China Economic Weeklyhas released the latest ranking of China's most profitable A-share real estate companies. China Vanke is the biggest winner, with a net profit of 15.66 billion yuan (US$2.55 billion).

Based on the 2012 annual reports of China's public companies, their total net profits attributable to parent companies in the real estate industry increased 15 percent on a year-to-year basis. However, the companies' total book balance in ending inventory was 1.56 trillion yuan (US$254.55 billion), the highest among the industries.

The country's four leading developers are China Vanke, Poly Real Estate Group, Gemdale and China Merchants Property Development, respectively ranking 18th, 30th, 57th and 58th, on the overall list of the 100 most profitable A-share public companies in China 2012.

Due to its outstanding performance, Gemdale is now number three. Beijing Capital Development, which ranked sixth in 2011, is now ranking 10th. Beijing Urban Construction Group, which ranked ninth in 2011, is no longer part of the top 10.

The following are China's top 10 most profitable A-share real estate companies in 2012.

 Beijing Capital Development（首開股份）

Beijing Capital Development [jlqyxw.com]

Stock code: 600376.SH

Net profit: 1.54 billion yuan (US$251.18 million)

Time of listing: March 12, 2001

Headquarters: Beijing