China A-Share Bank Stocks Under Pressure; 42 Listed Lenders Trade Below Book Value

China’s A-share banking sector has remained under pressure in 2026, with 42 listed banks trading below book value as of the July 9 close, according to Jiemian News. The report said investor positioning has diverged during the share-price pullback, with some funds increasing allocations to the sector this year while others have reduced holdings based on their own considerations. Industry sources cited in the report said insurers still have room to raise their allocation and investment intensity in bank stocks going forward.