1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report The report focuses on the performance comparison benchmarks of domestic active bond funds. It analyzes the benchmark settings of various sub - types of active bond funds and their deviations in actual operations. After the release of the "Action Plan", some bond funds have adjusted their performance comparison benchmarks. The report also studies the correlation between funds and benchmarks, tracking errors, and excess returns [1][9]. 3. Summary According to the Table of Contents 3.1 Introduction On May 7, 2025, the CSRC issued the "Action Plan for Promoting the High - quality Development of Public Funds", emphasizing the importance of performance comparison benchmarks. The report, as the second in the series, will analyze the benchmark settings and actual operation deviations of domestic active bond funds [9]. 3.2 Active Bond Fund Performance Comparison Benchmark Characteristics - **Generalized Active Bond Fund Sample Selection**: As of May 7, 2025, 4191 generalized active bond funds in existence and with performance comparison benchmarks were selected as samples, with a total scale of 9.05 trillion yuan. The samples include 7 types of funds, and the medium - long - term pure - bond funds have the largest number and scale [9][10][12]. - **Performance Benchmark Composition Method**: The performance comparison benchmarks of active bond funds have various forms, mainly including single bond indexes or weighted composites of different indexes. The component indexes can be classified into 6 major categories, and the bond index can be further divided into 5 sub - types, while the stock index can be divided into 9 sub - types [13]. - **Performance Benchmark Commonly Used Indexes**: The top ten "main benchmark indexes" of medium - long - term pure - bond funds are mainly indexes compiled by ChinaBond. For example, the number of funds with ChinaBond - Composite Full Price (Total Value) Index as the main benchmark index is 964, accounting for 52.56%. The main benchmark indexes of convertible bond funds are mainly convertible bond indexes, with CSI Convertible Bond Index being the most used. The main benchmark indexes of fixed - income enhanced funds are mainly A - share market indexes such as CSI 300 Index [36][41][50]. - **Comparison of Commonly Used Index Clusters**: The ChinaBond index system is compiled by the Central Government Bond Depository Trust & Clearing Co., Ltd., and the CSI index system is compiled by CSI Index Co., Ltd. The component bond listing locations, remaining maturities, and credit ratings of ChinaBond and CSI indexes are different [54][57]. - **Weight Distribution of "Main Benchmark Indexes"**: For most active bond funds, the weights of ChinaBond - Composite Full Price (Total Value) Index and ChinaBond - Composite Wealth (Total Value) Index are mainly in the range of 90 - 100% for medium - long - term pure - bond funds, mixed bond - type first - level funds, and mixed bond - type second - level funds. The weights of equity indexes in the performance comparison benchmarks of mixed bond - type second - level funds, convertible bond - type funds, and partial - debt hybrid funds are relatively concentrated [62][66]. 3.3 Fund Performance and Benchmark Correlation and Other Analyses - **Correlation Analysis between Active Bond Funds and Their Benchmarks**: From 2022 to 2025, convertible bond - type funds, short - term pure - bond funds, medium - short - term pure - bond funds, medium - long - term pure - bond funds, and partial - debt hybrid funds have relatively high correlations with their performance comparison benchmarks, while mixed bond - type first - level funds and mixed bond - type second - level funds have relatively low correlations [72][73]. - **Tracking Error and Excess Return of Funds Relative to the Benchmark**: The average tracking error of pure - bond funds is less than that of products with embedded options. Among fixed - income enhanced bond funds, first - level bond funds have lower tracking errors, second - level bond funds and partial - debt hybrid funds are relatively close, and convertible bond funds have the highest and most volatile tracking errors. Most pure - bond funds can outperform the benchmark in most years, and the average outperformance is within 2%. Among fixed - income enhanced funds, partial - debt hybrid funds have relatively high average excess returns [3][78]. - **Distribution of Fund Types with Significant Underperformance against the Benchmark**: Pure - bond funds have relatively small deviations from the benchmark and a low proportion of significant underperformance. The performance of fixed - income enhanced funds is related to the selected time interval and the performance of the equity market. In the long - term, active bond funds have the ability to obtain positive excess returns relative to the benchmark, but there are significant performance differences within each type of fund [3].

Core Viewpoint - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) released the "Action Plan for Promoting the High-Quality Development of Public Funds," which outlines 25 specific measures aimed at enhancing the quality of the public fund industry, marking a significant reform milestone in the asset management sector [1] Group 1: Impacts of the Action Plan on the Public Fund Industry - The introduction of a floating management fee mechanism linked to fund performance may lead to significant differences in management fees among fund companies within the same tier, with top firms expected to issue at least 60% of their actively managed equity funds under this new structure [2] - The focus on performance benchmarks will drive fund companies to explore how to outperform these benchmarks, with strict performance evaluations for fund managers tied to their ability to meet or exceed these benchmarks [3][4] - The emphasis on performance benchmarks will encourage a more objective assessment of fund managers' performance, potentially correcting investor biases in evaluating growth and value style fund managers [5] Group 2: Future Paths for Public Funds - Active equity funds will need to control tracking error effectively, with an optimal threshold identified at 8%, as exceeding this level has historically correlated with significant underperformance against benchmarks [10][11] - Fund companies should prioritize the creation of low-volatility products and those with high Sharpe ratios, as these are associated with better investor outcomes and lower loss rates [12][14] - A shift towards a more advisory-based sales model is recommended, moving away from chasing market trends to better align with investor needs and enhance trust in fund management [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the growing popularity of index funds in recent years, highlighting their advantages such as diversification, transparency, ease of trading, and lower costs, while also noting the limitations tied to the performance of the underlying index [1][2]. Summary by Sections Understanding Index Funds - Index funds are designed to track specific indices, which are composed of a basket of stocks selected based on certain criteria. For example, the CSI 300 index includes the top 300 stocks based on market capitalization and liquidity [5]. - There are two main types of index funds: broad-based index funds that cover multiple sectors and narrow-based index funds that focus on specific industries, which can present more volatility and trading opportunities [5]. Selection of Index Funds - When selecting index funds, it is important to understand the difference between fully replicated index funds, which passively track an index, and enhanced index funds, which incorporate some active management to potentially achieve excess returns [7][8]. - Key performance indicators for enhanced index funds include tracking error and information ratio, which help assess the fund manager's ability to generate excess returns while managing risk [8]. Investment Strategy - The article emphasizes the importance of aligning investment goals with the type of index fund chosen. For instance, broad-based index funds may not be suitable for investors seeking to significantly outperform the market, while they can be a good option for those looking to match market performance with less effort [9]. - A new index-enhanced fund, the Zhongtai CSI A500 Index Enhanced Fund, is currently being launched, encouraging potential investors to understand the underlying index and the fund manager's strategy before investing [10][13].