Core Viewpoint - The domestic excavator demand is expected to grow at an average annual rate of over 30% from 2025 to 2028, with peak sales projected to reach 250,000 units by 2028, although actual sales in 2025 may fall short due to funding availability issues [1][2] Domestic Market Summary - In the first ten months of 2025, domestic excavator sales increased by 19.6% year-on-year, indicating a significant improvement compared to 2024, marking a comprehensive recovery in the domestic construction machinery sector [1] - The sales of small excavators are expected to dominate in 2025, driven by ample central special government bonds, while the performance of medium and large excavators is hindered by poor local bond funding [1][2] - The overall trend indicates a mild recovery phase characterized by a lower slope but a longer cycle due to funding disruptions [2] Export Market Summary - Overseas excavator sales have been in decline since peaking in 2021, with a continuous drop expected from 2022 to 2025, primarily influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate cycle [1][2] - A new upward cycle in overseas demand is anticipated to begin in 2026 as the Federal Reserve enters a rate-cutting phase, potentially creating a resonance effect with domestic demand [2] Profitability and Cost Efficiency - The construction machinery sector is experiencing improved profitability due to increased capacity utilization and ongoing cost reduction efforts, with notable increases in net profit margins for major companies like Sany Heavy Industry and XCMG [2] - For instance, in the first three quarters of 2025, Sany Heavy Industry's net profit margin increased by 2.4 percentage points year-on-year [2] Investment Recommendations - The construction machinery sector is identified as being at the beginning of an upward cycle, with projected profit growth of over 20% in the next 2-3 years, and core stocks are currently valued at only 10-16 times their projected profits for 2026, suggesting a strong investment opportunity [3]

Group 1 - The debate surrounding the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts in 2024 centers on whether these measures will extend economic expansion or signal an impending recession [1][4] - Historical analysis shows that in the past 10 rate-cutting cycles, only 2 successfully avoided recession, indicating that the current cycle could potentially be the third [1][6] - Since 1965, 12 rate-hiking cycles have led to 8 recessions, with 10 of these cycles preceded by an inverted yield curve, suggesting a strong correlation between these indicators [6][12] Group 2 - The current inverted yield curve has persisted for 35 months, with historical data indicating that 8 out of 9 inversions occurred before economic recessions [2][12] - The performance of various stock styles post-Fed rate cuts has shown significant variability, highlighting the unique macroeconomic contexts of each cycle [2][5] - The Federal Reserve typically begins cutting rates after stock market peaks, indicating a lag in policy response to economic conditions [4][17] Group 3 - In the aftermath of rate hikes, different investment styles exhibit varied performance, often reflecting the cyclical nature of monetary policy and market behavior [9][14] - High-beta stocks tend to show the most extreme performance, either positively or negatively, while quality and value stocks generally outperform average levels [9][14] - The historical context suggests that the current economic environment, characterized by high fiscal deficits, may mirror conditions from the mid-1960s, potentially allowing for continued economic growth despite risks [13][17] Group 4 - Inflation remains a critical factor, as rising inflation could compel the Federal Reserve to tighten policies again, which historically leads to challenging market conditions [18] - Investors are advised to prepare for market volatility and be ready to adjust strategies in response to potential policy changes [18]