Global Macro - The Federal Reserve's September FOMC meeting resulted in a 25 basis point rate cut to the 4.00%-4.25% range, viewed as a typical preemptive measure rather than a response to severe labor market deterioration [1][2] - The labor market is slowing but remains manageable, with low unemployment reflecting a "weak balance" rather than a robust recovery, making significant rate cuts unlikely to rapidly improve employment [1][2] - The dot plot indicates a division among policymakers, with 10 out of 19 supporting two or more rate cuts this year, while 9 support fewer than two, suggesting cautious expectations for future cuts [2] Market Performance - The Hang Seng Index closed at 26,545, reflecting a 0.09% increase, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose by 0.17% to 9,472 [4] - Major global indices showed varied performance, with the Dow Jones increasing by 0.37% and the S&P 500 by 0.49%, while the FTSE 100 and CAC 40 experienced slight declines [4] Economic Data Releases - Upcoming U.S. economic data includes the Manufacturing PMI for September, expected at 53.00, and Durable Goods Orders for August, anticipated to decline by 2.80% year-on-year [6] - The second quarter GDP growth is projected at 3.30%, a significant recovery from the previous -0.50% [6] Sector Insights - The consumer sector is expected to see moderate recovery with multiple opportunities in the second half of 2025, as indicated in a recent deep dive report [6] - The renewable energy sector continues to face uncertainties but remains attractive for investment, particularly in dividend stability [6] - The automotive industry is accelerating the penetration of hybrid technologies, with a focus on autonomous driving and robotics [6]

Global Macro - The Federal Reserve's September FOMC meeting resulted in a 25 basis point rate cut to the 4.00%-4.25% range, characterized as a typical preemptive easing to guard against economic downturns, particularly in the labor market [2][4] - The current economic environment is significantly better than the same period last year, with the labor market showing signs of cooling but not reaching crisis levels, allowing for a more flexible monetary policy [4][24] - The Fed's current policy reflects a moderate tolerance for short-term inflation risks, with recent labor market cooling potentially helping to alleviate cost-push inflation pressures [18][24] Labor Market Dynamics - The labor market has become a key consideration for the Fed's short-term policy decisions, with non-farm payroll growth slowing significantly, averaging only 29,000 jobs per month as of August [9][14] - The current low unemployment rate is seen as a "weak balance," influenced by structural factors such as immigration restrictions, which limit the labor supply and complicate the Fed's data-driven decision-making [9][12] - A significant rate cut may not lead to a rapid improvement in the labor market, and could instead trigger unexpected inflation increases, suggesting that a more moderate easing approach is preferable [9][18] Economic Forecasts - The Fed's economic projections for 2025, 2026, and 2027 show an optimistic outlook, with GDP forecasts being raised and unemployment rate expectations lowered slightly, while inflation predictions were only marginally adjusted upward [24][28] - The anticipated "broad fiscal" impact of the "Big and Beautiful Act" in 2026 and 2027 supports the upward revision of economic growth forecasts, indicating limited room for further rate cuts in the coming years [24][28] - The dot plot from the FOMC indicates significant divergence among committee members regarding future rate cuts, with a median showing potential for two more cuts this year, but with considerable uncertainty remaining [23][25]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights that the U.S. non-farm payroll data for August significantly underperformed expectations, with only 22,000 jobs added compared to the forecast of 75,000, and the unemployment rate rising to a new high of 4.3% [1][6][8] - Employment conditions weakened across most industries, particularly in cyclical sectors, which saw a reduction of 48,000 jobs, a decline that expanded by 26,000 from the previous month [1][6][10] - The private sector added only 38,000 jobs in August, which is below the expected 75,000, indicating a broader trend of employment deterioration [1][6][10] Group 2 - The labor market is currently characterized by a fragile balance of supply and demand, with both sides showing weakness, leading to a potential upward trend in the unemployment rate [2][14][23] - The credibility of the August non-farm data is questioned due to a low response rate of 56.7%, the lowest in recent years, suggesting that future revisions may significantly alter the current figures [2][14][20] - The expected equilibrium level of job creation in the U.S. for the second half of the year is projected to be between 30,000 and 80,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate likely to continue rising if job creation remains stagnant [2][23][32] Group 3 - Following the release of the non-farm data, market sentiment shifted from "rate cut trading" to "recession trading," with expectations for a 50 basis point rate cut in September increasing to 11% [3][6][10] - The market anticipates two rate cuts by the end of the year, although this is contingent on the unemployment rate rising to 4.6% or higher, which is considered a low probability scenario [3][6][10] - The bond market reacted with a decline in the 10-year Treasury yield from approximately 4.16% to 4.06%, indicating a shift in investor sentiment towards a more cautious outlook [3][6][10]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights that the U.S. non-farm payroll data for August significantly underperformed expectations, with only 22,000 jobs added compared to the forecast of 75,000, and the unemployment rate rising to a new high of 4.3% [1][6][8] - The employment situation across most sectors has deteriorated, particularly in cyclical industries, which saw a reduction of 48,000 jobs, a decline that expanded by 26,000 from the previous month [1][6][10] - The private sector added only 38,000 jobs in August, which is also below expectations, while the government sector saw a decrease of 16,000 jobs [1][6][10] Group 2 - The labor market is currently characterized by a fragile balance of weak supply and demand, with the unemployment rate expected to continue rising slightly [2][14][23] - The credibility of the August non-farm data is questioned due to a low response rate of 56.7%, the lowest in recent years, and historical trends suggest that these figures may be revised upwards in subsequent months [2][14][20] - Leading indicators, such as small business hiring plans and unemployment claims, suggest that the labor market still possesses some resilience, indicating that a significant deterioration is not imminent [2][14][23] Group 3 - Following the release of the non-farm data, market sentiment shifted from "rate cut trading" to "recession trading," with expectations for a 50 basis point rate cut in September rising to 11% [3][6][14] - The market anticipates two rate cuts by the end of the year, although the likelihood of three cuts hinges on the unemployment rate reaching 4.6% or higher, which remains a low probability scenario [3][6][14] - The current equilibrium level of job additions in the U.S. labor market is projected to fall to between 30,000 and 80,000 jobs per month, with the unemployment rate likely to rise if job additions remain at the low level of 22,000 [2][23][32]

1. Report Industry Investment Ratings No industry investment ratings were provided in the reports. 2. Core Views of the Reports Copper - Macroscopically, the "stagflation - like" environment in the US restricts the space for interest - rate cuts, suppressing the upside potential of copper prices. The short - term focus is on the US inflation and employment data in August, which will influence the Fed's decision in September. - Fundamentally, as it approaches the traditional peak season, the spot premium is strong, and domestic social inventories are starting to decline. With "tight mine supply + resilient demand," there is support for prices. In the future, copper pricing will return to macro trading. The price is expected to range between 78,000 - 79,500 yuan/ton [1]. Aluminum - For alumina, short - term supply disruptions such as the crackdown on bauxite theft in Shanxi and the demonstration in Guinea have raised concerns, but mid - term production capacity is expected to increase, and the market will remain slightly oversupplied. The price of the main contract is expected to range between 3,000 - 3,300 yuan/ton. - For electrolytic aluminum, although there is some support from domestic consumption - stimulating policies and expectations of Fed rate cuts, the supply is stable with a slight increase, and demand is still in the off - season. The price of the main contract is expected to range between 20,000 - 21,000 yuan/ton, with a focus on the 21,000 yuan/ton resistance level [3]. Aluminum Alloy - The current market is in a situation of weak supply and demand. However, as it enters the transition period from the off - season to the peak season in mid - August, demand is expected to improve. If the import price ratio remains the same, the supply of imported aluminum alloy ingots and scrap will be limited. The price of the main contract is expected to range between 19,600 - 20,400 yuan/ton [5]. Zinc - The upstream overseas zinc mines are in an up - cycle of production resumption, but the production growth rate in May globally and in July domestically fell short of expectations. The smelter's production enthusiasm is high, and the supply of refined zinc increased in July. Demand is in the off - season, and the price is expected to range between 22,000 - 23,000 yuan/ton [7][8]. Tin - Supply of tin ore remains tight, and the resumption of production in Myanmar is expected to be delayed until the fourth quarter. Demand is weak after the end of the photovoltaic rush - installation period and the entry of the electronics industry into the off - season. If supply recovers smoothly, short - selling opportunities may arise; otherwise, the price will remain high and volatile [9]. Nickel - Macroscopically, the US inflation pressure has eased, and the market expects more aggressive easing policies. Industrially, the supply of nickel ore is expected to be loose, and the price of ferronickel is rising, but there is still an oversupply pressure. Stainless steel demand is weak, and the downstream of the new energy sector has a low acceptance of high - priced nickel sulfate. The price of the main contract is expected to range between 118,000 - 126,000 yuan/ton [10]. Stainless Steel - The stainless - steel market is weak, with low procurement enthusiasm from downstream enterprises. Although the export pressure has been alleviated, the terminal demand is still weak. The price of ferronickel is rising, and the supply of stainless steel is expected to increase in August. The price of the main contract is expected to range between 12,800 - 13,500 yuan/ton [13]. Lithium Carbonate - The fundamentals are in a tight balance. Supply is expected to contract in the short term, while demand is entering the peak season and is showing a positive trend. Although the actual demand has not significantly increased due to inventory pressure in the material industry chain, the overall market atmosphere is strong. The price of the main contract is expected to range between 85,000 - 90,000 yuan/ton [15]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs Copper - **Price and Basis**: The prices of various types of copper decreased slightly, with the SMM 1 electrolytic copper at 79,100 yuan/ton, down 0.23%. The refined - scrap price difference increased by 3.59% to 1,020 yuan/ton. - **Monthly Spread**: The 2509 - 2510 spread decreased by 20 yuan/ton to 20 yuan/ton. - **Fundamental Data**: In July, electrolytic copper production was 117.43 million tons, up 3.47%, and imports were 30.05 million tons, up 18.74%. Domestic mainstream port copper concentrate inventories decreased by 10.01% [1]. Aluminum - **Price and Spread**: The SMM A00 aluminum price was 20,590 yuan/ton, up 0.19%. The import loss decreased by 113.2 yuan/ton to 1,289 yuan/ton. - **Monthly Spread**: The 2509 - 2510 spread decreased by 20 yuan/ton to 25 yuan/ton. - **Fundamental Data**: In July, alumina production was 765.02 million tons, up 5.40%, and electrolytic aluminum production was 372.14 million tons, up 3.11%. The social inventory of electrolytic aluminum increased by 3.41% [3]. Aluminum Alloy - **Price and Spread**: The SMM aluminum alloy ADC12 price remained unchanged at 20,350 yuan/ton. The 2511 - 2512 spread increased by 30 yuan/ton to 25 yuan/ton. - **Fundamental Data**: In July, the production of recycled aluminum alloy ingots was 62.50 million tons, up 1.63%, and the production of primary aluminum alloy ingots was 26.60 million tons, up 4.31%. The social inventory of recycled aluminum alloy ingots increased by 2.03% [5]. Zinc - **Price and Basis**: The SMM 0 zinc ingot price was 22,200 yuan/ton, down 0.45%. The import loss decreased by 62.92 yuan/ton to 1,728 yuan/ton. - **Monthly Spread**: The 2509 - 2510 spread increased by 35 yuan/ton to 15 yuan/ton. - **Fundamental Data**: In July, refined zinc production was 60.28 million tons, up 3.03%. The social inventory of zinc ingots in seven regions in China increased by 13.59% [7]. Tin - **Spot Price and Basis**: The SMM 1 tin price was 266,200 yuan/ton, down 0.22%. The LME 0 - 3 premium increased by 41.27% to 89.00 dollars/ton. - **Monthly Spread**: The 2509 - 2510 spread increased by 40 to - 230. - **Fundamental Data**: In June, tin ore imports decreased by 11.44% to 11,911 tons, and SMM refined tin production decreased by 6.94% to 14,840 tons [9]. Nickel - **Price and Basis**: The SMM 1 electrolytic nickel price remained unchanged at 121,650 yuan/ton. The 1 Jinchuan nickel premium increased by 6.82% to 2,350 yuan/ton. - **Supply and Inventory**: In July, China's refined nickel production decreased by 10.04% to 31,800 tons, while imports increased by 116.90% to 19,157 tons. SHFE inventory increased by 1.72% [10]. Stainless Steel - **Price and Basis**: The 304/2B (Wuxi Hongwang 2.0 coil) price was 13,100 yuan/ton, down 0.38%. The 2510 - 2511 spread decreased by 15 yuan/ton to - 70 yuan/ton. - **Fundamental Data**: In July, the production of 300 - series stainless - steel crude steel in China decreased by 3.83% to 171.33 million tons. The 300 - series social inventory in Wuxi and Foshan decreased by 1.00% [13]. Lithium Carbonate - **Price and Basis**: The SMM battery - grade lithium carbonate price was 85,700 yuan/ton, up 1.30%. The 2509 - 2511 spread increased by 40 yuan/ton to 60 yuan/ton. - **Fundamental Data**: In July, lithium carbonate production was 81,530 tons, up 4.41%, and demand was 96,275 tons, up 2.62%. The total inventory decreased by 2.01% [15].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article revolves around the unexpected adjustments in U.S. non-farm employment data, which initially suggested economic growth but were later revised down significantly, raising concerns about the reliability of economic indicators [3][5][10] - The initial non-farm employment numbers for May and June were revised down from 144,000 to 19,000 and from 147,000 to 14,000 respectively, indicating a downward adjustment of 258,000 jobs over two months [5][16] - Economists expressed relief that economic logic remained intact, but the significant revisions led to doubts about the reliability of data used for decision-making [5][16] Group 2 - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects employment data from approximately 121,000 businesses and government agencies, which is subject to statistical errors due to response rates, seasonal adjustments, and estimation models [6][8] - The BLS employs a "Current Employment Statistics" (CES) survey and a "Net Birth-Death" (NBD) model to estimate employment changes, which can lead to discrepancies in initial data [6][8] - The adjustments in employment data are considered a normal statistical practice, and significant downward revisions have occurred in the past during economic crises, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic [11][14][15] Group 3 - Following the release of the revised employment data, there was a notable market reaction, with the Nasdaq experiencing a single-day drop of 2.24%, the largest since May [17] - The Federal Reserve's decision-making regarding interest rates is complicated by the mixed signals from employment data and inflation rates, with experts suggesting that other economic indicators should also be considered [18][22] - Despite concerns about a potential recession, the article suggests that the impact of artificial intelligence on productivity and demand may mitigate severe economic downturns [23]

Labor Market Conditions - The U.S. labor market is showing signs of weakening, with both labor supply and demand declining, making it difficult for the unemployment rate to decrease[2] - The ratio of job vacancies to unemployed individuals has fallen below the levels seen at the end of 2019, indicating a tightening labor market[2] - Since early 2025, the U.S. economy has been weakening, and the impact of tariffs on the labor market is a concern for the second half of the year[2] Unemployment Rate Projections - The unemployment rate is projected to rise to approximately 4.5-4.6% by the end of the year, with a potential increase of 0.3-0.7 percentage points if GDP declines by 1% due to tariffs[4] - If the unemployment rate reaches 4.6%, it may trigger the "Sahm Rule" recession signal, which has historically indicated economic downturns[5] - The average monthly increase in the unemployment rate from January to May 2025 was about 0.06 percentage points, suggesting a continued upward trend[5] Tariff Impact on Employment - The tariffs are expected to have a significant negative impact on the U.S. job market, particularly in the manufacturing sector, where the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) shows signs of contraction[4] - The current economic cycle is characterized by a slowdown, and the tariffs are expected to exacerbate existing challenges such as declining wage growth and rising precautionary savings among consumers[4] Immigration Policy Effects - The tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration has led to a supply shock in the labor market, further exacerbating the decline in job growth[3] - The influx of illegal immigrants has historically helped to stabilize the labor market, but recent reductions in immigration may lead to increased unemployment rates[31] Economic Indicators - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices reached new highs, while the U.S. dollar index fell by 1.5% to 97.26, indicating market volatility amid economic uncertainty[6] - The actual yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds has decreased to 2.0%, reflecting changing investor sentiment and expectations regarding future interest rates[6]

Group 1: Major Asset Movements - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices reached new highs, with the S&P 500 rising by 3.4% and the Nasdaq by 4.2% during the week [1][2] - The US dollar index fell by 1.5% to 97.26, while the Chinese yuan appreciated against the dollar [1][32] - WTI crude oil prices dropped by 11.3% to $65.5 per barrel, and COMEX gold decreased by 2.8% to $3269.2 per ounce [1][46] Group 2: Trade Agreement Developments - The US and China signed a formal trade agreement on June 24, which includes the lifting of China's rare earth export ban and the US's cancellation of export bans on ethane, chip software, and jet engines [1][64] - The US has not disclosed further specific terms of the agreement, but it marks a significant step in trade relations [1][64] Group 3: Federal Reserve Insights - Divergence in opinions among Federal Reserve officials regarding interest rate cuts has increased, with some supporting a cut in July while others advocate for a wait-and-see approach [1][70] - The latest PCE inflation data showed a month-on-month change of -0.3%, indicating potential weakness in consumer spending [1][77] Group 4: Global Market Performance - Developed market indices saw broad increases, with the Nikkei 225 and Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 4.6% and 3.8%, respectively [2] - Emerging market indices also performed well, with the Cairo CASE30 index increasing by 9.1% [2] Group 5: Commodity Price Movements - Most commodities experienced mixed performance, with WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil both declining significantly, while some metals like LME copper and aluminum saw increases of 2.1% and 2.0%, respectively [46][53]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the rising risks of unemployment in the U.S. labor market, driven by weakening labor supply and demand, and the potential impact of tariffs on employment [2][3][4] - The U.S. labor market is crucial for the economy, with consumer spending significantly contributing to GDP growth, primarily driven by labor income [2][6] - The unemployment rate is expected to rise, with estimates suggesting it could reach 4.5-4.6% by the end of the year, influenced by the new tariffs [3][89] Group 2 - The article discusses the employment impact of tariffs, indicating that a 1% decline in GDP could lead to a 0.3-0.7% increase in unemployment, based on Okun's Law [3][89] - The current tariff situation is expected to have a more significant impact on the manufacturing sector compared to previous tariff implementations, with a broader economic slowdown anticipated [65][77] - The article notes that the current economic environment is characterized by declining wage growth and increased precautionary savings among consumers, which could further exacerbate employment challenges [77][81] Group 3 - The "Sahm Rule" is mentioned as a potential indicator of recession, suggesting that if the unemployment rate rises to 4.6%, it could trigger recession signals [4][99] - Historical data shows that the Sahm Rule has a high success rate in predicting recessions, with the article indicating that the current labor market conditions could lead to its activation in the coming months [99][100] - The article emphasizes that the labor market is currently in a "loosened" state, with demand-side weaknesses likely driving the unemployment rate upward [100]

Group 1: Report Overview - The report is a bond专题 report focusing on the Fed's interest - rate cut rules under the Sahm Rule [1][14] - Chief analyst is Yan Ziqi, with research assistant Hong Ziyan [2] Group 2: What is the Sahm Rule - In 2019, former Fed economist Claudia Sahm proposed the Sahm Rule, which states that when the three - month moving average of the US unemployment rate rises by 0.5 percentage points or more relative to the lowest point in the previous 12 months, the economy is likely in recession [2] - The Sahm Rule is a recession indicator, not a prediction tool, and it reflects the current state of the economy [3] Group 3: Advantages and Accuracy of the Sahm Rule - The Sahm Rule is more timely than other economic recession measurement methods. Since 1953, its trigger time lags behind the NBER - declared recession start time by an average of 2.3 months, while the NBER's declaration has an average lag of 4 - 8 months [3] - The accuracy of the Sahm Rule is 100% for NBER - declared recessions. Since 1950, all 11 NBER - declared recessions were confirmed by the Sahm Rule, with a maximum lag of 4 months. However, there were two "false alarms" in 1959 and 2003 [3] Group 4: Failure Cases of the Sahm Rule - In November 1959, a 116 - day strike by steelworkers caused a short - term spike in manufacturing unemployment, leading to a false alarm. During the trigger period from November to December 1959, the ISM manufacturing PMI was above 50% [4] - In July 2003, the trigger was due to structural unemployment caused by rapid industrial - structure changes during high - speed economic growth. The GDP growth rate in Q2 2003 was 3.6%, and the ISM service PMI in July 2003 was 59.2% [4] Group 5: 2024 Sahm Signal Trigger Analysis - In April, June, and July 2024, the Sahm signal was triggered, with the three - month moving average of the U3 unemployment rate at 3.9%, 4.1%, and 4.2% respectively, exceeding the previous 12 - month low by 0.5pct, 0.5pct, and 0.6pct [5] - The unemployment rate was still not high. The average unemployment rate during the Sahm - Rule trigger period is 7%, and during the NBER - declared recession is 6%. In Q1 2024, GDP grew by 1.6% quarter - on - quarter, and in April 2024, the ISM manufacturing and service PMIs dropped below the boom - bust line, showing mild recession signs [6] Group 6: Relationship between the Sahm Rule and Fed's Interest - rate Cuts - The Fed's actual interest - rate cuts occurred before the start of recession intervals because economic slowdown was signaled by indicators like PMI before recession. The Fed also continued to cut rates during recessions [7] - In 2003, despite a false alarm of the Sahm signal, the Fed cut rates by 25BP one month before due to high unemployment and an unbalanced economic structure [7] - In 2024, the normal sequence of "rate hike→rate cut→recession" was broken, changing to "rate hike→recession→rate cut". The Fed cut rates 6 months after the first Sahm - signal warning, likely due to concerns about inflation [8] - The Fed's rate cuts in 2024 were likely influenced by the Sahm Rule. In September 2024, the Fed cut rates by 50BP when the CPI was still relatively high. The three rate cuts in 2024 occurred when the Sahm - signal value was between 0.43 - 0.47pct [9] Group 7: Outlook - Currently, the Sahm signal indicates that the US has temporarily exited the recession period. However, other indicators suggest economic slowdown risks, and there may be a possibility of re - entering a recession [10] - Future rate - cut predictions should focus on whether the Sahm - signal value rises above 0.4%. Given the current downward trend of inflation, the Fed may cut rates when the Sahm - signal value is relatively high, even before the 0.5% warning is triggered [11]