Core Viewpoint - SHIMANO is facing significant challenges in its financial performance due to a decline in bicycle demand in China, leading to a substantial reduction in profit forecasts for the upcoming fiscal year [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - SHIMANO announced a projected net profit decrease of 60% for the fiscal year ending December 2025, down to 30.5 billion yen, a revision from the previously adjusted forecast of 33.3 billion yen [1]. - The company expects a 2% increase in sales for the fiscal year 2025, reaching 460 billion yen, while operating profit is anticipated to decline by 29% to 46 billion yen, with both figures revised down by 10 billion yen and 24 billion yen respectively [1]. - Currency exchange losses for the first half of the year amounted to 21.6 billion yen, which directly impacts the annual forecast [1]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The decline in SHIMANO's component sales in China is attributed to a slowdown in personal consumption and an oversupply of inventory due to inaccurate market size predictions by local manufacturers [1]. - The company noted that the bicycle market in China, which had been growing since 2023, is now facing challenges, particularly in the road bike segment [1]. Group 3: Cost Pressures - Rising global labor costs and raw material prices are affecting SHIMANO's performance, with significant impacts noted from minimum wage increases in Malaysia [2]. - The appreciation of Southeast Asian currencies against the yen has also contributed to increased production costs for SHIMANO's factories in the region [2]. - SHIMANO's president indicated that potential tariff rates of 15% on goods from Southeast Asia could be manageable, suggesting limited impact on operations [2].

Core Viewpoint - The French private sector activity further contracted in June, with both manufacturing and services weakening due to multiple factors including inventory surplus and rising uncertainties [1] Manufacturing Sector - The manufacturing PMI and composite PMI (including services and manufacturing) both fell below expectations in June [1] - Manufacturing is impacted by customer inventory surplus, challenging market conditions, and order delays [1] - New orders have declined for the 13th consecutive month, with factory orders experiencing the largest drop since February [1] Geopolitical Factors - Geopolitical tensions, such as tariff uncertainties and the conflict between Israel and Iran, have also affected business activity [1] - Economic outlook is described as gloomy due to weakened domestic demand for goods and declining new orders [1] - The escalation of the Middle East situation further exacerbates uncertainties surrounding global trade and competition [1]