Core Insights - The performance of public fund of funds (FOF) has significantly improved due to the utilization of index fund products, enhancing both profitability and flexibility [1] - The best-performing FOF product this year has achieved a return of 68%, surpassing the median performance of all market funds and outperforming many actively managed equity funds [1] - FOF fund managers plan to continue focusing on niche products in the fourth quarter, particularly in promising sectors such as manufacturing, consumption, and resources [1] Summary by Categories - **Performance Metrics** - The highest performing FOF product has recorded a return of 68% this year [1] - This performance is notably above the median of the entire market fund sector [1] - Many actively managed equity funds have been significantly outperformed by this FOF product [1] - **Investment Strategy** - FOF managers are shifting from conservative styles to actively exploring niche products, especially industry-themed funds [1] - The focus for the fourth quarter will be on sectors with potential, specifically manufacturing, consumption, and resources [1]

Market Performance - In September 2025, the average return of actively managed equity funds was 5.6%, while the CSI 300 index rose by 3.2% to 4641 points. Over 75% of the funds achieved positive returns this month [9][21]. - Growth funds performed the best with a median return of 8.5%. Value style funds faced pressure with an overall negative return, while sector-themed funds benefited from the non-ferrous metal market, achieving a maximum return of 31.3% [21][24]. - The performance of industry-themed funds showed significant differentiation, with high-end manufacturing, cyclical, and technology funds performing well. The top-performing technology fund was Yongying Technology Smart Selection A, with a return of 194.5% [24][29]. Equity Fund Multi-Strategy Overview - The report analyzed 2493 actively managed equity funds that met specific criteria, including a minimum scale of 100 million and a stock allocation exceeding 50% [32]. - The average goodness of fit for public funds relative to a single index was 0.78, indicating a slight increase in strategy concentration compared to the previous month [33]. - The distribution of equity fund strategies showed an increase in cyclical style, with a downward shift in investment strategy market capitalization. The most significant inflows were into the CSI 500, ChiNext Index, and CSI 1000 [39]. Fund Rating Changes - The report noted an increase in high-rated funds, with 39 AAA-rated funds and 99 AA+ rated funds, reflecting an overall improvement in fund ratings due to favorable market conditions. The proportion of value and small-cap high-performing funds increased from 16% to 18% [45][46]. - High-rated funds demonstrated excellent overall performance and robust investment management capabilities, showing good alpha sustainability in both short-term and long-term performance [52]. Outstanding Fund Monthly Tracking - The report identified 10 funds that exhibited significant performance improvement and management optimization, reflecting their investment strategies' adaptability to the current market environment [62]. - New funds with high return potential and differentiated competitive advantages were highlighted, with 7 new funds identified this month, primarily in quantitative strategies [60].

Core Insights - The article highlights the increasing role of Fund of Funds (FOF) and investment advisory services in identifying specialized and differentiated investment products in the current structural market environment [1][6] - There is a notable shift in the investment strategy from selecting "star fund managers" to choosing more transparent and practical quantitative or thematic products [6] FOF and Investment Strategies - FOFs have been actively increasing their allocations to various specialized products, particularly in active equity funds, amidst a backdrop of improved liquidity in the domestic market [1][2] - Notable quantitative products such as Nuon Multi-Strategy C and CITIC Prudential Multi-Strategy C have seen significant interest from FOFs, with over 10 FOFs heavily investing in these funds by the end of Q2 [2][3] - The performance of these funds has been impressive, with Nuon Multi-Strategy C achieving a return rate exceeding 40% since Q2, while others like CITIC Prudential Multi-Strategy C and Guojin Quantitative Multi-Factor C have returns around 20% [2][3] Thematic and Specialized Products - FOFs are also exploring other distinct active stock-picking products across various themes such as Hong Kong stocks, technology, dividends, gold stocks, finance, and real estate [2][3] - The demand for active equity funds is driven by the need for stable excess returns and clear investment logic, with a focus on products that can provide certainty in returns during structural market conditions [3][5] Risk Management and Investment Framework - The investment community is increasingly recognizing the importance of a comprehensive risk-return evaluation system, moving beyond traditional performance metrics to include strategy clarity and market adaptability [5][6] - Multi-asset strategies are seen as advantageous in capturing structural opportunities, allowing for diversified investments across low-correlated assets to optimize risk-return profiles [3][6] Evolution of Investment Preferences - There has been a significant evolution in the preferences of investment advisory services towards active equity funds, emphasizing the selection of strategies over individual fund managers [6] - The focus has shifted from short-term timing and stock selection capabilities of fund managers to utilizing tool-based products for long-term asset allocation [6]