Core Insights - The market-making business is increasingly recognized as a crucial component for the high-quality development of securities firms in China, reflecting a trend seen in international investment banks' revenue structures [1][3] Group 1: Market-Making Business Expansion - The domestic market-making system is continuously improving, leading to a strategic acceleration in the layout of market-making businesses by securities firms [2] - Major securities firms are actively applying for market-making qualifications and advancing the application for segmented licenses [2][3] - Recent approvals include Guolian Minsheng Securities for stock options market-making and feedback on Caida Securities' application for North Exchange stock market-making [2][3] Group 2: Revenue Stability and Risk Management - Market-making businesses exhibit more stable revenue and lower risk, allowing firms to leverage their professional advantages to create barriers and generate consistent cash flow [3] - The initiation of market-making on the Sci-Tech Innovation Board and North Exchange has prompted strong firms to increase investments in this area, including team formation and technology upgrades [3][4] Group 3: Regulatory Environment - Regulatory bodies are refining the review standards for market-making businesses, emphasizing capital strength, business capability, and compliance risk control [3][4] - Caida Securities is adjusting its department structure and must clarify the impact of these changes on its market-making decision-making processes [4] Group 4: Growth Potential - The number of securities firms with market-making qualifications remains limited, with 23 firms approved for listed securities market-making, 19 for stock options, and 21 for North Exchange market-making [5] - The high entry barriers mean that only a few firms possess market-making qualifications, leading to a concentration of capabilities among top firms [5][6] - The potential for market-making in derivatives is significant, especially as financial derivative products continue to diversify [5][6] Group 5: Strategic Differentiation - Different segments of market-making require varying levels of capital strength, pricing ability, and risk control systems, with options and stock market-making being the most promising areas [6] - The North Exchange market-making is still in its nurturing phase, benefiting from policy incentives but requiring long-term investments from firms [6]

Core Viewpoint - The recent progress in market-making qualifications for Guolian Minsheng Securities and Caida Securities reflects the accelerating strategic layout of brokerages in the market-making business as the domestic market-making system continues to improve and diversify [1][2]. Group 1: Market-Making Business Development - The market-making system is a mature trading mechanism widely applied across various financial markets, and it plays a crucial role in the high-quality development of brokerages [2]. - Guolian Minsheng Securities has officially received approval for its stock options market-making business, marking the first expansion of the stock options market-making team in two and a half years [2][3]. - Brokerages are increasing investments in market-making, including applying for relevant qualifications, forming specialized teams, and enhancing their service capabilities for institutional clients [2][4]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment and Challenges - Regulatory authorities are refining the review standards for market-making qualifications, emphasizing capital strength, business capability, and compliance risk control [3]. - Caida Securities is adjusting its organizational structure to enhance its market-making capabilities, responding to regulatory feedback regarding its application for the North Exchange market-making qualification [3]. Group 3: Market Potential and Growth - The number of brokerages with market-making qualifications remains relatively limited, with 23 brokerages approved for listed securities market-making and 19 for stock options market-making [4]. - The market capacity for market-making could significantly increase if the business expands to the main board and the growth potential of derivative market-making is further explored [4][5]. - The market-making business is becoming a core pillar for brokerages' self-operated transformation and stable balance sheet expansion due to its low-risk exposure and stable returns [5].

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a strong performance in H1 2025, with total revenue and net profit attributable to shareholders reaching 1.047 billion and 228 million yuan, respectively, reflecting year-on-year increases of 4.49% and 66.49% [1][2] Revenue Structure - The revenue breakdown for the company includes futures brokerage at 23.3%, asset management at 11.6%, risk management at 63.8%, and other income at 1.3% [1] - The asset management business saw significant growth, with revenue increasing by 223.83% year-on-year to 121 million yuan, driven by an expansion in product scale and excellent investment returns [1] Asset Management Performance - As of H1 2025, the company's asset management equity scale reached 3.201 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 36.50% [1] - The "Ruida Futures - Ruizhi Wuyou No. 99" product ranked first among 104 CTA strategy asset management products on the private equity platform [1] Risk Management Business - The risk management business generated revenue of 668 million yuan in H1 2025, a slight decline of 5% year-on-year, attributed to a decrease in revenue from commodity risk management [1] - However, when calculated on a net basis, the risk management revenue increased by 45% to 125 million yuan [1] - The company achieved a nominal principal of 22.299 billion yuan in derivative trading during H1 2025, with options market-making volume ranking second in the industry [1] Profitability and Market Share - The operating profit from risk management increased by 47% year-on-year to 97 million yuan, with an operating profit margin rising by 5.12 percentage points to 14.5% [2] - The brokerage business remained stable, with revenue of 244 million yuan, a slight decrease of 0.3% year-on-year, while the market share of transaction volume increased by 0.08 percentage points to 0.98% [2] Investment Outlook - The company is expected to benefit from its strong innovation capabilities in the futures industry, with a projected net profit attributable to shareholders of 423 million yuan in 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 10.5% [2]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform the Market" rating for the industry [2][5][16]. Core Viewpoints - The recent revival of equity refinancing among several brokerage firms indicates a gradual recovery in the sector, with new funds directed towards innovative areas such as technology finance and wealth management [4][5]. - The demand for capital among securities firms is increasing due to the rapid development of investment and credit businesses, suggesting a dual approach of equity and debt financing to enhance capital strength [5][12]. - The competitive landscape remains intense, with a focus on wealth management, market-making, and financial technology, making equity refinancing crucial for supporting business transformation [5][12][16]. Summary by Sections Recent Developments - Multiple brokerage firms have restarted equity refinancing, with East Wu Securities planning to raise up to 6 billion yuan for various business expansions and operational needs [4][6]. - The equity refinancing trend has been gradually recovering since 2025, with notable events such as Tianfeng Securities' successful refinancing [5][8]. Financing Trends - The scale of equity refinancing has significantly decreased since 2023, with only 5.992 billion yuan raised in 2023, 29.492 billion yuan in 2024, and 16 billion yuan in 2025 to date [8][9]. - Debt financing remains the primary method for securities firms, with a notable increase in debt financing activities compared to equity financing [10][12]. Market Outlook - The report anticipates that the recovery of equity refinancing will support the expansion of business scale and performance growth for securities firms, particularly in a favorable capital market environment [12][16]. - The report recommends leading brokerages such as CITIC Securities and Huatai Securities, as well as firms with strong flow advantages like Dongfang Wealth and Guolian Minsheng [16].