economic Focus**: The Plenary emphasized promoting high-quality development and advancing people-centric urbanization, indicating a shift in focus from real estate to manufacturing and technology sectors. The property sector is expected to account for an estimated 13% of GDP by 2025, down from a peak of 32% [1][1][1] 2. **Economic Stabilization**: The limited mention of property and absence of new stimulus measures suggest a focus on stabilization rather than stimulus. The decline in real estate investment (REI) was offset by growth in other sectors, contributing to a resilient GDP growth of 4.8% in Q3 2025 [1][1][1] 3. **Impact on Household Confidence**: With property assets constituting 66% of household assets, the decline in home prices is negatively affecting household confidence and consumption, particularly among the working class. Measures to support home prices in core cities are anticipated by 2026 [1][1][1] 4. **New Development Model**: The new development model aims to transform the property industry by focusing on quality improvement rather than scale expansion. This shift is expected to benefit luxury-home builders and landlords of recurring profit [1][1][1] 5. **Three-Pronged Housing System**: The proposed housing system includes commodity housing for high-end buyers, rental housing for urban migrants, and social housing for low-income classes. It is expected that rental and social housing could account for approximately 45% of supply in the future [2][2][2] 6. **Optimization of Production Factors**: A linkage mechanism to optimize the allocation of production factors (people, housing, land, and capital) is proposed to coordinate land supply, property supply, and government budget in relation to population flow [2][2][2] 7. **Property Development Improvements**: Recommendations include improving property development, financing, sales systems, and supervision, as well as deepening urban renewal in key cities [2][2][2] 8. **Promotion of Good-Quality Homes**: The focus will be on renovating aged buildings, energy-saving measures, and adopting advanced construction technologies [2][2][2] Additional Important Content - **Analyst Ratings and Valuations**: The report includes various company valuations and ratings, indicating a significant NAV discount for many property companies as of October 23, 2025. The average NAV discount for H-share companies is noted to be -65% [5][8][8] - **Investment Recommendations**: The report provides investment ratings for various companies, with a mix of "Buy," "Neutral," and "Sell" ratings based on expected total returns and risk assessments [22][24][24] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call regarding the China property sector, highlighting the shift in focus towards stabilization and quality improvement in the industry.

Summary of China Property Weekly Wrap Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Property** industry, highlighting recent trends in urban development and real estate transactions. Key Highlights 1. **Policy Initiatives**: The State Council issued opinions on promoting high-quality urban development, emphasizing: - Revitalization of urban property stock through comprehensive surveys of existing buildings and land to repurpose underutilized properties [1] - Development of high-quality housing supported by improved property management services and redevelopment initiatives for urban villages and aging communities [1] 2. **Market Performance**: - Primary transactions improved modestly, with new home sales volume up **19% week-over-week (wow)** and **1% year-over-year (yoy)**, particularly in tier-2 and Central Western cities [5] - Secondary transactions remained flat, with a **1% increase wow** and **6% yoy** [5] - New home search activity declined by **0.8% wow**, while secondary visitor traffic fell by **2% wow** [2] 3. **Shanghai Performance**: - In the first week post-HPR relaxation, new home sales in Shanghai dropped by **27% wow**, but new home search activity rose by **6% wow**, indicating improved sentiment [2] 4. **Transaction Data**: - Year-to-date (YTD) primary gross floor area (GFA) sold decreased by **5% yoy**, while secondary GFA sold increased by **12% yoy** [7] - Inventory balance increased by **0.2% wow** but decreased by **3.7% from end-2024 levels**, with inventory months at **25.8** [34] 5. **Valuation Trends**: - Offshore developers' average share price fell by **4% wow**, while onshore developers also saw a **4% decline wow** [45] - Offshore coverage trades at an average **33% discount** to end-2025 estimated net asset value (NAV) [45] 6. **Completions and New Starts**: - Completions are expected to decline by **20% yoy** in August 2025, with a **10% yoy** decline projected for the full year [38] - New starts are anticipated to record a mid-teens level yoy decline in August [7] 7. **Home Appliance Sales**: Expected to decline yoy in August based on secondary sales trends across approximately 20 cities [7] Additional Insights - The report indicates a mixed sentiment in the property market, with primary market transactions showing some recovery while secondary market activity remains subdued. - The focus on urban renewal and high-quality housing development reflects a strategic shift by policymakers to enhance urban living conditions and stimulate the property market. - The decline in new home sales in Shanghai post-HPR relaxation suggests that while sentiment may be improving, actual transaction volumes are still under pressure. This summary encapsulates the key points from the China Property Weekly Wrap, providing insights into the current state and future outlook of the property market in China.

Summary of the Conference Call on China's Property Market Industry Overview - The focus is on the **China Property** market, specifically addressing the challenges of clearing housing inventory and stimulating demand in the context of economic recovery. Key Points and Arguments 1. **Positive Feedback Loop**: Forming a positive feedback loop is essential to overcome deflationary pressures and weak demand, drawing lessons from historical government interventions in the 90s Shanghai property market [1] 2. **Supply and Demand Dynamics**: There is a need to build more housing units in tier-1 and tier-2 cities, with a benchmark housing supply ratio of 1.1-1.15X observed in developed countries. This could help revive upstream industries and stimulate demand [2] 3. **Historical Context**: The current housing industry and macroeconomic backdrop differ significantly from the late 90s, suggesting that the impact of accelerated housing construction will be smaller than in previous cycles [2] 4. **Funding Requirements**: Developers may require a liquidity injection of **Rmb1.4tn-2.8tn** to cover incremental construction and land purchases, with an ideal scenario needing up to **Rmb1.1tn** if demand stimulus is effective [5] 5. **Household Subsidies**: To improve affordability, an estimated **Rmb0.2tn-1.0tn** in subsidies may be necessary, alongside further mortgage easing and removal of home purchase restrictions in tier-1 cities [5] 6. **Market Activity Recovery**: Property market activities are expected to moderately recover to 2022-2023 levels under different scenarios [7] 7. **ASP Trends**: There has been a renewed weakening trend in Average Selling Prices (ASP) across 70 cities, with Class I cities experiencing the steepest month-on-month decline since October 2024 [10][11] 8. **Inventory Management**: Without additional sales, inventory levels in tier-1 and tier-2 cities could surge significantly, necessitating additional sales volume to maintain manageable inventory levels [65] Additional Important Insights 1. **Historical Case Study**: The late 90s housing market reform in China led to oversupply but was eventually resolved through targeted stimulus measures, which could provide a framework for current policy responses [27][28] 2. **Economic Contribution**: The property sector's contribution to GDP has decreased from a peak of 27% to the high-teen percentage level, indicating a need for revitalization [48] 3. **Developer Implications**: Liquidity injections are expected to benefit developers with land banks in higher-tier cities, but increased supply competition may pressure pricing and delay margin recovery [82][83] 4. **Leverage and Funding Gaps**: Developers may face significant funding gaps, with estimates suggesting a gap of **Rmb4.2tn-5.7tn** by the end of 2026 under different scenarios [55] 5. **Affordability Challenges**: The average home price to income ratio in tier-1 cities is above 20X, indicating a significant affordability gap that needs to be addressed through subsidies and easing of restrictions [64][72] This summary encapsulates the critical insights and data points discussed in the conference call regarding the current state and future outlook of the China property market.

Summary of C-REITs Market Analysis Industry Overview - The analysis focuses on the China Real Estate Investment Trusts (C-REITs) market, which has experienced rapid growth since the second half of 2024, supported by favorable policies and a low-rate macro environment [1][2][3]. Key Insights - As of June 2025, a total of 68 C-REITs have been listed, with an aggregate market capitalization of over Rmb205 billion (approximately US$28 billion), marking a fivefold increase from the end of 2021 [1][11]. - C-REITs represent 0.15% of China's GDP and 0.24% of the total stock market, compared to less than 0.05% at the end of 2021 [11][16]. - The market is projected to expand significantly, with estimates suggesting a potential market cap growth to 6x/9x in 5 years and 14x/21x in 10 years under different scenarios [3][50]. Performance Metrics - C-REITs have shown solid performance relative to other major investment asset classes since 2024, maintaining a competitive yield spread of 220 basis points over mainstream 5-year deposit rates [2][27]. - By the first half of 2025, C-REITs were trading at a ~30% premium to net asset value (NAV), with average yields compressing to approximately 4% [27][37]. Policy Support and Market Dynamics - Key policies driving C-REITs growth include the introduction of new asset classes (e.g., elderly care facilities) and regulatory clarity that reclassified REIT units as equity instruments, enhancing earnings stability for sponsors [12][46]. - The market has seen an acceleration in IPOs and follow-on offerings, with five C-REITs completing follow-ons since June 2023, accounting for about 36% of total capital raised [11][19]. Challenges and Risks - Despite the growth, the financial performance of underlying assets has not improved significantly for most C-REITs, which poses risks to future market expansion [4][77]. - The potential impact of C-REITs on reducing the high debt burden in the real estate sector is expected to be limited unless the market scales up significantly [57][59]. Future Outlook - The growth of C-REITs is contingent on several factors, including the improvement of underlying asset performance, diversification of asset classes, and increased participation from institutional investors [77][78]. - The potential for C-REITs to contribute to the real estate sector's deleveraging will depend on the speed and efficiency of market scaling, supported by continuous policy initiatives [77][78]. Additional Observations - The C-REITs market is characterized by a diverse sponsor profile, with over 50% of listed C-REITs being non-developer local state-owned enterprises (SOEs) [67]. - The liquidity of C-REITs is expected to improve, with projections indicating that around 70% of currently listed C-REITs could be free-float by the second half of 2026 [42]. This comprehensive analysis highlights the rapid growth and potential of the C-REITs market in China, while also addressing the challenges and future opportunities that lie ahead.