Investment Rating - The investment rating for the non-bank financial sector is "Outperform the Market" [2][7]. Core Viewpoints - The report indicates that the securities industry is entering a new phase of mergers and acquisitions, termed "M&A 2.0," which emphasizes functional enhancement and the creation of a complementary business ecosystem rather than merely increasing capital size [3][5]. - The report highlights that recent mergers, such as the absorption of Dongxing Securities and Xinda Securities by CICC, reflect a shift towards strengthening professional capabilities and expanding business lines [4][18]. - The overall improvement in the securities industry's fundamentals, including active market trading and growth in margin financing, is expected to drive both valuations and profitability for brokerages [4][22]. Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The report notes a significant wave of mergers and restructuring in China's securities industry, driven by both policy support and market competition. The aim is to cultivate leading investment banks and enhance core competitiveness through consolidation [6][10]. - In the first three quarters of 2025, 43 listed brokerages achieved revenue of CNY 421.42 billion, a year-on-year increase of 42.57%, and a net profit of CNY 169.29 billion, up 62.48% [6]. Mergers and Acquisitions - The merger between Guotai Junan and Haitong Securities is highlighted as a scale-driven consolidation, significantly enhancing net capital strength and risk tolerance, while optimizing the national network layout [15][17]. - CICC's merger with Dongxing and Xinda Securities is characterized as a functional superiority-driven integration, aimed at enhancing business capabilities and expanding service offerings [18][20]. Business Structure and Performance - The report outlines a dual-driven characteristic in the securities industry, with brokerage and proprietary trading as the main revenue drivers. In the first three quarters of 2025, brokerage income reached CNY 111.78 billion, a year-on-year increase of 74.64% [11]. - The revenue structure is shifting, with brokerage income accounting for 26.5%, investment income 44.4%, and other segments contributing to the overall performance [11]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that the recent mergers are likely to stimulate investment enthusiasm in the industry. It recommends focusing on leading brokerages with comprehensive performance layouts and those with high elasticity in earnings, such as Huatai Securities and CITIC Securities [22].