Global Economic Overview - The global economy is experiencing a slowdown with diverging growth rates and increasing inflation disparities, leading to differentiated monetary policies across countries [1][3] - The US aims to attract industrial investment through high tariffs, a small government, low tax rates, and low oil prices, while China plans to moderately expand fiscal stimulus and support for households [1][3] United States - The US GDP growth is projected to decline from 2% in the first half of the year to 1.3% in Q3 and 1% in Q4, with a further drop to 1.6% in 2025 [1][4] - Unemployment is expected to rise from 4.2% to 4.5% by year-end, while inflation is anticipated to rebound slightly before gradually decreasing [1][6] - The Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates twice in Q4, with the 10-year Treasury yield forecasted to decrease from 4.5% to 4.1% by year-end [1][9] United Kingdom - The UK economy is forecasted to slow down, with GDP growth decreasing from 1.3% in Q1 to 0.9% in Q4, and a projected decline to 1% in 2025 [1][14] - Inflation is expected to rise initially before declining, with CPI growth peaking at 3.6% in Q3 and falling to 3.2% in Q4 [1][17] - The Bank of England may lower interest rates once in Q4 and twice in the following year, with the 10-year government bond yield expected to decrease from 4.6% to 4.35% by year-end [1][21] Eurozone - The Eurozone is also facing economic slowdown, with GDP growth projected to fall from 1.5% in Q1 to 0.9% in Q4, and a slight recovery to 1.2% in 2026 [1][1] - Inflation is expected to decrease, with CPI growth declining from 2.3% in Q1 to 1.8% in Q4 [1][1] - The European Central Bank is anticipated to cut interest rates once in the second half of the year, with the 10-year AAA bond yield expected to rise from 2.75% to 2.9% by year-end [1][1] Japan - Japan's economy is projected to slow down, with GDP growth decreasing from 1.7% in Q1 to 0.4% in Q4, and a slight recovery to 0.9% in 2025 [1][1] - Inflation is expected to decline, with CPI growth falling from 3.8% in Q1 to 2.1% in Q4 [1][1] - The Bank of Japan is likely to delay interest rate hikes until January 2026, with the 10-year government bond yield expected to rise from 1.57% to 1.7% by year-end [1][1] China - China's GDP growth is forecasted to decrease from 5.4% in Q1 to 4.6% in Q4, with a further decline to 4.9% in 2025 [1][1] - Inflation is expected to fluctuate, with CPI growth projected to drop to -0.2% in Q3 before rising to 1% in Q4 [1][1] - The Chinese government plans to moderately expand fiscal stimulus, with a broad deficit rate expected to rise from 6.6% in 2024 to 9% in 2026 [1][1]

Summary of the Conference Call Industry or Company Involved - The conference call primarily involves discussions between the United States and China regarding trade negotiations and economic relations, focusing on tariffs, trade agreements, and economic policies. Core Points and Arguments 1. **Continuation of Tariff Suspension**: China and the U.S. have agreed to extend the suspension of certain tariffs and countermeasures, as stated by China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Li Chenggang, following a consensus reached during the talks [1][1][1]. 2. **Progress in Negotiations**: U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent noted that the Stockholm talks built upon previous discussions in London and Geneva, indicating a constructive dialogue and progress in trade agreements [4][4][4]. 3. **Concerns Over China's Economic Practices**: The U.S. expressed concerns about China's overcapacity in global markets and its purchase of Iranian oil, which has reportedly decreased by about 90% [5][5][5]. 4. **Trade Deficit and Manufacturing Goals**: The U.S. reiterated its goals to reduce trade deficits and bring manufacturing back to the U.S., emphasizing that these objectives are supported by many trade partners [6][6][6]. 5. **Strategic Industries and Risk Reduction**: Discussions included the need to reduce risks in strategic industries such as rare earths and semiconductors, with a focus on ensuring a balanced relationship between the two economies [9][9][9]. 6. **China's Economic Model Shift**: The U.S. urged China to transition towards a consumption-based economy rather than relying heavily on manufacturing, which is seen as unsustainable [12][12][12]. 7. **Tariff Levels and Future Implications**: Current tariffs are at 34%, with potential increases discussed. The U.S. administration retains the discretion to adjust these rates based on ongoing negotiations [20][20][20]. 8. **Impact of Global Trade Agreements**: The recent EU trade agreements were noted to influence the dynamics of U.S.-China negotiations, with the U.S. leveraging its relationships with other trading partners [45][45][45]. Other Important but Possibly Overlooked Content 1. **Internal Review of National Security**: The U.S. emphasized that any decisions regarding export controls would undergo thorough internal review by various government departments, ensuring no conflicts of interest [11][11][11]. 2. **Potential for Future Meetings**: While there was no discussion of a summit between the two leaders during the call, the groundwork for future meetings was acknowledged, with a focus on maintaining open lines of communication [27][27][27]. 3. **China's Sovereignty in Energy Decisions**: The U.S. acknowledged China's stance on its energy needs, particularly regarding oil purchases from Iran and Russia, indicating a respect for China's sovereignty in these matters [36][36][36]. 4. **Economic Recovery in the U.S.**: Bessent highlighted that the U.S. economy is recovering, with significant reductions in inflation observed, countering concerns that tariffs might negatively impact economic growth [30][30][30]. 5. **Long-term Economic Adjustments**: The U.S. anticipates that external pressures, such as tariffs, may be necessary to prompt China to make significant economic adjustments towards a more balanced economic model [47][47][47].

Industry Insights - The Chinese stock market is experiencing a pullback, with sectors such as consumer discretionary, information technology, and finance leading the decline, while energy, consumer staples, and telecommunications sectors with high dividend yields are rising [2] - The political bureau meeting has set the tone for the second half of the year, focusing on boosting consumption and addressing internal competition, signaling a shift towards economic rebalancing [2][3] - The global AI glasses market is expected to grow significantly, with Ray-Ban Meta showing strong sales performance and Xiaomi setting ambitious shipment targets, indicating a robust growth trajectory for the AI glasses supply chain [3] Company Insights - New Oriental reported a 19% year-on-year increase in net revenue for Q4 FY25, reaching $1.09 billion, exceeding company guidance, while non-GAAP net profit grew by 59% to $98 million, driven by cost optimization measures [4] - For FY26, New Oriental anticipates total revenue growth of 5%-10%, reaching between $5.15 billion and $5.39 billion, which is below consensus expectations due to macroeconomic uncertainties and increased competition [4] - The target price for New Oriental has been adjusted down to $70 from a previous $76, maintaining a "Buy" rating despite the downward revision in revenue forecasts [4]

Core Points - The underlying reason and strategic intent of the Trump administration's tariff war is to achieve economic rebalancing, which has been difficult due to conflicting policy goals within the U.S. [1] - The U.S. has experienced a long history of economic imbalance and attempts at rebalancing, with significant events such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic impacting these efforts [2] Industry Structure - Before 2008, the U.S. faced severe deindustrialization, with manufacturing jobs declining by 33% over ten years, reaching approximately 11.51 million by the end of 2009 [3] - From 2008 to 2019, the U.S. government focused on revitalizing manufacturing and high-tech industries, resulting in a rise in manufacturing employment to about 12.8 million by the end of 2019 [3] - The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this recovery, leading to a drop in manufacturing jobs to 11.68 million in Q2 2020, with a slow recovery thereafter [3] Trade Sector - The U.S. has historically faced a trade deficit, with the current account deficit reaching approximately $816.6 billion in 2006, accounting for 5.91% of GDP [4] - The trade deficit improved somewhat from 2008 to 2019 due to various government policies aimed at curbing imports and promoting exports, but it has since widened again, with a projected current account deficit of $1.1336 trillion in 2024 [4] - The U.S. has a significant reliance on imports for labor-intensive and some capital-intensive products, which has hindered balanced economic growth [4] Savings and Investment Structure - Prior to 2008, the U.S. exhibited high consumption and low savings, with a savings-investment gap peaking during the financial crisis [5] - The U.S. savings rate rebounded to 20% by 2015 but has since declined to 17% by 2024, while the investment rate has increased, leading to a widening savings-investment gap of $1.29 trillion [5] - The U.S. external debt reached $27.6 trillion by the end of 2024, constituting 93% of GDP, indicating a reliance on international financing [5] Challenges in Achieving Economic Rebalancing - The U.S. faces inherent contradictions in its economic rebalancing policies, which have not fundamentally altered the comparative disadvantages of its manufacturing sector [6] - The strong dollar and the U.S.'s ability to purchase goods globally have perpetuated trade deficits, as the country can print dollars to meet domestic demand [7] - Excessive government spending has counteracted improvements in trade deficits that could have resulted from increased household savings [8] - The mismatch between demand expansion and supply chain recovery during the pandemic has exacerbated trade imbalances, leading to a significant increase in the goods trade deficit [9] Potential Policy Directions Post-Tariff War - The U.S. may continue to use tariffs as leverage in negotiations with China, potentially fluctuating tariff rates based on trade discussions [10] - There is a possibility that the U.S. will seek support from other countries for U.S. debt and may consider debt restructuring to alleviate fiscal pressures [11] - The U.S. might intervene in foreign exchange policies to seek a weaker dollar while also exploring the inclusion of cryptocurrencies in its reserves to bolster confidence in the dollar [11] - The U.S. is likely to implement differentiated tariffs and create trade blocs to counter China's influence, aligning with allied nations to reshape global supply chains [12]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the need for economic rebalancing in China to address the downward pressure on prices and achieve re-inflation, emphasizing the importance of both supply-side and demand-side reforms to stimulate economic growth and improve asset returns [2][5][10]. Economic Rebalancing - The current state of China's economy is characterized by stable quantity but declining prices, necessitating a rebalancing of supply and demand to reverse price declines and achieve re-inflation [5][10]. - The Central Economic Committee's recent meetings indicate a push for orderly exit of outdated production capacity, signaling the potential advancement of supply-side reforms [6][10]. Internal and External Imbalances - China's external imbalance is reflected in a trade surplus, projected to be 5.2% of GDP in 2024, while internal imbalances manifest in mismatches between savings and investment, as well as consumption and production [11][13]. - The consumer rate in China has increased from a low of 34% in 2010 to 39% in 2023, indicating a gradual improvement in domestic consumption [6]. Supply-Side Reform and "Anti-Involution" - The article highlights the concept of "anti-involution," which aims to combat low-quality, price-cutting competition among firms, a significant issue in various industries including steel, cement, and automotive [15][17]. - The government is focusing on creating a unified market and eliminating local protectionism to enhance supply efficiency, which requires coordination with demand-side policies [17]. Industry Performance and Market Outlook - The stock market has shown structural trends, with A-shares reflecting valuation changes rather than earnings growth, as indicated by declining revenue and profit growth rates among listed companies [6][25]. - The article suggests that a recovery in the Producer Price Index (PPI) could signal a turnaround in corporate profitability, supported by new consumption and technological advancements [7][25]. Economic Growth Projections - The article projects that China's GDP growth could reach around 5% during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, contingent on effective macroeconomic policies and a rebound in consumer spending [22][45]. - The anticipated economic growth is expected to be supported by fiscal policies, including potential subsidies for child-rearing to stimulate consumption [43][47]. Inflation and Monetary Policy - The article notes that inflation remains weak, with the PPI experiencing a continuous decline, which may prompt further monetary easing, including potential interest rate cuts [40][48]. - The expected depreciation of the yuan against the dollar may also influence export performance, with a projected 5% growth in exports for the year [45][49].

Core Viewpoint - The A-share market has entered a bullish phase, driven by various positive factors including policy changes and economic stabilization, with significant movements in major indices and stocks [1][4]. Group 1: Market Performance - A-shares experienced a significant rally, with the CSI 300 index rising by 1% and the Shanghai Composite Index increasing by 0.92%, indicating a strong market volume [1]. - The A50 index saw a sharp increase, particularly after 9:50 AM, suggesting a bullish technical indicator [1]. - Major blue-chip stocks showed resilience, with only three out of the top 33 stocks declining [2]. Group 2: Sector Analysis - Bank stocks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China, reached historical highs, reflecting strong expectations for stability in their fundamentals [2]. - The brokerage sector also saw significant gains, with multiple stocks hitting their daily limits, indicating robust investor interest [2]. Group 3: External Influences - The A-share market's surge occurred despite a downturn in global stock index futures, highlighting its relative strength [3]. - External factors such as potential tariffs announced by Trump and geopolitical tensions have not adversely affected the A-share market, which has shown increased buying activity in large-cap stocks [3]. Group 4: Economic Outlook - The current bullish trend is attributed to increasing certainty in the market, driven by policies aimed at reducing internal competition and stabilizing the economy [4]. - Analysts suggest that the upcoming significant events and a favorable trade environment between China and the U.S. provide a clear window for bullish market activity [4]. Group 5: Global Market Sentiment - Goldman Sachs has raised its outlook for Asian equities, citing a more favorable macroeconomic environment and increased certainty regarding tariffs [5]. - The MSCI Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) index target was increased by 3%, indicating a projected 9% return in USD terms over the next 12 months [5].

Group 1: Economic Rebalancing - The current state of China's economy is characterized by a need for internal and external rebalancing, with a focus on addressing supply-demand imbalances to alleviate downward price pressures and achieve re-inflation[15] - The trade surplus as a percentage of GDP is projected to be 5.2% in 2024, indicating a persistent external imbalance[19] - The consumer spending rate in China has increased from 34% in 2010 to 39% in 2023, but still lags behind developed economies, necessitating further reforms to boost consumption[15] Group 2: Policy and Market Outlook - The macroeconomic forecast for 2025 predicts a GDP growth rate of 5.1%, consistent with the 2024 growth rate, with nominal GDP expected to grow by 4.2%[3] - A potential interest rate cut is anticipated in the second half of the year, with the possibility of the RMB appreciating to around 7.02 CNY/USD by year-end[4] - The "反内卷" (anti-involution) policy is expected to drive supply-side reforms, aiming to reduce excess capacity and improve market efficiency[2] Group 3: Inflation and Price Trends - CPI is expected to decline by 0.1% in 2025, while PPI is projected to decrease by 2.6%, indicating ongoing deflationary pressures[3] - The GDP deflator is forecasted to drop by 0.8%, reflecting a continued trend of negative growth in nominal terms[3] - The PPI has been in a deflationary state for 32 months, which has negatively impacted corporate profits, with industrial profits down over 1% in the first five months of the year[27]

Group 1 - The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly widened by 18.7% in May, reaching $71.5 billion, driven by a 4% decline in exports and a slight 0.1% decrease in imports [1][4] - Total imports decreased by 0.1% to $350.5 billion, with consumer goods imports dropping by $4 billion, particularly in textiles, apparel, home goods, and toys [4] - Industrial raw materials imports also weakened, with a notable decline in finished metal materials, while motor vehicle parts and engines saw an increase of $3.4 billion [4] Group 2 - U.S. exports fell by 4% to $279 billion, with a significant 5.9% drop in goods exports, primarily due to a $10 billion decline in industrial raw materials exports [7] - Capital goods exports decreased by $1.9 billion, with reduced demand for semiconductors, aircraft engines, and communication equipment [7] - The only positive aspect was a $1.5 billion increase in pharmaceutical exports, indicating structural challenges in U.S. export competitiveness [7] Group 3 - Economists suggest that the current trade data may signal a shift in economic growth dynamics, as the record trade deficit in Q1 had previously hindered GDP growth by 4.6 percentage points [9] - The ongoing adjustments in import and export structures reflect a silent transformation in the U.S. economy, with import contraction indicating cooling domestic demand and weak exports revealing insufficient global demand [9] - The widening trade deficit may represent a typical sign of economic cycle transition, hinting at potential economic rebalancing opportunities [9]

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry or currency discussed. Core Viewpoints - The report argues that the Renminbi (RMB) is unlikely to follow the path of the Japanese Yen from 1985 to 1995, primarily due to ongoing deflationary pressures and the need for a loose monetary policy [5][6][19]. Summary by Sections Historical Comparison - The report draws parallels between the RMB and the Yen, noting that while the Yen appreciated significantly (211% against the USD from 1985 to 1995), the RMB is not expected to follow this trend due to complex trade relations and domestic economic conditions [5][6][27]. Trade Tensions - It is emphasized that merely allowing the RMB to appreciate will not resolve the intricate issues in US-China trade relations, which include national security concerns and the need for structural changes in both economies [8][9][12]. Economic Challenges - The report highlights that a significant appreciation of the RMB could exacerbate existing deflationary challenges in China, weakening corporate profits and leading to reduced overall demand [20][21][19]. Structural Rebalancing - The report argues that currency appreciation alone will not facilitate the necessary structural rebalancing of the Chinese economy from an investment-driven model to a consumption-driven one [35][39]. Policy Implications - The report suggests that policymakers are likely to prefer managing currency depreciation rather than allowing significant appreciation, especially in light of ongoing economic challenges [19][36].

Global Market Overview - The Hang Seng Index closed at 24,221, down 0.26% for the day but up 42.08% year-to-date [1] - The S&P 500 in the US closed at 6,227, up 0.88% for the day and 30.56% year-to-date [1] - The DAX in Germany closed at 23,790, down 1.01% for the day but up 42.02% year-to-date [1] Sector Performance - In the Hong Kong market, the Hang Seng Financial Index rose 0.06% for the day and is up 48.18% year-to-date, while the Hang Seng Real Estate Index increased by 1.22% but is down 2.68% year-to-date [2] - The Chinese stock market saw gains in energy, real estate, and materials, while information technology, healthcare, and telecommunications lagged [3] Investment Opportunities - Geely Automobile (175 HK) is rated as a "Buy" with a target price of 24.00, representing a potential upside of 47% from its current price of 16.32 [4] - Xpeng Motors (XPEV US) is also rated as a "Buy" with a target price of 28.00, indicating a 52% upside from its current price of 18.37 [4] - Tencent (700 HK) has a target price of 660.00, suggesting a 32% upside from its current price of 501.50 [4] Economic Indicators - The US ADP employment data unexpectedly declined, raising expectations for interest rate cuts, while the two-year Treasury yield fell [3] - The market is closely watching the upcoming non-farm payroll data, which may reflect a dual impact from economic slowdown and reduced labor supply due to immigration policies [3]