Core Viewpoint - The differences in fund contracts between new and old products have led to a significant performance divergence in public funds, particularly influenced by the inclusion of Hong Kong stocks in investment strategies [1][2][4]. Group 1: Performance Impact of Fund Contracts - A-shares funds that have incorporated Hong Kong stock investments into their contracts have significantly outperformed the market, with all top 20 A-share funds achieving over 70% returns year-to-date as of August 10 [3]. - The top-performing funds, established mostly after 2018, allow for up to 50% of their stock positions to be allocated to Hong Kong stocks, which has been a key factor in their success [3]. - Conversely, funds that do not permit Hong Kong stock investments have generally underperformed, with over 90% of the bottom 10 A-share funds lacking such provisions in their contracts [3]. Group 2: Manager Performance and Contract Limitations - Star fund managers have shown a stark performance split between their new and old funds, with new funds performing well while older funds lag behind due to restrictive contracts [5][6]. - Many of these older funds, established between 2004 and 2014, do not include Hong Kong stocks in their investment scope, limiting their ability to adapt to market opportunities [6]. - For instance, fund managers like Wu Yuanyi have seen their newer products, which include Hong Kong stocks, perform significantly better than older products that do not [6]. Group 3: Contract Modification Considerations - Modifying fund contracts to include Hong Kong stocks could address performance disparities, but this approach is contentious and not universally beneficial for all fund managers [7][8]. - Some fund managers express reluctance to modify contracts, citing unfamiliarity with the Hong Kong market and potential risks associated with expanding investment scopes [8]. - The decision to modify contracts often depends on the individual fund manager's expertise and investment strategy, leading some firms to prefer launching new Hong Kong-themed funds instead of altering existing contracts [7][8].

Group 1 - The performance differentiation of public funds is linked to the differences in fund contracts, particularly regarding the inclusion of Hong Kong stock investments [1][3][4] - As of August 10, 2025, the top 20 A-share funds have annual returns exceeding 70%, with over 90% of these funds established after 2018, allowing up to 50% allocation to Hong Kong stocks [2][3] - Funds that do not permit Hong Kong stock investments have significantly underperformed, with over 90% of the bottom 10 A-share funds lacking such provisions in their contracts [2][5] Group 2 - The contribution of Hong Kong stocks to fund performance is also evident in QDII funds, which have shown positive returns, contrasting with the stark performance divide in A-share funds [3][4] - Star fund managers managing both new and old funds exhibit a clear performance gap, with new funds outperforming due to broader investment mandates [4][6] - Modifying fund contracts to include Hong Kong stock investments is seen as a potential solution to performance discrepancies, but there are concerns about whether this approach suits all fund managers [6][7] Group 3 - Some fund managers express reluctance to modify contracts for Hong Kong investments, citing unfamiliarity with the market and potential risks [7] - The variability of Hong Kong market conditions raises questions about the sustainability of high returns achieved by A-share funds with Hong Kong stock allocations [7]