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Global Metals & Mining_ China property starts for FY’24 on track to be the lowest in nearly 2 decades, sales rate turns positive in Nov’24
China Securities· 2024-12-19 16:37
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the **Global Metals & Mining** industry, with a specific focus on the **Chinese property market** and its impact on steel demand [5][6][7]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Sales and Starts Trends**: - FY'21 sales increased by **2% year-over-year (y/y)**, while starts decreased by **11% y/y**. - FY'22 saw a significant decline with sales down **24% y/y** and starts down **39% y/y**. - FY'23 continued the downward trend with sales down **9% y/y** and starts down **21% y/y**. - FY'24 is projected to decline in double digits from a low base, with FY'23 marking the lowest annual starts since **2008** and the lowest annual sales since **2012** [8][9][30]. - **Impact of Property Market on Steel Demand**: - The weakness in property starts during the second half of **2022** and into **2023** has significantly affected steel demand, particularly in **China**, which accounts for about **half of global steel consumption**. Property now constitutes less than **20%** of steel demand in China [8][30]. - **Forecasts for FY'24**: - Citi's forecasts indicate a **sales decline of 18% y/y** and a **starts decline of 24% y/y** for FY'24, reverting to sales levels seen in **2009** and starts levels in **2005** [9][30]. - **Recent Performance Metrics**: - In **November 2024**, floor space sales were up **3% y/y**, while starts were down **27% y/y**. For the first **11 months of 2024**, sales were down **14% y/y** and starts down **23% y/y**. Completions also saw a significant decline of **39% y/y** in November [10][30]. Additional Important Insights - **Destocking Trends**: - There has been a consistent trend of sales growth outpacing starts growth for over **four years**, indicating significant destocking. In **11M'24**, sales outpaced starts by **780 basis points (bps)** [29][30]. - **Completions Decline**: - Completions in the property sector have decreased by **26% y/y** in **11M'24**, contrasting with a **17% y/y** increase in completions during **2023** [10][30]. - **Analyst Certifications and Disclosures**: - The report includes certifications from analysts regarding the accuracy of the views expressed and potential conflicts of interest due to the firm's business relationships with the companies discussed [12][18][19]. Conclusion - The conference call highlights significant challenges facing the Global Metals & Mining industry, particularly due to the downturn in the Chinese property market, which is expected to continue impacting steel demand and overall market dynamics in the near future. The forecasts suggest a bleak outlook for FY'24, with substantial declines in both sales and starts anticipated.
China Retail Sales – Nov 2024_ Weaker than expected
China Securities· 2024-12-19 16:37
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the **China retail sales industry** and its performance metrics for November 2024, highlighting trends and comparisons to previous months and years [2][33]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Retail Sales Growth**: China's retail sales growth in November 2024 slowed to **+3.0% YoY**, down from **4.8% in October**, and below the consensus expectation of **+4.6%**. This slowdown is attributed to the front-loading effect of the **11.11 promotion** which shifted sales into October [2][33]. - **Comparison to 2019**: The implied recovery pace compared to 2019 levels decreased to **115%** in November from **119%** in October, indicating a weakening momentum across major retail categories [2][8]. - **Category Performance**: - **Cosmetics** saw a significant decline, with growth dropping to **131%** from **200%** in October. - **Electronics & Appliances** also experienced a decline, falling to **118%** from **147%** in October. - Conversely, **Restaurant & Dining** and **Home Furnishing** segments showed month-over-month improvements [8][33]. - **Overall Retail Sales**: The overall retail sales performance indicated a decline in several discretionary categories, particularly **Apparel, Shoes, and Textile** and **Gold & Jewelry**, which faced YoY declines in November compared to growth in October [33]. Additional Important Insights - **Consumer Behavior**: The report suggests that consumer spending is being influenced by government-issued consumer coupons, which may have contributed to slight growth in specific categories like **Restaurant & Dining** and **Home Furnishing** [33]. - **Promotional Impact**: The earlier promotional events, particularly the **11.11 sales**, have led to a more pronounced weakening in categories with high exposure, such as **Cosmetics** and **Apparel**, indicating a shift in consumer purchasing patterns [33]. - **Future Outlook**: Analysts express caution regarding the retail sector's performance in the upcoming months, given the observed trends and the potential for continued volatility in consumer spending [33]. Conclusion - The conference call highlights a concerning trend in the **China retail sales industry**, with significant slowdowns in growth rates and shifts in consumer behavior influenced by promotional activities. The data suggests a need for careful monitoring of retail performance in the coming months to identify potential investment opportunities and risks.
China_ So far, not so good
China Securities· 2024-12-19 16:37
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The property sector in China is identified as a weak link in the economy, with property sales showing a slight recovery of 3.2% year-on-year in November, compared to a decline of 1.6% in October, marking the first increase since May 2023 [1][18] - Despite the recovery in sales, major property indicators still reflect weakness, with property investment contracting by 11.6% year-on-year in November, slightly better than the 12.3% decline in October [1][41] - The number of cities reporting declines in secondary home prices improved slightly, with 58 out of 70 major cities experiencing declines, down from 59 in October, indicating the smallest number of declines since May 2023 [1][18] Core Insights and Arguments - The contraction in property investment remains significant, with new starts down 26.8% year-on-year and floor space under construction falling by 40.2% in November [1][41] - The completed floor space also saw a significant drop of 38.8% compared to a 20.1% decline in October, indicating ongoing challenges in the property market [1][41] - The government is expected to unveil a fiscal package in March 2025, which may include raising the budget deficit to 3.5-4.0% of GDP and increasing the local government special bond quota to CNY4.0-4.5 trillion [6][12] Additional Important Information - Retail sales growth in November was disappointing, slowing to 3% year-on-year, missing expectations, primarily due to a decline in discretionary goods sales [41][24] - The outlook for retail sales growth is cautious, with expectations of moderation to 3% year-on-year in 2025, reflecting potential payback from durable goods demand and a deteriorating labor market [43][41] - The central bank is anticipated to cut policy rates further, potentially by 10 basis points per quarter, depending on inflation trends, with a possibility of more aggressive cuts if inflation remains low [22][12] Conclusion - The property sector continues to face significant challenges despite some signs of recovery in sales, with ongoing contractions in investment and construction. The government is expected to implement fiscal measures to stimulate the economy, but the overall outlook remains cautious due to structural headwinds and weak domestic demand.
2025 Outlook_ Duel Challenges Ahead
China Securities· 2024-12-19 16:37
Summary of the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the economic outlook for Hong Kong, particularly in the context of US-China trade tensions and China's deflationary pressures [6][7]. Key Points and Arguments Economic Growth Projections - Real GDP growth in Hong Kong is expected to decline to **2.2% YoY in 2025** and **1.8% YoY in 2026**, down from **2.5% YoY in 2024** [7][8]. - The decline is attributed to rising US-China trade tensions and increased price competitiveness from Mainland China, which will negatively impact investment and consumption [6][7]. Trade Tensions and Tariffs - The US is anticipated to implement tariff hikes on Chinese goods in phases over 2025-26, which may cap investment growth in Hong Kong due to increased geopolitical uncertainties [7][19]. - The direct impact of these tariffs on Hong Kong's economy is expected to be manageable, as US-China trade accounts for only **6% of Hong Kong's total re-export business**, down from **9% in 2017** [19][54]. Inflation and Consumer Prices - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is projected to soften to **1.6% YoY in 2025** and **1.2% YoY in 2026**, compared to **1.9% YoY in 2024** [8][29]. - This disinflation trend is driven by weaker domestic retail demand and lower prices from Mainland China, although rising residential rental prices due to immigration may offset some of this effect [8][29]. Fiscal and Monetary Policy Constraints - Limited room for counter-cyclical easing is noted, with fiscal reserves declining sharply from **HK$1.1 trillion** in early 2018 to **HK$0.6 trillion** today [9][44]. - The fiscal deficit for FY2024-25 is expected to reach **HK$100 billion**, more than double the initial budget estimate [44][46]. Risks and Scenarios - Key risks include the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, Beijing's stimulus measures, and geopolitical risks [11][48]. - In a downside scenario, higher market interest rates and universal US tariffs could lead to weaker investment activity and lower asset prices in Hong Kong [12][48]. - Conversely, an upside scenario could see consumption-driven growth in China benefiting Hong Kong's trade, as Mainland China accounts for **56% of the city's goods exports** and **~80% of inbound tourists** [14][48]. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Trends - FDI to Hong Kong has seen a significant decline, dropping by approximately **20 percentage points of GDP** during the 2018-19 period, with a notable decrease in the number of US companies establishing regional headquarters in Hong Kong [53][54]. Housing Market Dynamics - The effective new mortgage rate in Hong Kong is expected to drop to **3.25% by the end of 2025**, which may positively impact the housing market despite high unsold inventory [37][38]. - Residential housing prices are projected to decline by another **5% in the first half of 2025**, followed by a potential rebound in the second half [37][38]. Additional Important Insights - The HKMA is well-positioned to defend the HKD peg, with liquid USD assets maintained at **1.1 times** its liquid HKD liabilities, indicating sufficient cover for potential outflows [10][11]. - The strategic importance of the Linked Exchange Rate System (LERS) is emphasized, as it facilitates free capital flows and mitigates financial volatility [57]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call regarding Hong Kong's economic outlook, highlighting the interplay between external trade dynamics, domestic economic conditions, and policy constraints.
China Economic Perspectives_Mixed growth momentum in November
China Securities· 2024-12-19 16:37
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **Chinese economy**, particularly the **real estate** and **retail sectors** as well as **industrial production** and **exports**. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Mixed Growth Momentum in November**: The growth momentum in China showed a mixed picture in November, with property sales growth rebounding to +3.2% YoY, while new property starts remained weak at -26.8% YoY [3][7][46]. 2. **Policy Support from CEWC**: The Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC) emphasized "stabilizing growth" and boosting domestic demand through proactive fiscal and monetary policies, including a projected 2 percentage points increase in GDP from augmented fiscal deficit in 2025 [4][47]. 3. **Retail Sales Performance**: Retail sales growth softened to 3% YoY in November from 4.8% YoY in October, attributed to a higher base and earlier online sales promotions [37][46]. 4. **Industrial Production Resilience**: Industrial production growth edged up to 5.4% YoY in November, supported by strong performance in the electric machinery and auto sectors, despite a high base effect [9][36]. 5. **Export Growth Deceleration**: Export growth slowed to 6.7% YoY in November from 12.7% in October, influenced by a higher base and potential front-loading of shipments to the US to avoid tariffs [17][36]. 6. **Investment Trends**: Fixed asset investment (FAI) growth softened to 2.4% YoY in November, with infrastructure investment remaining strong at 9.8% YoY, while real estate development investment declined by -11.6% YoY [39][36]. 7. **Inflation Trends**: Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation edged down to 0.2% YoY in November, indicating lingering disinflation pressure in China [20][46]. Other Important Insights 1. **Future Monitoring**: Key areas to watch include potential US tariff increases, annual work plans from Chinese government bodies, and economic data related to property sales and consumption during the Chinese New Year [5][27]. 2. **Property Market Uncertainty**: Despite improvements in property sales, uncertainties remain, particularly indicated by the top 100 developers' contract sales volume declining by -15% YoY in November [7][25]. 3. **Credit and Monetary Policy**: Total social financing (TSF) growth stabilized at a weak pace, with new renminbi loans picking up to Rmb580 billion in November, but still lower than the previous year [44][46]. 4. **Consumer Behavior**: The trend in online goods sales reversed, indicating a shift towards offline sales, with categories like cosmetics and clothing experiencing significant declines [37][46]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and outlook of the Chinese economy, particularly focusing on the real estate and retail sectors.
China Consumer Strategy_Nov retail sales up 3%, behind consensus of 5%; suggest a balanced stock portfolio
China Securities· 2024-12-19 16:37
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the **China consumer industry**, highlighting key players such as **Haier, Midea, YUMC, Anta, Tsingtao (H), and CRB** [2] - **November 2024 offline retail sales** increased by **6.1% year-over-year (yoy)**, while **online retail sales** decreased by **2.7% yoy** due to the early start of **11.11 promotions** [2] Performance by Category - **Best performing categories** in November 2024: - Home appliances: **+22% yoy** (driven by trade-in policy) - Furniture: **+11% yoy** (related to home appliances) - Staple foods: **+10% yoy** - Autos: **+7% yoy** - Sporting goods: **+4% yoy** [2] - **Worst performing categories** in November 2024: - Cosmetics: **-26% yoy** (compared to **+40% in October** and **-4.5% in September**) - Telecom: **-8% yoy** - Oil & gas: **-7% yoy** - Office staples: **-6% yoy** - Gold & jewelry: **-6% yoy** [2] Economic Indicators - The **overall unemployment rate** in November 2024 was **5.0%**, remaining flat yoy and month-over-month (m/m) [2] - The **Consumer Price Index (CPI)** in November 2024 increased by **0.2% yoy**, compared to **0.3%**, **0.4%**, and **0.6%** in the previous months (October, September, and August respectively) [2] - **Food CPI** rose by **1.0% yoy**, primarily due to price inflation in vegetables and pork, while **non-food CPI** remained flat yoy [2] Market Performance - The **China consumer staples/discretionary sector** (represented by **160 major consumer companies**, excluding internet and auto names) saw an increase of **1%/4%** over the past month, with a forward **P/E multiple rerating of 4%/13%**, reaching **20.0x/17.4x** respectively [2] - In comparison, **MSCI China/HSI** increased by **2%/3%**, with a **P/E rerating of 2%/3%**, reaching **11.0x/9.6x** [2] Retail Sales Data - Retail sales data for 2023 and projections for 2024 indicate fluctuations in growth rates: - **1Q23**: **5.7% yoy** - **2Q23**: **10.7% yoy** - **3Q23**: **4.2% yoy** - **4Q23**: **8.3% yoy** - **2023 overall**: **7.2% yoy** [5] Additional Notes - The data presented is sourced from the **National Bureau of Statistics** and includes various notes on the definitions and calculations of retail sales and CPI [4][10][11] - The unemployment rate for the **16-24 years old** demographic has shown significant fluctuations, peaking at **22.0%** in recent months [7]
Top of Mind_ Will China's policy stimulus be enough_
China Securities· 2024-12-15 16:04
shuinu9870 shuinu9870 shuinu9870 更多一手调研纪要和研报数据加V: 更多一手调研纪要和研报数据加V: 更多一手调研纪要和研报数据加V: 更多资料加入知识星球:水木调研纪要 关注公众号:水木纪要 of WILL CHINA'S POLICY STIMULUS BE ENOUGH? shuinu9870 shuinu9870 shuinu9870 更多一手调研纪要和研报数据加V: WHAT'S INSIDE shuinu9870 更多一手调研纪要和研报数据加V: - Hui Shan ISSUE 134 | December 11, 2024 | 5:15 PM EST ''''''U''''' '''' ' '' ' Global Macro Research TOP MIND 更多一手调研纪要和研报数据加V: 更多一手调研纪要和研报数据加V: Chinese policymakers doubled down this week in signaling a strong policy response to China's internal and external econ ...
China Equity Strategy_China’s retirement savings scheme goes national this Sunday
China Securities· 2024-12-15 16:04
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the national rollout of China's retirement savings scheme, which will begin on December 15, 2024, following a trial in 36 cities since November 2022 [10][11]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Contribution Limits**: Eligible account owners can contribute up to RMB 12,000 (approximately $1,652) per year, with tax deductions ranging from RMB 360 to RMB 5,400 based on taxable income tiers [10]. - **Market Impact**: If a significant portion of household savings, estimated at $20.9 trillion by the end of 2024, is directed into the onshore equity market, it could represent 10% of the A-share market capitalization, equating to approximately $1.4 trillion [10][11]. - **Insurance Premium Growth**: J.P. Morgan estimates that insurance premiums from the pension business could reach RMB 5.5 trillion by 2034, indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16% [10]. - **Current Participation**: As of June 2024, over 60 million individuals (around 50% of employed persons) have opened private pension accounts. However, contributions in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen are still low, averaging only 18% to 8% of the annual ceiling [10][11]. - **Investment Product Variety**: There are currently 857 eligible investment products available, including savings, funds, insurance, and wealth management products [10]. Additional Important Information - **Cautious Outlook**: Key concerns include a cautious outlook on future investment returns due to weak historical equity performance and the restriction that invested amounts can only be accessed upon reaching retirement age (63 for males, 55/58 for females) [10]. - **Comparative Analysis**: The report draws parallels with the U.S. 401(k) plans, which account for approximately 11% of U.S. listed company market capitalization, suggesting that similar structures in China could stabilize the equity market [11]. - **Investment Trends**: The report highlights that a 10% ownership of local equity market capitalization by anchor investors could significantly stabilize the equity asset class, referencing examples from the U.S., Japan, and Australia [11]. Companies Discussed - **Ping An Insurance Group**: Noted for its strong distribution and expertise in long-duration liability reserve management, expected to benefit from the pension scheme [10]. - **China Life Insurance**: Also highlighted as a key beneficiary of the pension scheme rollout [10]. This summary encapsulates the essential points discussed in the conference call, focusing on the implications of the retirement savings scheme for the equity market and the insurance sector in China.
Chart of the Week – US Dependence on China's APIs
China Securities· 2024-12-15 16:04
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Healthcare [8] - **Focus**: The dependence of the global pharmaceutical supply chain on China's Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) [8] Core Insights 1. **China's API Supply**: China supplies approximately 30% of the world's APIs by volume, making it a critical player in the global pharmaceutical supply chain [8] 2. **US Dependency**: Chinese imports account for about 17% of the total US API market and 6% for formulations, highlighting significant reliance on Chinese production [8] 3. **Surge in Drug Master Files (DMFs)**: There has been a notable increase in DMFs from Chinese manufacturing sites under the US FDA from 2021 to 2023, indicating a growing recognition of China's role in the pharmaceutical sector [8] 4. **Impact of COVID-19**: The pandemic increased China's prominence in the global pharmaceutical supply chain, leading to heightened scrutiny from Western governments regarding supply chain vulnerabilities [8] 5. **Stockpiling Programs**: In response to supply chain risks, various national stockpiling programs have been initiated by Western governments [8] 6. **Global API Landscape**: Among the top 40 global listed API and generic companies surveyed, all but two are based in India, with China supplying about 70% of India's APIs [8] 7. **Formulation Imports**: By production site, China ranks as the fourth-largest importer of formulations to the US, following Ireland, Germany, and Switzerland [8] 8. **Tariff Implications**: Proposed tariffs appear to target specific categories with political agendas, such as opioids, rather than broadly impacting the entire API sector [8] Additional Important Information - **Export Growth**: China's pharmaceutical exports increased by 8.5% year-over-year from January to October 2024, reflecting a recovery in demand post-COVID-19 [30] - **De-stocking Cycle**: Following the pandemic, pharmaceutical companies experienced a de-stocking cycle that ended in mid-2024, indicating a shift back to normal procurement practices [28] This summary encapsulates the critical insights and data points discussed in the conference call, emphasizing China's pivotal role in the global healthcare landscape and the implications of potential tariff changes on the industry.
Activity Tracker_ Christmas Cheer
China Securities· 2024-12-10 02:48
Summary of Morgan Stanley Research: Travel & Leisure Activity Tracker Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **Travel & Leisure** industry, specifically analyzing trends in **Hotels**, **Airlines**, **Cruise**, **Foodservice**, **Gambling**, and **Pubs/Restaurants**. Key Insights Hotel Performance - **RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room)**: - US L4W (Last 4 Weeks) RevPAR increased by **3%** compared to previous months, with Q3 at **+1%** and Q4-TD (To Date) at **+3%** [16] - Europe L4W RevPAR rose by **7%**, with Q3 at **+7%** and Q4-TD at **+6%** [16] - UK L4W RevPAR grew by **2%**, with Q3 at **+2%** and Q4-TD at **+2%** [16] - **Occupancy Rates**: - Occupancy rates in the US decreased by **1%**, while room rates increased by **22%** [21] - Europe and UK occupancy rates remained stable [22] Airline Trends - Air passenger volumes in the EU are growing at a **mid-high single-digit** rate, while US passenger data is slowing to a **low single-digit** growth [6] - Airline fares are recovering, indicating a positive trend in demand [6] Cruise Industry - Demand for cruises has picked up post-election, with solid pricing and stronger web traffic reported [6] Foodservice and Dining - Reservations for dining out are stronger across the US, UK, and Germany, although UK pubs and restaurants are experiencing weak like-for-like sales [6] Gambling Sector - Gross win margins in the UK have strengthened in November and Q4TD, following a solid online growth of **11%** in Q3 [6] Consumer Behavior - Holiday searches are below pre-COVID levels, but web traffic is stronger and pricing remains stable [6] - US hotel website booking trends are weaker for most operators, with IHG showing the strongest performance and Hilton the weakest [43] Economic Indicators - US hotel spending is projected to grow, with a **4%** increase in credit/debit card spending on hotels and a **6%** increase on travel in October [43] - UK accommodation spending as a percentage of personal consumption expenditures (PCE) has returned to 2019 levels, while restaurant and cafe spending is above trend [71] Additional Observations - The report indicates that the **Economy and Midscale chains** have recently stopped underperforming, showing a stronger trend in October and November [28] - Delinquency rates in hotels are similar to overall commercial real estate levels and are on a slowly rising trend, with lodging CMBS special servicing rates around **8%** [56] Conclusion - The Travel & Leisure industry is showing signs of recovery, particularly in hotel performance and air travel, despite some challenges in specific sectors like UK pubs and restaurants. The overall consumer spending trends indicate a cautious but positive outlook for the industry moving forward.