Core Viewpoints - The transition of household deposits from "excessive defensive deposits" to "normal deposits" is a two-step process, currently in the first step [4] - The shift from "excessive defensive deposits" to "normal deposits" requires tracking household cash flow statements, with the ratio of new deposits to income increasing from approximately 14% (2016-2019) to 22% (2022-2024) [4][8] - Five macro-level high-frequency alternative indicators are proposed to track the progress of household deposit migration [4][10] Group 1: Deposit Scale - The ratio of household deposits to GDP in China has increased significantly, reaching 112% by the end of 2024, with an estimated excess deposit of around 40 trillion yuan [21][23] - Historical data shows that the average ratio of household deposits to GDP in China from 2010 to 2019 was 78%, with a peak of 82% [21][23] - The current household deposit level is approximately 160 trillion yuan, significantly higher than the expected range of 110 to 120 trillion yuan based on pre-pandemic trends [6][7] Group 2: Deposit Flow - The current macroeconomic challenge is the transition of excessive deposits to normal deposits, which can be accurately tracked through household cash flow statements [34] - The ratio of new deposits to disposable income has increased from 14% (2016-2019) to 22% (2022-2024), indicating a shift towards normal deposits [35][36] - The concept of "excess savings" is rejected; instead, it is defined as "defensive deposits" due to reduced investment spending in a declining asset price environment [9][36] Group 3: High-Frequency Tracking Indicators - The first indicator, the difference between current and fixed-term deposits, shows that a higher current deposit ratio indicates a weaker defensive saving intention [10][42] - The second indicator, the ratio of new household currency to new M2, indicates that a lower ratio suggests funds are flowing more towards enterprises and non-bank sectors, improving monetary turnover efficiency [11][12][44] - The third indicator, the difference between enterprise and household deposit growth rates, serves as a leading indicator for economic activity, with current levels indicating a recovery from the most pessimistic economic phase [13][48] Group 4: Defensive Deposits and Financial Markets - The fourth indicator measures the scale of non-bank institutions' financing from the real economy, which has reached historical highs, indicating a significant flow of household deposits into non-bank institutions [14][51] - The fifth indicator compares household deposits to the market capitalization of stocks, with a current ratio of approximately 1.71, suggesting that household purchasing power is still sufficient to support stock market transactions [16][56]

Group 1 - The Huachuang Macro WEI index has risen above 7%, reaching 7.14% as of August 17, up from 6.52% the previous week, indicating a recovery in economic activity driven mainly by infrastructure and durable goods consumption [2][10][11] - Retail sales of passenger vehicles have rebounded, with a year-on-year increase of 8% as of August 17, compared to a previous decline of 4% [2][15] - The land premium rate has rebounded to 10.3% as of August 17, compared to 6.5% in July, indicating a positive trend in the real estate market [2][16] Group 2 - The number of cargo container ships from China to the U.S. has decreased significantly, with a year-on-year decline of 22.7% as of August 23, compared to an average decline of 5.8% in July [4][29] - Prices of "anti-involution" commodities have weakened, with lithium carbonate experiencing the largest drop of 8.9% [4][45] - The U.S. and EU have reached an agreement on a trade framework, imposing a 15% tariff on most EU goods imported into the U.S., while certain natural resources and pharmaceuticals are exempt [4][29] Group 3 - The issuance of special bonds has accelerated, with a total of 3.26 trillion yuan issued, representing 74.2% of the planned issuance, which is faster than in 2020-2021 but slower than in 2022 [5][49] - The yields on government bonds have increased, with the 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year yields reported at 1.3665%, 1.5948%, and 1.7465%, respectively, reflecting a rise from the previous week [5][65] Group 4 - The average daily subway ridership in 27 cities has increased by 2.2% year-on-year, reaching 81.08 million passengers in the first three weeks of August [2][15] - The construction-related indicators, such as asphalt operating rates and cement dispatch rates, have shown improvement compared to last year [2][19] - The overall industrial production remains stable, with coal throughput at Qinhuangdao port showing a year-on-year increase of 11.2% [2][20]

Group 1: EU Trade Dynamics - The recovery of China's exports to the EU is not significantly impacted by US imports from the EU, as the two trends do not synchronize. China's exports to the EU have been gradually increasing since March, while US imports surged prior to the implementation of reciprocal tariffs [4][6]. - The rebound in China's exports to the EU aligns with the recovery of the Eurozone manufacturing PMI, which rose to 50.5% in August from 49.8% in July, marking the first time in three years it surpassed the growth threshold [4][6]. Group 2: ASEAN Trade Trends - China's exports to ASEAN have shown strong performance, likely influenced by transshipment trade. The growth rate of China's exports to ASEAN has remained high since April, mirroring the increase in US imports from ASEAN [4][7]. - Recent data indicates that transshipment trade may have stabilized at a high level, lacking further upward momentum. While US imports from ASEAN increased by 37.1% year-on-year in June, China's export growth to ASEAN has been fluctuating, with a year-on-year increase of 16.6% in July, significantly lower than the US growth rate [4][7]. Group 3: African Trade Insights - The strong growth in China's exports to Africa is not primarily driven by transshipment trade, as the scale of trade between China and Africa vastly exceeds that of the US. China's monthly exports to Africa are approximately $19 billion, while US imports from Africa are only around $3 billion [5]. - The increase in China's export growth to Africa is mainly attributed to vehicles and auto parts, suggesting a lower correlation with US demand cycles and tariff fluctuations. The sustainability of this growth remains to be observed [5][9].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the significance of the recent visit by the General Secretary to Tibet, marking a historic moment in the Party's attention towards the region, and outlines key policies and activities that could impact various sectors, including infrastructure, employment, and fiscal policies [2][3][4][8]. Group 1: Tibet Visit and Key Activities - The General Secretary's visit to Tibet on August 20 is unprecedented, highlighting the central government's focus on the region's stability and development [2]. - During the visit, the General Secretary stressed the importance of maintaining political stability, social order, and ethnic unity in Tibet, while promoting major infrastructure projects like the Yaluzangbu River hydropower project and the Sichuan-Tibet Railway [8]. - The visit included a meeting with local officials to discuss the implementation of the Party's governance strategies in Tibet, aiming for a modern and harmonious society [8]. Group 2: Policy Developments - A series of policies were announced, including the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, which will feature key foreign leaders, indicating a focus on international diplomacy [3]. - The government is implementing measures to boost employment and consumer spending, such as new guidelines for personal pension withdrawals and initiatives to enhance the sports industry [3][12]. - The State Council is focusing on fiscal policies, including the regulation of PPP projects and adjustments to VAT refund policies, aimed at supporting various industries [4][18]. Group 3: Industry-Specific Regulations - The National Development and Reform Commission is seeking public input on new pricing behavior rules for internet platforms to prevent unfair competition and ensure market stability [4][8]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has introduced temporary measures for the regulation of rare earth mining and processing, emphasizing total quantity control to manage resources effectively [4][17]. - The Ministry of Finance has announced updates to the VAT refund policy, maintaining favorable conditions for specific industries while introducing new criteria for others [4][18].

Group 1 - The Jackson Hole Economic Symposium is an annual event held by the Kansas Federal Reserve in August, where central bank leaders announce adjustments or signals regarding monetary policy frameworks, particularly the Federal Reserve Chairman [2][10][11] - In recent years, Powell has made significant announcements at this event, including the average inflation targeting in 2020, reaffirming the temporary inflation view in 2021, and discussing the transition to a rate-cutting cycle in 2024 [2][11] Group 2 - Powell's speech this year emphasized the increasing risks of employment downturn, indicating that while the labor market appears balanced, it is a "strange balance" due to significant supply-demand slowdown, which could lead to increased layoffs and rising unemployment [3][13] - The likelihood of tariff price shocks evolving into sustained inflation seems unlikely, as current impacts are expected to be temporary and not lead to a "wage-price spiral" due to a less tight labor market [3][14] - Powell hinted at a potential rate cut in September, with the probability of a rate cut rising from 72% to 81.3% following his speech, indicating a shift in the Fed's assessment of inflation and employment risks [4][15][16] Group 3 - The adjustment of the Fed's monetary policy framework reflects changes in the macroeconomic environment, moving from an average inflation targeting to a flexible inflation targeting approach, allowing for more adaptability in response to economic conditions [5][21][24] - The removal of the "effective lower bound" statement indicates a recognition that the neutral interest rate may now be higher than in the 2010s, suggesting a shift in the Fed's approach to monetary policy [5][21] - The Fed's focus will now be on achieving a 2% inflation target in the medium term while retaining flexibility to respond to short-term economic developments [5][24]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the positive economic data from the US, Eurozone, and Japan, indicating a potential recovery in manufacturing and consumer confidence, which may present investment opportunities in these regions [2][3][9]. Group 1: US Economic Data - The US August S&P PMI exceeded expectations, with the manufacturing PMI initial value at 53.3, compared to the forecast of 49.7 and previous value of 49.8 [2][9]. - The July leading index from the Conference Board met expectations, showing a month-on-month change of -0.1%, in line with forecasts [2][9]. - July housing data surpassed expectations, with new housing starts at an annualized rate of 1.428 million units, above the forecast of 1.297 million units, and revised previous value from 1.321 million to 1.358 million units [2][9]. Group 2: Eurozone Economic Data - The Eurozone's August manufacturing PMI also exceeded expectations, with an initial value of 50.5, compared to the forecast of 49.5 and previous value of 49.8 [2][9]. - The July CPI final value met expectations, with a year-on-year change of 2%, matching forecasts, while core CPI was also in line at 2.3% [2][9]. - The August consumer confidence index was below expectations, with an initial value of -15.5 against a forecast of -14.7 [2][9]. Group 3: Japanese Economic Data - Japan's August manufacturing PMI rebounded to an initial value of 49.9, up from the previous value of 48.9, while the services PMI slightly declined to 52.7 from 53.6 [3][10]. - June core machinery orders exceeded expectations, with a month-on-month increase of 3%, against a forecast of -0.5%, and a year-on-year increase of 7.6%, compared to the expected 4.7% [3][10]. - July CPI was in line with expectations, showing a year-on-year change of 3.1% [3][10]. Group 4: Upcoming Economic Data - Key upcoming US economic data includes July new home sales on August 25, July durable goods orders initial value on August 26, and August consumer confidence index on August 26 [4][11]. - In the Eurozone, July M3 year-on-year data will be released on August 28, along with the final value of the August consumer confidence index [5][12]. - Japan will report July unemployment rate and job-to-applicant ratio, July retail sales, and July industrial output initial value on August 29 [5][12]. Group 5: High-Frequency Data Review - Economic activity indices for the US and Germany showed slight improvement, with the US WEI index at 2.54% for the week of August 16, up from 2.50% the previous week [6][13]. - US retail sales showed a slight year-on-year increase of 5.9% for the week of August 15, compared to 5.7% the previous week [16][22]. - Initial jobless claims in the US were weaker than expected, with 235,000 claims for the week of August 16, against a forecast of 225,000 [24]. Group 6: Financial Conditions - The US financial conditions index remained stable, while the Eurozone's index showed a slight tightening [7][32]. - Offshore dollar liquidity remained stable, with slight fluctuations in swap points for the yen and euro against the dollar [7][34]. - Long-term bond yield spreads narrowed in the US, Japan, and Germany, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment [7][37].

Core Viewpoint - The rapid expansion of stablecoins is transforming them from mere crypto assets into key financial variables with macroeconomic implications, impacting traditional financial systems, particularly in areas like money supply, credit creation, and the U.S. Treasury market [2]. Group 1: Stablecoins as Financial Ecosystem Variables - Stablecoins have evolved from being used solely in the crypto market to broader applications, showcasing advantages in cross-border payments and crypto settlements due to their 24/7 availability and low costs [4]. - Global regulatory frameworks are being established to address the rapid development of stablecoins, with the U.S. implementing the GENIUS Act to set clear licensing and reserve requirements [4]. Group 2: Financial Institutions' Participation in the Stablecoin Ecosystem - Commercial banks are actively issuing on-chain deposits to counteract the risk of deposit erosion from stablecoins while also providing reserve custody services to stablecoin issuers [5]. - Asset management companies are managing the substantial reserves of stablecoins, particularly U.S. Treasury securities, recognizing the market opportunity as stablecoin reserves reach hundreds of billions [5]. - Payment companies are leveraging their networks to create closed ecosystems by issuing their own stablecoins or integrating third-party stablecoins to reduce payment costs and enhance transaction efficiency [5]. - Exchanges are capitalizing on the infrastructure benefits by providing low-cost fiat-stablecoin exchange channels and developing stablecoin derivatives to attract institutional investors [5]. Group 3: Impact of Stablecoins on Money Supply - The key to stablecoins not expanding the total M2 money supply lies in their adherence to a 1:1 reserve ratio, which results in structural changes in existing M2 rather than net expansion [7]. - If stablecoins begin to pay interest and expand into everyday payment scenarios, they could significantly compete with traditional banks, potentially eroding bank deposits and limiting credit creation [7]. - The introduction of a fractional reserve system for stablecoins could lead to actual M2 expansion, as stablecoin issuers would gain the ability to create new money through leverage [8]. Group 4: Stablecoins as a New Cornerstone for U.S. Treasury - Stablecoins are creating substantial incremental demand for U.S. Treasury securities, particularly short-term bills, as their reserves grow to hundreds of billions [9]. - However, the inherent risks associated with stablecoins could make them a "fragile fulcrum" for the Treasury market, particularly during liquidity crises when large-scale redemptions could lead to forced sales of Treasury holdings [9]. Group 5: Lessons from the Breakdown of the Bretton Woods System - The potential decoupling risks faced by stablecoins echo the trust crisis that led to the breakdown of the Bretton Woods system, particularly if regulators allow a shift to a fractional reserve model [10]. - The transition from a fully reserved system to a fractional reserve model for stablecoins could fundamentally alter their nature, transforming them from passive digital assets to active credit creators [10]. Group 6: Regulatory Landscape - The U.S. GENIUS Act establishes a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves in high-quality liquid assets and undergo regular audits [31]. - Hong Kong has implemented the Stablecoin Ordinance, mandating that stablecoin issuers maintain 100% backing with high-quality assets and obtain licenses from the HKMA [32]. - Singapore's MAS has introduced a regulatory framework for single-currency stablecoins, ensuring that reserves equal at least 100% of the circulating stablecoin value [33]. - The EU's MiCA regulation categorizes different types of crypto assets and imposes reserve and disclosure requirements to protect consumers and maintain financial stability [34].

Core Insights - The article discusses the implications of the ongoing U.S. tariff war, highlighting the potential increase in overall tariff rates and the characteristics of trade agreements, as well as the impacts of existing tariffs on imports and inflation. Group 1: New Tariffs - The new reciprocal tariffs effective from August 7 will impose a minimum of 10% on trade deficit countries and 15% on trade surplus countries [5][19] - The overall U.S. tariff rate may exceed 15%, with estimates suggesting it could rise to 17.1% or even 21.2% if key industry tariffs are implemented [6][22] - The implementation of new tariffs may narrow the tariff rate gap between China and other countries, potentially reducing the risk of export share transfer for China [24] Group 2: Characteristics of Trade Agreements - Direct investment and procurement agreements can lead to lower tariffs and reductions in key industry tariffs, with countries like Japan, the EU, and South Korea benefiting from lower rates [27][29] - Current trade agreements lack formal legal texts, leading to uncertainty regarding their execution and effectiveness [31][32] Group 3: Impact of Existing Tariffs - The increase in tariff rates by 1% has resulted in a 2.8% decline in U.S. import growth, with projections indicating a potential drop to -10.5% in the second half of the year [9][35] - Tariff costs are primarily borne by U.S. importers, with estimates suggesting that 40% to 74% of the tariff price increases have already been reflected in U.S. CPI [10][40] - The surge in imports observed in April appears to have ended, with June showing signs of a demand pullback [11][43] - As of May, approximately 61.4% of Chinese goods still maintain a price advantage despite the tariffs, although this is a decline from 76.1% in 2024 [10][55]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article discusses the potential concerns regarding "fiscal retreat" in the second half of the year, highlighting the implications for economic performance and the need for extraordinary policy measures to counteract any downturn [3][4][5]. - "Fiscal retreat" refers to a significant drop in fiscal expenditure growth in the latter half of the year compared to the first half, particularly in years where the fiscal budget is not adjusted post-implementation [3][12]. - There is a possibility of a fiscal retreat this year, with projections indicating a potential decline in fiscal expenditure growth to between -0.4% and 2.1%, marking the lowest growth rate since 2022 [4][13]. Group 2 - Despite the potential for fiscal retreat, the actual risk of it negatively impacting the economy may be limited, as adjusted fiscal expenditure growth is estimated to remain robust, between 4.1% and 6.7% [5][15]. - The article emphasizes that even without extraordinary policy measures, the fiscal support for the economy in the second half may not be less than that in the first half, aligning with economic growth targets of approximately 4.7% to 4.8% [5][15]. - The analysis includes a breakdown of fiscal expenditure adjustments, excluding non-economic driving components and incorporating new policy financial tools to enhance fiscal capacity [16][19]. Group 3 - The July fiscal data indicates a significant rebound in public fiscal revenue, with a year-on-year increase of 2.6%, marking the highest monthly growth rate of the year [20][21]. - Tax revenue has shown consistent positive growth for four consecutive months, with notable increases in sectors such as equipment manufacturing, where tax revenue grew by over 33% [20][21]. - On the expenditure side, public fiscal spending increased by 3% in July, ending a two-month decline, with a notable focus on social welfare and infrastructure spending [33][34]. Group 4 - The article notes a narrowing of land sales revenue growth, which has implications for broader fiscal revenue, while special bonds and new special debts have supported high growth in fiscal expenditure [42][43]. - Government fund income growth has slowed to 8.9% in July, primarily due to reduced land sales revenue growth of 7.2% [42][43]. - The article highlights the importance of monitoring future policies aimed at stabilizing the real estate market, which could impact fiscal revenue positively [42][43].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article suggests that the current economic cycle is improving, with the worst phase behind, indicating a potential recovery in asset prices and investment opportunities [4][5]. - The article highlights that the attractiveness of stocks compared to bonds has significantly increased, driven by government policies that have stabilized the capital market and reduced stock volatility, leading to higher risk-adjusted returns for equities [3][7]. - It notes that the trend of favoring bonds over stocks may be reversing, and investors should start to pay attention to the value of equity investments relative to bonds [3][7]. Group 2 - The article discusses the implications of residents' deposits being utilized more effectively, which could lead to a rise in asset prices and a tightening of monetary policy as a response to prevent excessive capital turnover [3]. - It emphasizes that the most accommodative phase of monetary policy is coming to an end, suggesting a shift in the financial landscape that could affect investment strategies [4]. - The analysis includes data on the financing dynamics of non-bank institutions, indicating a complex interaction between various financial entities and the real economy, which may influence future investment decisions [9].