Report Industry Investment Ratings No relevant content provided. Core Views of the Report Urea - The short - term rebound of the urea futures is mainly driven by the export expectation on the demand side, with the co - existence of the lag in export policy implementation and the time constraint of Indian tenders. The secondary driver is the weak support from the increase in compound fertilizer production to industrial demand. However, the overall high supply situation remains unchanged. In the future, it is necessary to track the winning bids of Indian tenders and August export volume. If the export fails to meet expectations, the domestic supply pressure will drag down the futures price. It is recommended to maintain a band - trading strategy [33]. Crude Oil - Overnight oil prices fluctuated. The main trading logic is the game between geopolitical risks and supply - side uncertainties. Geopolitical factors support oil prices in the short term, while the supply increase from OPEC+ suppresses the upside potential. The uncertainty of the Fed's interest - rate cut path affects market risk appetite. Geopolitical factors are the core variables for short - term price fluctuations. It is recommended to stay on the sidelines for unilateral trading, expand the spreads between October - November/December contracts, and capture opportunities in volatility contraction in the options market [35]. Polyester Industry Chain - For PX, the supply is expected to increase as some domestic PX plants restart. In August, PTA plants had many unplanned shutdowns due to low processing margins, so the PX supply - demand situation is expected to weaken marginally. However, with the approaching traditional peak season and new PTA plant commissioning expectations, the medium - term supply - demand pressure is not significant. The price is expected to be supported at low levels, but the rebound space is limited. For other products in the polyester industry chain, their prices and processing margins are affected by raw material prices, supply - demand relationships, and seasonal factors [40]. Chlor - Alkali Industry - For caustic soda, the demand has improved recently, but the supply is expected to increase in the future, and the number of warehouse receipts in the main production areas is expected to rise in August, which will limit the rebound. For PVC, the supply pressure is large due to the release of new capacity, while the downstream demand remains weak, so it is recommended to take a bearish view [45]. Pure Benzene - Styrene - For pure benzene, the supply - demand situation is expected to improve in the third quarter, and the port inventory is expected to decline in August, providing some support for the price. However, the overall supply is still sufficient, and the price increase is limited. For styrene, the supply is high in the short term, but the supply - demand situation is expected to improve as some plants plan to shut down for maintenance and export expectations increase. The price is expected to be supported at low levels, but the rebound is restricted by high inventory and limited oil - price support [48]. Polyolefins - For LLDPE and PP, on the supply side, PP maintenance is decreasing, PE maintenance is increasing in mid - to - late August, imports are low, and new capacity is expected to be put into operation in August - September. On the demand side, the downstream operating rates are low, but there is potential for restocking as the peak season approaches. The overall valuation is moderately high, and the fundamental contradiction is not significant. It is recommended to close short positions around 7000 for the previous short - selling strategy on LLDPE and continue to hold the LP01 spread [53]. Methanol - The methanol market is facing significant supply pressure, with high production and imports in August - September, and the port inventory is at a high level compared to the same period. The traditional demand is weak, and the low profit of downstream industries restricts the operating rate. The MTO profit has recovered, and attention should be paid to the start - up of a certain MTO plant at the port from late August to early September. The 09 contract is expected to see strong inventory accumulation, while the 01 contract is supported by the seasonal peak season and Iranian gas - rationing expectations [56]. Summary by Relevant Catalogs Urea - **Futures Prices**: On August 18, the 01 contract closed at 1754 yuan/ton (+0.98% compared to August 15), the 05 contract at 1790 yuan/ton (+0.39%), the 09 contract at 1731 yuan/ton (+0.58%), and the main contract at 2396 yuan/ton (-0.66%) [28]. - **Futures Spreads**: The spread between the 01 and 05 contracts was - 36 yuan/ton on August 18 (+21.74% compared to August 15), the spread between the 05 and 09 contracts was 59 yuan/ton (-4.84%), the spread between the 09 and 01 contracts was - 23 yuan/ton (-43.75%), and the spread between the UR and MA main contracts was 665 yuan/ton (+3.76%) [29]. - **Positions**: On August 18, the long - position of the top 20 was 101,968 (-0.89% compared to August 15), the short - position of the top 20 was 123,878 (+3.00%), the long - to - short ratio was 0.82 (-3.77%), the unilateral trading volume was 167,760 (+53.80%), and the number of Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange warehouse receipts was 3,573 (unchanged) [30]. - **Upstream Raw Materials**: The price of small - sized anthracite in Jincheng and power coal at the pithead in Ejin Horo Banner remained unchanged. The price of power coal at Qinhuangdao Port increased by 0.29%, and the price of synthetic ammonia in Shandong decreased by 2.75%. The estimated production costs of fixed - bed and water - coal - slurry processes remained unchanged [31]. - **Spot Prices**: The prices of small - sized urea in Shandong, Henan, and Guangdong increased by 1.76%, 1.16%, and 0.53% respectively, while the prices in other regions remained unchanged. The FOB prices in China and the US Gulf also remained unchanged [32]. - **Regional Spreads and Basis**: The spreads between Shandong - Henan, Guangdong - Henan, and Guangdong - Shanxi changed by - 50%, - 7%, and 4% respectively. The basis in Shandong, Henan, and Guangdong changed by 35.14%, 17.65%, and - 5.26% respectively, while the basis in Shanxi decreased by 13.39% [33]. - **Downstream Products**: The prices of melamine in Shandong and 45% S/CL compound fertilizers in Henan remained unchanged, and the compound - fertilizer to urea ratio decreased by 1.15% [33]. - **Supply and Demand**: The daily domestic urea production decreased by 0.78%, the coal - based urea production decreased by 0.99%, and the small - sized urea production decreased by 0.95%. The weekly domestic urea production increased by 1.51%, the weekly maintenance loss decreased by 4.48%, the factory inventory increased by 7.86%, and the port inventory decreased by 3.93%. The number of production - enterprise order days decreased by 3.68% [33]. Crude Oil - **Prices and Spreads**: On August 19, Brent crude was at $66.60/barrel (+1.14% compared to August 18), WTI at $63.35/barrel (-0.11%), and SC at 485.20 yuan/barrel (-0.76%). The spreads such as Brent M1 - M3, WTI M1 - M3, and SC M1 - M3 also changed to varying degrees [35]. - **Refined - Product Prices and Spreads**: NYM RBOB was at 209.95 cents/gallon (+0.04%), NYM ULSD at 224.62 cents/gallon (+0.26%), and ICE Gasoil at $645.50/ton (-1.68%). The spreads of RBOB M1 - M3, ULSD M1 - M3, and Gasoil M1 - M3 also changed [35]. - **Refined - Product Cracking Spreads**: The cracking spreads of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel in the US, Europe, and Singapore changed on August 19 compared to August 18 [35]. Polyester Industry Chain - **Downstream Product Prices and Cash Flows**: The prices of POY, FDY, DTY, polyester chips, polyester bottle - chips, and other products changed slightly on August 18 compared to August 15. The cash flows of POY, FDY, and DTY also changed [40]. - **PX - Related Prices and Spreads**: The CFR China PX price was $828/ton on August 18 (+0.6% compared to August 15), and the PX - related spreads also changed [40]. - **PTA - Related Prices and Spreads**: The PTA East - China spot price was 4670 yuan/ton on August 18 (+0.2% compared to August 15), and the PTA - related spreads also changed [40]. - **MEG Inventory and Arrival Expectations**: The MEG port inventory was 547,000 tons on August 18 (-1.1% compared to August 11), and the expected arrival volume was 54,000 tons (-8.7% compared to the previous period) [40]. - **Industry Chain Operating Rates**: The operating rates of various industries in the polyester industry chain, such as PX, PTA, MEG, and downstream polyester products, changed to varying degrees from August 8 to August 15 [40]. Chlor - Alkali Industry - **PVC and Caustic Soda Spot and Futures**: On August 18, the prices of Shandong 32% and 50% caustic soda increased by 2.4% and 0.8% respectively. The prices of East - China calcium - carbide - based and ethylene - based PVC decreased by 1.0% and remained unchanged respectively. The SH2509 contract increased by 1.1%, and the SH2601 contract decreased by 0.1%. The SH basis increased by 146.8% [45]. - **Caustic Soda Overseas Quotes and Export Profits**: The FOB East - China port price of caustic soda remained unchanged, and the export profit decreased by 42.3% [45]. - **PVC Overseas Quotes and Export Profits**: The CFR Southeast - Asia and CFR India prices of PVC remained unchanged, and the export profit increased by 48.9% [45]. - **Supply - Side Indicators**: The caustic soda industry operating rate decreased by 2.0%, the PVC total operating rate increased by 1.4%. The profit of externally - sourced calcium - carbide - based PVC decreased by 3.7%, and the Northwest integrated profit decreased by 5.1% [45]. - **Demand - Side Indicators**: The operating rates of caustic - soda downstream industries such as alumina, viscose staple fiber, and printing and dyeing increased. The operating rates of PVC downstream products such as pipes and profiles also changed [45]. - **Inventory Indicators**: The East - China caustic - soda factory inventory increased by 6.6%, the Shandong caustic - soda inventory increased by 1.6%, the PVC upstream factory inventory decreased by 3.1%, and the PVC total social inventory increased by 2.5% [45]. Pure Benzene - Styrene - **Upstream Prices and Spreads**: On August 18, the Brent crude (October) was $66.60/barrel (+1.1% compared to August 15), the WTI crude (September) was $63.42/barrel (+1.0%), and the CFR Japan naphtha price was $571/ton (-0.3%). The pure - benzene - related prices and spreads also changed [48]. - **Styrene - Related Prices and Spreads**: The East - China styrene spot price was 7290 yuan/ton on August 18 (-0.1% compared to August 15), and the styrene - related spreads also changed [48]. - **Downstream Cash Flows**: The cash flows of phenol, caprolactam, aniline, EPS, PS, and ABS changed on August 18 compared to August 15 [48]. - **Inventory**: The Jiangsu port inventory of pure benzene decreased by 1.4%, and the Jiangsu port inventory of styrene increased by 8.5% [48]. - **Industry Chain Operating Rates**: The operating rates of various industries in the pure - benzene and styrene industry chain, such as Asian pure - benzene, domestic hydro - benzene, and downstream products, changed from August 8 to August 15 [48]. Polyolefins - **Futures Prices and Spreads**: On August 18, the L2601 contract closed at 7334 yuan/ton (-0.23% compared to August 15), the L2509 contract at 7292 yuan/ton (-0.19%), the PP2601 contract at 7048 yuan/ton (-0.51%), and the PP2509 contract at 7026 yuan/ton (-0.45%). The spreads of L2509 - 2601 and PP2509 - 2601 also changed [53]. - **Spot Prices and Basis**: The East - China PP raffia spot price was 6960 yuan/ton on August 18 (-0.29% compared to August 15), and the North - China LDPE film - grade spot price was 7210 yuan/ton (-0.14%). The basis of North - China plastics remained unchanged, and the East - China PP basis increased by 14.29% [53]. - **PE and PP Non - Standard Prices**: The prices of East - China LDPE, HD film, HD injection, PP injection, PP fiber, and PP low - melt co - polymer changed on August 18 compared to August 15 [53]. - **PE and PP Operating Rates**: The PE device operating rate decreased by 2.10%, the PE downstream weighted operating rate decreased by 0.47%, the PP device operating rate decreased by 1.1%, the PP powder operating rate increased by 4.1%, and the PP downstream weighted operating rate decreased by 0.3% [53]. - **PE and PP Inventories**: The PE enterprise inventory decreased by 13.76%, the PE social inventory decreased by 1.23%, the PP enterprise inventory increased by 0.07%, and the PP trader inventory decreased by 4.06% [53]. Methanol - **Methanol Prices and Spreads**: On August 18, the MA2601 contract closed at 2396 yuan/ton (-0.66% compared to August 15), the MA2509 contract at 2293 yuan/ton (-0.99%), and the MA91 spread was - 103 yuan/ton (-7.29%). The basis and regional spreads also changed [56]. - **Methanol Inventory**: The methanol enterprise inventory was 29.5573% on August 18 (+0.64% compared to the previous period), and the methanol port inventory was 102.2 million tons (+10.41%) [56]. - **Operating Rates**: The upstream domestic enterprise operating rate was 72.63% on August 18 (-0.74% compared to the previous period), the downstream external - procurement MTO device operating rate was 76.92% (+0.68%), and the operating rates of other downstream industries also changed [56].

Report Summary Industry Investment Rating No industry investment rating is provided in the report. Core View Short - term geopolitical concerns are falling, and the upward momentum for oil prices in the future is weak. As the peak season is about to end, the pressure on oil prices from fundamentals is increasing. The short - term price of crude oil 2509 is expected to run in the range of 484 - 494, and long - term investors can hold long positions. [3] Summary by Directory 1. Daily Hints - Fundamental analysis of crude oil 2509: Geopolitical news is neutral; the basis shows that the spot is at par with the futures, which is bullish; inventory data is bearish; the disk shows a bearish trend; and the main positions of WTI and Brent crude oil are decreasing, which is bearish [3] - Short - term price range for crude oil 2509 is 484 - 494, and long - term long positions can be held [3] 2. Recent News - The US is trying to arrange a meeting between Putin and Zelensky by the end of August to end the Russia - Ukraine conflict [5] - Hamas is willing to accept a 60 - day cease - fire proposal to end the Gaza war and secure the release of Israeli hostages, while Israel has not commented officially [5] - Investors expect Fed Chairman Powell to give dovish signals at the Jackson Hole symposium, but there is a risk of disappointment [5] 3. Bullish and Bearish Concerns - Bullish factors: US secondary sanctions on Russian energy exports; extension of the Sino - US tariff exemption period [6] - Bearish factors: Possibility of a Russia - Ukraine cease - fire; continuous tension in US trade relations with other economies [6] - Market drivers: Short - term reduction in geopolitical conflicts and increased risk of trade tariff issues; in the medium - to - long - term, supply will increase after the peak season ends [6] 4. Fundamental Data - **Futures Market**: Brent crude oil settlement price rose from 65.85 to 66.60, an increase of 1.14%; WTI crude oil settlement price fell from 62.80 to 62.70, a decrease of 0.16%; SC crude oil settlement price fell from 487.0 to 485.2, a decrease of 0.37%; Oman crude oil settlement price fell from 68.19 to 67.64, a decrease of 0.81% [7] - **Spot Market**: UK Brent Dtd price fell from 67.98 to 67.53, a decrease of 0.66%; WTI price rose from 62.80 to 63.42, an increase of 0.99%; Oman crude oil price fell from 68.47 to 67.95, a decrease of 0.76%; Shengli crude oil price fell from 64.44 to 64.00, a decrease of 0.68%; Dubai crude oil price fell from 68.41 to 67.90, a decrease of 0.75% [9] - **Inventory Data**: US API crude oil inventory increased by 151.9 million barrels in the week ending August 8, and EIA inventory increased by 303.6 million barrels in the same period [3] 5. Position Data - **WTI Crude Oil**: As of August 12, the net long position of the WTI crude oil fund was 116,742, a decrease of 25,087 from the previous period [18] - **Brent Crude Oil**: As of August 12, the net long position of the Brent crude oil fund was 206,547, a decrease of 34,430 from the previous period [20]

1. Report Industry Investment Ratings - Gold: Bullish, recommended to buy on dips and hold for the long - term [1] - Silver: Bullish, recommended to buy on rebounds and hold for the long - term [1] - Copper: Bullish, recommended to buy on dips and hold for the long - term [1] - Zinc: Bearish, recommended to hold short positions in the short - term and sell on rallies in the long - term [1] - Lead: Bearish, price under short - term pressure [1] - Tin: Bearish, price rebound under pressure [1] - Aluminum: Bearish, price under short - term pressure [1] - Nickel: Bearish, price under short - term pressure [1] - Industrial Silicon: Cautiously Bullish [1] - Polysilicon: Bullish, recommended to hold long positions [1] - Lithium Carbonate: Bullish, recommended to hold long positions [1] 2. Core Views of the Report - In the short - term, the geopolitical situation is seeking a truce, reducing risk - aversion sentiment. The market is waiting for the Jackson Hole Global Central Bank Annual Meeting, with expectations that Fed Chairman Powell may take a hawkish stance, which will suppress the Fed's interest - rate cut expectations and cause the US dollar to rebound. This has an impact on the prices of precious metals and base metals. In the long - term, factors such as global monetary easing, the decline of the US dollar's credit, and the reshaping of the geopolitical pattern will support the prices of precious metals, especially gold. For base metals, supply - demand relationships, strategic resource attributes, and industry development trends will affect their price trends [1][3] 3. Summary by Related Catalogs Gold and Silver - **Market Review**: Global parties are seeking a cease - fire in geopolitical conflicts, and the Jackson Hole Global Central Bank Annual Meeting is highly anticipated. Gold and silver are trading in a narrow range [2] - **Basic Logic**: The market is waiting for Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole meeting. Different institutions have different expectations for his stance. There are also signs of a cease - fire in the Russia - Ukraine conflict and the Hamas situation. In the short - term, it is difficult for gold to break through the range, but in the long - term, it may be in a long - term bull market [3] - **Strategy Recommendation**: Gold may find support around 770, and long - term positions can be considered after stabilization. Silver's short - term trading range is between 9150 - 9400, and it is recommended to go long in the long - term. Attention should be paid to the US - Russia - Ukraine tripartite meeting [4] Copper - **Market Review**: The fluctuation of Shanghai copper has converged, and it closed with a doji star after narrow - range trading [6] - **Industry Logic**: Recently, there have been disruptions in copper mines, but the supply of domestic copper concentrate raw materials has improved marginally. The output of electrolytic copper in July increased, but it may decline marginally in August - September due to smelting maintenance. It is currently the consumption off - season, but demand is expected to pick up with the arrival of the peak season. The overall copper inventory overseas has increased slightly, and the domestic social inventory has also risen slightly. The annual copper supply - demand is in a tight balance [6] - **Strategy Recommendation**: As the global central bank annual meeting approaches, the US dollar index has rebounded, and copper prices are under pressure. It is recommended to buy copper on dips. Enterprises can wait for high - level opportunities to sell and hedge to lock in reasonable profits. In the long - term, copper is a strategic resource in the Sino - US game, and there is a long - term bullish outlook. The attention range for Shanghai copper is [78000, 80000] yuan/ton, and for LME copper is [9650, 9950] US dollars/ton [7] Zinc - **Market Review**: Shanghai zinc has been oscillating weakly, testing the support of the lower level [9] - **Industry Logic**: In 2025, the supply of zinc concentrate is abundant. The output of refined zinc in China in July and August increased. The processing fee of zinc concentrate has risen, and smelter enthusiasm has increased. On the demand side, due to factors such as Vietnam's tariff increase on galvanized steel and the domestic consumption off - season, the start - up rate of galvanizing enterprises is expected to decline. The spot market trading is dull, and domestic zinc inventories have increased [9] - **Strategy Recommendation**: In the short - term, due to the off - season of demand and inventory accumulation, zinc is oscillating weakly. It is recommended to hold short positions and take partial profits on dips. In the long - term, with supply increasing and demand decreasing, wait for opportunities to sell on rallies. The attention range for Shanghai zinc is [22000, 22600] yuan/ton, and for LME zinc is [2700, 2800] US dollars/ton [10] Aluminum - **Market Review**: Aluminum prices have declined under pressure, and alumina has also shown a downward trend [12] - **Industry Logic**: For electrolytic aluminum, there are still uncertainties in overseas macro - trade policies. The cost has decreased, and the inventory has increased. The demand side has seen a slight increase in the start - up rate of downstream processing enterprises. For alumina, the rainy season in Guinea may affect the arrival volume in August, and domestic alumina plants have increased their loads. The inventory of electrolytic aluminum plants has accumulated, and the short - term supply - demand is expected to be loose [13] - **Strategy Recommendation**: It is recommended to sell on rallies for Shanghai aluminum in the short - term, paying attention to the change of aluminum ingot inventory during the off - season. The operating range of the main contract is [20000 - 20900] [14] Nickel - **Market Review**: Nickel prices have been running weakly, and stainless steel has been under pressure [16] - **Industry Logic**: Overseas macro - environment is still uncertain. The price of nickel ore in the Philippines is weak, and NPI smelters are facing cost inversion. The output of refined nickel in China has increased, and the inventory has accumulated during the off - season. For stainless steel, the effect of production cuts is weakening, and there is still over - supply pressure during the off - season [17] - **Strategy Recommendation**: It is recommended to sell on rallies for nickel and stainless steel, paying attention to the change of downstream inventory. The operating range of the main nickel contract is [120000 - 123000] [18] Lithium Carbonate - **Market Review**: The main contract LC2511 opened higher and moved higher, with increased positions throughout the day, rising more than 4% [20] - **Industry Logic**: Although the overall inventory and output have decreased slightly, the absolute quantity is still at a high level in recent years. After CATL confirmed production suspension, the market expects synchronous production suspension of other mines in Jiangxi. With the arrival of the peak demand season, downstream material factories have started the stocking cycle. The inventory structure will amplify price elasticity. The main contract of lithium carbonate is expected to rise further after the de - stocking expectation is strengthened [21] - **Strategy Recommendation**: The supply speculation expectation still exists, and long positions should be held in the range of [88500 - 91000] [22]

Report Industry Investment Ratings No relevant content Core Views of the Report - For rubber, supply remains stable, short - term rain affects new rubber release, cost support is strong, but downstream production control in late August may slow inventory reduction and limit price rebound, with an expected oscillatory upward trend [1] - For coke, after six price hikes, coking profits turn positive, production increases slightly, demand is strong, and inventory is decreasing. The spot market is stable, and the short - term futures market is expected to oscillate [2] - For polyester bottle - chips, raw material support weakens, downstream demand is for rigid replenishment, and prices are expected to oscillate weakly [4] - For rebar, with the approaching parade, blast furnace restrictions are uncertain. Supply and demand both decline, inventory accumulates, but there is still support below the futures price, and the focus is on production restrictions and terminal demand [5] - For iron ore, supply is stable, demand is high, and the market is expected to oscillate as the fundamental situation is healthy [6] - For live pigs, supply exceeds demand in the short term, with weak price adjustments, and farmers can consider selling hedging [7] - For palm oil, domestic inventory is increasing, but due to bullish sentiment and pre - holiday demand, prices are expected to oscillate upward [7] - For soybean meal, downstream acceptance is low, but as inventory is consumed, prices are expected to rise, and the M01 contract is expected to oscillate widely with strong support below [8] - For soda ash, supply is increasing, downstream demand is average, and the 01 contract is expected to oscillate in the short term [9] - For methanol, domestic production is rising, downstream demand is stable, inventory is accumulating, and the 01 contract is expected to oscillate weakly [10] - For polypropylene, supply is abundant, inventory is high, and the PP01 contract is expected to oscillate, with suggestions to wait and see or short on rebounds [11] - For gold, geopolitical tensions may ease, and the medium - term trend is expected to oscillate downward [11] - For silver, the market is watching the Jackson Hole meeting, and the 9 - month interest - rate cut probability is high. Silver is expected to oscillate upward, with large fluctuations on Friday [12] - For short - term treasury bonds, rising capital costs and the stock - bond seesaw effect are negative for the bond market, with a short - term oscillatory downward trend [12] - For crude oil, supply expectations are raised, demand growth is lowered, and there is no short - term upward driving force, with an expected oscillatory downward trend [13] Summaries by Product Rubber - Thailand's raw material prices decline, with cup - lump down 0.35 baht/kg to 49.45 baht/kg, and latex remaining at 54.2 baht/kg. In Hainan, heavy rain disrupts tapping, and glue output is scarce. From January to July, China's rubber tire exports reach 563 tons, a 5.4% year - on - year increase [1] Coke - The average national profit per ton of coke is - 45 yuan/ton, with different profitability in various regions. After six price hikes, coking profits turn positive, production increases slightly, demand is strong, and inventory is decreasing [2] Polyester Bottle - chips - In this trading cycle, the output is 32.27 tons, remaining flat. The average weekly profit is - 218.5 yuan/ton, down 11.75 yuan/ton. The terminal demand is in the peak season, with stable downstream industry operating rates [4] Rebar - On August 18, domestic steel prices fluctuate. The billet price in Tangshan drops by 20 yuan/ton to 3050 yuan/ton. The average price of 20mm third - grade seismic rebar in 31 major cities drops by 14 yuan/ton [5] Iron Ore - The total inventory of imported iron ore in 47 ports is 14381.57 tons, an increase of 114.30 tons. The daily port clearance volume is 346.80 tons, an increase of 10.35 tons. Overseas mine shipments decline slightly, and port arrivals return to last year's level [6] Live Pigs - On August 18, the average pork price in the national agricultural wholesale market is 20.20 yuan/kg, a 0.7% increase from last Friday. The overall supply is sufficient, and the market is in a state of oversupply in the short term [7] Palm Oil - As of August 15, the commercial inventory of palm oil in key regions is 61.73 tons, a 2.92% increase from last week and a 5.96% increase from last year [7] Soybean Meal - In the 33rd week of 2025, the soybean inventory of major domestic oil mills decreases by 4.24% to 680.4 tons, and the soybean meal inventory increases by 1.12% to 101.47 tons [8] Soda Ash - The mainstream price of heavy soda ash is 1326 yuan/ton, with an oscillatory downward trend. The weekly output is 76.13 tons, a 2.24% increase. The total inventory of manufacturers is 189.38 tons, a 1.54% increase [9] Methanol - The market price in Jiangsu is 2302 yuan/ton, a decrease of 23 yuan/ton. The port inventory is 102.18 tons, an increase of 9.63 tons. Production is rising, and downstream demand is stable [10] Polypropylene - The mainstream price of East China drawing - grade polypropylene is 7022 yuan/ton, a decrease of 29 yuan/ton. Production is stable, supply is abundant, and inventory is high [11] Gold - Trump and Zelensky meet at the White House, with possible geopolitical easing, and the medium - term trend is expected to oscillate downward [11] Silver - The market is watching the Jackson Hole meeting, and the 9 - month interest - rate cut probability is high. Silver is expected to oscillate upward, with large fluctuations on Friday [12] Short - term Treasury Bonds - On August 18, most money - market interest rates rise, with the stock - bond seesaw effect being negative for the bond market, and a short - term oscillatory downward trend [12] Crude Oil - Trump hosts the Ukraine summit, and各方 support peace. The IEA raises supply expectations and lowers demand growth forecasts, with no short - term upward driving force [13]

Core Viewpoint - The recent meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska focused on the Ukraine situation and the implications of Chinese purchases of Russian oil, with Trump indicating that the U.S. is not planning immediate tariff retaliation against China for these purchases [1][4]. Background - Trump's "America First" policy, initiated after taking office, has utilized tariffs as a tool to pressure countries buying Russian oil, aiming to cut off funding for Russia's military actions in Ukraine [1][3]. - Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, India's imports of Russian oil surged from less than 1% to over one-third of its total imports, primarily due to lower prices [1][3]. Tariff Actions - Trump imposed tariffs on countries buying Venezuelan oil as a trial for secondary sanctions, later escalating tariffs on Indian goods due to its significant Russian oil imports [3][4]. - The U.S. has threatened to impose additional tariffs on China, which is the largest buyer of Russian oil, but has not yet acted on this threat [3][4]. Market Reactions - Following Trump's comments about delaying tariffs on China, oil prices fell due to reduced supply concerns [4][7]. - Analysts warn that if India were to stop buying 1.7 million barrels per day of Russian oil, global oil prices could rise significantly [3][4]. Geopolitical Implications - The meeting highlighted the intertwining of geopolitical and trade issues, with Trump attempting to leverage tariffs to pressure Russia while facing potential backlash from allies like India [7][12]. - Both China and India have emphasized their energy security and the legality of their oil imports, indicating resistance to U.S. pressure [4][10]. Future Outlook - The potential for renewed tariffs remains contingent on the progress of the Ukraine situation, with Trump indicating that if no advancements are made, tariffs could be reconsidered [5][12]. - The ongoing dynamics suggest a complex interplay between energy markets and geopolitical strategies, with significant implications for global oil supply and pricing [7][12].

Core Insights - Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are crucial for modern technology and sustainable development, playing a vital role in various applications from consumer electronics to clean energy solutions [1][2] - China's dominance in the REE market is a result of strategic national policies and significant investments in mining infrastructure and processing technologies, allowing it to control a substantial portion of the global supply chain [3][4] - The geopolitical implications of REE supply chains are significant, with Western nations striving to establish alternative sources while facing numerous challenges, including time-consuming development processes and a lack of technical expertise [4][5] Group 1: Importance of Rare Earth Elements - REEs are essential for modern technologies, including smartphones, electric vehicles, and military applications, making them critical for a low-carbon future [2][3] - The strategic value of REEs extends to national defense, where they are used in advanced military technologies [2][4] Group 2: China's Dominance - China has supplied 60% to 70% of the world's REE supply since the late 1990s and controls 85% to 90% of the refining capacity [2][3] - The country has developed a vertically integrated industrial complex for REEs, enabling it to manage the entire supply chain from mining to high-end component manufacturing [3][4] Group 3: Challenges for Western Nations - Establishing new REE supply chains in the West is hindered by lengthy development timelines (10 to 15 years), complex regulatory processes, and significant capital requirements [4][5] - The lack of technical expertise in REE processing in Western countries complicates efforts to compete with China's scale and cost advantages [4][5] Group 4: Strategic Responses - To address the supply chain crisis, Western nations need to invest in recycling technologies and establish fair partnerships with resource-rich developing countries [5] - Diplomatic dialogue and clear communication channels are essential to manage tensions and enhance transparency in resource flows [5]

Group 1 - China's slight increase in US Treasury holdings by $100 million in June, after three months of reduction, has drawn significant attention despite being a small figure in the vast debt market [1][3] - China's total US Treasury holdings now stand at $756.4 billion, making it the third-largest holder, contrasting sharply with Japan's increase of $12.6 billion and the UK's surge of $48.7 billion [1] - The Federal Reserve's interest rate hike expectations have led to fluctuations in US Treasury prices, with an overall increase of about 1% in June, reflecting a potential opportunity for China to "buy the dip" [3] Group 2 - China's cautious approach in increasing its US Treasury holdings indicates a need for flexibility in foreign exchange reserves and a strategy to stabilize external environments amid global market volatility [3][5] - Trump's recent decision to delay tariffs on China, following a meeting with Putin, suggests a strategic adjustment in response to the complex international situation, providing room for reevaluation [3][5] - The extension of the US-China trade truce allows Trump to avoid escalating tensions that could destabilize markets, highlighting the necessity for China as a buyer to alleviate the US's $37 trillion debt burden [5] Group 3 - The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict directly impacts US-China relations, with potential for continued restraint from Trump if a ceasefire is achieved, but risks of renewed tensions if the situation deteriorates [7] - The interplay of US Treasury holdings, tariffs, and international dynamics reflects the multifaceted nature of great power competition, emphasizing the need for both countries to remain vigilant and seek cooperative opportunities to prevent strategic miscalculations [7]

Group 1 - The meeting between Trump and Putin on August 15 marks a subtle "thaw" in US-Russia relations, indicating a willingness to address mutual concerns despite no formal agreements being signed [1][3] - Trump's positive remarks about Putin and the meeting's atmosphere suggest a potential shift in diplomatic engagement, although he deflected responsibility for the Ukraine issue onto Zelensky [1][3] - The cancellation of the US Treasury Secretary's visit to India casts a shadow over India's trade prospects, highlighting the complexities of US-India relations amid rising tensions [1][5] Group 2 - Wang Yi's visit to India following the US-Russia meeting is seen as a strategic move by China to strengthen ties with India, especially after recent high-level interactions have improved bilateral relations [3][5] - The economic complementarity between China and India, particularly in manufacturing and services, presents opportunities for collaboration, but security issues must be addressed first [5][7] - India's recognition of the impracticality of a strict alignment with the US indicates a strategic shift towards a more independent foreign policy, seeking to balance relations between China and the US [7]

Group 1 - The core point of the article is that the U.S. is threatening to impose a 200% tariff on China, which is seen as a strategic move to exert economic pressure not only on China but also to influence Russia's energy supply and cooperation with China [1][4][16] - The U.S. aims to weaken Russia's economic support by reducing China's energy imports from Russia, which could impact Russia's military spending and overall economic stability [4][5] - This tariff threat is also intended to isolate Russia further by potentially causing other countries to reassess their economic relationships with Russia if China reduces trade due to the tariffs [7][16] Group 2 - The urgency behind the U.S. actions is linked to political pressures faced by the Trump administration, which seeks to fulfill campaign promises regarding the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and regain support within the Republican Party [9][11] - The U.S. hopes to redirect resources towards the Indo-Pacific region by pressuring China to act on the Russia-Ukraine issue, thereby alleviating its involvement in the conflict [9][11] - A potential easing of U.S.-Russia relations could lead to cooperation in energy and resources, benefiting the U.S. by lowering costs and increasing its influence in the global energy market [9][11] Group 3 - Other countries have refrained from responding to the U.S. tariff threat due to fear of repercussions, as the economic implications of such tariffs on China are significant [11][13] - China's large domestic market and industrial capabilities provide a strong foundation to withstand external pressures, allowing it to maintain a significant role in the global economy [13][14] - China's advancements in key technologies and its ongoing international cooperation efforts make it increasingly difficult for the U.S. to isolate China through tariff measures [14][16]

Group 1 - Major Japanese cosmetics companies are facing significant challenges, with varying performance across different brands and markets [2][7][30] - Kao Corporation reported a remarkable increase in operating profit by nearly 108%, while other companies like Kose and I-ne experienced declines of 17.7% and 17.0% respectively [2][7] - Several brands under major Japanese cosmetics companies are struggling, with notable declines such as a 57% drop for the brand "Zui Xiang" and decreases for brands like Anessa, Shiseido, Decorte, and POLA [2][10] Group 2 - The Japanese cosmetics market is facing challenges, with a 3.4% decline in the overall market and specific brands like Kose's Sekkisei down by 0.5% [2][30] - The performance in the Chinese market is dragging down overall sales, with many companies planning to withdraw, liquidate, or close stores by 2025 [2][28] - Kao is the only company among the five major Japanese cosmetics groups to show growth across all markets, with increases of 2.4% in the Americas, 3.0% in Europe, and 2.3% overseas [2][30] Group 3 - Shiseido's operating profit turned positive, but net sales showed only a slight increase of 0.82%, indicating ongoing challenges [9][30] - Kose's net sales increased by 0.9%, but its operating profit fell by 17.7%, highlighting the difficulties faced by the company [9][30] - POLA ORBIS reported a decline in net sales by 1.4%, primarily due to reduced sales from its core POLA brand [21][23] Group 4 - I-ne's skincare segment saw a significant increase of 432%, while its hair care segment declined by 10.8% [27][28] - Kao's beauty-related sales for the first half of 2025 reached 211.5 billion yen (approximately 10.32 billion RMB) and 118.5 billion yen (approximately 5.78 billion RMB) for cosmetics, with both segments showing profit growth [13][15] - Kose's high-end brand sales showed mixed results, with Sekkisei growing by 11.4% while other core brands like Decorte faced declines [16][18] Group 5 - The overall performance of Japanese cosmetics companies indicates a need for strategic adjustments, especially in light of economic downturns and increased competition in the Chinese market [37][40] - Companies are exploring growth opportunities in Southeast Asia, but face challenges from numerous competitors in these emerging markets [47][28] - The Japanese domestic market also presents challenges, with brands like Zui Xiang ceasing operations and Kose's Sekkisei facing a slight decline [42][45]