通胀数据点评（25.07）：弱PPI的两条“暗线”

Inflation Data Summary - On August 9, the National Bureau of Statistics released July inflation data: CPI year-on-year at 0%, previous value 0.1%, expected -0.1%, month-on-month 0.4%; PPI year-on-year at -3.6%, previous value -3.6%, expected -3.4%, month-on-month -0.2%[8]. - The weak PPI performance is attributed to low capacity utilization in mid and downstream sectors, which hinders price transmission from upstream to downstream[1][2][4]. - July PPI continued to decline, with a month-on-month change of -0.2%, not meeting market expectations of -3.4%[9][13]. - The contribution of commodity prices to PPI was estimated at 0.1% month-on-month, despite some recovery in coal and steel prices[1][9]. CPI Insights - Core CPI in July rose to its highest level in 1.5 years, driven by demand recovery and the end of commodity subsidies, with a month-on-month increase of 0.4%[21]. - Food CPI decreased by 1.6% year-on-year, with fresh vegetable prices dropping by 7.6% and fresh fruit prices increasing by 2.8%[30][43]. - The core service CPI remained stable at 0.5% year-on-year, with significant increases in travel-related costs, such as airfares rising by 17.9% month-on-month[27]. Future Outlook - The "anti-involution" policy is expected to boost commodity prices, but excess supply in mid and downstream sectors may limit price transmission from upstream, keeping inflation weak throughout the year[4][33]. - Core commodity CPI may remain subdued due to pressure from downstream PPI and abundant agricultural supply, leading to only moderate improvements in CPI[4][33].