Company Performance - Workday experienced a significant gain of 6.9% after Elliott Investment Management disclosed a stake of over USD 2 billion and expressed support for its management [1][11] - General Mills reported better-than-expected profits for the latest quarter, but its revenue only matched forecasts, leading to a 1.9% drop in its stock [2][11] - RCI Hospitality Holdings saw a sharp decline of 10.2% following accusations of bribery and tax evasion by New York's attorney general [8][12] Market Overview - The S&P 500 remained virtually unchanged, hovering near its record set earlier in the week, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 211 points, or 0.5% [1][11] - The upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate decision is anticipated to be a key event, with expectations of a quarter-point cut [5][12] - International markets showed mixed results, with Japan's Nikkei 225 slipping 0.2% due to a 13.8% drop in exports to the US [9][10][12] Investment Activities - Workday announced an increase in its stock buyback program, allowing for up to USD 4 billion in purchases to return cash to investors [1][11] - StubHub is set to debut on the New York Stock Exchange with an initial public offering price of USD 23.50 per share [9][12]

Group 1: Investment Ratings - Gold operation rating: ★☆☆, indicating a bullish bias but poor operability on the market [1] - Silver operation rating: ★☆★, with the white star suggesting a relatively balanced short - term trend and poor operability, advising to wait and see [1][4] Group 2: Core Views - Overnight, precious metals mainly fluctuated. The US August retail sales monthly rate was 0.6%, higher than the forecast of 0.2% and the previous value of 0.50% [1] - Trump called for faster interest rate cuts. The market priced in three consecutive interest rate cuts by the Fed this year, but the probability of a 50 - basis - point cut this time was only 3% [1] - Focus on the Fed's interest rate cut amplitude at the meeting early tomorrow and Powell's speech on future guidance. If the Fed cuts rates by 25 basis points as expected, beware of the "buy the rumor, sell the news" effect leading to a phased adjustment [1] Group 3: Other Key Points Tariff - related - The EU and Indonesia reached a trade agreement [1] - The US Commerce Department considered imposing additional tariffs on more imported auto parts [1] - The US and India's trade negotiators held positive talks in New Delhi on Tuesday and agreed to step up efforts to reach a trade deal [1] Trump - related - Trump talked with Modi to ease differences on tariffs and Russian oil [2] - Netanyahu will visit the White House again at the end of this month [2] - EU Commission President von der Leyen talked with Trump, and she agreed to phase out Russian oil imports and increase sanctions against Russia [2] - Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru arranged a visit to the US next week [2] - Trump arrived in the UK [2] Fed Interest Rate Cut Probabilities - The probability of the Fed cutting rates by 25 basis points this week is 96.1%, and the probability of a 50 - basis - point cut is 3.9% [2] - The probability of the Fed cumulatively cutting rates by 25 basis points in October is 20.1%, 50 basis points is 76.8%, and 75 basis points is 3.1% [2]

Group 1: Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Decision - The consensus in the market anticipates a rate cut in September, but the policy dynamics remain complex due to labor market cooling and persistent inflation concerns[4] - The Federal Reserve is likely to provide guidance on future easing through the dot plot and economic forecasts, rather than committing to a clear rate path[5] - The dot plot is expected to shift downward with increased dispersion, but the median may not indicate the market's expectation of three rate cuts[5] Group 2: Economic Forecasts and Labor Market Insights - Economic growth forecasts for 2025 are likely to be slightly revised down due to weaker-than-expected labor market data and significant downward revisions in non-farm payrolls[5] - The unemployment rate is projected to rise slowly, with most officials maintaining a judgment of two rate cuts within the year[5] - The core PCE inflation forecast may be slightly adjusted downwards compared to June's pessimistic outlook, reflecting moderate price transmission from tariffs[5] Group 3: Risks and Market Reactions - The market is currently pricing in three rate cuts within the year, which may lead to increased sensitivity to data fluctuations[9] - Political pressures and the potential for a Supreme Court ruling on tariff legality could significantly impact inflation and monetary policy decisions[8] - The labor market's deterioration rate and inflation trends will be critical indicators for the Federal Reserve's future actions[8]

Investment Rating - The overall investment rating for the non-ferrous metal industry is "Outperform the Market" [6][7]. Core Views - The non-ferrous metal sector has shown strong performance, with a net profit increase of 38% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, driven by rising commodity prices [1][29]. - The industrial metal segment experienced a revenue growth of 12.08% year-on-year, with net profits increasing by 38% in the same period [2]. - Precious metals benefited from interest rate cut expectations and safe-haven demand, leading to a significant rise in gold prices [3][15]. - Energy metals have started to recover, with a slight revenue increase and a return to profitability [4]. - The small metals sector faced challenges, with a notable decline in revenue but some improvement in profitability in the second quarter [4]. Summary by Sections Non-Ferrous Metals - In the first half of 2025, the non-ferrous metal sector achieved a total revenue of 1,819.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.66%, and a net profit of 95.3 billion yuan, up 38.28% [1][29]. - The sector's performance was bolstered by rising prices in precious and industrial metals, while energy metals and steel saw price declines [1][14]. Industrial Metals - The industrial metal sector reported a total revenue of 1,358.6 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 12.08%, and a net profit of 69.74 billion yuan, up 38% [2][34]. - The second quarter of 2025 saw a revenue of 727.99 billion yuan, reflecting a 9.97% year-on-year increase and a 15.4% quarter-on-quarter increase [2]. Precious Metals - The precious metal sector generated a revenue of 188.25 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 27% and a net profit of 9.68 billion yuan, up 65.6% [3][34]. - The second quarter of 2025 showed a revenue of 104.42 billion yuan, a 31.3% year-on-year increase, and a net profit of 5.79 billion yuan, up 76.3% [3]. Energy Metals - The energy metal sector achieved a revenue of 81.24 billion yuan, with a slight year-on-year growth of 0.1%, and a net profit of 5.31 billion yuan, marking a return to profitability [4][34]. - The second quarter of 2025 reported a revenue of 43.88 billion yuan, a 5.5% year-on-year increase, and a net profit of 3.04 billion yuan, up 51.9% [4]. Small Metals - The small metal sector reported a revenue of 137.7 billion yuan, down 37.6% year-on-year, with a net profit of 7.64 billion yuan, down 26.1% [4][34]. - In the second quarter, the revenue was 73.89 billion yuan, a decrease of 39.5% year-on-year, but a quarter-on-quarter increase of 16.4% [4]. Steel - The steel sector lagged behind, with a revenue increase of only 3.09% year-on-year, indicating a weaker performance compared to non-ferrous metals [1][16].

Consumer Spending Trends - August retail sales exceeded estimates for the third consecutive month, with July's figures revised upward, indicating strong consumer spending despite concerns about the labor market and inflation [1][4] - The consumer market shows resilience, particularly among luxury consumers, while low and middle-income consumers are feeling pressure and are more value-conscious [2][3] Retail Inventory and Pricing - Retail inventories are well-managed, running close to sales rates, which is favorable for margins [6] - Price increases in apparel and other items by 5% or more may lead to a corresponding decrease in unit sales, which is a critical factor to monitor [8] Sector Performance and Stock Recommendations - Companies like Walmart, Costco, and BJ's are favored for their understanding of value, while Cartier and Richemont are noted for their strong pricing power [9] - Caution is advised for certain mall sectors and department stores, particularly those with middle and low-income exposure, such as Macy's and Target [10] Beauty Sector Insights - E.L.F. Beauty is highlighted as a favorite investment due to its innovative approach, while Ulta Beauty is on hold despite having a strong management team [11][12] - The beauty sector remains vibrant, but there are mixed trends as consumers are becoming more selective in their spending [12]

Market Expectations - A quarter-point rate cut is widely anticipated, with 25 basis points being almost certain, while any other decision could lead to significant market volatility [2][3] - Historical data shows that after rate cuts, particularly when the market is near all-time highs, stocks tend to move higher, with 20 out of 20 instances indicating a positive trend [5] Economic Indicators - The labor market is a key factor influencing the expected rate cut, with inflation metrics also playing a crucial role in determining future cuts [3][4] - Consumer discretionary stocks are outperforming staples, indicating a bullish market sentiment, while high beta stocks are also hitting new highs [6] Tariff Concerns - Tariff uncertainties have diminished for the remainder of the year, although there is potential for these concerns to resurface in the future [7][8] - The impact of tariffs has been absorbed by companies with higher margins, allowing them to maintain profitability despite potential cost increases [9] Investment Strategies - There is a positive outlook for international stocks, particularly in Europe, due to attractive valuations and earnings growth, while small caps are viewed as underweight compared to large caps [10][11] - The market anticipates six rate cuts over the next 15 months, but the economy may perform better than expected, potentially leading to fewer cuts [11] Consumer Sentiment - Retail and consumer data are showing resilience, suggesting that the economy may continue to grow, supported by increased capital expenditures as companies resume delayed investments [12][13]

Core Insights - Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad indicated that the current exchange rate has impacted tax revenue positively, with the rate now at 5.30 reais per dollar, leading to a more optimistic outlook on the balance between interest rates and exchange rates [1] - The Brazilian economy is projected to grow at an average annual rate close to 3% by the end of President Lula's term, with unemployment expected to remain at historical lows and cumulative inflation reaching a four-year low, below 20% [1] - Haddad expressed hope that Brazil's potential GDP could exceed the current estimate of 2.5%, although he did not provide specific targets or pathways to achieve this [1] - Regarding U.S. tariffs on Brazil, Haddad described the measures as "political actions" and emphasized that Brazil should not be treated differently from Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, and the rest of South America [1]

Group 1 - Retail sales showed a stronger than expected increase of 0.6% in August, following a 0.5% increase in July, surpassing the forecast of 0.2% [1][2] - Retail sales excluding automobiles rose by 0.7%, and when excluding both autos and gas, the increase remained at 0.7% [2] - The control group, which impacts GDP calculations, increased by 0.7% after a 0.3% gain in July, indicating robust consumer spending [2][3] Group 2 - The back-to-school shopping season appears to have been strong, with consumers seemingly unaffected by tariffs during August [3] - Import prices increased by 0.3%, which is a decrease from the previous month's increase of 0.4%, contrary to expectations of a decline [3][4] - The data suggests that exporters are not absorbing tariff costs but are passing them on to importers, wholesalers, and retailers, impacting consumer prices [4]

今夜，万众瞩目的8月CPI数据即将揭晓，北京时间9月12日晚8点30分，这场经济盛宴将准时开席。华尔街的普遍预期是，受 到夏末油价回升以及部分进口商品新关税的连锁反应，通胀或将呈现温和反弹之势。预测普遍指向，整体CPI环比将达到 0.3%，同比约为2.9%；而剔除食品和能源的核心CPI，预计环比亦为0.3%，同比则可能维持在3.1%。然而，在这看似一致的 预测背后，投行内部的意见却并非铁板一块。高盛便乐观地预测核心CPI环比将攀升至0.36%，摩根大通更是将这一数字推高 至0.4%。这两家巨头不约而同地将关税视为"通胀的隐形推手"，在其模型中，关税如同一个蓄势待发的发动机，一旦企业消 化完旧库存，上涨的成本便会悄无声息地传导至货架标价。 场内外的对话充满了经济学家的智慧与市场的敏锐。在一次简短的电话交流中，当被问及今晚最关键的观察点时，一位中型 基金的策略师几乎是脱口而出："千万不要只盯着总体数据，务必聚焦核心项目的细分项：关税项、住房成本、二手车价格以 及机票价格——这些数据的任何风吹草动，都可能导致我们的投资策略需要'翻页'。"这句话极具洞察力，它提醒我们，CPI 报告并非一个单一的"惊雷"，而是由无数个 ...

Trade Negotiations - The next round of US-China trade talks may extend the tariff truce for another 90 days, potentially reaching an agreement before the November 10th deadline [1] - China initially sought compensation for the TikTok sale through tariff and export control concessions [2] - Chinese negotiators are firm but recognize the need to mitigate risks in US trade relations over 35 years to avoid decoupling [2] TikTok Deal - TikTok's commercial terms will safeguard US national security interests while preserving the app's Chinese characteristics [3] Geopolitics - The US will not impose tariffs on Chinese goods due to China's purchase of Russian oil unless European countries also take similar action [4]