Core Insights - The production of cars and vans in the UK reached its lowest level since 1953 in the first half of 2025, excluding the pandemic-related shutdowns [1] - Car production decreased by 7.3%, while the production of vans saw a significant decline of 45% [1] - Local media attribute the production decline to uncertainties caused by US tariff policies, leading some factories to reduce output or even halt production [1]

Core Viewpoint - International gold prices have been fluctuating around the historical high of $3500 per ounce for nearly three months, with minimal impact on retail sales in Shenzhen's gold market [1][2] Group 1: Market Behavior - Retailers in Shenzhen, such as those in the Shui Bei area, report that high gold prices have not significantly affected their business, as consumers are becoming accustomed to the current price levels [1] - Consumers are showing interest in purchasing gold products like gold beans and small gold bars, which have lower processing fees and are easier to liquidate [1] - The price point of 800 yuan per gram is seen as a critical threshold for consumers, with some retailers successfully selling smaller gold items at prices below this level [1] Group 2: Price Stability and Future Outlook - The recent stability in gold prices has led to a lack of significant increase in gold recycling volumes, indicating consumer confidence in future price trends [2] - Analysts suggest that breaking through the previous high of $3500 per ounce requires new external factors, while current U.S. monetary policy and tariff uncertainties are influencing gold price stability [2] - The cautious outlook on U.S. monetary policy may limit gold price movements in the near term, despite ongoing inflation concerns related to tariffs [2]

Group 1 - The U.S. tariff policy has not succeeded in attracting German companies to invest in the U.S., instead accelerating their industrial shift to Eastern Europe and other regions [1] - A survey by Horvath Management Consulting indicates that German companies do not plan to increase their investment in the U.S. over the next five years, aligning with preliminary data from the German central bank that predicts a historic low in direct investments by 2025 [1][2] - The uncertainty of U.S. policies is seen as a significant deterrent for German companies, with investment in the U.S. dropping to €265 million in February and March 2021, compared to an average of €4.6 billion during the same period from 2010 to 2024 [2] Group 2 - Domestic markets remain a priority for German companies, with an average of 37% of their investment budget allocated to the domestic market, although this figure has decreased by 2 percentage points compared to the previous year [2] - Over half of the surveyed companies plan to reduce their workforce in Germany over the next five years [2] - German companies are increasingly directing 12% of their investment budget to Eastern Europe, with investments in Southern and Western Europe rising to 13%, reflecting a 3 percentage point increase from the previous year [3] Group 3 - Cost optimization and revenue structure enhancement are identified as the top priority for the next five years, highlighting the competitive cost pressures faced by German companies [3] - The importance of supply chain resilience has significantly increased, with "supply chain optimization" rising from the eighth to the fifth priority amid ongoing trade tensions [3]

Group 1 - Foreign investors have shifted to net selling of Japanese stocks for the first time since March, selling 524.3 billion yen (approximately 3.62 billion USD) after 11 consecutive weeks of buying totaling 7.236 trillion yen [1] - Analysts attribute the shift to high market valuations, as the market continues to rise despite weak earnings, leading to concerns about overvaluation [1] - The geopolitical tensions, particularly the Israel-Iran conflict, may also be influencing foreign investors' decisions due to potential impacts on Japan's oil imports and inflation levels [1] Group 2 - Despite the recent net selling, foreign investment in Japanese stocks this quarter has reached approximately 6.81 trillion yen, marking the largest inflow in two years [2] - In the bond market, foreign investors sold 368.8 billion yen of Japanese long-term bonds, ending a three-week buying streak, but purchased 1.5 trillion yen in short-term notes, the highest level in nine weeks [2] - Japanese investors have been net sellers of foreign stocks for six consecutive weeks, selling 88.2 billion yen, while buying about 615.5 billion yen in long-term foreign bonds [2]