Market Overview - The market indexes are relatively stable, but there is a noticeable increase in the dollar and the VIX, indicating a potential shift towards defensiveness in the market [1][3] - The dollar index (DXY) has been holding in the 97-98 range, which is crucial for future movements [3] Energy Sector - The energy sector has shown signs of life recently, with traditional oil companies like Exxon and Devon starting to perform well [4][5] - There is a concern that the strength in the energy sector may come at the expense of consumer discretionary and banking sectors, which have been leading the market [5] Defense Stocks - European defense stocks have performed well throughout the year, with companies like Rhyatel reaching new highs [6] Global Market Trends - Despite some fatigue in the S&P, global markets are showing strength, with new highs in markets like NIK and China [7] - There are indications of a global economic reacceleration, as seen in the performance of Chinese stocks and commodities like copper [9] Bond Yields and Mortgage Rates - Bond yields have remained stable over the past two years, with the long end of the curve not breaking higher despite opportunities [10][14] - The mortgage backdrop has improved significantly, with 30-year fixed rates dropping from 7.5% to around 6.25% [13] Investment Strategy - The focus remains on sectors like industrials, financials, and technology, with a particular interest in banks and semiconductors [17][18] - The current environment is unique, as the Fed is cutting rates while banks are at all-time highs, which historically has been a positive signal for banks [18]

Christopher Verrone, partner and chief market strategist at Strategas Research Partners, joins CNBC's 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss dollar strength, energy stocks breaking out, global reflation signals, and why he remains cautious on consumer discretionary while favoring banks, industrials, and semis. ...

18 September 2025 | 3:37AM HKT China Musings What to do with China equities? Investor FAQs on China's (liquidity) bull market Kinger Lau, CFA +852-2978-1224 | kinger.lau@gs.com Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. Si Fu, Ph.D. +852-2978-0200 | si.fu@gs.com Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. Timothy Moe, CFA +65-6889-1199 | timothy.moe@gs.com Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte Kevin Wang, CFA +852-2978-2446 | kevin.wang@gs.com Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making the ...

Summary of J.P. Morgan's Economic and Policy Research on China Industry Overview - **Industry**: Economic analysis focusing on China's Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) trends Key Points Consumer Price Index (CPI) - Headline CPI fell by 0.4% year-on-year (oya) and 0.03% month-on-month (m/m, seasonally adjusted) in August, which was softer than the expected decline of 0.2% oya [1] - The primary contributor to the decline was food prices, which decreased by 4.3% oya and 0.8% m/m, reducing the headline CPI's annual rate by 0.9 percentage points [1][4] - Transportation and communication costs also saw a slight dip of 0.1% m/m, influenced by a 0.9% m/m decline in vehicle fuel prices due to lower global oil prices [1] - Core CPI inflation increased to 0.9% oya, reflecting a 0.1% m/m uptick, indicating modest gains in other categories such as clothing (+0.2% m/m), household services (+0.2%), and medical care (+0.4%) [1][4] Producer Price Index (PPI) - PPI rose by 0.1% m/m in August, marking the first sequential gain in 14 months, with the annual PPI deflation rate narrowing to 2.9% oya [2][4] - Consumer goods PPI fell by 1.7% oya, while producer goods PPI dropped by 3.2% oya, indicating slower declines in mining, raw materials, and manufacturing [2] - The improvement in PPI is attributed to government anti-involution efforts aimed at promoting orderly production and price competition, with notable reductions in price declines for coal processing (10.3 percentage points), ferrous metal smelting (6.0), and photovoltaic equipment manufacturing (2.8) [2][4] Economic Outlook - The sequential uptick in PPI is seen as encouraging, but broad-based reflation is expected to take time due to the modest and lagged impact of anti-involution measures [3][4] - The sustainability of recent producer price gains in upstream raw materials and new economy sectors remains uncertain, with limited spillover effects to other sectors [6] - CPI inflation is projected to hover around 0% in the coming months, influenced by persistent food price weakness and a domestic supply-demand imbalance [6][4] Additional Insights - The government's anti-involution efforts are expected to be data-dependent and moderate, considering the broader industry scope and the higher share of non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) [5][4] - The macroeconomic environment is fragile, particularly with ongoing weakness in the housing market, which may limit the effectiveness of policy measures [5][4] Conclusion - The current economic indicators suggest a cautious outlook for both CPI and PPI in China, with ongoing deflationary pressures and a need for careful monitoring of government policies and market conditions to gauge future trends and potential investment opportunities.

Summary of the Conference Call on China Economics Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **Chinese economy**, particularly the inflation metrics and the impact of anti-involution on various sectors [1][4][5]. Key Points and Arguments 1. **CPI and PPI Trends**: - China's headline **CPI** turned negative at **-0.4% YoY** in August, primarily due to falling food prices [4][6]. - The **PPI** reading improved to **-2.9% YoY**, with a sequential change of **0.0% MoM**, marking the end of an 8-month streak of negative prints [5][6]. 2. **Food Prices Impact**: - Food prices increased by **0.5% MoM**, but the year-on-year decline widened to **-4.3% YoY**, the largest contraction since February 2024 [6]. - Pork prices continued to decline, reaching **-16.1% YoY**, while vegetables and fruits also saw significant price drops [6]. 3. **Core Inflation**: - Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose to **0.9% YoY**, with core goods inflation reaching **1.4% YoY**, the highest since February 2020 [6][13]. 4. **Sector-Specific Insights**: - Upstream sectors showed signs of reflation, particularly in coal and ferrous metal mining, where contractions narrowed significantly [5][6]. - Downstream sectors, including solar and NEVs, experienced selective recovery, but overall demand remains a concern [5][6]. 5. **Future Expectations**: - A firm pickup in CPI is expected towards year-end, despite near-term volatility, with ongoing upstream reflation for PPI [1][15]. - Incremental policy measures are anticipated, focusing on property support, infrastructure, and potential new financial injections of approximately **RMB 500 billion** [16]. 6. **Monetary Policy Outlook**: - The central bank is not expected to rush into rate cuts, with both policy rate cuts and RRR cuts likely delayed amid an equity rally [16]. Additional Important Content - The report highlights the potential for smaller discounts during upcoming online promotions due to regulatory efforts to manage price competition in food delivery [15]. - The overall economic outlook suggests stabilization in the GDP deflator and a cautious approach to monetary easing, reflecting the complexities of the current economic environment [15][16]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future expectations of the Chinese economy.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry Focus**: The conference call primarily discusses the economic situation in China, particularly focusing on the concept of "Anti-involution" and its implications across various sectors [2][5][9]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Economic Scenarios**: - **Worst Case**: The economy may revert to deflation after temporary price increases due to weak final demand [3]. - **Less Optimal Scenario**: Rapid reflation could occur, but misallocation of resources may lead to renewed competition and price pressures [3]. - **Base Case**: Deflation is expected to continue into 2026, with gradual reflation [3]. - **Ideal Scenario**: A more robust and sustainable reflation could emerge as economic rebalancing accelerates [3]. - **Structural Reforms**: - Emphasis on the need for comprehensive reforms in the fiscal system, realignment of macro targets, and revamping performance evaluations to address systemic overcapacity issues [5][6][7]. - **Key Catalyst**: The upcoming 4th Plenary Session in October is highlighted as a critical event that may clarify structural reforms outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan [8]. Sector Implications - **Priority Sectors**: - The sectors identified with the highest urgency for reform include Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries, airlines, and cement, with varying degrees of profitability and operational efficiency challenges [10][12]. - **Utilization Rates and Challenges**: - Various sectors have different utilization rates, with coal at 80%, steel at 85%, and cement at 45%. Challenges include overcapacity, regulatory hurdles, and market dynamics [12]. - **Market Concentration**: - The market concentration varies significantly across sectors, with SOEs holding substantial market shares in industries like airlines (80%) and cement (70%) [10][12]. Additional Important Insights - **Trade Dynamics**: - There is a noted slowdown in container ship movements from China to the US, indicating a potential payback from previous export front-loading [13]. - **Consumer Goods Sales**: - Sales growth in the auto and home appliance sectors has declined due to strict management of trade-in subsidies [15]. - **Property Market**: - Secondary housing sales showed improvement in August, attributed to incremental easing of property policies in tier-1 cities [18][21]. - **Construction Activity**: - There has been a renewed decline in cement shipments and subdued rebar demand, indicating sluggish construction activities [25][26]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights and implications discussed during the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current economic landscape and sector-specific challenges in China.

Takeaways from your trip to Beijing and Shenzhen Haven. That's the recall, what we discussed about one month ago. Use your liquidity was the driver to feed.We have a thing, some kind of water buffalo farming so that you could eat. Now, the narrative was dominating basically every single speaker on your show in the last month or so. But we have also warned about a month ago the disconnection between fundamentals and the liquidity narrative.August The prints are very soft, high frequency data like how housing ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the **Asia Pacific** economic landscape, focusing on **China's** economic indicators and market sentiment, particularly in relation to **property**, **infrastructure**, and **consumer spending** [1][47]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Growth Trends**: - Growth is slowing in August, with a notable decrease in container ship exports from China to the US, indicating a payback from previous export front-loading [3][4]. - Year-over-year (YoY) exports from China to the US have shown significant declines, with a drop of **-40%** in August 2025 compared to the previous year [4]. 2. **Consumer Market Dynamics**: - Auto and home appliance sales growth has slumped in early August, reflecting a broader trend of weakening consumer demand [6][5]. - The market narrative suggests a shift in household asset allocation towards the stock market, evidenced by a larger-than-seasonal drop in household deposits [22][26]. 3. **Property Market**: - The property market continues to experience a downtrend, with weakening secondary home sales and transaction prices [11][7]. - Weekly secondary home sales have been significantly below the 2019-2023 average, indicating ongoing challenges in the real estate sector [8][11]. 4. **Infrastructure and Fiscal Policy**: - A modest rebound in cement shipments suggests reduced weather disruptions; however, sustainability is questioned due to a reduced fiscal impulse from August [12][13]. - The net government bond financing is projected to be lower in 2025, indicating potential constraints on infrastructure spending [15]. 5. **Market Sentiment and Liquidity**: - Market sentiment remains buoyed by liquidity, with major institutions and retail investors contributing approximately **RMB 1.5-1.7 trillion** inflow to the A-share market in the first half of 2025 [19][20]. - The MSCI China index shows a positive YoY change, supported by increased liquidity [18][19]. 6. **Monetary Policy and Economic Rebalancing**: - The People's Bank of China (PBoC) has reduced the magnitude of net liquidity injections, indicating a shift towards a more cautious monetary policy stance [36][37]. - Structural reforms are deemed necessary to rebalance the economy, focusing on consumption rather than production metrics [43][46]. Additional Important Insights - The current economic narrative includes potential risks such as a sharp growth slowdown or unexpected trade tensions, which could disrupt positive market sentiments [34][32]. - The anticipated fiscal measures include a **RMB 10 trillion** fiscal package aimed at boosting consumption and addressing social welfare [46][29]. - The PBoC's liquidity management strategy is evolving, with a focus on preventing idle funds and ensuring effective use of financial resources [35][37]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, highlighting the challenges and opportunities within the Asia Pacific economic landscape, particularly in China.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the Chinese economy, particularly the outlook for exports and domestic demand in 2025, as discussed by local clients in Beijing and Shanghai, including mutual funds, private equity firms, and asset managers from banks and insurers [1][2]. Core Insights 1. **Export Outlook for H2 2025** - Onshore clients have become more optimistic about H2 2025 exports, citing resilient shipping data and stronger-than-expected global growth outside of China. However, there is caution regarding long-term prospects due to US tariffs impacting demand [2][3]. 2. **Growth Target and Policy Easing** - Clients believe that resilient exports will support the 5% growth target for 2025. However, they anticipate limited incremental easing from policymakers, reflecting a conservative and reactive approach to economic management [3][8]. 3. **Concerns Over Domestic Demand** - Weak July activity data and sluggish loan demand have raised concerns about domestic demand. Adverse weather conditions could negatively impact Q3 investment, and consumption may slow due to renewed weakness in the property sector [3][8]. 4. **Expectations for Fiscal Policies** - Clients expect faster execution of existing fiscal policies, including reported RMB 500 billion in policy financing instruments and targeted support for key areas. Any significant weakness in economic indicators could prompt broader easing measures [3][8]. 5. **PPI and Inflation Outlook** - Clients are cautious about inflation, expecting gradual sector-specific capacity cuts to limit macroeconomic impacts. They anticipate PPI deflation to narrow in the coming months, influenced by base effects, but the demand outlook remains critical for PPI reflation [9]. 6. **Capital Flows and Market Implications** - With a recent equity rally, clients are focusing on capital flows, noting that maturing time deposits could shift into equities. They expect CGB yields to rise further but stabilize at levels around 2.2-2.3% for 30-year CGBs, with liquidity support from regulators to prevent abrupt market movements [10]. 7. **CNY and FX Expectations** - Clients see potential for CNY appreciation but expect USDCNY to remain range-bound without new catalysts, such as USD weakness following Fed rate cuts [10]. Additional Important Insights - The ongoing US-China trade tensions, particularly regarding semiconductors, are being closely monitored by clients, as they could impact the export outlook and overall economic sentiment [2][3]. - The anticipation of a relatively high growth target for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) suggests a long-term commitment to economic growth, potentially setting targets between 4.5% and 5% [8]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call, providing insights into the current economic landscape and expectations for the future.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the macroeconomic outlook for Asia, particularly in relation to exports and capital expenditure trends in the region, as presented by Morgan Stanley's Chief Asia Economist, Chetan Ahya [1][2]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Export Trends**: Asia has experienced two distinct rounds of export front-loading to the US, with nominal goods exports showing signs of consolidation from earlier strength [4][5]. - **Impact of AI and Tariffs**: Asia's tech exports are benefiting from a sustained rise in global AI spending and tariff exemptions, although a slowdown in other areas of global demand is expected to weigh on overall exports [7]. - **Tariff Burden**: Asian exporters are currently not bearing the bulk of the tariff burden, as evidenced by aggregate US import prices from Asia. However, ASEAN exporters have seen sharper price increases compared to their Chinese counterparts, who have offered modest discounts [10]. - **Foreign Exchange Burden**: While Asian exporters are not heavily impacted by tariffs, they are facing some foreign exchange (FX) burdens, as they have not been able to fully offset local currency price drags with USD export price increases [14][16]. - **Capital Expenditure Trends**: There is no clear evidence of a pickup in Asia's foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the US post "Liberation Day," and capital expenditure momentum in Asia has plateaued [19][20]. Additional Important Insights - **China's Economic Strategy**: To meet growth targets and address demand shortfalls, China has increased investment in manufacturing and infrastructure, but broad-based reflation will require a recovery in demand [22]. - **India's Economic Discrepancy**: There is a persistent gap between lower corporate revenue growth and higher nominal GDP growth in India, which has lasted for nine consecutive quarters [24]. - **Japan's Monetary Policy**: The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is expected to maintain a dovish stance due to subdued demand-side inflationary pressures, with domestic demand recovery still in its early stages [28]. Data Highlights - **US Real Capex**: The data shows fluctuations in US real capital expenditure, with private non-residential IT capex experiencing a decline of 1.0% year-over-year as of June 2025 [8]. - **Export Price Changes**: The Asia dollar index appreciated by 4.2%, while the Asia USD export price saw a change of 1.8% from February 2025 to June 2025 [17]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing insights into the current state and future outlook of the Asian economy, particularly in relation to exports and capital expenditure trends.