Group 1 - China will release its trade balance for December 2025 on January 14, with total goods trade value for the first 11 months reaching 41.21 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.6%. Exports were 24.46 trillion yuan, up 6.2%, while imports were 16.75 trillion yuan, up 0.2% [1] - In November 2025, China's goods trade showed a recovery with a total value of 3.9 trillion yuan, growing by 4.1%. Exports were 2.35 trillion yuan, increasing by 5.7%, and imports were 1.55 trillion yuan, rising by 1.7% [1] - Financial data for December 2025 is expected to be released next week, with November's data showing M2 and social financing growth rates remaining high, supporting a favorable monetary environment for economic recovery [1] Group 2 - The U.S. will release its December 2025 CPI data on January 13, with November's CPI showing a year-on-year increase of 2.7% and core CPI at 2.6%. This has led to market adjustments regarding the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate cuts in 2026 [2] - Several industry conferences are scheduled, including the second China eVTOL Innovation Development Conference from January 15-16, 2026, in Shanghai, focusing on the theme of "Innovation Leading, Smartly Opening a New Commercial Era for eVTOL" [2] Group 3 - Over 480 billion yuan worth of restricted shares will be unlocked in the A-share market next week, with 23 stocks facing unlocks, including Zhongke Lanyun, which has over 10 billion yuan in restricted shares [3][4][5] Group 4 - Two new stocks will be issued next week: Aisheren on January 12, priced at 15.98 yuan, and Hengyunchang on January 16, listed on the Sci-Tech Innovation Board [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese yen is expected to appreciate against the US dollar for the first time in five years by 2025, primarily due to the decline in US dollar credit, although it remains weak against other currencies [2][4]. Group 1: Yen Exchange Rate Trends - As of December 30, 2025, the exchange rate is 1 USD to 155.97 JPY, showing an appreciation of approximately 1.90 JPY (1% increase) compared to the same time in 2024 [4]. - The yen's appreciation against the dollar is attributed to the depreciation of the dollar, while it continues to depreciate against other major currencies, indicating that a true shift to a yen appreciation phase is not yet realized [8][10]. - The yen reached its highest point of the year at 139.80 JPY per USD on April 22, 2025, following the announcement of a reciprocal tariff policy by the US government [6]. Group 2: Monetary Policy and Economic Implications - The Bank of Japan raised its policy interest rate by 0.5% in 2025, reaching the highest level in approximately 27 years, which narrows the long-term interest rate gap between Japan and the US [10]. - Despite the interest rate hike, the yen has not transitioned to an appreciation phase, as the government's active fiscal policies may undermine the effects of the Bank of Japan's rate increase [10][11]. - Predictions suggest that by December 2026, the yen may depreciate again to around 160 JPY per USD, depending on the trajectory of US monetary policy [10][11].

Group 1: Report Title and Date - The report is titled "Rise and Fall, Consolidating for Momentum - Guoxin Futures Non-ferrous (Nickel) Weekly Report" dated January 11, 2026 [2][3] Group 2: Table of Contents - The report includes sections on market review, fundamental analysis, and outlook for the future [4] Group 3: Market Review - This section presents the price trend of the nickel futures main contract [7] Group 4: Fundamental Analysis - Upstream: It shows the port inventory of nickel ore in China [12] - Midstream: It includes the prices of electrolytic nickel, nickel sulfate, and 8 - 12% nickel - iron, as well as the monthly import volume of nickel - iron [15][18][20] - Downstream: It covers the price, position, and inventory of stainless steel, as well as the production of power and energy - storage batteries and new energy vehicles [22][30][32] Group 5: Outlook for the Future - In the US, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the third time in December 2025, with the federal funds rate target range at 3.50% - 3.75%. The GDP growth rate in Q3 2025 was 4.3%. There are differences in views on future interest - rate cuts, and the market is concerned about the new Fed chair. The probabilities of different interest - rate scenarios are provided. In China, the manufacturing PMI in December 2025 was 50.1%, and the central bank will implement a moderately loose monetary policy in 2026 [38] - The Shanghai nickel futures showed a rise - and - fall trend this week. Nickel inventory is at a high level. The 2026 RKAB quota in Indonesia may be 2.5 billion tons, lower than in 2025. Indonesian nickel - iron production in December remained high, with large supply pressure. Stainless - steel demand enters the off - season, but production has increased due to price hikes. The expected operating range of the Shanghai nickel main contract is 130,000 - 150,000 yuan/ton, and that of the stainless - steel main contract is 12,800 - 14,200 yuan/ton [38]

Group 1: Liquidity Overview - The liquidity environment has turned loose as expected at the beginning of the year, with the overnight rate (R001) stabilizing around 1.33% in the first week of January[1] - Despite a significant net withdrawal of 1.72 trillion yuan in the first week, liquidity pressures have led to a gradual increase in funding rates, reaching 1.35% by Friday[1] - The 7-day funding rate (R007) fluctuated, initially rising to 1.53% before returning to a downward trend, closing at 1.52%[1] Group 2: Market Outlook - The liquidity is expected to remain stable and loose until the tax period impact becomes evident after January 16, with overnight rates likely to hover around 1.35%[2] - The upcoming week will see a low maturity pressure in the open market, with only 138.7 billion yuan in reverse repos maturing, significantly lower than the average of over 1 trillion yuan in 2025[3] - The estimated net tax payment for the upcoming week is projected at -531 billion yuan, indicating a mild impact on liquidity[5] Group 3: Bill Market and Government Bonds - In the bill market, rates have risen, with 1-month bills increasing by 159 basis points to 1.60% and 3-month bills up by 100 basis points to 1.50%[4] - The government bond net payment for January 12-16 is estimated at -931 billion yuan, a significant decrease from the previous week's 4.327 trillion yuan[5] - The total issuance of government bonds is expected to be 2.372 billion yuan, with a notable reduction in the issuance volume compared to the previous week[5] Group 4: Interbank Certificates of Deposit - The maturity pressure for interbank certificates of deposit is set to rise, with 833.9 billion yuan maturing next week, up from 332.8 billion yuan the previous week[6] - The overall maturity for January 2026 is projected at 2.3 trillion yuan, significantly higher than the seasonal average of 1.1-1.4 trillion yuan from 2021-2025[6] - The weighted issuance term for interbank certificates of deposit has increased to 7.5 months, indicating a shift in funding strategies among banks[6]

Core Viewpoint - The likelihood of China's monetary policy adopting a "small step" approach is high, especially in the face of uncertainties [1]. Group 1: Monetary Policy Mechanism - Monetary policy generally targets short to medium-term goals and requires a "step-by-step" approach during uncertain times [3]. - The transmission mechanism of monetary policy is more complex than that of fiscal policy, with a longer transmission path [3]. - China's monetary policy transmission mechanism has evolved to include a sequence from policy interest rates (OMO rates) to loan market quotation rates (LPR) and then to actual loan rates [3]. Group 2: Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR) and Interest Rates - RRR cuts are preferred over interest rate cuts as they increase the funds available for commercial banks, supporting active fiscal policies [5]. - Since 2016, the RRR has been adjusted downwards 23 times, with a cumulative decrease of 8.5 percentage points for large deposit-taking financial institutions [5]. - The net interest margin for commercial banks was 1.42% as of Q3 2025, indicating pressure on banks' profitability [6]. Group 3: Future Monetary Policy Outlook - There is still room for interest rate cuts, especially given the low inflation and high real interest rates in China [8]. - The external environment for interest rate cuts has improved, with the Federal Reserve having cut rates by a total of 75 basis points in 2025, while China's policy rate was only reduced by 10 basis points [8]. - Structural monetary policy tools can be used to lower interest rates, particularly to support technological innovation and weaker economic sectors [8]. Group 4: Fiscal Policy Considerations - The 2025 Central Economic Work Conference emphasized maintaining necessary fiscal deficits and total debt levels, suggesting that the expansionary fiscal policy will continue into 2026 [8]. - It is suggested that China could raise its fiscal deficit ratio to create conditions for more active fiscal policies, diverging from the Maastricht Treaty guideline of a 3% deficit ratio [8].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that China's monetary policy is likely to adopt a "small step" approach due to various uncertainties, requiring a cautious and gradual implementation [2] - Monetary policy generally targets short- to medium-term goals and operates indirectly, relying on the cooperation of the private sector, commercial banks, and the entire financial system [2] - The transmission mechanism of monetary policy is more complex than that of fiscal policy, with a longer transmission pathway, making it difficult for the central bank to control every aspect precisely [2] Group 2 - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) is enhancing the role of policy interest rates and utilizing various liquidity support tools to effectively stabilize short-term market fluctuations [2] - A reduction in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) is preferred over interest rate cuts, as it increases the funds available for commercial banks to support active fiscal policies [3] - Since 2016, the RRR has been adjusted downwards 23 times, with a cumulative decrease of 8.5 percentage points for large deposit-taking financial institutions [3] Group 3 - There is still room for interest rate cuts, as current low inflation and high real interest rates provide a favorable external environment for such actions [3][4] - Structural monetary policy tools can be used to guide credit structure adjustments, focusing on supporting technological innovation and economically weaker sectors [4] - The central economic work conference in 2025 indicated that the fiscal policy will maintain an expansionary tone, with expectations of a continued increase in the fiscal deficit rate to create conditions for active fiscal policies [4]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint presented by Sheng Songcheng is that China's monetary policy is likely to adopt a "small step" approach, with a preference for reserve requirement ratio (RRR) cuts over interest rate reductions, while still allowing for some flexibility in both areas [1][2] - Sheng emphasizes that the monetary policy transmission mechanism in China is complex and relies heavily on the cooperation of commercial banks and the financial system, making it difficult for the central bank to precisely control changes at each stage of the transmission [1] - The central bank's toolbox for monetary policy has been expanding, with various liquidity support tools and secondary market treasury transactions being utilized to manage liquidity and stabilize interest rate fluctuations [2] Group 2 - Sheng argues that RRR cuts are more beneficial than interest rate cuts, as they increase the funds available for commercial banks, thereby better supporting proactive fiscal policies [2] - Since 2016, the statutory RRR has been cut 23 times, reducing the RRR for large deposit-taking financial institutions from 17.5% to 9%, a total decrease of 8.5 percentage points, while the policy interest rate has only been adjusted 14 times [2] - The current net interest margin of commercial banks is at a historical low of 1.42%, significantly down from over 3.5% in 2008, indicating that large interest rate cuts could further pressure banks' operations [3]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint emphasizes that macroeconomic policies are crucial for maintaining stable economic operations and advancing high-quality development in China [1] - In 2025, China will implement a more proactive fiscal policy for the first time in 14 years, alongside a moderately loose monetary policy, to support economic recovery [1] - The 2026 macroeconomic policy will focus on stability while seeking progress, enhancing quality and efficiency, and integrating existing and new policies to improve governance effectiveness [1] Group 2 - The proactive fiscal policy will include increased deficit rates, larger government bond issuance, and enhanced transfer payments to local governments to support growth, structural adjustments, and risk prevention [2] - There is a need to address local fiscal difficulties by establishing mechanisms for increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, ensuring the sustainability of fiscal policies [2] - The national public budget expenditure for 2025 is projected to reach 29.7 trillion yuan, with 10.3 trillion yuan allocated for transfers to local governments, highlighting the tight fiscal environment [3] Group 3 - The monetary policy in 2025 will involve timely reductions in reserve requirements and interest rates, providing a favorable financial environment for economic recovery [4] - The central economic work conference emphasizes the importance of stabilizing economic growth and ensuring reasonable price increases as key considerations for monetary policy [4] - A variety of monetary policy tools will be employed flexibly to support the real economy while maintaining financial system health [4] Group 4 - The effectiveness of macroeconomic policies relies on precise implementation, enhancing the financial service quality for key sectors such as domestic demand expansion and technological innovation [5] - There is a growing need to balance internal and external economic relationships, ensuring the stability of the RMB exchange rate [5] - The complexity of the current economic environment necessitates a coherent approach to policy-making to avoid conflicting effects and enhance market expectations [5] Group 5 - Strengthening policy coordination and consistency is essential to prevent issues like "composite fallacy" or "decomposition fallacy" in macroeconomic governance [6] - The integration of fiscal and monetary policies, along with reform measures, is crucial for achieving consistent macroeconomic policy outcomes [6] - Effective management of market expectations and timely communication with the public are vital for boosting social confidence in the economy [6]

Employment Data Overview - December non-farm payrolls increased by 50,000, below the expected 60,000, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.4%[2] - The labor force participation rate declined to 62.4%, which statistically suppresses the unemployment rate, diluting its actual significance[4] Employment Sector Insights - Private sector added 37,000 jobs, with leisure and hospitality, and education and healthcare contributing 88,000 jobs combined, significantly boosting overall non-farm employment[14] - Job losses were evident in the goods-producing sectors, with construction, manufacturing, and mining losing 11,000, 8,000, and 2,000 jobs respectively, indicating weakening demand in the real economy[14] Wage Trends - Average hourly earnings in the service sector rose by 3.7% year-on-year, while goods-producing sectors saw a 4.1% increase, driven more by structural factors than by demand[20] - The increase in average wages reflects a structural effect where low-wage positions are being eliminated, raising the average wage of remaining employees[20] Monetary Policy Outlook - The probability of a rate cut in January is near zero, with the Federal Reserve likely to maintain a cautious stance due to the current employment and inflation dynamics[24] - The Fed's policy decisions will be influenced by upcoming inflation data and potential changes in the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) membership, which could reshape market expectations[24]

Group 1 - The core argument is that monetary policy can expand domestic demand by changing the interaction behaviors of countless micro-individuals, focusing on altering market expectations and ensuring that businesses and residents can calculate their benefits [2][9][16] - The effectiveness of monetary policy relies on the central bank's commitment to a clear inflation target and significantly lowering policy interest rates to stimulate investment and consumption [2][10][16] - Historical examples, such as the actions taken by the Federal Reserve during the 2008 financial crisis and the Bank of Japan under Kuroda, illustrate how aggressive monetary policies can lead to economic recovery and increased consumer confidence [4][6][7][16] Group 2 - In China, the economy faces challenges of insufficient demand, with private fixed asset investment experiencing negative growth for the first time since 2005, indicating a lack of confidence among businesses and consumers [13][14] - The low return on assets (ROA) for listed companies and the minimal difference between ROA and long-term financing rates suggest that investment attractiveness is currently very low, impacting private investment decisions [15] - The current housing market dynamics show that despite low mortgage rates, the negative growth in housing prices makes buying less attractive compared to renting, which puts downward pressure on property prices [15][16]