中信证券：本轮人民币升值不同于历史上的任何一轮

Core Viewpoint - The current appreciation of the RMB is fundamentally different from previous cycles, driven by factors such as improved overseas earning capabilities of Chinese companies, global distrust in the US dollar, and policy shifts aimed at supporting domestic demand through "taxation" on foreign trade [2][3][14]. Group 1: Factors Driving RMB Appreciation - Chinese companies' ability to earn overseas has increased, leading to a significant demand for currency conversion, with a record trade surplus of $118.89 billion in 2025, up 19.78% year-on-year [6]. - Global speculative funds are increasingly seeking physical assets, reflecting concerns over the credibility of the US dollar, with rising interest in tangible assets like gold and shipping vessels [10]. - China's trade policy is shifting from merely expanding scale to stabilizing supply chains and controlling risks, enhancing the profitability of outbound enterprises and increasing the real demand for RMB [12]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Historical Context - The current RMB appreciation cycle, starting in Q2 2025, shows unique signs such as underperformance in Hong Kong stocks and a lack of strong expectations for the US-China economic dynamics, which historically correlated with RMB appreciation [3]. - Historical analysis indicates that the exchange rate is not the decisive factor in industry allocation, as various industries benefit differently from RMB appreciation based on their cost structures and market conditions [25]. Group 3: Industry Impact and Profitability - Approximately 19% of industries are expected to benefit from RMB appreciation, particularly those with high import dependency for raw materials and low export dependency for finished goods, such as steel, petrochemicals, and consumer goods [28][29]. - Industries like aviation, gas, and paper are likely to experience significant stock price elasticity due to their historical performance during RMB appreciation phases, driven by cost savings [39]. Group 4: Policy Responses and Future Outlook - To mitigate rapid appreciation, potential policy responses may include monetary easing and relaxing restrictions on foreign financial investments, which could enhance the growth prospects for sectors like brokerage and insurance [34][39]. - The ongoing trend of Chinese manufacturing companies expanding production overseas indicates that these firms are less negatively impacted by RMB appreciation, as they have established competitive advantages [36].