Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the home appliance industry [7][12]. Core Insights - The home air conditioning market showed continued domestic sales growth in July, while external sales were weak, aligning with market expectations. The overall air conditioning sector remains stable, with the white goods sector underperforming the market from May to July. Leading companies in the white goods sector exhibit significant valuation and dividend yield advantages, making them worthy of investment consideration. Recommended companies include Midea Group, Haier Smart Home, Gree Electric, and Hisense Home Appliances [4][12]. Summary by Sections Air Conditioning Market Performance - In July 2025, the domestic air conditioning sales volume reached 10.58 million units, a year-on-year increase of 14.34%, while exports were 5.85 million units, down 15.47% year-on-year. The total production for the month was 16.12 million units, nearly unchanged from the previous year [8][13][15]. - The cumulative production from January to July 2025 was 136.43 million units, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 6.05%, with domestic sales at 77.13 million units, up 9.68% [14]. Domestic and External Sales Trends - Domestic sales continued to show double-digit growth in July, with a stable growth rate compared to previous months. The retail sector also saw significant increases, with online and offline retail volumes rising by 32% and 37% respectively [9][10]. - External sales faced challenges due to ongoing tariff impacts, with a notable decline in exports. The report highlights that the external sales environment remains uncertain, particularly with the potential for tariff changes [11][12]. Company-Specific Performance - In July, Haier's domestic sales increased by 58%, while Gree and Midea saw declines of 4.05% and 7.37% respectively. Hisense and TCL reported increases of 19.58% and stable performance [10][21][25]. - The report emphasizes the strong performance of leading companies like Haier and Hisense, while noting the weaker performance of others like Gree and Midea [10][12].

1. Report Industry Investment Rating The report does not explicitly provide an overall industry investment rating but gives individual outlooks for each metal: - Copper: Expected to show an oscillating pattern [8][9] - Alumina: Under pressure and expected to oscillate [10] - Aluminum: Expected to oscillate and decline in the short - term, with a range - bound trend [12][13] - Aluminum Alloy: Expected to oscillate in the short - term, with potential for price spread recovery [13][14] - Zinc: Expected to oscillate weakly in the short - term and decline in the long - term [15][16] - Lead: Expected to oscillate [17][18] - Nickel: Expected to oscillate widely in the short - term and hold a short position in the long - term [19][21] - Stainless Steel: Expected to maintain a range - bound trend in the short - term [24] - Tin: Expected to oscillate, with increased volatility possible in August [25][26] 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report The overall demand for non - ferrous metals is gradually weakening, and prices are under pressure to oscillate. In the short - to - medium term, the weak US dollar supports prices, but the demand - weakening risk is increasing. In the long term, potential domestic stimulus policies and supply disruptions in some metals support prices. For specific metals, their prices are affected by factors such as macroeconomic data, supply - demand relationships, and policy changes [1]. 3. Summaries by Related Catalogs 3.1行情观点 3.1.1 Copper - **Viewpoint**: Sino - US tariff suspension extension leads to high - level oscillation of copper prices. - **Analysis**: Sino - US suspend 24% tariffs for 90 days; Fed keeps interest rates unchanged; copper production increases; spot premiums decline; inventory rises. - **Logic**: Macro - level risk preference rises, but raw material supply is tight, and demand is in the off - season with limited inventory accumulation. - **Outlook**: Copper may oscillate due to supply constraints, low inventory, weakening demand, and potential tariff impacts [8][9]. 3.1.2 Alumina - **Viewpoint**: Spot prices decline slightly, and warehouse receipts increase, leading to pressure on alumina prices to oscillate. - **Analysis**: Spot prices in various regions decline slightly; overseas transactions occur; warehouse receipts increase. - **Logic**: Smelter production capacity recovers, resulting in an oversupply and increasing inventory. - **Outlook**: Consider shorting at high levels based on warehouse receipt changes [10]. 3.1.3 Aluminum - **Viewpoint**: Spot prices are at a discount, and aluminum prices oscillate and decline. - **Analysis**: Spot prices, inventory changes, and corporate performance are presented. - **Logic**: US retail data is weak, and domestic economic data slows. Supply is stable, while demand is in the off - season, and inventory accumulates. - **Outlook**: Observe short - term consumption and inventory accumulation, with prices expected to range - bound [12][13]. 3.1.4 Aluminum Alloy - **Viewpoint**: Tax refund policy tightening leads to oscillating prices. - **Analysis**: Price data, production project information, and policy changes are provided. - **Logic**: Supply and demand are both weak. Supply is affected by policy tightening, and demand is in the off - season. - **Outlook**: Prices are expected to oscillate in the short - term, with potential for price spread recovery [13][14]. 3.1.5 Zinc - **Viewpoint**: Declining ferrous metal prices lead to oscillating and declining zinc prices. - **Analysis**: Spot prices, inventory changes, and new project information are given. - **Logic**: Macro - level is slightly negative. Supply is loosening, and demand is in the off - season. - **Outlook**: Zinc prices are expected to oscillate in the short - term and decline in the long - term [16][17]. 3.1.6 Lead - **Viewpoint**: Stable cost support leads to oscillating lead prices. - **Analysis**: Price data, inventory changes, and market supply - demand conditions are presented. - **Logic**: Spot premiums are stable, supply and demand are both weak, and cost support is strong. - **Outlook**: Lead prices are expected to oscillate due to economic data and supply - demand balance [17][18]. 3.1.7 Nickel - **Viewpoint**: Fluctuating market sentiment leads to wide - range oscillation of nickel prices. - **Analysis**: Inventory changes, new policies, and corporate events are provided. - **Logic**: Market sentiment dominates, and fundamental factors are weakening. - **Outlook**: Nickel prices are expected to oscillate widely in the short - term and hold a short position in the long - term [19][21]. 3.1.8 Stainless Steel - **Viewpoint**: Significant increase in warehouse receipts leads to continued price correction. - **Analysis**: Warehouse receipt changes, spot prices, and new policies are given. - **Logic**: Cost increases, production declines, and inventory shows a structural surplus. - **Outlook**: Stainless steel prices are expected to range - bound in the short - term, depending on demand, inventory, and cost [24]. 3.1.9 Tin - **Viewpoint**: Declining Indonesian refined tin exports lead to high - level oscillation of tin prices. - **Analysis**: Inventory changes and spot prices are presented. - **Logic**: Supply is tight, but demand weakens in the second half of the year. - **Outlook**: Tin prices are expected to oscillate, with increased volatility possible in August [25][26]. 3.2行情监测 The report provides information on the performance of the non - ferrous metals index, including today's, recent 5 - day, recent 1 - month, and year - to - date changes, showing a decline in the short - term and an increase since the beginning of the year [143].

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Views of the Report - The short - term market sentiment for precious metals is cautious, but long - term factors support the gold price. Copper prices may continue to fluctuate, and the support level has been raised. Aluminum prices may experience a callback, while alumina prices are expected to be weak in the short term. Zinc prices are expected to be volatile in the short term, and a sell - outside - buy - inside strategy can be considered. Nickel - related products show different trends, and tin prices may continue to fluctuate. Lithium carbonate prices are expected to have a wide - range shock, and the industrial silicon market is affected by relevant policies [3][17][36][62][75][89][105][116]. 3. Summaries According to Related Catalogs Precious Metals - **Market Sentiment and Fundamentals**: The spot price of gold is at a discount of 4.18 yuan/gram to the futures price, indicating cautious short - term market sentiment. The net profit of Laopu Gold in the first half of the year increased by 285.8% year - on - year, showing demand resilience. The SPDR Gold ETF decreased by 3.2 tons to 962.2 tons [3]. - **Macro Factors**: The market focuses on the Jackson Hole Central Bank Annual Meeting and the speeches of Fed officials. Trump's appointment of an interim director pressures the independence of monetary policy, and the market expects an 86.1% probability of a rate cut in September, which supports the gold price in the long term [3]. Copper - **Price Outlook**: In the short term, copper prices may continue to fluctuate, and the previous support level of 77,000 yuan per ton can be raised to 78,000 yuan per ton. The Fed's meeting minutes and Powell's speech may have limited impact on copper prices, while the strong support of the US dollar index exerts pressure on the valuation of non - ferrous metals [17]. - **Market Data**: The latest price of SHFE copper futures main contract is 78,640 yuan/ton, down 0.32%. The spot prices of various regions also showed a decline, and the inventory of SHFE copper and LME copper decreased to varying degrees [18][21][34]. Aluminum - **Aluminum**: The expansion of the US tariff scope on aluminum has a certain impact on China's exports, and the price may experience a callback. Considering the peak season in September and the rate - cut expectation, the decline is likely to be a correction rather than a reversal [36]. - **Alumina**: The fundamentals of alumina are weak, with an oversupply situation expected in the second half of the year. The spot price is continuously falling, and the futures price is expected to be weakly volatile in the short term, with the cost of imported ore from Guinea as a support level [36]. - **Cast Aluminum Alloy**: The price of scrap aluminum remains high, and the supply of scrap aluminum may decrease in the future, providing strong support for the price of aluminum alloy. The demand is currently good, and the futures price generally follows the trend of SHFE aluminum, with a price difference of 350 - 500 yuan/ton [37]. Zinc - **Supply and Demand**: The supply of zinc is gradually shifting from tight to surplus, with strong processing fees. The demand is weak during the traditional off - season. LME inventories are falling, with a certain risk of short - squeeze, but the support is weak [62]. - **Trading Strategy**: Considering the pattern of strong external and weak internal zinc prices, a sell - outside - buy - inside strategy can be considered. In the short term, the price is expected to be volatile [62]. Nickel - **Market Conditions**: Nickel ore is relatively stable, with high domestic arrival inventories. Nickel iron is relatively firm in the short term, and stainless steel shows a weak trend. Sulfuric acid nickel has certain price - support sentiment, and the MHP market is in short supply [75]. - **Macro Factors**: The strengthening of the US dollar index at the beginning of the week suppresses the market, but the expectation of a rate cut in September is still strong [75]. Tin - **Price Outlook**: The repeated postponement of the full resumption of production in Myanmar's tin mines has supported the tin price, and in the short term, the price may continue to fluctuate [89]. - **Market Data**: The latest price of SHFE tin futures main contract is 267,840 yuan/ton, down 0.09%. The inventories of SHFE tin and LME tin decreased [90][100]. Lithium Carbonate - **Market Situation**: The market is over - hyped, and there is a sign of inventory reduction in the upstream and inventory replenishment in the downstream. The futures market is dominated by sentiment, and the price is expected to have a wide - range shock [105]. - **Price Data**: The price of lithium carbonate futures shows different changes, and the spot prices of various lithium products also have corresponding fluctuations [106][110]. Industrial Silicon - **Policy Impact**: The joint meeting of multiple departments to regulate the photovoltaic industry may have an impact on the industrial silicon market [116]. - **Market Data**: The prices of industrial silicon in various regions decreased, and the futures price also declined. The prices of related products such as polysilicon, silicon wafers, and battery cells also showed different trends [117][125][126].

Group 1: Market Trends and Economic Indicators - The dollar index experienced a significant decline of over 10% in the first half of the year due to a series of unpredictable policies from the Trump administration, but rebounded in July with a monthly increase of over 3% [2][3] - Positive economic data in July, including a robust labor market, stable inflation, and a 3% increase in Q2 GDP, contributed to the dollar's rebound despite the actual economic situation being less optimistic [3] - The Federal Reserve's hawkish stance, as indicated by Powell's refusal to yield to pressure for rate cuts, has led to a decrease in market expectations for future rate cuts [4] Group 2: Tariff Policies and Fiscal Impact - The U.S. tariff revenue surged to $16 billion in April, marking a 130% year-on-year increase, with subsequent months also showing record high revenues [6] - Despite the increase in tariff revenue, the overall fiscal improvement in June was primarily due to a reduction in expenditures rather than increased revenue, highlighting the limitations of tariff policies [7] - The trade deficit did not show substantial improvement, as the reduction in imports was not due to a manufacturing rebound but rather a decrease in consumer and business demand [7][8] Group 3: Employment Data and Economic Outlook - The release of disappointing non-farm payroll data in August, with only 73,000 new jobs added, raised concerns about the labor market and led to speculation about potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [9][10] - The accuracy of the non-farm payroll data has been questioned due to a significant drop in survey response rates, which may have contributed to frequent revisions of employment figures [9][10] - The outlook for the dollar index suggests continued volatility below the 100 mark, with potential support from large-scale fiscal stimulus measures planned by the Trump administration [11][12]

Market Overview - The textile and apparel sector has shown a performance in line with the broader market since August, with textile manufacturing outperforming branded apparel, recording increases of 4.2% and 3.4% respectively [13][19] - Key companies leading the upward trend include Xtep International (+9.4%), Bosideng (+8.5%), and Li Ning (+8.1%) [13][19] Brand Apparel Insights - In July, the retail sales of clothing grew by 1.8% year-on-year, reflecting a slight deceleration compared to the previous month [21] - E-commerce sales saw a significant rebound, particularly in outdoor apparel, with growth rates of 26% for outdoor clothing and 11% for sportswear [21][28] - Notable brands with double-digit growth include Descente (+63%), Puma (+41%), and Lululemon (+39%) [21] Textile Manufacturing Insights - Vietnam's textile exports accelerated in July, with a month-on-month growth of 16.7%, while China's textile exports showed a modest increase of 0.5% [2] - The PMI for Vietnam, Indonesia, and India rose by 3.5, 2.3, and 0.7 respectively, indicating improved manufacturing conditions [2] - The cotton prices have shown slight fluctuations, with domestic prices decreasing by 0.7% and international prices increasing by 1.8% since August [2] Company Performance and Forecasts - Non-sport apparel brands have generally faced challenges due to macroeconomic conditions, leading to a decline in revenue and increased inventory impairment [4] - Sports apparel brands have maintained robust fundamentals, with management teams optimistic about meeting annual performance targets despite a slowdown in growth [4] - Companies like Shenzhou International and Huayi Group are expected to show significant earnings resilience post the current low point in Q2 and Q3 [4][7] Investment Recommendations - Focus on companies with strong fundamentals and low valuations, particularly those with high performance in mid-year reports [3][7] - Recommended stocks include Anta Sports, Xtep International, and Li Ning for branded apparel, and Shenzhou International and Huayi Group for textile manufacturing [7][8]

Group 1: Steel Industry Outlook - The steel industry's mid-cycle outlook faces challenges due to weak demand and tariff barriers, with companies like Tata Steel, Nucor, and Steel Dynamics expected to maintain relative premium due to favorable demand prospects and tariff protections [3][5] - Chinese steel companies are anticipated to improve profitability due to demand recovery and production cuts, with a year-on-year demand growth of 4.3% driven mainly by the automotive and machinery sectors, while exports grew by 9.2% [5][6] - North American steel producers have an optimistic outlook despite uncertainties from tariff policy changes and infrastructure investment delays, with a projected 3% decline in steel demand in 2024 followed by a 2% rebound in 2025 [12][14] Group 2: Copper Industry Insights - U.S. copper tariffs aim to encourage supply repatriation, but limited smelting capacity and slow approval processes hinder this goal, leading to continued reliance on imports [7][8] - Freeport-McMoRan is expected to benefit from increased sales, as U.S. refined copper production in 2024 is projected at 850,000 tons, meeting less than half of the demand [7][8] Group 3: Silver Market Dynamics - Silver is expected to be revalued further, driven by strong industrial demand, with the gold-silver ratio potentially moving from 90 to 80 as macroeconomic factors shift [10][11]

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided. 2. Core Viewpoints - Copper prices continued to fluctuate on Tuesday and are expected to remain volatile in the short term. The previous support level of 77,000 yuan per ton has been raised to 78,000 yuan per ton. The Fed's meeting minutes and Powell's speech may have limited impact on copper prices, while the strong support of the US dollar index exerts pressure on the overall valuation of non - ferrous metals [3]. - There are both利多 and利空 factors for copper prices.利多 factors include reaching a tariff agreement, a decline in the US dollar index due to increased interest - rate cut expectations, and the upward shift of the support level.利空 factors include tariff policy fluctuations, reduced global demand due to tariffs, and an extremely high COMEX inventory caused by US copper tariff policy adjustments [4][5][7]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs Copper Price and Volatility - The latest copper price is 78,890 yuan per ton, with a monthly price range forecast of 73,000 - 80,000 yuan per ton. The current volatility is 11.64%, and the historical percentile of the current volatility is 22.6% [2]. Copper Risk Management Suggestions - For inventory management with high finished - product inventory and concerns about price drops, sell 75% of Shanghai Copper main futures contracts around 82,000 yuan per ton and sell 25% of CU2510C82000 call options when volatility is relatively stable. - For raw material management with low raw material inventory and concerns about price increases, buy 75% of Shanghai Copper main futures contracts around 77,000 yuan per ton [2]. Copper Futures Market Data | Futures Contract | Unit | Latest Price | Daily Change | Daily Change Rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Shanghai Copper Main | Yuan/ton | 78,890 | 0 | 0% | | Shanghai Copper Continuous 1 | Yuan/ton | 78,870 | - 40 | - 0.05% | | Shanghai Copper Continuous 3 | Yuan/ton | 78,850 | 0 | 0% | | LME Copper 3M | US dollars/ton | 9,684.5 | - 67.5 | - 0.69% | | Shanghai - London Ratio | Ratio | 8.21 | 0.03 | 0.37% | [6] Copper Spot Data | Spot Type | Unit | Latest Price | Daily Change | Daily Change Rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Shanghai Non - ferrous 1 Copper | Yuan/ton | 79,100 | - 180 | - 0.23% | | Shanghai Wumaotong | Yuan/ton | 79,050 | - 230 | - 0.29% | | Guangdong Southern Reserve | Yuan/ton | 78,970 | - 180 | - 0.23% | | Yangtze River Non - ferrous | Yuan/ton | 79,220 | - 210 | - 0.26% | | Shanghai Non - ferrous Premium | Yuan/ton | 195 | - 30 | - 13.33% | | Shanghai Wumaotong Premium | Yuan/ton | 130 | - 40 | - 23.53% | | Guangdong Southern Reserve Premium | Yuan/ton | 155 | - 45 | - 22.5% | | Yangtze River Non - ferrous Premium | Yuan/ton | 185 | - 5 | - 2.63% | [12] Copper Scrap - to - Refined Spread | Spread Type | Unit | Latest Price | Daily Change | Daily Change Rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Current Scrap - to - Refined Spread (Tax - included) | Yuan/ton | 1,049.89 | 36.38 | 3.59% | | Reasonable Scrap - to - Refined Spread (Tax - included) | Yuan/ton | 1,491.35 | - 0.7 | - 0.05% | | Price Advantage (Tax - included) | Yuan/ton | - 441.46 | 37.08 | - 7.75% | | Current Scrap - to - Refined Spread (Tax - excluded) | Yuan/ton | 5,735 | 30 | 0.53% | | Reasonable Scrap - to - Refined Spread (Tax - excluded) | Yuan/ton | 6,191.97 | - 4.86 | - 0.08% | | Price Advantage (Tax - excluded) | Yuan/ton | - 456.97 | 34.86 | - 7.09% | [17] Copper Warehouse Receipts and Inventories - Shanghai Copper warehouse receipts total 25,498 tons (unchanged), and International Copper warehouse receipts total 8,780 tons, a decrease of 5,571 tons (- 38.82%). - LME copper inventory totals 155,150 tons, a decrease of 450 tons (- 0.29%). - COMEX copper inventory totals 269,943 tons, an increase of 4,054 tons (1.52%) [21][23][24]. Copper Import Profit and Processing - The copper import profit is 332.39 yuan per ton, an increase of 3.25 yuan (0.99%). The copper concentrate TC is - 37.67 US dollars per ton, unchanged [25].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the precious metals market is currently experiencing fluctuations due to various factors, including U.S. tariff policies, geopolitical tensions, and changing expectations regarding Federal Reserve interest rate cuts [1][2][3][4] - Galaxy Futures indicates that the unexpected rise in U.S. PPI and resilient retail data have dampened market expectations for interest rate cuts for the remainder of the year, leading to cautious trading sentiment [1] - The geopolitical situation, particularly the U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has led to increased expectations for a resolution, which has also pressured precious metals [1][2] Group 2 - National Investment Futures notes that the recent clarity in U.S. tariff policies and ongoing Russia-Ukraine talks have reduced market risk aversion, resulting in continued adjustments in precious metals [1][2] - The uncertainty surrounding U.S. economic policies and tariffs is expected to have a lasting impact on inflation and global markets, with precious metals serving as a strategic asset to hedge against risks [2] - Goldman Sachs emphasizes that gold is behaving more like a "luxury" rather than a commodity, driven by ownership changes rather than traditional supply-demand dynamics, which supports the case for increased investment in gold [4] Group 3 - Ole Hansen from Saxo Bank highlights that the market is awaiting the next catalyst, with recent U.S. economic data showing unexpected downward trends, which may affect the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions [3] - The potential for geopolitical risks to rise could also trigger an increase in precious metals prices, as seen in past instances [3] - The strong demand for gold from ETFs and central banks is becoming a new pillar of support for gold prices, as noted by Goldman Sachs [4]

Core Viewpoint - The impact of U.S. tariff policies on Japanese exports is becoming increasingly evident, with significant declines in both exports and imports reported for July 2023 [2][4][6]. Trade Data Summary - Japan's exports in July fell by 2.6% year-on-year, marking the largest decline in over four years and exceeding economists' expectations of a 2.1% drop [4]. - Imports decreased by 7.5%, which was less than the anticipated 10.4% decline [4]. - Japan recorded a trade deficit of 117.5 billion yen (approximately 795.5 million USD), contrasting with the expected surplus of 196.2 billion yen [4]. - Key export declines included automobiles (down 11.4%), steel (down 21%), and auto parts (down 12.1%) [4]. - Notably, exports to the U.S. decreased by 10.1%, with automotive exports dropping significantly by 28.4% and auto parts by 17.4% [4][6]. Stock Market Reaction - Following the trade data release, the Japanese stock market experienced a decline, with the Nikkei 225 index dropping over 1.5% [5]. - Analysts predict that the Nikkei 225 index, which has risen over 9% year-to-date, may retreat to around 42,000 points by the end of the year [5]. Economic Impact - The U.S. tariff policy has led to a continuous decline in Japanese exports to the U.S. for three consecutive months, with the decline in automotive exports particularly pronounced [6]. - The automotive industry, a core sector of the Japanese economy, is expected to face broader negative impacts due to reduced exports, affecting related industries and regional economies [6]. - Preliminary statistics indicate that Japan's GDP grew by 0.3% quarter-on-quarter and 1.0% year-on-year in Q2 2023, but concerns remain regarding the potential negative effects of U.S. tariffs [6]. Economic Forecast - A survey of economists suggests that Japan's economy may enter negative growth in Q3 2023, with an expected GDP decline of 0.1% quarter-on-quarter, translating to an annualized drop of 0.6% [7]. - Despite the negative outlook, a recent trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan, which includes a 15% tariff rate and a commitment for Japan to invest 550 billion USD in the U.S., was announced by President Trump [7].

Core Viewpoint - Japan's exports are experiencing the most significant decline in over four years, primarily due to the impact of U.S. tariff policies, raising concerns about the country's economic growth prospects [1][3]. Export Performance - In July, Japan's export value decreased by 2.6% year-on-year, surpassing economists' predictions of a 2.1% decline, with automotive and steel exports leading the downturn [1][3]. - Exports to the U.S. fell by 10.1% in July, with automotive and parts exports dropping by 28.4% and 17.4%, respectively, indicating that Japanese companies are absorbing some tariff costs to maintain sales [3][5]. - The overall export volume increased by 1.2%, suggesting that companies are lowering prices to offset tariff impacts [1]. Import Trends - Japan's imports decreased by 7.5% in July, with significant declines in crude oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas imports [1][5]. - Despite the drop in imports, Japan recorded a trade deficit of 117.5 billion yen [1]. Economic Outlook - The continuous decline in exports raises concerns about Japan's ability to sustain economic growth, especially as domestic demand remains weak [3][5]. - Economists predict that Japan's exports may stagnate as companies adjust to the new trade environment, with the government recently downgrading its economic outlook due to the expanding losses from U.S. trade measures [5]. Tariff Impact - The U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Japanese automotive parts and increased steel tariffs to 50%, significantly affecting Japan's export dynamics [3][4]. - A trade agreement reached in late July aims to set automotive and general goods tariffs at 15%, but full implementation is still pending [4]. Currency Effects - The average exchange rate of the yen against the dollar in July was 145.56, appreciating by 8.9% compared to the same period last year, which may further complicate export competitiveness [5].