Core Viewpoint - The trend of "track-oriented" and "tool-oriented" active equity funds is emerging in the public fund industry, driven by industry competition, customer demand, and market conditions [1][2][3] Group 1: Industry Trends - Active equity funds are increasingly adopting "track-oriented" and "tool-oriented" strategies, focusing on specific sectors such as innovative pharmaceuticals, robotics, computing power, semiconductors, and low-altitude economy [2][3] - In the second half of the year, 34 out of 68 newly established mixed funds had clear themes like "technology," "healthcare," and "consumption," accounting for 50% of the total [2] - The rapid growth of active equity funds since 2019 has led to a focus on core sectors, with fund managers increasingly concentrating their portfolios on specific industries [4][15] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The "track-oriented" trend is a response to significant industry competition, where smaller fund companies find it challenging to compete with larger firms in broad market selections [3][6] - Customer demand has shifted from product-oriented to client-needs-oriented, with investors preferring products with clear strategies and investment directions [3][6] - The current market environment, characterized by structural trends, presents opportunities for excess returns in specific sectors, leading to a consensus among funds to focus on niche industries [3][6] Group 3: Fund Manager Strategies - Fund managers are transitioning from a broad investment approach to a more focused strategy, enhancing the sharpness of their investment styles [5][6] - The shift towards "track-oriented" products requires fund managers to narrow their focus, allowing for deeper understanding and identification of mispriced opportunities [6][8] - The trend does not signify the end of "all-round" fund managers, as the market still requires diverse capabilities among fund managers [6][7] Group 4: Research and Evaluation Requirements - The new "track-oriented" and "tool-oriented" strategies necessitate a more sophisticated research and evaluation framework within fund companies [8][10] - A multi-dimensional evaluation system is needed to assess the performance of "sharp" fund managers and tool-oriented products, as traditional metrics may not accurately reflect their capabilities [10][11] - Fund companies must adapt their assessment criteria to align with the specific characteristics of "track-oriented" products, focusing on long-term excess returns and risk management [10][11] Group 5: Investor Considerations - Investors are advised to avoid over-concentration in single-track investments and to adopt a diversified asset allocation strategy [12][20] - The rise of "track-oriented" funds increases the need for investors to have strong asset allocation skills and timing abilities [12][20] - Fund companies are encouraged to enhance investor education to help clients understand the risks and characteristics of these products [12][19]