Core Viewpoint - In 2025, the textile manufacturing and branding sectors faced external pressures, including tariff impacts and macroeconomic challenges, yet leading companies demonstrated strong operational resilience. Looking ahead to 2026, the manufacturing sector is expected to see a gradual easing of tariff disruptions, while the branding sector should focus on recovery opportunities and high-growth niche markets [1][2][3]. Textile Manufacturing Sector - The textile manufacturing sector experienced significant pressure from tariff impacts in April 2025, leading to short-term order fluctuations and reduced capacity utilization, which negatively affected profits. However, leading OEM companies maintained their long-term advantages, with some showing operational improvements by Q3 2025 [2]. - Tariff disruptions are anticipated to gradually diminish, with a positive outlook for orders from leading OEMs in 2026. Companies have adjusted pricing and product designs in response to tariffs, and the U.S. apparel market demand remains healthy [3][6]. Branding Sector - The branding sector has been under continuous pressure due to macroeconomic factors and weather-related impacts during the Q3 2025 autumn-winter transition, leading to decreased sales for some mass-market sports brands. However, there is potential for domestic brands to improve operations and capitalize on retail recovery opportunities, drawing lessons from the experiences of overseas leading brands during the 2008 financial crisis [4][6][7]. Outdoor Sports Sector - The outdoor footwear and apparel segment is one of the highest-performing areas within the industry, with a projected market size of 102.7 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 16.6%. The sector is expected to continue its growth trajectory, with a forecasted CAGR of 16.0% from 2024 to 2029 [5]. - Beyond outdoor footwear and apparel, other outdoor equipment segments, such as bicycles and smartwatches, are also experiencing high growth cycles, indicating a robust demand for outdoor activities and related products [5]. Investment Strategy - The textile manufacturing sector is expected to recover from tariff-related disruptions, with leading OEMs likely to see profit margins improve by the end of 2025. The sector is projected to benefit from stable order growth and enhanced manufacturing capabilities in the medium to long term [6][7]. - The branding sector continues to face challenges but has the potential for recovery, as domestic brands are well-positioned to emerge from the downturn by focusing on product innovation and maintaining healthy cash flows [6][7].

Core Viewpoint - Kowloon Warehouse Properties (01997) reported a significant decline in its stock price, dropping over 10% following the release of its mid-year results for 2025, indicating ongoing challenges in the retail sector and potential impacts on future earnings [1] Financial Performance - The company reported a revenue of HKD 6.407 billion for the first half of the year, a year-on-year decrease of 1.45% [1] - Shareholders faced a loss of HKD 2.406 billion, which represents a substantial year-on-year increase of 128.71% [1] - Excluding the impairment of investment properties, the unaudited net profit was HKD 3.119 billion, slightly down from HKD 3.123 billion in the same period last year [1] Management Outlook - The Chairman and Executive Director, Wu Tianhai, expressed cautious optimism regarding the retail market, noting that while there are positive signs in the second quarter, the sustainability of these improvements into the third quarter remains uncertain [1] - The management's conservative outlook is reflected in expectations of low single-digit declines in rental renewals for the second half of the year, which aligns with market expectations [1] Asset Enhancement Plans - The company is evaluating an asset enhancement plan for its Marco Polo Hotels, which is expected to require capital expenditure of approximately HKD 2 billion [1] - The full renovation is anticipated to commence by the end of 2026, with a projected temporary impact of 5% to 6% on rental income during the enhancement period [1]

Core Viewpoint - Singapore's retail sales showed a year-on-year increase of 1.4% and a month-on-month increase of 1.0% in May, marking one of the strongest monthly performances of the year, driven primarily by a rebound in automobile sales, although non-automotive retail remains weak [1][2]. Group 1: Retail Sales Performance - The increase in retail sales was largely attributed to a significant rebound in automobile sales, which rose by 10.4% year-on-year, supported by an increase in the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) quota [1]. - Excluding automobiles, retail sales remained flat year-on-year in May, marking the lowest level since February, with a growth of only 0.8% in April [1]. - Non-essential consumer sectors are still experiencing declines, with clothing and footwear sales down 5.3% year-on-year, and department store sales down 3.9% [1]. Group 2: Monthly and Yearly Trends - The month-on-month growth of 1.0% in May was almost entirely driven by automobile sales; without this segment, overall retail sales would have declined by 0.6% [2]. - Year-to-date retail sales growth for the first five months of 2025 is at 1.0%, lower than the growth rates of 1.4% in 2024 and 2.3% in 2023, indicating a sluggish retail environment [2]. Group 3: Employment and Economic Factors - The employment market is under pressure, with only 2,400 net new jobs added in Q1 2025, significantly lower than the 7,700 jobs added in Q4 2024, and the unemployment rate increased from 1.9% to 2.1% [2][3]. - Consumer confidence is further impacted by a decrease in companies planning to raise wages, dropping to 21.2% from 21.7% [3]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The retail sector is expected to face growth challenges in the second half of the year, despite potential short-term boosts from government-issued vouchers aimed at stimulating domestic demand [3]. - Global policy risks, particularly the potential for unilateral tariffs from the U.S. on Singapore, could further strain the retail environment and consumer confidence [3].