Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of maintaining objectivity and discipline in investment strategies during periods of market volatility, highlighting that emotional reactions can lead to poor decision-making [1] - Historical data shows that stock markets experience significant fluctuations, with a 20% drop occurring approximately every four years, and a 10% drop almost annually, which investors often overlook [3][4] - Long-term investments in stocks have a higher probability of outpacing inflation compared to cash, with success rates increasing significantly with longer holding periods [4] Market Performance - Over the past five years, global stock markets have doubled in value, while cash holdings have only returned 14%, illustrating the superior performance of equities [2] - The MSCI World Index data indicates that in the 53 years leading up to 2025, 30 years recorded drops of over 10%, and 13 years saw declines of 20% or more [3] Investment Strategy - The article discusses a "rotation strategy" based on the VIX index, which suggests that selling stocks during high volatility (VIX above 33) leads to lower returns compared to a long-term holding strategy [5] - Historical analysis indicates that those who react impulsively to market risks often miss out on potential returns, reinforcing the need for a disciplined investment approach [5]

1. Report Industry Investment Rating - No industry investment rating is provided in the report. 2. Core Views of the Report - The convertible bond market continued its moderate upward trend during the week of August 4 - 9, 2025, with the price center approaching historical highs, the valuation structure further stretched, and trading activity remaining high. The repair momentum of both medium - low - priced and high - priced varieties increased, and there were improvements in both credit and elasticity preferences. Low - rated issuers frequently initiated downward revisions, concentrated in sectors such as power equipment, pharmaceutical biology, and automobiles. The equity market was dominated by the growth style, with continuous inflows of funds into the science - innovation and manufacturing sectors, and the cyclical and military sectors also performed prominently. The intensity of industry and style rotation increased significantly, and fluctuations might intensify due to short - term sentiment warming. It is recommended to evenly allocate high - quality medium - low - priced individual bonds, considering valuation safety, fundamental support, and liquidity, and appropriately capture event - driven and rotation repair opportunities [2][5]. - Downward revision events in the current convertible bond market are relatively concentrated in sectors such as power equipment, pharmaceutical biology, and automobiles, and some industries like the electronics industry have a relatively high PB during downward revisions. The overall credit ratings of companies initiating downward revisions are relatively low, with AA - grade having the highest proportion, followed by AA and A + grades, indicating relatively prominent conversion pressure for medium - and low - rated issuers. Downward revisions mostly occur during market upswings or after sharp rebounds, suggesting that companies tend to adjust terms when stock prices are relatively supported. The market price and premium rate at the time of downward revision are generally in the medium - to - high range, and the subsequent market reaction is generally positive, with some sectors performing significantly better in the week after the downward revision. It is advisable to pay attention to the impact of the motivation and timing of downward revisions on trading strategies and explore opportunities with underlying stock support and valuation repair potential [9]. - The A - share market's major indices continued to strengthen during the week, with small - and medium - cap science - innovation stocks being active. The Growth style dominated, with the STAR 50 and CSI 2000 leading the gains. Although the marginal improvement in investors' risk appetite was observed, the net outflow of institutional funds continued, mainly due to profit - taking behaviors such as portfolio rebalancing. In terms of industries, the cyclical and military sectors led the gains, with non - ferrous metals, machinery, and textile and apparel among the top performers. The consumer sector was fragmented, with textile and apparel and home appliances recovering, while commercial retail was weak. The trading volume distribution showed that the electronics, pharmaceutical biology, and machinery sectors were the most active. Overall, market hotspots were concentrated in high - elasticity and policy - driven areas. It is recommended to focus on high - elasticity sectors such as military and machinery while moderately and evenly allocating to less - crowded and stable sectors, balancing flexibility and risk control [9]. - The convertible bond market continued its upward trend, with small - cap bonds outperforming large - cap ones, and the market's risk appetite recovered. In terms of the valuation structure, the repair momentum was strong in the medium - low - priced and high - priced ranges, while the core medium - priced range faced pressure and declined. Low - priced bonds were supported by credit improvement, and high - priced bonds stabilized due to elasticity - driven trading. The implied volatility fluctuated at a high level, indicating a strong market expectation of future fluctuations. In terms of sectors, cyclical sectors such as machinery, non - ferrous metals, and national defense and military led the gains, and the pharmaceutical biology and basic chemical sectors had a high concentration of funds. Most of the top - performing individual bonds were driven by the strength of their underlying stocks, featuring high elasticity and medium - to - long - term durations. It is generally recommended to maintain a balanced allocation between high - growth and fundamentally stable sectors and be vigilant against short - term fluctuations in highly - crowded sectors [9]. - The primary market supply of convertible bonds was stable during the week, with one new bond available for subscription and seven companies updating their issuance plans, indicating continued active progress. In terms of terms, 27 bonds announced that they were expected to trigger downward revisions, 7 announced no downward revisions, and 1 proposed a downward revision. On the redemption side, 10 bonds were expected to trigger redemption, 3 announced no early redemption, and 7 announced early redemption. Overall, the primary supply continued to be released, and events related to terms and redemptions were frequent, with continued speculative sentiment. It is recommended to pay attention to the impact of these events on pricing and trading opportunities [9]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Characteristics of Convertible Bonds with Downward Revisions - By industry, from January to July 2025, the power equipment industry had the most downward revisions, with 8 convertible bonds announcing downward revisions, followed by the pharmaceutical biology and automobile industries, each with 5 convertible bonds announcing downward revisions. Among the industries with downward revisions, the electronics industry had the highest arithmetic average PB, with 4 convertible bonds announcing downward revisions and an arithmetic average PB of 3.6, followed by the petroleum and petrochemical and computer industries, with 1 and 2 convertible bonds announcing downward revisions respectively, and arithmetic average PBs of 3.5 and 3.3 respectively [17]. - The overall credit ratings of companies initiating downward revisions are relatively low. By credit rating distribution, among companies initiating downward revisions from January to July 2025, AA - grade convertible bonds accounted for the highest proportion, with 15 downward revisions, accounting for 30.6%, followed by AA and A + grades [19]. - In terms of market timing, downward revisions mostly occur during market upswings or after sharp rebounds, reflecting that companies tend to adjust terms when stock prices are relatively supported. When downward revisions occur, the market price and premium rate are generally in the medium - to - high range, and the subsequent market reaction is generally positive, with the automobile sector's convertible bonds having an average increase of 10.1% in the week after the downward revision, followed by the pharmaceutical biology sector with an average increase of 7.1% [9][21]. 3.2 Weekly Market Theme Review 3.2.1 Equity Market Theme Review - During the week of August 4 - 9, 2025, the trading themes in the equity market were active, with the military and high - end manufacturing themes leading the gains. The consecutive limit - up index led all themes, with a weekly increase of 17.8%. The trading themes such as the daily limit index, the first - board non - ST index, and the first - board index all had weekly increases of over 13%, indicating that short - term funds' attention to trend - following trading continued to increase. The high - end manufacturing and military sectors performed well, with the liquid - cooled server index and the general machinery selected index rising by 9.0% and 8.1% respectively, and the satellite navigation index and the satellite Internet index rising by 6.8% and 6.4% respectively. The science and technology sector continued to show a differentiated pattern, with the robot industry chain recovering strongly, while the optical module (CPO) index and the circuit board index declined. The pharmaceutical sector declined, with the innovative drug index and the weight - loss drug index falling by 2.2% and 2.8% respectively. In terms of fund flow, the weekly trading volumes of the first - board index and the daily limit index both exceeded 30 billion yuan, indicating increased activity of short - term funds. Overall, market sentiment continued to strengthen, and short - term funds shifted to high - elasticity sectors such as the military and high - end manufacturing, mainly driven by themes. At the same time, it is necessary to guard against the risk of valuation convergence in high - valuation sectors [28]. 3.2.2 Convertible Bond Market Review - During the week of August 4 - 9, 2025, the convertible bond market continued to be strong, with small - cap bonds leading the gains and large - cap bonds performing relatively weakly. The valuation structure was significantly differentiated, with significant repairs in the medium - low - priced and high - priced ranges and pressure on the core medium - priced range, reflecting that speculative funds were becoming more cautious at high levels. The implied volatility fluctuated at a high level, indicating a strong market expectation of future fluctuations. At the industry level, cyclical sectors such as machinery and non - ferrous metals led the gains, and the trading volume of the pharmaceutical biology and basic chemical sectors accounted for a relatively high proportion. The consumer sector showed increased differentiation. In terms of individual bonds, high - elasticity and medium - to - long - term duration bonds were driven by their underlying stocks and performed prominently, with a significant resonance between themes and cyclical factors. It is recommended to focus on high - quality individual bonds with strong valuation repair momentum, fundamental support, and underlying stock catalysts [32]. 3.3 Weekly Market Tracking 3.3.1 Major Indices and Sector Performance - During the week of August 4 - 9, 2025, the A - share market's major indices recovered. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 2.1% week - on - week, the Shenzhen Component Index rose 1.2%, and the ChiNext Index rose 0.5%. Small - and medium - cap science - innovation stocks performed well, with the STAR 50 Index leading the gains, rising 3.5% week - on - week, the CSI 2000 Index rising 1.8%, the CSI 500 Index rising 0.7%, and the SSE 300 Index rising 1.2%. The net outflow of institutional funds continued, but the pressure eased. The average daily trading volume of the whole market was about 1.7 trillion yuan, a week - on - week decrease of 0.1 billion yuan. The net outflow of institutional funds increased from 3.87 billion yuan on Monday to 12.52 billion yuan on Tuesday, then decreased slightly to 11.05 billion yuan on Wednesday, and then increased significantly again, reaching 34.92 billion yuan on Friday, possibly indicating short - term profit - taking behaviors. The average daily net outflow of institutional funds during the week was 17.82 billion yuan, a decrease of 11.32 billion yuan compared with the previous week, indicating a warming market sentiment [33]. - The A - share market continued its structural differentiation pattern during the week, with cyclical and military sectors performing strongly. The non - ferrous metals sector led the gains among Shenwan primary industries, rising 5.7% week - on - week, followed by the machinery and textile and apparel sectors, rising 5.4% and 4.6% respectively, and the national defense and military sector rising 4.4%. The consumer sector was fragmented, with the textile and apparel sector rising strongly, the home appliance sector showing signs of recovery, rising 2.9%, and the commercial retail sector performing weakly, falling 0.9%. Cyclical sectors generally recovered, with the coal, light manufacturing, and basic chemical sectors rising 3.2%, 3.2%, and 2.3% respectively. Overall, market funds were concentrated in cyclical and military sectors. It is recommended to focus on high - elasticity and policy - favored varieties, while also considering cyclical sectors and guarding against structural risks. In terms of trading volume, the electronics sector had the highest average daily trading volume of 220.78 billion yuan, a week - on - week decrease of 11.13 billion yuan, accounting for 13.2% of the market. The pharmaceutical biology sector had an average daily trading volume of 164.82 billion yuan, a week - on - week decrease of 29.78 billion yuan, accounting for 9.9%. The machinery sector's average daily trading volume was 159.71 billion yuan, a week - on - week increase of 33.52 billion yuan, accounting for 9.6%. The non - bank financial sector had a significant outflow of funds, with its average daily trading volume decreasing by 30.55 billion yuan week - on - week [39][40]. 3.3.2 Convertible Bond Market Performance - The convertible bond market performed actively during the week of August 4 - 9, 2025, with all major indices rising. Small - cap bonds led the gains, with the Wind Small - Cap Convertible Bond Index rising 2.8%, the mid - cap index rising 2.4%, and the large - cap index rising 1.7%. The market continued its upward trend, and investors' risk appetite increased. The trading activity of the convertible bond market recovered, with the average daily trading volume reaching about 89.8 billion yuan, a week - on - week increase of 7.36 billion yuan, but the overall sentiment of funds tended to stabilize. Currently, there is a resonance between themes and small - cap convertible bonds in the market, and the fund allocation has shifted [49]. - When divided by the parity range, the overall valuation of the convertible bond market has stretched. In the parity range below 90 yuan, the valuation has generally stretched, with the premium rate in the range below 80 yuan stretching by 2.80% and the 80 - 90 yuan range stretching by 1.41%. In the 90 - 100 yuan parity range, the 90 - 100 yuan range stretched by 1.82%, and the 100 - 110 yuan range stretched by 1.62%. In the medium - to - high parity range, the valuation was slightly differentiated, with the premium rate in the 110 - 120 yuan range stretching by 2.29%, the 120 - 130 yuan range stretching by 2.07%, and the range above 130 yuan compressing by 0.35%. Overall, the valuation of each range divided by the parity range has mainly stretched, mainly due to the "asset shortage" in the convertible bond market, where the short - term elasticity of convertible bonds may be greater than that of underlying stocks [51]. - When divided by the market price range, the valuation of convertible bonds continued to show a differentiated pattern, with a structural adjustment overall. The valuation in the range below 90 yuan compressed by 1.41%, the 90 - 100 yuan range slightly stretched by 4.36%, the 100 - 110 yuan range's premium rate significantly compressed by 17.84%, the 110 - 120 yuan range stretched by 4.20%, the 120 - 130 yuan range stretched by 7.74%, and the range above 130 yuan stretched by 3.16%. Overall, the valuation of medium - low - priced individual bonds in the 90 - 100 yuan range and high - priced individual bonds above 110 yuan strengthened significantly, while the valuation of the core 100 - 110 yuan range deeply corrected, and low - priced bonds below 90 yuan were also under pressure [53]. - The weighted implied volatility of the convertible bond market's balance fluctuated downward during the week, and the market sentiment became more cautious. The weighted implied volatility of the whole - market convertible bond balance rose from 26.4% on Monday to 27.8% on Wednesday and then declined, closing at 27.1% on Friday, an increase of about 2.1 pct compared with the previous Friday. From a historical percentile perspective, the implied volatility continued to be at the upper end of the 25% - 75% historical percentile range. Considering the 90 - day rolling average and the ± 1.5 - times standard deviation fluctuation range, the current implied volatility continued to operate outside the upper boundary of the channel, indicating an increased market expectation of future fluctuations in convertible bonds [54]. - The median price of convertible bonds fluctuated upward during the week, rising from 125.6 yuan last Friday to 128.6 yuan, a week - on - week increase of 2.3%. The convertible bond market showed signs of recovery, and the median price of convertible bonds was still higher than the 75% historical percentile, indicating that the market trading sentiment remained at a relatively high level, but the risk appetite was marginally shrinking [55]. - The convertible bond market's performance by sector was generally strong, and the concentration of funds increased slightly. Among 27 industries, the machinery sector led the gains, rising 5.7%, followed by the non - ferrous metals and national defense and military sectors, rising 4.2% and 4.1% respectively, and the beauty care and computer sectors also performed strongly, rising 4.0%. The consumer sector was relatively weak, with the commercial retail and food and beverage sectors rising 1.5% and 1.3% respectively. In terms of funds, there was a high degree of concentration, with the pharmaceutical biology sector having the highest average daily trading volume of 57.15 billion yuan, accounting for 12.8%, followed by the basic chemical and machinery sectors, accounting for 11.5% and 8.6% respectively. The three sectors together accounted for 32.9% of the trading volume, a slight decrease in concentration compared with the previous week. The machinery and non - ferrous metals sectors led the gains, indicating a slight shift in investors' risk appetite, while the pharmaceutical biology and basic chemical sectors still attracted a relatively high amount of funds. The consumer sector showed a more obvious differentiation pattern, with the beauty care sector performing well and the commercial retail sector performing weakly [57][60]. - Individual convertible bonds generally strengthened during the week, with technology and cyclical sectors performing well. Among them, 431 convertible bonds had a week - on - week increase of 0 or more, accounting for 93.1% of the total number of outstanding convertible bonds in the market. The top five convertible bonds in terms of week - on - week increase during the conversion period were Dongjie Convertible Bond (machinery, 39.6%), Jiaojian Convertible Bond (construction and decoration, 23.3%), Julong Convertible Bond (basic chemicals, 19.3%), Gaoce Convertible Bond (power equipment, 18.3%), and Borui Convertible Bond (pharmaceutical biology, 17.7%), with conversion premium rates of 3.5%, 17.9%, 5.9%, 0

Market Overview - The stock market has experienced significant volatility, entering correction territory and reaching new all-time highs within months, leading to mixed investor sentiment [1][2] - Approximately 35% of investors are optimistic about the next six months, while 43% are pessimistic according to a survey by the American Association of Individual Investors [1] Investment Opportunities - The Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) has reached a new all-time high, climbing over 38% since its low in early April [4] - This ETF is considered more resilient to market volatility and is likely to help investors build wealth despite potential downturns or recession risks [5] ETF Composition and Performance - The Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF includes only 212 stocks from the S&P 500, focusing on those with the highest growth potential [6] - The ETF has delivered an average annual return of 15.79% over the last 10 years, outperforming the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, which has an average return of 13.62% [8] Investment Strategy - Investors are advised that timing the market can be less important than remaining invested over the long term, as holding investments can mitigate losses during downturns [9][10] - Historical examples show that holding the Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF through market declines can lead to significant total returns, even after substantial drops [11][13] Long-Term Perspective - A long-term investment horizon of at least five to seven years is recommended for minimizing risks associated with market fluctuations [15] - The Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF is positioned for long-term growth, emphasizing that time in the market is more valuable than attempting to time market entry [16]

Core Viewpoint - The discussion emphasizes the importance of value investing and the role of market volatility in identifying undervalued assets, highlighting that a larger market fluctuation can create more opportunities for value investors [5]. Group 1: Investment Philosophy - The company does not experience anxiety about what to buy but rather about the decision-making process when considering an investment [4]. - The investment approach is not focused on popular or obscure stocks but on identifying assets that meet specific aesthetic and value criteria [3][4]. - The company believes that patience and a long-term perspective are crucial for realizing the value of investments, regardless of short-term market fluctuations [3]. Group 2: Market Volatility - Market volatility is viewed as a beneficial factor for value investing, as it can create opportunities to find undervalued stocks [5]. - The company suggests that significant upward or downward market movements can influence investment decisions, allowing for adjustments in portfolio management [5]. Group 3: Relationship with Investors - The importance of maintaining communication and support for investors during periods of market anxiety is highlighted, emphasizing the role of fund managers in addressing investor concerns [6]. - The company acknowledges that conveying investment philosophies accurately to investors is challenging, but it is essential to respond to their anxieties [6]. Group 4: Integrity and Consistency - The concept of aligning actions with words is stressed, indicating that a lack of consistency can lead to self-deception among fund managers [7]. - The company advocates for a disciplined approach to ensure that investment practices reflect stated principles, which is seen as a critical capability for long-term success [7][8].

Core Insights - MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (MKTX) reported Q2 2025 earnings per share of $2, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.1%, and up from $1.72 a year ago [1][10] - Total revenues increased by 11% year over year to $219.5 million, also surpassing the consensus mark by 0.6% [1][10] - The strong performance was driven by record-high trading volumes amid heightened market volatility, although elevated expenses partially offset this growth [2][10] Financial Performance - Commission revenues rose 12% year over year to $191.8 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.3% [4] - Information services revenues were $13.1 million, a 4% year-over-year increase, but missed the consensus mark by 2% [4] - Total expenses increased by 10% year over year to $127.6 million, primarily due to higher employee compensation, technology, and G&A costs [5][10] - Net income grew 10% year over year to $71.2 million, exceeding estimates, while the net income margin decreased by 50 basis points to 32.4% [5] Trading Volumes - High-grade trading volume reached $481.1 billion, a 19% year-over-year increase, surpassing the consensus estimate by 3.8% [6] - High-yield trading volume increased by 25% year over year to $104.9 billion, with an average daily volume (ADV) rise of 27% to $1.7 billion [7] - Total credit trading volume grew 20% year over year to $1.04 trillion, with total credit ADV rising 22% to $16.8 billion [8] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of June 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $462.8 million, down from $544.5 million at the end of 2024 [9] - Total assets increased to $1.97 billion from $1.79 billion at the end of 2024 [9] - Net cash from operations was $103.7 million, down from $118.8 million a year ago, while free cash flow increased to $113 million from $97.6 million [12] Capital Deployment - MarketAxess repurchased shares worth $36.7 million in the quarter, totaling $80 million year-to-date, with $145 million remaining under the repurchase program [13] - A quarterly cash dividend of 76 cents per share was declared [13] Strategic Outlook - The company aims to execute its long-term growth strategy through product innovation and strategic talent acquisition, focusing on expanding block trading solutions and enhancing portfolio trading capabilities [14]

Group 1 - The article highlights the finalization of tariffs by the Trump administration, eliminating a major source of uncertainty in the market, but warns of the potential negative impact on the global economy due to high tariffs and weak employment data [3][6]. - Nomura's report identifies two negative catalysts: the finalized tariffs that exceeded expectations and the unexpectedly weak U.S. non-farm payroll report for July, which could trigger profit-taking and position adjustments in the market [4][11]. - The effective tariff rate in the U.S. has risen from 16.3% to 17.5%, with varying impacts on different economies, such as the EU, South Korea, and Japan receiving a 15% tariff rate, while India faces a 25% tariff, significantly higher than the expected range [7][8]. Group 2 - The U.S. non-farm payroll report for July showed only 73,000 new jobs added, far below the expected 120,000, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.248%, the highest since October 2021, indicating a cooling labor market [11]. - There has been a reversal in capital flows, with foreign investors turning net sellers of emerging Asian stocks after seven weeks of inflows, primarily driven by the negative impact of high tariffs on the Indian market [12][13]. - Earnings expectations for Asian markets are weakening, with a 1.2% downward adjustment in consensus earnings for FY25E among 43% of MSCI Asia (excluding Japan) companies, while U.S. earnings show resilience with a 10.3% year-over-year growth rate for the second quarter [16].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects to recognize approximately a 50% increase in annual synergies, translating to an additional $425 million in free cash flow for 2025 and $500 million for 2026 before accounting for NYMEX price changes [5][11] - Capital investments for 2025 have been reduced by approximately $100 million while maintaining production at approximately 7.1 Bcfe per day [8][11] - The company plans to return $585 million to shareholders in the first half of the year through dividends and share repurchases [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Southwest Appalachia, the company improved drilled footage per day by 62%, while in the Haynesville, footage drilled per day improved by 25% [7][8] - The company has achieved a 25% improvement in footage drilled per day since the merger, with well costs in Haynesville around $1,300 per foot [73][74] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company retains operational leverage to the largest gas demand center in North America through its Haynesville position, with over 12 Bcf per day of LNG demand under construction [9][10] - The company expects market volatility to remain a prevailing theme, but believes its investment-grade balance sheet is a strategic asset [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to create long-term value through cost reduction and developing a geographically diverse portfolio serving premium markets [5] - The focus is on optimizing contracts to reduce cash flow volatility and participate in upside opportunities [15][17] - The company is actively engaged in discussions for LNG and power-related agreements that will be accretive to shareholders [10][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management is encouraged by the long-term demand outlook for the industry and believes the current macro landscape allows for sustainable value creation [8][12] - The company views the current market conditions as an opportunity to strengthen its balance sheet and enhance shareholder value [11][29] Other Important Information - The company has successfully integrated data sets across the combined companies, leading to improved drilling performance [34] - The company is focused on maintaining flexibility in capital allocation to adapt to market conditions while pursuing long-term growth [87] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about Expand's strategy regarding gas contracts related to power growth opportunities? - The company is focused on reducing cash flow volatility through long-term contracts and optimizing pricing mechanisms [14][15] Question: Is there urgency in signing deals compared to peers? - Management indicated there is no urgency and is taking a long-term view on LNG and power markets [20] Question: What is the duration of cash tax savings? - The company expects the duration of tax savings to be fairly long as long as capital investment continues at a similar cadence [26] Question: What is the appetite for reducing net debt? - The company is committed to strengthening its balance sheet and will continue to reduce net debt until better opportunities arise [28] Question: What is driving the increase in footage drilled per day? - The increase is attributed to better integration of data sets and the use of AI for optimization [34][36] Question: How does the company view the reporting issues in Louisiana? - Management believes the reporting issues are specific to the state and is working closely with agencies to resolve them [56][101] Question: What is the balance between LNG contracts and data center contracts? - The company is positioned to respond to both LNG and data center demands, leveraging its flexible portfolio [99]

Group 1 - Nomura Holdings reported a 52% year-on-year increase in net profit for Q1, reaching 104.6 billion JPY (approximately 705.7 million USD), compared to 68.9 billion JPY in the same period last year, driven by strong trading and investment banking performance [1] - The company's performance continues to build on its record annual profit achieved in the fiscal year ending March 2025, reinforcing its leading position in the Japanese market and advancing its long-term strategy to become a global financial powerhouse [1] - Despite global M&A activity being hindered by tariff uncertainties, Nomura benefited from large domestic transactions, including the privatization of NTT and a subsidiary of Toyota [1] Group 2 - According to LSEG data, Nomura ranked 11th in global M&A advisory fee income for the first half of 2025, indicating its competitive position in the market [2] - To mitigate performance volatility, Nomura has been expanding its wealth and asset management business, which now accounts for nearly 40% of pre-tax profit, capitalizing on the trend of Japanese households shifting from savings to investments [2] - The asset management division reached a record high of 94.3 trillion JPY in assets under management during the same period [2] Group 3 - In the current quarter, Nomura generated a pre-tax profit of 56 billion JPY from the sale of a Tokyo real estate project through its subsidiary [3] - In April, Nomura Securities announced the acquisition of Macquarie Group's asset management business, adding approximately 180 billion USD in client assets [3] - The company faced challenges in its overseas expansion efforts, including difficulties encountered during the 2008 acquisition of assets from the bankrupt Lehman Brothers, which later resulted in asset write-downs [3]

Group 1: Federal Reserve Rate Decision Insights - The market anticipates a 97% probability that the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates during the July meeting[3] - Since the beginning of 2025, the Federal Reserve has kept rates unchanged due to mixed economic data and tariff concerns[3] - President Trump has increased pressure on the Federal Reserve for rate cuts, indicating a strong desire for lower rates[3] Group 2: Future Rate Cut Conditions - The upcoming meeting may clarify conditions for potential rate cuts, with Powell likely to outline specific criteria[3] - Three scenarios are considered for Powell's communication: maintaining ambiguity, indicating a possible September cut, or outlining conditions for future cuts[3] - The likelihood of maintaining a vague stance is deemed low due to increasing pressure from Trump and potential market volatility[3] Group 3: Market Volatility and Risks - The FOMC meeting precedes significant earnings reports from major tech companies and ongoing US-China trade talks, which may heighten market volatility[3] - Risks include unexpected inflation rebounds, weaker global economic conditions, and geopolitical tensions that could lead to increased market fluctuations[6]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing adjustments in the futures market, particularly focusing on the significant declines in various commodity prices, including coking coal, glass, and soda ash, amidst a broader market downturn [1][2]. Group 1: Futures Market Adjustments - Multiple futures contracts, including coking coal, glass, and soda ash, experienced substantial declines, with coking coal dropping over 11% and glass over 8% during the night trading session [1][2]. - By the afternoon of July 28, major futures contracts for coking coal, glass, soda ash, industrial silicon, coke, and lithium carbonate all closed at their daily limit down [2]. Group 2: Spot Market Trends - The spot market is also reflecting a downturn, with prices for steel and coke showing signs of cooling. For instance, the price of Tangshan's ordinary square billet fell by 30 yuan/ton to 3090 yuan/ton, and the average price of 20mm rebar in 31 major cities decreased by 50 yuan/ton to 3421 yuan/ton [2]. - A coal and coke enterprise in Shanxi reported a cautious trading atmosphere in the spot market, with rising instances of auction price declines and increased failure rates [2]. Group 3: Coal Price Dynamics - Despite the rapid fluctuations in the futures market, the overall price increases in the spot market have lagged. National statistics indicate that coal prices rose in mid-July, with coking coal prices reaching 1150 yuan/ton, up 7.0% from the previous period [3]. - The supply-side changes are identified as the most critical variable affecting coal prices in the second half of the year, with expectations of more rational supply releases and reduced safety hazards in coal production [4]. Group 4: External Influences and Future Outlook - External factors, such as the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting and uncertainties in U.S.-China trade negotiations, are expected to amplify market volatility, impacting the overall valuation of commodities [4]. - The industry outlook suggests that if supply pressures ease and demand improves, prices may stabilize and recover. However, persistent tight macroeconomic conditions and new supply-side disruptions could lead to continued downward price pressures [5][6].