The State Council deploys measures to stimulate silver-haired consumer demand; many concept stocks are expected to see high growth in performance(list)

The first national standing committee meeting of the New Year was held on February 24, focusing on the silver economy and elderly care services development, with clear policy signals released. Industry insiders point out that the implementation of policies will accelerate the standardization and scaling of the industry, and companies with scene operation capabilities, product innovation, and compliance advantages are expected to continue benefiting.

Major Deployment of the Silver Economy at the National Standing Committee Meeting

On February 24, Premier Li Qiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council, which outlined tasks for the post-Lunar New Year holiday government work, including research and promotion of the silver economy and elderly care services development.

The meeting emphasized that China’s silver economy has great potential. Support measures should be improved, policy implementation strengthened, and efforts made to promote the development of elderly care and related industries to provide strong support for addressing population aging. Further release of elderly consumption demand, enhancement of consumption capacity, and leveraging policies like consumption subsidies should be used to create new scenarios and new formats for elderly consumption.

The meeting also pointed out the need to improve the quality and expand the supply of inclusive elderly care services, establish a tiered, categorized, accessible, urban-rural coverage, and sustainable elderly care system to better ensure support for the elderly. Safety management of elderly care institutions should be strengthened, risks promptly identified and addressed, and illegal activities such as false advertising, illegal fundraising, and elder scams strictly cracked down on to protect the legitimate rights and interests of seniors.

Notably, eight departments previously issued special measures to cultivate elderly care service operators and promote the silver economy, combined with policies expanding long-term care insurance and subsidies for age-appropriate renovations, forming a comprehensive policy support system.

Trillion-Scale Market Has Great Future Potential

The elderly care industry is not only a livelihood project affecting hundreds of millions but also a sunrise industry with huge growth potential.

By the end of 2025, China’s population aged 60 and above will reach 320 million, and by 2035, this number is expected to exceed 400 million. The scale of the silver economy is expected to surpass 30 trillion yuan.

Industry experts believe that the trillion-yuan market space is gradually opening up, with opportunities emerging in segments such as rehabilitation medical care, age-appropriate products, smart elderly care, and elderly cultural tourism.

Cai Tongjuan, Deputy Dean and Researcher at the Chongyang Financial Research Institute of Renmin University of China, pointed out that for the first time, policies have prioritized “releasing elderly consumption demand,” emphasizing the creation of new scenarios and formats through consumption subsidies. This move breaks the inertia of traditional elderly care policies focused on supply-side construction, as the elderly are shifting from “survival consumption” to “development consumption.”

“With the aging trend plus policy support, the silver economy has great potential,” said Guojin Securities. They noted that China’s “silver generation” has experienced dramatic social changes and institutional gaps, with seniors from different generations, regions, educational backgrounds, and career paths showing unprecedented diversity in health, wealth accumulation, values, and digital literacy.

CICC believes that related industry sectors in the capital market are likely to see investment opportunities in the medium to long term. Based on industry logic, demographic changes, and evolving consumer preferences, sectors such as pharmaceuticals and health care, elderly consumption, insurance and pension finance, and technology and smart elderly care are expected to benefit from the development of the silver economy.

Multiple Concept Stocks Expected to Show High Growth

According to Eastmoney’s concept sector data, currently, 127 A-share stocks are involved in elderly care concepts, with a total market value exceeding 3.3 trillion yuan. Among them, three insurance companies lead in size, with Aier Eye Hospital, China Merchants Shekou, and Poly Developments each exceeding 80 billion yuan in market value.

Since 2026, 96 elderly care concept stocks have seen stock price increases, accounting for over 70%. Leading the gains, Jingtou Development rose by 66.51%, while Dian Diagnostics, Kadi Co., and ST Xinhua Jin all increased by over 40%. Nine stocks, including Chuangxin Medical, Dongfang Guoxin, Yuexin Health, and Kef Medical, saw gains of over 20% in the period.

In terms of institutional attention, Eastmoney’s Choice data shows that 18 elderly care concept stocks received institutional research this year. Notably, Xiangyu Medical was researched by 207 institutions, while Xin Kaipu, Taili Technology, and Weishi Medical each attracted over 40 institutions.

Regarding future growth potential, at least four stocks are expected to see earnings double this year, according to consensus forecasts from three or more institutions. Dian Diagnostics is predicted to see net profit attributable to shareholders increase by 3.76 times year-over-year, while Weining Health and Poly Developments are both expected to double their net profits. Junting Hotels’ performance growth is also close to doubling, with Sanxia Tourism and Xianle Health forecasted to see net profit increases of over 50%.

(Article source: Eastmoney Research Center)