Core Viewpoint - The forum highlighted the persistent issue of "funds making money while investors do not," emphasizing the need for high-quality development in the mutual fund industry [1][9]. Group 1: Forum Overview - The first public fund high-quality development forum was held in Hefei on November 7, focusing on key topics such as upgrading investment research systems, global ETF strategies, differentiated competition, and supporting the real economy [1][3]. - The forum featured various formats including closed-door discussions, keynote speeches, and roundtable dialogues to gather industry insights [1]. Group 2: Key Issues in Investor Returns - The disparity between fund returns and investor returns is a global issue, influenced by four main factors: beta returns, alpha returns, explicit and implicit costs, and investor behavior losses [3][6]. - Beta returns are described as "participation awards," where average investor returns are primarily derived from benchmark returns, highlighting the importance of clear benchmarks for understanding return sources [4][5]. - Alpha returns are characterized as difficult to achieve, often resulting from market competition, with a significant challenge in accurately assessing alpha due to reliance on price indices that do not account for dividends [5][6]. Group 3: Cost Implications - High fund costs, including both explicit and implicit costs, significantly erode investor returns, with some funds experiencing turnover rates as high as 2500%, leading to annualized costs of up to 8% [5][6]. - The lack of improvement in cost control within the mutual fund industry is concerning, necessitating a push for transparency and rationalization of fee structures [5][6]. Group 4: Investor Behavior Losses - Investor behavior losses, particularly in the Chinese market, are notably high, with losses reaching 30%, double that of the U.S. market, primarily due to poor trading decisions [6][7]. - Industry funds, which focus on single sectors, exhibit high volatility, exacerbating risks for investors who chase short-term trends [6][7]. Group 5: Solutions through Buy-Side Advisory - The development of buy-side advisory services is proposed as a solution to improve investor outcomes, creating a "win-win-win" scenario for investors, fund companies, and sales institutions [7][9]. - Successful examples from the U.S. market, such as Morgan Stanley's transition to a buy-side advisory model, illustrate the potential benefits of this approach, including stable revenue streams and improved client experiences [7][8]. Group 6: Collaborative Transformation - The transition to a buy-side advisory model requires collaboration among fund management companies, technology service providers, and advisory institutions, emphasizing the need for a long-term focus [8][9]. - The core of advisory services should balance investment strategies with client management, ensuring realistic expectations and transparent communication about risks [8][9].