1. Report Industry Investment Ratings No relevant content provided. 2. Core Views Copper - Short - term copper price is expected to oscillate strongly, with the main contract reference range of 79,500 - 82,000 yuan/ton. The short - term improvement in interest - rate cut expectations boosts copper prices, but the long - term impact of interest - rate cuts on copper prices depends on the reasons and macro background. The fundamentals show a state of "weak reality + stable expectations" [1]. Aluminum - Alumina futures are expected to oscillate in the range of 2,900 - 3,200 yuan/ton in the short term. The supply pressure is significant, and the demand stimulation is limited. The price is under pressure from inventory accumulation, but the downside space is relatively limited. Aluminum prices are expected to oscillate around the realization of peak - season expectations and actual consumption, with the main contract reference range of 20,600 - 21,400 yuan/ton. If demand improvement is less than expected, the price may fall after rising [4]. Aluminum Alloy - The price of cast aluminum alloy is expected to remain firm, and the inventory accumulation rate will slow down. The price difference between aluminum alloy and aluminum is expected to further converge. The short - term main contract reference operating range is 20,200 - 20,800 yuan/ton [5][6]. Zinc - Zinc prices are expected to oscillate, with the main contract reference range of 21,800 - 22,800 yuan/ton. Under the background of improved interest - rate cut expectations, non - ferrous metal prices are generally strong, but zinc shows relatively weak performance. The supply is expected to be loose, and the upward space is limited, but the price may be driven up by the macro - environment in the short term [8]. Tin - Tin prices are expected to remain in a high - level oscillation. If the supply from Myanmar recovers smoothly, a short - selling strategy can be considered; if the supply recovery is less than expected, the price is expected to continue to oscillate at a high level, with the operating range of 265,000 - 285,000 yuan/ton [11]. Nickel - Nickel prices are expected to oscillate in a strong range, with the main contract reference range of 120,000 - 125,000 yuan/ton. The macro - environment is favorable, but the medium - term supply is expected to be loose, which restricts the upward space of prices [13]. Stainless Steel - Stainless steel prices are expected to oscillate in the short term, with the main contract reference range of 12,800 - 13,400 yuan/ton. The macro - expectations are improved, and the cost is supported, but the peak - season demand has not been significantly released [15]. Lithium Carbonate - Lithium carbonate prices are expected to oscillate strongly in the short term, with the main price center of reference in the range of 70,000 - 75,000 yuan/ton. Policy windows boost the macro - expectations, and the demand is optimistic, while the supply path is becoming clearer [17]. 3. Summaries by Relevant Catalogs Copper Price and Basis - SMM 1 electrolytic copper price increased by 0.23% to 80,940 yuan/ton, and the SMM 1 electrolytic copper premium decreased by 5 yuan/ton to 80 yuan/ton. The refined - scrap price difference increased by 6.10% to 2,064 yuan/ton. The import profit and loss was - 139 yuan/ton, a decrease of 121.84 yuan/ton [1]. Fundamental Data - In August, the electrolytic copper production was 1.1715 million tons, a decrease of 0.24% month - on - month; in July, the electrolytic copper import volume was 296,900 tons, a decrease of 1.20% month - on - month [1]. Aluminum Price and Spread - SMM A00 aluminum price decreased by 0.33% to 20,950 yuan/ton, and the alumina average price in various regions decreased slightly. The import profit and loss was - 1,745 yuan/ton [4]. Fundamental Data - In August, the electrolytic aluminum production was 3.7326 million tons, and the aluminum profile production rate increased by 1.89% to 54%. The LME inventory remained unchanged at 485,000 tons [4]. Aluminum Alloy Price and Spread - The price of SMM aluminum alloy ADC12 remained at 21,050 yuan/ton, and the price difference between scrap and refined aluminum in various regions increased [5]. Fundamental Data - In August, the production of recycled aluminum alloy ingots was 615,000 tons, a decrease of 1.60% month - on - month; the production of primary aluminum alloy ingots was 271,000 tons, an increase of 1.88% month - on - month [5]. Zinc Price and Spread - The price of SMM 0 zinc ingot remained unchanged at 22,230 yuan/ton, and the import profit and loss was - 3,285 yuan/ton, a decrease of 480.12 yuan/ton [8]. Fundamental Data - In August, the refined zinc production was 626,200 tons, an increase of 3.88% month - on - month; in July, the refined zinc import volume was 17,900 tons, a decrease of 50.35% month - on - month [8]. Tin Spot Price and Basis - The price of SMM 1 tin decreased by 0.22% to 273,300 yuan/ton, and the SMM 1 tin premium increased by 40.00% to 350 yuan/ton [11]. Fundamental Data - In July, the tin ore import volume was 10,278 tons, a decrease of 13.71% month - on - month; the SMM refined tin production was 15,940 tons, an increase of 15.42% month - on - month [11]. Nickel Price and Basis - The price of SMM 1 electrolytic nickel increased by 0.12% to 123,000 yuan/ton, and the 1 Jinchuan nickel premium increased by 2.22% to 2,300 yuan/ton [13]. Supply and Inventory - The SHFE inventory increased by 2.07% to 26,986 tons, and the LME inventory decreased by 0.27% to 224,484 tons [13]. Stainless Steel Price and Spread - The price of 304/2B (Wuxi Hongwang 2.0 coil) increased by 0.76% to 13,250 yuan/ton, and the price of 304/2B (Foshan Hongwang 2.0 coil) increased by 1.14% to 13,300 yuan/ton [15]. Fundamental Data - In August, the production of 300 - series stainless steel crude steel in China was 1.7133 million tons, a decrease of 3.83% month - on - month; the stainless steel net export volume was 343,200 tons, an increase of 22.37% month - on - month [15]. Lithium Carbonate Price and Basis - The average price of SMM battery - grade lithium carbonate remained at 72,450 yuan/ton, and the average price of SMM battery - grade lithium hydroxide decreased by 0.13% to 74,150 yuan/ton [17]. Fundamental Data - In August, the lithium carbonate production was 85,240 tons, an increase of 4.55% month - on - month; the lithium carbonate demand was 104,023 tons, an increase of 8.25% month - on - month [17].

Report Overview - Report Date: September 16, 2025 [2] - Report Industry: Cotton [1] - Researchers: Yu Lanlan, Lin Zhenlei, Wang Haifeng, Hong Chenliang, Liu Youran [3] 1. Investment Rating - Not provided in the report 2. Core View - Zhengzhou cotton is in a range - bound adjustment in the short term. The short - term macro influence is strengthening. The overseas market is oscillating weakly, while the domestic market has a slight improvement in demand and some support from rigid demand, but it is also affected by factors such as new cotton picking and the wait - and - see attitude of ginners [7][8] 3. Summary by Directory 3.1 Market Review and Operation Suggestions - **Market Review**: Zhengzhou cotton oscillated and adjusted. The spot price of 328 - grade cotton was 15,249 yuan/ton, up 1 yuan/ton from the previous trading day. The sales basis of cotton in different regions was reported. The cotton yarn market was generally weak, the cotton cloth market demand was weak, and the home textile market had increased sales but poor order continuity [7] - **Macro and Overseas Market**: Sino - US economic and trade talks were held in Spain, and the Fed will announce its interest rate decision this week. The USDA September supply - demand report was slightly bearish. The weekly export data of US cotton weakened, and the CFTC fund net long position remained low, with the outer market oscillating weakly [8] - **Domestic Market**: Some areas have started manual picking, and mechanical picking will start next week. As of September 11, the national new cotton picking progress was 0.3%, with a slight year - on - year increase. Ginners are waiting for price guidance. The demand side has a slight destocking of finished products, and the downstream weaving mills' operation rate has a seasonal increase, with rigid demand support [8] 3.2 Industry News - In August 2025, China's clothing, footwear, and knitted textile revenue was 104.5 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 3.1%. From January to August 2025, the cumulative revenue was 940 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 2.9% - As of September 11, the inventory of ICE's deliverable No. 2 cotton futures contract remained at 15,474 bales. As of September 9, 2025, the net long position ratio of ICE cotton futures funds was - 27.05%, a week - on - week decrease of 0.49 percentage points [9] 3.3 Data Overview - The report presents various data charts, including China's cotton price index, cotton spot and futures prices, basis changes, spreads, cotton commercial and industrial inventories, and exchange rate data [16][20][26]

Core Viewpoint - The demand continues to decline and is still searching for a bottom, with various economic indicators showing signs of weakness in August [4][10]. Demand Analysis - In August, the total retail sales (社零) grew by 3.4% year-on-year, a slowdown of 0.3 percentage points compared to July, marking the third consecutive month of decline [4][10]. - The structure of retail sales reflects a continued slowdown, particularly in the "old-for-new" category, which saw a decrease from 5.0% to 4.4% in growth [4][10]. - High-frequency data indicates that retail sales of home appliances and passenger vehicles have shown negative year-on-year growth since September, suggesting significant pressure on retail growth for the remainder of the year [4][10]. Fixed Asset Investment - Cumulative fixed asset investment growth fell to 0.5% year-on-year in the first eight months, down from 1.6% in July, with a month-on-month seasonally adjusted decline of 0.2% [5][6]. - The construction and installation sector remains a major drag, contributing a 1.6 percentage point decline to fixed asset investment, which has widened by 1.0 percentage points compared to the first seven months [5][6]. - Investment in real estate, infrastructure, and manufacturing showed year-on-year declines of -12.9%, +5.4%, and +5.1%, respectively, with all sectors experiencing a decrease compared to the previous month [5][6]. Real Estate Market - The sales area of newly built commercial housing in August saw a year-on-year decline of -10.6%, worsening from -7.8% in July, while the sales amount remained stable at -14.0% [28][29]. - The funding situation for real estate companies improved slightly, with the year-on-year decline in funds received narrowing to -11.9% from -15.8% in July, but new construction and project areas continue to show significant declines [29][30]. - The overall real estate sales volume and price improvement is contingent upon effective policies that enhance supply and demand dynamics [29][30]. Production Sector - The industrial value-added and service production indices in August were 5.2% and 5.6% year-on-year, respectively, indicating a continued decline in production growth [8][10]. - The export delivery value turned negative in August, with a year-on-year decline of -0.4%, reflecting weak domestic demand and certain industry pressures [8][10]. Market Performance - Despite the weak economic data, the A-share and Hong Kong stock markets have shown strong performance, reaching new highs for the year, driven by emotional and liquidity factors [10][11]. - The market's short-term volatility is expected to increase, but the underlying bullish trend remains intact, supported by structural improvements in key industries [11][12].

Supply and Demand - Construction starts are showing marginal improvement, with recent weeks indicating a recovery in asphalt plant operating rates and cement dispatch rates, although they remain at historical lows[2] - Industrial production remains at a historically high level, with PX operating rates maintaining high levels while PTA rates are at historical lows[2] - Demand in construction remains weak, with negative year-on-year growth in construction demand and a decline in automobile sales[2] Commodity Prices - Gold prices have significantly increased, while oil prices are fluctuating weakly; copper and aluminum prices are also on the rise[3] - Domestic industrial prices are experiencing limited support from demand, leading to overall price fluctuations[3] Real Estate Market - New housing transactions have turned positive year-on-year, with a 23% decrease in average transaction area in major cities compared to the previous two weeks, but still showing improvement compared to 2023 and 2024[4] - Second-hand housing transactions are showing marginal improvement, with transaction volumes in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen increasing year-on-year by -2%, +26%, and +23% respectively[4] Exports - Exports for the first 14 days of September are estimated to have increased by approximately 4.1% year-on-year, supported by high-frequency port data[5] Liquidity - Recent weeks have seen fluctuations in funding rates, with R007 at 1.47% and DR007 at 1.46% as of September 14[72] - The central bank has conducted a net withdrawal of 24,315 billion yuan through reverse repos in recent weeks[72] Risk Factors - Potential risks include unexpected fluctuations in commodity prices and stronger-than-expected policy measures[77]

Group 1: Economic Fundamentals - The foundation of macroeconomics revolves around the flow of money, defined as a special commodity that serves as a general equivalent in trade, backed by national credibility [3][4] - The value of currency is anchored by the productivity it represents, and excessive issuance can lead to inflation, while insufficient issuance can cause deflation [3][4] - Countries often borrow to stimulate development, either through external loans or domestic debt issuance, forming the basis of modern finance [6] Group 2: Industrial Development - Industrialization is a complex process requiring significant capital and skilled labor, with successful examples including the UK, US, and Japan [8][12] - Real estate plays a crucial role in accelerating urbanization and economic growth, with the potential to drive GDP growth significantly [10][11] - The transition from light industry to heavy manufacturing is essential for a country's industrialization, with the automotive sector being a key focus for China [15][16] Group 3: Service Sector and Tourism - The service sector, including tourism, is projected to become increasingly important as industrialization matures, offering high returns on investment with lower capital requirements [16][24] - The tourism industry can significantly boost consumption and GDP, with a multiplier effect where tourism revenue can generate much higher economic activity [24][26] - To succeed in the tourism sector, companies must focus on cost control and continuous innovation to adapt to changing consumer preferences [27]

Group 1: US Economic Overview - The US economy continues to expand, with the Atlanta Fed's GDPNOW model predicting a Q3 growth rate of 3.1%, driven by stable consumer momentum and strong investment in technology [2] - Jobless claims have increased, with initial claims rising by 27,000 to 263,000, the highest in four years, indicating a cooling labor market [2] - Inflation remains manageable, with August PPI unexpectedly dropping to 2.6%, significantly below the expected 3.3%, while CPI slightly increased to 2.9% [2] Group 2: Monetary Policy and Market Reactions - The US is expected to restart monetary easing, with market participants fully pricing in three rate cuts this year, leading to a decline in private sector financing costs [3] - The 30-year mortgage rate fell by 15 basis points to 6.25%, and the 10-year AAA corporate bond yield decreased by 8 basis points to 4.26% [3] - US stock markets rose, influenced by the Fed's dovish outlook, although valuations are considered high, with future gains expected to come from corporate earnings growth rather than valuation expansion [3] Group 3: Bond Market Dynamics - Short-term interest rates are expected to decline as the easing cycle begins, but the long-term rates may remain volatile due to economic resilience and inflationary pressures [4] - The 10-year US Treasury yield is projected to average 4.3% this year and 4.2% next year, with a fluctuation range of 3.5% to 5% [4] Group 4: Currency and Commodity Outlook - The US dollar is anticipated to remain in a range-bound trading pattern, with a fluctuation range of 95 to 103, due to the dual support of easing monetary policy and fiscal expansion [5] - The Chinese yuan is expected to maintain a strong stance in the short term, although potential fluctuations may arise from changes in the A-share market and US rate cut expectations [5] - Gold is viewed positively, benefiting from the Fed's easing cycle and ongoing global central bank purchases [5] Group 5: China Economic Insights - China's economy is showing signs of slowdown, with external demand weakening and internal demand potentially continuing to decline [7] - August macro data indicates a drop in export and import growth rates, with exports to the US declining by 33.1% [7] - The government is implementing policies to stabilize growth in key industries, including the automotive sector, with a target of approximately 3% growth in overall vehicle sales by 2025 [9] Group 6: Market Strategy and Recommendations - The current market sentiment favors equities over bonds, with a recommendation to hold short to medium-duration bonds while being cautious with long-duration investments [12] - The A-share market has shown resilience, with the Shanghai Composite Index rising 1.52%, supported by liquidity and favorable policies [13] - Investment strategies suggest maintaining dividend stocks as a stable base, while allocating to growth sectors like technology and healthcare for potential gains [14]

Domestic Macro Viewpoints - In August, both domestic and external demand weakened, leading to a supply-demand imbalance where supply remains strong while demand is weak[1] - Investment has shown negative year-on-year growth for two consecutive months, and retail sales growth has been declining since May[1] - GDP growth is expected to remain around 5% in Q3, with macro policies likely to be more stable due to stronger economic data[1] - The divergence between supply and demand is unsustainable; if demand does not strengthen, supply will follow demand downwards, increasing pressure on Q4 GDP[1] Overseas Macro Viewpoints - The CPI released in August slightly exceeded expectations, but inflation pressure from tariffs is easing, leading to a forecasted 25bps rate cut in September[2] - The upcoming appointment of the next Federal Reserve Chair by Trump may influence market expectations for rate cuts in 2026, resulting in further dollar liquidity easing[2] Equity Market Viewpoints - The market has rebounded as expected, with the Shanghai Composite Index slightly breaking previous highs, indicating a potential for further upward movement[3] - Internal industry trends are positive, but short-term events like U.S. rate cuts and geopolitical tensions may affect A-share market sentiment[3] - The market is expected to remain in a structural bull market, driven mainly by technology and finance sectors, with room for upward movement despite potential adjustments[3] Bond Market Viewpoints - Since September, interest rates have risen again, with the 10-year rate surpassing 1.80% and the 30-year rate above 2.10%[5] - There are emerging trading opportunities as the market anticipates a "restart of government bond trading," driven by low loan demand and high government bond issuance[5] - The expectation of stable funding rates and potential for interest rate compression may attract funds to bet on interest rate recovery[5]

Economic Overview - August economic data shows continued slowdown, with six major indicators (exports, industrial output, services, retail sales, investment, and real estate sales) all below previous values. GDP estimates based on production and expenditure methods are approximately 4.67%, lower than July's 4.91% [1][7][8] Industrial Performance - Industrial added value in August grew by 5.2%, down from 5.7% in the previous month. The slowdown in export delivery value, which saw a year-on-year decline of 0.4%, is a significant drag on industrial performance [2][12] - High-tech industries continue to show resilience, with added value increasing by 9.3%. Key products like new energy vehicles and solar cells maintain high growth rates [2][13] Retail Sales - Retail sales growth in August was 3.4%, a decrease from 3.7% in July. Notable trends include accelerated rural consumption and a slowdown in urban consumption [3][14] - Categories with relatively high growth include sports and entertainment, jewelry, and home appliances, driven by service consumption trends and policy benefits [3][15] Fixed Asset Investment - Fixed asset investment saw a significant decline, with cumulative year-on-year growth dropping from 1.6% to 0.5%, and a monthly decline of 6.3%, worsening from -5.2% previously. Real estate, manufacturing, and infrastructure investments are all contributing to this downturn [4][16] - Manufacturing investment showed a year-on-year decline of 1.3%, indicating a slowdown in equipment updates [4][16] Real Estate Market - The real estate sector is experiencing a downward trend, with sales area, new starts, construction, and investment all showing increased year-on-year declines. The new housing price index in 70 major cities fell by 0.3% month-on-month, consistent with previous values [5][20][21] - Real estate investment in August saw a year-on-year decline of 19.4%, with new construction area down by 20.3% [5][20] Economic Phases - The economic rhythm of this year can be divided into three phases: strong growth in Q1 driven by exports and real estate, a resilient Q2 despite external disturbances, and a noticeable slowdown in July and August [5][22] - If Q3 GDP is estimated at 4.8%, achieving the annual target of 5.0% will require a Q4 growth rate of approximately 4.64% [5][22] Policy Outlook - Current macroeconomic policy is in the second phase, focusing on stabilizing cash flow and profit statements. The government is expected to continue its counter-cyclical adjustments following the release of August economic data [6][23]

Economic Overview - In August, the industrial added value of enterprises above designated size increased by 5.2% year-on-year, with a month-on-month growth of 0.37% [1][3] - From January to August, the industrial added value grew by 6.2% year-on-year [1][3] Industrial Production - The mining industry saw a year-on-year increase of 5.1%, manufacturing grew by 5.7%, and the electricity, heat, gas, and water production and supply industries increased by 2.4% [3] - Equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors performed well, with increases of 8.1% and 9.3% respectively, outpacing the overall industrial growth [3] Service Sector - The service sector production index rose by 5.6% year-on-year in August, with significant growth in information transmission, software, and financial services [4] - The business activity index for the service sector was at 50.5, indicating stable growth [4] Retail Sales - The total retail sales of consumer goods reached 39,668 billion yuan in August, a year-on-year increase of 3.4% [2][5] - Online retail sales amounted to 99,828 billion yuan from January to August, growing by 9.6% [5] Fixed Asset Investment - Fixed asset investment (excluding rural households) reached 326,111 billion yuan from January to August, with a year-on-year growth of 0.5% [6][7] - Manufacturing investment grew by 5.1%, while real estate development investment declined by 12.9% [7] Trade Performance - In August, the total value of goods imports and exports was 38,744 billion yuan, with exports growing by 4.8% and imports by 1.7% [8] - From January to August, the total trade value was 295,696 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 3.5% [8] Employment Situation - The urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.3% in August, showing a slight increase from the previous month [9] - The average working hours for employees were reported at 48.5 hours per week [9] Price Trends - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) decreased by 0.4% year-on-year in August, while the core CPI rose by 0.9% [10] - The Producer Price Index (PPI) for industrial producers fell by 2.9% year-on-year, with a narrowing decline compared to the previous month [10]

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core View of the Report In August 2025, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, the national economy maintained a generally stable and progressive development trend. Production and demand were basically stable, employment and prices were generally stable, and new driving forces were cultivated and strengthened [3]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs Industry - In August, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 5.2% year - on - year and 0.37% month - on - month. The added value of the mining industry, manufacturing, and the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water increased by 5.1%, 5.7%, and 2.4% year - on - year respectively. The added value of the equipment manufacturing industry and high - tech manufacturing industry increased by 8.1% and 9.3% year - on - year respectively, faster than the overall industrial added value [3]. - From January to August, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 6.2% year - on - year. In August, the manufacturing purchasing managers' index was 49.4%, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month; the enterprise production and operation activity expectation index was 53.7%, up 1.1 percentage points [3]. - From January to July, the total profit of industrial enterprises above designated size was 40204 billion yuan, a year - on - year decrease of 1.7% [3]. Services - In August, the national service industry production index increased by 5.6% year - on - year. The production indexes of information transmission, software and information technology services, finance, and leasing and business services increased by 12.1%, 9.2%, and 7.4% year - on - year respectively, faster than the service industry production index [4]. - From January to August, the national service industry production index increased by 5.9% year - on - year. From January to July, the operating income of service enterprises above designated size increased by 7.4% year - on - year [4]. - In August, the service industry business activity index was 50.5%, up 0.5 percentage points from the previous month; the service industry business activity expectation index was 57.0%, up 0.4 percentage points. Some industries were in the high - level boom range [4]. Consumption - In August, the total retail sales of consumer goods were 39668 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 3.4% and a month - on - month increase of 0.17%. The retail sales of urban and rural consumer goods increased by 3.2% and 4.6% year - on - year respectively. The retail sales of goods and catering revenue increased by 3.6% and 2.1% respectively [5]. - From January to August, the total retail sales of consumer goods were 323906 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 4.6%. The national online retail sales were 99828 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 9.6%. The online retail sales of physical goods were 80964 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 6.4%, accounting for 25.0% of the total retail sales of consumer goods [5]. - From January to August, the service retail sales increased by 5.1% year - on - year, with relatively fast growth in cultural and sports leisure services, tourism consulting and leasing services, and transportation services [5]. Investment - From January to August, the national fixed - asset investment (excluding rural households) was 326111 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 0.5%. Excluding real estate development investment, it increased by 4.2%. Infrastructure investment increased by 2.0%, manufacturing investment increased by 5.1%, and real estate development investment decreased by 12.9% [6]. - The sales area of newly built commercial housing was 57304 million square meters, a year - on - year decrease of 4.7%; the sales volume was 55015 billion yuan, a year - on - year decrease of 7.3% [6]. - In August, fixed - asset investment (excluding rural households) decreased by 0.20% month - on - month [6]. Import and Export - In August, the total volume of goods imports and exports was 38744 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 3.5%. Exports were 23035 billion yuan, an increase of 4.8%; imports were 15709 billion yuan, an increase of 1.7% [7]. - From January to August, the total volume of goods imports and exports was 295696 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 3.5%. Exports were 176056 billion yuan, an increase of 6.9%; imports were 119640 billion yuan, a decrease of 1.2% [7]. - From January to August, general trade imports and exports increased by 2.2%, accounting for 63.9% of the total import and export volume. Imports and exports to countries along the Belt and Road increased by 5.4%. Private enterprise imports and exports increased by 7.4%, accounting for 57.1% of the total import and export volume, 2.1 percentage points higher than the previous year [7]. Price - In August, the national consumer price index (CPI) decreased by 0.4% year - on - year and remained flat month - on - month. The core CPI excluding food and energy prices increased by 0.9% year - on - year, with the growth rate expanding by 0.1 percentage points from the previous month [8]. - From January to August, the national consumer price index decreased by 0.1% year - on - year [8]. - In August, the ex - factory price of industrial producers decreased by 2.9% year - on - year, with the decline narrowing by 0.7 percentage points, and remained flat month - on - month; the purchase price of industrial producers decreased by 4.0% year - on - year, with the decline narrowing by 0.5 percentage points, and remained flat month - on - month [8]. Employment - From January to August, the average urban surveyed unemployment rate nationwide was 5.2%. In August, the urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.3%, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, the same as the same month of the previous year [8]. - The surveyed unemployment rate of local household registration labor force was 5.4%; the surveyed unemployment rate of non - local household registration labor force was 5.0%, among which the surveyed unemployment rate of non - local agricultural household registration labor force was 4.7% [8]. - The surveyed unemployment rate in 31 large - scale cities was 5.3%, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month and down 0.1 percentage points from the same month of the previous year. The average weekly working hours of enterprise employees nationwide were 48.5 hours [8].