Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Outperform the Market" [1] Core Viewpoints - The implementation of new lending regulations introduces uncertainty, but the impact on leading companies is relatively controllable. The new regulations may reduce the enthusiasm of financial institutions to participate in the lending market, affecting industry liquidity and profitability for high-priced clients [2][5] - Loan growth has slowed, and asset quality risks are a concern. In Q2, the loan volume increased by 13.0% year-on-year, but the growth rate declined by 3.6 percentage points compared to Q1. Smaller platforms are leading in loan growth, indicating a strategic move to enhance competitiveness before the new regulations take effect [2][17] - Revenue performance varies among companies, with a slight increase in uncertainty regarding profitability. In Q2, the sample credit technology platforms saw a revenue growth rate of 18.8%, with net profit increasing by 36.7% year-on-year. However, some companies, like Yirendai, reported negative net profit growth [2][29] Summary by Sections New Regulations and Industry Ecology - The new lending regulations, effective from October 1, 2025, clarify the upper limit on loan interest rates and require transparency in service fees. This may lead to a contraction in financial supply for high-risk clients [5][6] - The regulations emphasize centralized management by banks and strict compliance, which may reduce the willingness of financial institutions to engage in the lending market [6][9] Loan Growth and Asset Quality - In Q2, the average overdue rate for 90 days or more decreased by 4 basis points to 2.20%. However, some companies, like Qifu and Xinye, saw an increase in early overdue rates, indicating potential asset quality deterioration [18][26] - The overall loan volume for sample companies grew by 13.0% year-on-year, but the growth rate declined compared to Q1, suggesting a cautious approach to lending amid regulatory changes [19][17] Revenue and Profitability - The revenue growth rate for sample credit technology platforms in Q2 was 18.8%, with significant contributions from companies like Xiaoying and Jiayin, which reported growth rates of 65.6% and 27.8%, respectively [27][29] - The net profit for the sample companies increased by 36.7% year-on-year, with leading companies like Lexin and Jiayin showing substantial growth rates [29][36] Credit Cost and Investor Returns - Credit impairment provisions increased by 17.6% year-on-year, reflecting heightened caution due to regulatory uncertainties. This may impact profitability in the short term [33][29] - Many credit technology platforms have initiated stock buyback plans, with Qifu's buyback amount reaching $227 million as of August 14, 2025, indicating a focus on shareholder returns [36][37]