Core Viewpoint - The report highlights a significant decline in transaction commissions paid by public funds to securities firms in the first half of 2025, indicating a shift in the cost structure and competitive dynamics within the brokerage industry [1]. Summary by Category Transaction Commissions - In the first half of 2025, 148 public funds paid a total of 4.472 billion yuan in transaction commissions to securities firms, a decrease of 2.302 billion yuan or approximately 34% compared to 6.774 billion yuan in the same period last year [1]. - The top five securities firms by commission income were: CITIC Securities (347 million yuan), Guotai Junan (283 million yuan), GF Securities (251 million yuan), Changjiang Securities (230 million yuan), and Huatai Securities (222 million yuan) [1]. Fund Commission Payments - 13 public fund companies paid over 100 million yuan in total commissions to securities firms. The leading fund, E Fund, paid 274 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 3.67% [1]. - Other notable fund commission payments included: Huaxia Fund (191 million yuan, down 18.97%), GF Fund (220 million yuan, down 17.75%), and Fortune Fund (203 million yuan, down 32.58%) [1]. Fund Trading Volumes - The top public funds by total stock trading amounts included E Fund (833.28 billion yuan), Huaxia Fund (742.04 billion yuan), and Fortune Fund (671.85 billion yuan) [2][3]. Changes in Commission Structure - A total of 15 public funds, including Yongying Fund and Debang Fund, saw an increase in commission payments due to a rise in the scale of equity funds managed, leading to higher trading volumes [8]. - The new commission regulations effective from July 1, 2024, limit the commission rates for passive equity funds to not exceed the market average, while other fund types cannot exceed twice the market average [9]. Brokerage Relationships - The report indicates a shift in the relationship between public funds and brokerage firms, with a notable reduction in the "rebate" to brokerage shareholders, as evidenced by the decline in commission payments to brokerage firms that are also shareholders [11]. - Only three of the top ten public funds had commission payments to brokerage shareholders exceeding 10% of their total commissions [13]. Transparency and Management Changes - The new regulations have increased transparency in commission payments, reducing the "gray" areas where additional services could be funded through commissions [14]. - Public funds are increasingly centralizing their trading operations to manage commissions more effectively and reduce risks associated with exceeding commission limits [14].