Core Insights - The domestic securities industry is undergoing significant restructuring in human resources due to business transformation, with a total workforce of 325,000 as of mid-2025, reflecting a reduction of 7,330 employees or 2.2% from the previous year [2][3][4]. Workforce Reduction - 80% of the 120 securities firms reported a decrease in staff, with major firms like Guotai Haitong and Guoxin Securities leading in layoffs [2][3]. - Guotai Haitong experienced the largest reduction, losing 698 employees (3.6%), while Guoxin Securities saw a decrease of 424 employees (4.2%) [4][5]. - The investment banking division of Founder Securities had the highest percentage reduction at 15.9% [5]. Business Line Trends - Traditional securities brokers are declining, with a reduction of 2,640 brokers (9.1%) in the first half of 2025, while investment advisors increased by 2,037 (2.6%) [6][8]. - The shift towards wealth management services is evident, as firms adapt to lower trading commissions and seek new revenue sources [6]. Investment Advisor Growth - As of mid-2025, the number of investment advisors reached 81,000, with Guotai Haitong leading at 5,823 advisors, significantly outnumbering its brokers [6][8]. - The trend indicates a clear transition from brokerage services to advisory roles, with major firms having a substantial number of advisors compared to brokers [6][7]. Underperformance in Underwriting - The number of sponsoring representatives has decreased to 8,526, down 3.5% from the previous year, with Guotai Haitong again leading in numbers but also experiencing a decline [11][12]. - The tightening regulatory environment and reduced IPO activity have pressured underwriting businesses, leading to a reevaluation of the roles of sponsoring representatives [14]. Analyst Movement - The total number of analysts increased by 94 to 5,588, but significant turnover was noted, particularly among smaller firms [15][17]. - Notably, analysts at firms like First Capital Securities saw a nearly 50% reduction, indicating instability in the analyst workforce [15][17].