Group 1 - Infrastructure investment growth has narrowed year-on-year, with the construction sector underperforming the broader market. Fixed asset investment from January to September 2025 decreased by 0.5% year-on-year, while infrastructure investment increased by 3.34%, a decline of 2.08 percentage points compared to the previous period. The construction industry's new contract value was 21.30 trillion yuan, down 4.6% year-on-year, with a significant slowdown in new orders due to local fiscal pressures [3][19][23] - The eight major state-owned enterprises (SOEs) maintained stable new contract signings, but there was an increase in corporate differentiation. The overall revenue growth of these SOEs decreased by 4.4% year-on-year, and net profit attributable to shareholders fell by 7.5% due to various pressures including slowing infrastructure investment and prolonged repayment cycles [4][49] - Recommended investment themes include overseas construction, urban renewal, digital construction, power engineering, and debt resolution. The overseas contracting business completed a total of 122.33 billion USD from January to September 2025, an increase of 11.4% year-on-year, with "Belt and Road" countries being the primary target [5][76][82] Group 2 - The construction sector's overall performance was weaker than the market, with the construction decoration index rising by 9.4% from early 2025 to October 29, underperforming the broader indices such as the Wind All A Index (+28.4%) and the CSI 300 Index (+20.7%) [23][27] - The construction sector's allocation ratio was 0.62% in Q3 2025, which is 0.94 percentage points lower than the industry standard allocation ratio. The total market value of public fund holdings in the construction sector decreased by 4.2% [35][39] - The eight major SOEs saw a decrease in their allocation ratios, with the top five holdings accounting for only 10.0% of the construction sector, indicating a lower concentration of holdings [39][41]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for major construction companies including China State Construction, China Railway, China Railway Construction, and China Communications Construction [4][5]. Core Insights - The construction industry is transitioning from large-scale expansion to enhancing existing stock, with urban renewal efforts expected to intensify during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, leading to an urbanization rate exceeding 70% by the end of the plan [8][11]. - Major engineering projects are expected to play a crucial role in stabilizing growth, with significant infrastructure projects like the Sichuan-Tibet Railway and the New Three Gorges Navigation Channel supporting the industry [8][11]. - The report highlights the increasing importance of digitalization and industrialization in the construction sector, with AI and BIM technologies driving efficiency and quality improvements [8][32][39]. Summary by Sections Section 1: High-Quality Development - The construction industry is expected to maintain a GDP contribution of around 5% during the 14th Five-Year Plan, with a target of 40% for prefabricated buildings by 2030 [17][19]. - The focus will be on quality and safety, with a shift towards green and sustainable practices [16][17]. Section 2: Focus on Overseas Expansion, Digitalization, and Industrialization - The global industrial transfer is expected to boost overseas infrastructure demand, particularly in Southeast Asia, where construction needs are significant [22][23]. - Chinese construction companies are leading in international contracting, with 81 firms listed among the top 250 global contractors, accounting for 24.6% of total international revenue [27][28]. - Digital transformation is becoming a key driver for efficiency, with a low penetration rate of digital technologies in the construction sector compared to developed countries [36][37]. Section 3: Urban Renewal and Major Projects - Urban renewal is a major trend, with government initiatives aimed at improving living conditions and infrastructure [52]. - The report outlines eight key tasks for urban renewal, including the renovation of old neighborhoods and the enhancement of urban infrastructure [52]. Section 4: Industrial Digitalization and Growth - The construction industry is expected to leverage digital technologies to enhance productivity and reduce costs, with AI and BIM playing significant roles [32][38]. - The adoption of construction robots is anticipated to improve efficiency significantly, with robots outperforming human labor in various tasks [41][48].