Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for major construction enterprises, indicating a significant demand for rebound in the construction sector compared to the banking sector [8][31]. Core Insights - The domestic construction industry has evolved into a model with financial attributes similar to banks, where construction companies provide financing to clients, thus resembling "shadow banks" [1][14]. - The construction sector has lagged behind the banking sector in terms of stock performance, with a 76.1% increase in the banking sector since December 20, 2023, compared to only 13.5% in the construction sector, indicating a clear need for catch-up [2][15]. - The dividend yield of leading construction state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is attractive, with several companies offering yields above 3% in A-shares and over 5% in H-shares, making them appealing for long-term investors [3][22]. Summary by Sections Section 1: Industry Overview - The construction industry operates with a business model that has financial characteristics, requiring companies to provide upfront financing to secure projects, which has led to a high-leverage, asset-heavy structure [1][14]. - Major assets of construction firms include cash and receivables, which are akin to financial assets, while liabilities are primarily operational debts, similar to bank deposits [1][14]. Section 2: Market Performance - The construction sector's performance has been hindered by concerns over slow repayments from government and real estate developers, but these pessimistic expectations are now largely priced in, suggesting a potential for valuation recovery [2][15]. - The report highlights that the construction sector's valuation has been stabilizing, indicating a potential for upward movement as market conditions improve [2][15]. Section 3: Dividend Appeal - A-shares of leading construction SOEs show a competitive dividend yield, with companies like China Railway, China Railway Construction, and China Communications Construction yielding over 3% [3][22]. - In H-shares, the average dividend yield for construction SOEs matches that of leading banks, reflecting strong investment attractiveness [3][22]. Section 4: Policy Impact - Upcoming policies are expected to accelerate infrastructure project implementation, which, combined with a low base effect, may lead to improved revenue and performance for construction SOEs in the latter half of the year [4][26]. - The report anticipates that fiscal policies will be enhanced, with an increase in the issuance of special bonds and other financing tools to support infrastructure development [4][26]. Section 5: Competitive Landscape - The construction industry is witnessing a push against "involution" or excessive competition, with major players advocating for a focus on sustainable growth and innovation rather than aggressive expansion [7][30]. - This initiative aims to improve project profitability and stabilize the competitive environment within the industry [7][30]. Section 6: Investment Recommendations - The report recommends investing in undervalued construction SOEs, highlighting companies such as China Energy Engineering, China State Construction, and China Communications Construction as key targets for investment [8][31]. - The expected recovery in earnings and the attractive dividend yields position these companies favorably for long-term investment [8][31].