Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights a significant decline in the UK consumer confidence index, marking the first drop in nearly three years, attributed to increased concerns over job security and high inflation [1][2] - Deloitte's survey indicates that the consumer confidence index fell by 2.6 percentage points to 10.4% in Q2 2024, the lowest level since Q1 2024 [1] - Concerns over a slowing labor market are leading consumers to worry about job security and income growth, compounded by high inflation and living costs affecting attitudes towards personal debt [1] Group 2 - Companies are reportedly less willing to hire due to three main factors: increased employment taxes, higher minimum wages, and potential legal changes that would make it harder to dismiss new employees [1] - The unemployment rate in the UK rose to 4.7%, the highest level since 2021, while inflation in June reached 3.6%, the highest since January 2024 [1] - GfK's consumer sentiment survey presents a slightly different picture, showing a decline in consumer confidence in the latter half of last year, but a rebound to the highest level since December last month [1][2] Group 3 - Deloitte's survey involved 3,200 consumers conducted between June 13 and June 16, focusing on six key issues related to employment security, job opportunities, income, debt, children's welfare, and overall health and well-being [2] - Another economic survey indicated a 3.9 percentage point increase, although it remains 18.4 percentage points lower than a year ago [2] - Deloitte's chief economist noted that while economic activity has slowed in recent months, rising business confidence suggests resilience in the economy amid geopolitical uncertainties [2]

This Week's Key Focus - On July 21 at 09:15, the People's Bank of China is expected to announce that the 1-year LPR remains at 3.00% and the 5-year LPR at 3.50% [2][4] - On July 24 at 20:15, the European Central Bank will announce its interest rate decision, with an expected unchanged benchmark rate [2][15] - On July 25 at 20:30, the US Department of Commerce will release the preliminary value of June's durable goods orders [2] - On July 27 at 09:30, China's National Bureau of Statistics will announce June's industrial enterprise profits, with the previous value showing a 9.1% year-on-year decline and a 1.1% cumulative decline from January to May [2][19] - Other factors such as domestic macro - policy changes, international trade and tariff wars, international geopolitical situations, and speeches by US President Trump and Fed officials may impact the futures market [2] This Week's Hotspot Preview July 21 - At 10:00, the State Council Information Office will hold a press conference on the achievements of building a transportation powerhouse during the '14th Five - Year Plan' [3] July 22 - At 15:00, the State Council Information Office will hold a press conference on the first - half 2025 foreign exchange revenue and expenditure data [5] - At 20:30, Fed Chair Powell will give a welcome speech at a regulatory meeting, a rare 'live speech during the quiet period' [8] July 23 - At 22:00, the EU Statistics Bureau will release the preliminary value of the eurozone's July consumer confidence index, expected to be - 14.5 [9] - At 22:00, the US National Association of Realtors will announce June's existing home sales, with an expected annualized total of 4 million households and an annualized monthly rate of - 0.7%. Lower values may suppress non - ferrous metal futures prices [10] - At 22:30, the EIA will announce the change in US crude oil inventories for the week ending July 18. A continued decline may boost crude oil and related commodity futures [11] July 24 - At 9:30, the National Bureau of Statistics will announce the mid - July market prices of important production materials [12] - At 16:00, S&P Global will release the preliminary value of the eurozone's July SPGI manufacturing PMI, expected to be 49.8. A slight increase may slightly boost non - ferrous metal futures prices [13] - At 20:15, the European Central Bank will announce its interest rate decision, followed by a press conference by President Lagarde at 20:45 [15] - At 20:30, the US Department of Labor will announce the number of initial jobless claims for the week ending July 19, expected to be 215,000. A slight decrease may slightly boost non - gold and non - silver industrial product futures but suppress gold and silver futures [14] - At 21:45, S&P Global will release the preliminary value of the US July SPGI manufacturing PMI, expected to be 53.5. A slight increase may slightly boost non - ferrous metal futures prices [16] - At 22:00, the US Department of Commerce will announce June's new home sales, with an expected seasonally adjusted annualized total of 650,000 households and an annualized monthly rate of 4.3%. Higher values may boost non - ferrous metal futures prices but suppress gold and silver futures prices [17] July 25 - At 20:30, the US Department of Commerce will announce the preliminary monthly rate of June's durable goods orders, expected to be - 11%. A significant decrease may suppress non - ferrous metal futures but boost gold and silver futures [18] July 27 - At 09:30, China's National Bureau of Statistics will announce June's industrial enterprise profits [19]

Group 1 - The G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting was held in Durban, South Africa, where China's deputy finance minister stated that the country will implement a more proactive fiscal policy and expand high-level opening-up in the second half of the year [1] - The U.S. House of Representatives passed a defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026 totaling approximately $832 billion, which supports missile defense, weapon procurement, and research, including the development of the "Iron Dome" space-based missile defense system [1] - U.S. Treasury Secretary Becerra privately advised President Trump against firing Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, citing potential economic, political, and legal consequences, and mentioned that the Fed might lower interest rates twice before the end of the year [1] Group 2 - Japan's ruling coalition, consisting of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, lost its majority in the House of Councillors during the 27th election, marking the first time since its establishment in 1955 that the LDP failed to secure a majority in both houses of the National Diet [2] - Japan's core CPI fell to 3.3% year-on-year in June, remaining above the central bank's target for 39 consecutive months, while the "core-core" CPI rose to 3.4% [5] Group 3 - The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.32% to 44,342.19 points, while the S&P 500 index decreased by 0.01% to 6,296.79 points; the Nasdaq Composite Index rose by 0.05% to 20,895.66 points, marking its fifth consecutive increase and a new historical high [6] - COMEX gold futures fell by 0.25% to $3,355.50 per ounce, and COMEX silver futures dropped by 1.36% to $38.43 per ounce [7] - U.S. oil futures fell by 3.54% to $66.03 per barrel, while Brent crude oil futures decreased by 1.61% to $69.23 per barrel [8]

Group 1 - The consumer confidence index in the U.S. rose to 61.8 in July, the highest level in nearly five months, reflecting a 1.8% increase from June's 60.7, but a 6.9% decrease year-over-year [1][2] - The index for current conditions increased to 66.8, up 3.1% month-over-month and 6.5% year-over-year, while the future expectations index rose to 58.6%, a 0.9% increase month-over-month but a 14.8% decrease year-over-year [1] - Consumer inflation expectations for the next year decreased to 4.4%, down 0.6 percentage points from June, and for the next five years, it fell to 3.6%, down 0.4 percentage points, marking the lowest expectations since February [1] Group 2 - Despite the increase in consumer confidence, it remains 16% lower than the December figures and significantly below historical averages, indicating ongoing concerns about inflation and economic stability [2] - The report suggests that consumer confidence is contingent on stable future inflation conditions, with external factors like trade policies playing a crucial role [2] - Recent government policies, such as the "big and beautiful" tax and spending bill, have had minimal impact on consumer confidence, highlighting the complexity of consumer sentiment in relation to policy changes [2]

Core Insights - The preliminary data from the University of Michigan indicates that the U.S. consumer confidence index rose to its highest level in five months, reaching 61.8 in July, up from 60.7 in June, although it remains below most levels from the previous year [1] - Inflation expectations have decreased, with respondents anticipating a 4.4% increase in prices over the next year, down from 5% the previous month, marking the lowest level since February [1] - Concerns about the economic outlook persist, particularly regarding uncertainties related to tariffs, which continue to limit overall optimism [1] Consumer Sentiment - The current conditions index increased from 64.8 to 66.8, while the expectations index slightly rose to 58.6, driven mainly by improved sentiment among Republican supporters and independent voters [2] - The recent rise in consumer confidence may reflect a perception that the worst-case scenarios feared in April and May have eased [1][2] - Consumers' views on their financial situation have improved, potentially influenced by a rising stock market [1]

Group 1 - The yield on U.S. Treasury bonds slightly declined after the release of the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index [1] - The 10-year Treasury yield fell by 3.3 basis points to 4.43% [1] - The 2-year Treasury yield decreased by 4.2 basis points to 3.875% [1]

Group 1 - The preliminary consumer confidence index for July from the University of Michigan is reported at 61.8, which exceeds the expected value of 61.5 and is an increase from the previous value of 60.7 [1]

Group 1 - The University of Michigan's Consumer Confidence Index for July is set to be released shortly, along with the preliminary one-year inflation expectations [1]

Group 1 - Silver futures are currently trading above 9204, with an opening price of 9110 and a current price of 9213, reflecting a 0.70% increase [1] - The highest price reached today is 9244, while the lowest is 9095, indicating a short-term bullish trend in silver futures [1] - The analysis suggests that silver will benefit more than gold from the anticipated easing of monetary policy, with a recommended trading range for the main silver contract set between 9020 and 10000 per kilogram [4] Group 2 - AMP's chief economist Shane Oliver indicates that Australia's unemployment rate has risen to its highest level since the pandemic, supporting the view that the Reserve Bank of Australia should lower interest rates [3] - The basic forecast from AMP predicts rate cuts in August, November, February, and May of the following year, with the potential for quicker policy easing due to weak employment data [3] - The initial consumer confidence index for July from the University of Michigan is expected to rise to 61.5 from June's final value of 60.7, with inflation expectations also being closely monitored [3]

Macro Economic Group - The U.S. retail sales in June increased by 0.6% month-on-month, reversing a two-month decline, with the previous values being -0.9% in May and -0.1% in April, exceeding most economists' expectations [4] - Core retail sales, excluding automobiles and parts, also rose by 0.5% in June, compared to -0.2% in the previous month [4] - The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index for June was reported at 60.7, up from 52.2, but still significantly lower than the December level of 74, indicating a divergence between subjective and objective economic indicators [4] Advanced Manufacturing Group - Tesla announced the new Model Y L, a luxury electric SUV with dimensions of 4.976 meters in length, 1.92 meters in width, and 1.668 meters in height, seating six passengers, expected to launch in Q3 with a price around 400,000 yuan [7] - The Model Y L is seen as a strategic response to sales pressure and market segmentation, aiming to capture the high-end family market while reinforcing Tesla's technological moat in the long term [7] - The new model is expected to impact competitors like Li Auto, NIO, and Xpeng, particularly in the high-end market segment, and will benefit suppliers in battery technology, casting a positive outlook on companies like CATL [8] Consumer Group - Youyi Foods projected a revenue of 746 to 798 million yuan for the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 40.9% to 50.8%, with net profit expected to be between 105 to 112 million yuan, a growth of 37.9% to 47.6% [10] - The second quarter revenue is anticipated to be between 363 to 415 million yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 42.7% to 63.2%, and net profit growth of 66.5% to 88.8% [10] - The company's growth is closely linked to channel expansion and new product performance, with significant sales from new products in the Sam's Club channel and a strong online sales growth trend [10]