Group 1: Market Overview - The bond market is currently experiencing intense long-short battles, contrasting with the anticipated one-sided bull market in 2024, as the market has been in a wide fluctuation pattern this year [1][2] - The ten-year government bond yield has fluctuated within a range close to 40 basis points, indicating increased difficulty in bond investments for banks [1][5] - The introduction of a new tax on bond interest income has led to a decrease in the attractiveness of certain bonds, prompting a potential reallocation of assets towards equities and other assets [2][5] Group 2: Trading Volume and Performance - In August, the total trading volume of bonds by major banks decreased to approximately 14.8 trillion yuan, down from 16.49 trillion yuan in July and 15.51 trillion yuan in June [3] - The trading volume for city commercial banks and rural commercial banks also saw a decline, totaling about 15.288 trillion yuan in August, compared to 17.24 trillion yuan in July [3] Group 3: Investment Returns and Contributions - Investment returns have been a significant support for bank revenues in the first half of the year, with 35 out of 42 A-share listed banks reporting positive year-on-year growth in investment income, averaging over 45% [7][8] - Notably, the China Construction Bank achieved an investment income of 279.12 billion yuan in the first half of the year, marking a year-on-year increase of over 200% [7] - The Postal Savings Bank was the only major bank with investment income exceeding 10% of its total revenue, achieving a growth of 64.64% [8] Group 4: Strategic Adjustments - Banks are adjusting their investment strategies in response to the current volatile market, focusing on flexible asset-liability management and increasing the use of derivatives for hedging [12][13] - The strategy includes maintaining a reasonable proportion of bond investments while actively capturing market fluctuations to enhance revenue [13] - Some banks have reported a shift towards wave trading and increased use of fixed-income-like assets to navigate the challenging market conditions [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - The bond market is experiencing intense fluctuations, contrasting with the anticipated bull market in 2024, leading to increased investment difficulties for banks in 2023 [1][5]. Group 1: Market Conditions - The bond market is currently in a wide-ranging oscillation phase, with the ten-year government bond yield fluctuating within a range close to 40 basis points [1]. - After the implementation of the new tax regulations on government bond interest, the trading volume of existing bonds has seen a decline [3]. - In August, the total trading volume of bonds by major banks decreased to approximately 14.8 trillion yuan, down from 16.49 trillion yuan in July [4]. Group 2: Bank Performance and Strategies - In the first half of 2023, over 80% of A-share listed banks reported positive growth in investment income, with an average increase exceeding 45% [2][8]. - The investment income of listed banks in the first quarter and the first half of 2023 grew by 26.1% and 23.6% year-on-year, respectively [7]. - Major banks, including Construction Bank and Postal Savings Bank, saw significant increases in their investment income, with Construction Bank achieving a 200% year-on-year growth [10]. Group 3: Challenges and Adjustments - The investment difficulties have led to a negative growth in non-interest income for many banks, attributed to the divergence in market interest rates [6]. - The limited floating profit space and the need for strategic adjustments in bond trading have become apparent, with banks shifting focus to more flexible and diversified asset-liability strategies [13][14]. - The second quarter showed signs of reduced "debt selling" efforts, indicating a tightening of floating profit inventory among banks [11].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent performance and strategic outlook of Ningquan Asset, highlighting the cautious approach taken by the team amidst a heated market environment in Hong Kong and A-shares [1][2]. Group 1: Performance Overview - As of June 30, Ningquan Asset's net value reached a historical high, outperforming the CSI 300 index by nearly 5 percentage points this year and over 55 percentage points since inception [4]. - The investment strategy emphasizes risk control and a balanced style, reflecting a thoughtful approach to market volatility [5][6]. Group 2: Market Insights - The second quarter saw Hong Kong stocks outperforming A-shares, with a notable occurrence of H-shares trading at a discount, a trend expected to continue for an extended period [9]. - Ningquan's portfolio has a significant allocation to Hong Kong stocks, but the team did not participate in the hot new consumption stocks, indicating a focus on their investment capability [10][11]. Group 3: Long-term Trends - Two long-term market predictions were shared: the trend of Hong Kong stocks outperforming A-shares will persist, and the overall stock market is expected to experience a volatile upward trajectory [13][14]. - The team noted that the increasing frequency of A/H price discrepancies suggests a structural shift in market dynamics, with many A-share companies opting for secondary listings in Hong Kong [15]. Group 4: Investment Strategy - Since 2021, Ningquan's portfolio includes a unique category labeled "other assets," which represents the use of derivatives for hedging market risks [16][17]. - The firm has shown a strong preference for sectors such as real estate, basic chemicals, electric equipment, telecommunications, and public utilities, with a focus on stable income-generating assets within the real estate sector [18][20].