Core Viewpoint - The number and scale of newly established ETFs in 2023 have surpassed the total levels of 2022, indicating a robust growth trend in the ETF market driven by regulatory support and increasing investor demand [2][3][5]. Group 1: ETF Market Overview - As of July 11, 2023, a total of 184 new ETFs have been established, raising approximately 146.47 billion yuan, exceeding the total for the entire previous year [3]. - Among the new ETFs, stock ETFs dominate with 164 products, accounting for about 65% of the total, while bond ETFs have also seen significant growth with 18 products, making up 34.61% [3]. - Notably, 10 new science and technology innovation bond ETFs have been issued, representing nearly 57% of the bond ETF issuance [3]. Group 2: Diversification and Specialization - The ETF issuance in 2023 reflects a trend towards diversification and specialization, with active issuance in sectors like TMT (Technology, Media, Telecommunications) and healthcare, particularly in innovative drugs [4]. - Smart Beta ETFs, such as those focusing on free cash flow, have seen a surge in issuance, indicating a shift in market investment logic towards high-quality factors [4]. Group 3: Factors Driving ETF Growth - Multiple factors are contributing to the booming ETF market, including policy support from regulatory bodies and a strong demand for fixed-income instruments, particularly bond ETFs [6][7]. - The recent push for scenario-based investment strategies by exchanges has also catalyzed the acceleration of fund allocation towards ETFs [7][8]. Group 4: Future Trends in ETF Development - The future of the ETF market is expected to see increased diversification in asset classes and strategies, with a focus on low-volatility and multi-asset products [10][11]. - Continuous innovation in ETF products, including the development of niche themes and strategies, will provide investors with a broader range of investment options [10][11].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese public fund industry is undergoing significant changes, with a shift from actively managed equity funds to index-based investments, leading to the rise of Smart Beta strategies as a solution to industry pain points [2][15]. Group 1: Industry Changes - The halo of actively managed equity funds is fading, and star managers are struggling to regain investor trust [2]. - Index-based investments are experiencing explosive growth due to their transparency and low costs, surpassing actively managed equity funds in scale [2]. - Smart Beta strategies, particularly dividend strategies, are emerging as a popular solution to address the complexities of asset allocation for ordinary investors [2][9]. Group 2: Smart Beta Strategy Development - Smart Beta strategies incorporate effective stock selection logic into index construction to enhance performance or optimize risk-return characteristics [3]. - The Smart Beta concept is not new, with early products launched in the U.S. as far back as 2000 [3]. - The Smart Beta strategy matrix has rapidly expanded, with various factor-based ETFs emerging over the years, including momentum and low volatility strategies [4]. Group 3: Market Comparison - As of the end of 2024, the U.S. Smart Beta ETF market has grown to 364 products with a total management scale of $1,727.51 billion, a 23-fold increase over ten years [5]. - In contrast, China's Smart Beta ETF market is significantly smaller, with a total scale of only 120 billion yuan, accounting for about 3% of the domestic equity ETF market [8]. Group 4: Factor Strategies in China - In China, the dividend factor strategy dominates the Smart Beta ETF landscape, contrasting with the U.S. where growth, value, and quality factors lead in management scale [9]. - The demand for stable dividend assets has surged in a low-interest, high-volatility environment, reflecting a market preference for "certainty" [9]. Group 5: Free Cash Flow as a Key Indicator - Free cash flow is becoming an important metric for investors to assess corporate value, as it reflects a company's financial health and actual profitability [10]. - The CSI All Index Free Cash Flow Index has shown a historical annualized return of 7.77% over nearly ten years, significantly outperforming the CSI All Index's -3.95% return in the same period [10][13]. Group 6: Product Launches and Regulatory Support - As of June 18, 2025, 27 fund companies have launched 32 index funds related to free cash flow strategies, indicating strong market interest [11]. - The recent regulatory framework emphasizes addressing industry pain points and transitioning from a focus on scale to prioritizing investor returns, with Smart Beta strategies like dividends and free cash flow aligning with these goals [15][16].