Core Viewpoint - The Central Economic Work Conference emphasizes the continuation of a more proactive fiscal policy to support economic growth and social development in 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Fiscal Policy Achievements - The Ministry of Finance reported that in 2025, fiscal departments will effectively implement the decisions of the central government, leading to significant achievements in fiscal work that support the completion of annual economic and social development goals [2][3]. - Fiscal policy serves as a crucial macroeconomic tool, enhancing total demand and directing structural adjustments, with a focus on high-quality development and increased investment in basic research [3][6]. Group 2: Future Fiscal Focus - In 2025, the government plans to expand the fiscal expenditure framework, optimize government bond tools, and enhance the effectiveness of transfer payments to support local financial autonomy [4][5]. - Key tasks for the upcoming year include promoting domestic demand, supporting technological and industrial innovation, and advancing urban-rural integration and regional collaboration [4][5]. Group 3: Strengthening Fiscal Management - The conference highlighted the need for comprehensive fiscal management improvements, emphasizing the importance of integrating top-down and bottom-up approaches in fiscal management trials [7][8]. - The focus will be on resource coordination, zero-based budgeting, and strengthening departmental responsibilities to enhance the effectiveness of fiscal policies and fund utilization [7][8].

收支矛盾凸显，新质生产力培育迫切……作为全国仅有的2个财政科学管理综合试点省份之一，新 形势要求山东加快推动财政科学管理从局部探索迈向全面深化，在完成财政部11项"规定动作"的基础 上，立足省情打造具有山东特色的改革样板。记者从省财政厅了解到，基于11项试点任务细化形成的60 项改革举措，已逐项拧紧责任螺丝、加速向实际成效转化。 高起点谋划 形成"一盘棋"改革合力 试点省份，意味着要通过先行先试破解一批共性难题，为全国财政科学管理改革探路领跑。立足中 央部署和省情实际，山东谋划确立了以"大财政"理念为统领、"大预算"为方向路径、"大绩效"为关键抓 手、"大数智"为保障支撑、"大安全"为底线基础的综合试点"1+4"框架体系。 "财政科学管理涉及经济社会民生各领域、财政收支管理全链条，是一项系统工程。"省财政厅党组 书记、厅长李峰介绍，山东在全国率先成立由省政府主要负责同志任组长、四位省领导任副组长，有关 省直部门和中央驻鲁单位为成员的财政科学管理综合试点领导小组，省领导对重大改革亲自部署、重大 方案亲自把关；省政府组织召开全省综合试点动员会，举办面向市县政府负责同志、财政部门主要负责 同志的财政科学管理专题培训 ...

Core Viewpoint - The "14th Five-Year Plan" period is crucial for solidifying the foundation of China's modernization and achieving high-quality economic development, emphasizing the importance of the real economy and optimizing traditional industries [1][2]. Group 1: Economic Development Focus - The focus during the "14th Five-Year Plan" should be on the real economy, prioritizing the optimization and enhancement of traditional industries while fostering new productive forces and supporting emerging industries as future growth points [1][2]. - The plan categorizes industries into traditional, emerging, and future sectors, each requiring different approaches to develop new productive forces [2][3]. Group 2: Traditional Industries - Traditional industries still hold significant growth potential, accounting for 80% of China's manufacturing sector, and are essential for the foundation of the real economy [2][3]. - There is a need to address issues related to urbanization, rural migration, and high-quality development in real estate to unlock the potential of traditional industries [3]. Group 3: Financial Reforms - The proposal includes deepening zero-based budgeting reforms to optimize fiscal expenditure and enhance budget performance management, which is crucial for effective governance [4][5]. - Zero-based budgeting requires every expenditure to be justified anew, potentially leading to significant impacts on budget management if implemented effectively [5]. Group 4: Financial Support for Innovation - The plan emphasizes the development of various financial sectors, particularly technology finance, which is deemed strategically important for supporting innovation and the cultivation of new productive forces [6][7]. - There is a need for a shift towards direct financing to better match the risk characteristics of technological innovation, with capital market reforms facilitating this transition [6]. Group 5: Wealth Management - The growing middle-income group in China, exceeding 400 million people, necessitates professional wealth management to enhance asset value, highlighting the increasing importance of wealth management in the financial sector [7]. - Wealth management should be a key focus area in finance, promoting the conversion of savings into investments, benefiting both residents and the capital market [7].

Core Viewpoint - The "14th Five-Year Plan" period is crucial for solidifying the foundation of socialism modernization and achieving high-quality economic development in China [1] Economic Development Focus - The focus during the "14th Five-Year Plan" should be on the real economy, optimizing traditional industries, and nurturing new productive forces while promoting emerging industries as pillars of future growth [1][2] - Financial resources should be efficiently allocated to address structural challenges, with a strong emphasis on serving the real economy and enhancing wealth management for residents [1] Industry Classification and Development - The "14th Five-Year Plan" categorizes industries into traditional, emerging, and future sectors, each requiring different approaches to develop new productive forces [2] - Traditional industries currently account for 80% of China's manufacturing and are essential for the real economy, despite the growth potential of emerging and future industries [2] Traditional Industry Insights - Traditional industries still hold significant growth potential, but face challenges such as insufficient demand and the need for urbanization and high-quality real estate development [2][3] - Approximately 30% of China's manufacturing output is for export, with traditional industry products contributing significantly to trade surpluses, necessitating a balance between enhancing competitiveness and promoting balanced trade [2] Financial Reform and Budget Management - The "14th Five-Year Plan" proposes deepening zero-based budgeting reforms to optimize fiscal expenditure and enhance budget performance management [4] - Zero-based budgeting requires every expenditure to be justified anew, potentially leading to more efficient allocation of resources compared to traditional baseline budgeting [4] Financial Sector Development - The plan emphasizes the development of various financial sectors, including technology finance, green finance, and wealth management, with technology finance being prioritized for its strategic importance [6][7] - Direct financing is essential for supporting technological innovation, and recent capital market reforms aim to facilitate this by allowing unprofitable companies to list [6] Wealth Management Importance - With over 400 million middle-income individuals in China, there is a growing demand for professional wealth management to enhance asset value [7] - Wealth management is seen as a key area for financial services, promoting the conversion of savings into investments, which benefits both residents and capital markets [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses the implementation of zero-based budgeting in various regions, focusing on the reduction of ineffective and inefficient projects, and the reallocation of funds to critical areas such as public welfare and essential services [1][4][5]. Group 1: Zero-Based Budgeting Implementation - Hohhot City has identified 252 ineffective projects, reducing the budget by 1.7 billion yuan, with general expenditures decreasing by 1.3 million yuan [1]. - The city aims to maintain a "zero growth" policy for "three public" expenditures in 2024, while monitoring project performance and reallocating 5.3 billion yuan from ineffective projects [1][2]. - Bengbu City has adopted a zero-based budgeting approach, clearing 82 ineffective projects with a total of 1.6 million yuan in funding, and reducing general expenditures by over 5% in 2025 [2][3]. Group 2: Performance Evaluation and Cost Control - Bengbu City emphasizes performance-based budgeting, requiring all projects to set performance goals, leading to a review of 913 projects worth 14.16 billion yuan [3]. - The city has saved 2.68 billion yuan through fiscal investment reviews, achieving a reduction rate of 22.2% [2]. - The article highlights the importance of evaluating the necessity of ongoing projects to eliminate low-efficiency expenditures, ensuring funds are directed towards significant national strategies and essential services [4]. Group 3: Broader Trends in Fiscal Management - Various regions, including Jiangxi and Shaanxi, are also implementing zero-based budgeting, with Jiangxi clearing 47 ineffective projects totaling 46.86 million yuan and focusing on reducing general expenditures [5][6]. - Shaanxi's Fengxiang District reported a 55% reduction in budgeted amounts through rigorous project evaluations, canceling 136 ineffective projects [6].

Group 1: Consumption and Economic Growth - Improving the resident consumption rate is a key goal of the "15th Five-Year Plan" with a target to increase it significantly from the current 39.9% to align more closely with the global average of 56.3%[2][4] - The plan emphasizes a shift towards an economy driven by domestic demand and consumption, moving away from reliance on external demand and investment[4][5] - The proposal aims to enhance the income of low- and middle-income groups, with the middle-income group projected to grow from over 400 million in 2017 to over 800 million in the coming years[4][5] Group 2: Policy and Structural Changes - The "15th Five-Year Plan" introduces a more proactive macroeconomic policy, focusing on "stabilizing growth, employment, and expectations" as a guiding principle[4][5] - It highlights the need for direct consumer-oriented policies, such as subsidies and tax deductions, to stimulate consumption[4][5] - The plan includes measures to improve income distribution through enhanced taxation and social security systems, aiming to reduce income inequality[5][6] Group 3: Technological and Industrial Development - New strategic emerging industries include low-altitude economy, quantum technology, hydrogen energy, and brain-computer interfaces, reflecting a shift in focus for the upcoming five years[4][6] - Infrastructure development will prioritize safety, resilience, and digital transformation, with an emphasis on integrating traditional infrastructure with smart technologies[6][7] - The plan stresses the urgency of technological innovation, particularly in critical areas like integrated circuits and high-end instruments, proposing "extraordinary measures" to achieve breakthroughs[6][7] Group 4: Financial and Fiscal Strategies - The plan calls for the construction of a financial powerhouse, emphasizing the importance of capital markets in supporting the real economy and innovation[7][8] - It proposes reforms in fiscal policy, including zero-based budgeting to ensure efficient allocation of resources and enhance fiscal sustainability[7][8] - The focus on enhancing the direct tax system aims to balance the tax burden between labor and capital, improving overall income distribution[7][8]

Group 1: Economic Policy and Governance - The "15th Five-Year Plan" emphasizes "high-efficiency governance" and "economic layout adjustment," indicating a shift towards more focused and efficient resource allocation[10] - The trend of land finance decline and local financing standardization will lead to significant changes in policy style and investment direction, moving from broad-based to targeted approaches[9] - The government is expected to reduce universal support measures and instead implement more conditional and focused support for industries, with higher thresholds for subsidies[17] Group 2: Industry and Technology Focus - The focus on technology and industry support will become more precise, with a shift from production capacity to equipment and further towards research and talent development[18] - Government industrial funds are transitioning from local economic investment to sharing industry growth, reducing the emphasis on local GDP and physical work volume[19] - The "unified market" initiative aims to correct local government behaviors and reduce redundant construction, promoting a more efficient allocation of resources[20] Group 3: Social Welfare and Consumer Behavior - The plan includes significant investments in social welfare, particularly in education, healthcare, and pension systems, to enhance the quality of life for citizens[39][40] - There is a strong emphasis on improving consumer behavior and expanding service consumption, with policies aimed at enhancing consumer confidence and experience[41] - The government is expected to increase personal income tax deductions, particularly for childcare and education, to support families and stimulate consumption[40]

Core Viewpoint - Shandong Province is implementing a zero-based budgeting reform to enhance fiscal resource allocation efficiency and strategic support capabilities, transitioning from a "money first" approach to a "planning first" approach [2][8]. Group 1: Key Tasks and Framework - The reform plan outlines 16 key tasks, with the first being the complete cancellation of expenditure baselines, requiring all budget expenditures to be prepared from a zero base [3]. - The zero-based budgeting approach emphasizes starting from zero, meaning that the next year's budget will not be influenced by previous years but will be determined based on the importance of projects [3][5]. - A clear list management system for provincial fiscal expenditures will be implemented, consolidating similar expenditures into unified lists and ensuring that essential expenditures are prioritized [4]. Group 2: Performance and Evaluation - The zero-based budgeting reform is not merely about cutting expenditures but optimizing resource allocation by evaluating the necessity of ongoing projects and eliminating ineffective spending [5][6]. - A performance management system will be established to create a closed-loop system of budget preparation, execution monitoring, performance evaluation, and result application [6][7]. - Departments will be required to submit performance management results alongside their budget proposals, with poorly performing projects facing budget cuts [7]. Group 3: Implementation Challenges - The transition to zero-based budgeting requires breaking away from traditional budgeting mindsets and may encounter resistance due to the need for inter-departmental coordination and fund redistribution [8]. - The reform will increase the workload as all expenditure projects must be re-evaluated annually, necessitating robust data support and analysis for performance evaluation [8].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, AlTi generated consolidated revenues of $53 million, reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase [12] - Revenue in the core Wealth Management and Capital Solutions segment rose 8% to $52 million year-over-year, driven by an increase in AUM and strong market performance [12][25] - Adjusted EBITDA was $4 million on a consolidated basis and $14 million in the core segment, with a reported net loss of $30 million for the quarter [13][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The core Wealth Management and Capital Solutions segment saw a 14% increase in AUM, contributing to the revenue growth [25] - 99% of total revenue came from recurring management fees, highlighting the durability of the business model [13][25] - Operating expenses totaled $83 million, up from $64 million in the same period last year, primarily due to one-time professional fees related to transformation initiatives [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international wealth business, including the recent acquisition of Kontoora, is showing strong momentum with new clients signed with over $500 million in projected billable assets [18] - In the U.S., new and expanded mandates totaled nearly $430 million in projected billable assets through June [19] - The Middle East is identified as a compelling opportunity, undergoing a generational wealth transition with a growing preference for independent advice [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - AlTi aims to be the leading global wealth management and OCIO platform for the ultra-high-net-worth community, focusing on recurring revenue businesses [6][11] - The exit from the international real estate business marks a strategic shift to simplify operations and reallocate resources towards scalable growth areas [11][14] - The implementation of zero-based budgeting is expected to deliver approximately $20 million in recurring annual gross savings, enhancing operational efficiency [15][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business's ability to generate sustainable value, emphasizing the strength of the recurring revenue model and operational discipline [31] - The second half of 2025 is expected to progressively reflect the strength of the recurring revenue business and operational leverage from a leaner cost structure [20][30] - Management acknowledged timing mismatches in costs and benefits but remains optimistic about the positive trends emerging from recent initiatives [22][30] Other Important Information - AlTi's client retention rate stands at 96%, supported by senior advisors with over 20 years of industry experience [8] - The company has a strong cash position of $42 million and is effectively debt-free, providing a solid foundation for growth [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will the exit of the real estate business improve EBITDA? - Management confirmed that the exit should lead to much lower expenses and higher EBITDA going forward, estimating a significant positive impact [34][35] Question: Are the net flows margin accretive? - Management indicated that international inflows have a higher ROA compared to exiting flows, resulting in a positive net effect [36] Question: What is the outlook for the Kontoor acquisition? - The Kontoor business is expected to drive organic growth and focus on converting existing clients to discretionary mandates, which aligns with AlTi's overall strategy [39][40] Question: What are the opportunities for recruiting teams from banks? - Management noted that recruiting depends on cultural fit and the desire for a holistic service model, indicating a positive outlook for attracting talent [41][42]

Core Viewpoint - The construction of digital finance is essential for adapting to the development of the digital economy and society, and is a key path for achieving high-quality fiscal development [1] Group 1: Digital Transformation in Finance - The Yangquan Municipal Finance Bureau is implementing a smart solution that covers the entire chain of fiscal management, transitioning from "experience-based decision-making" to "data-driven decision-making" [1] - The integration of fiscal business into a unified platform ensures data traceability and supports precise budget preparation, enhancing overall fiscal coordination capabilities [2] - A collaborative system is being established that combines internal data governance with external data empowerment, creating a new mechanism for fiscal governance driven by big data [2] Group 2: Revenue Management - The innovation of a fiscal big data analysis system aims to deeply explore revenue growth potential by coordinating 19 departments for a new tax management framework [3] - A dynamic information ledger is established for data sharing, with a focus on identifying revenue collection issues through multi-source data comparison [3] Group 3: Expenditure Management - The use of information technology and a unified budget management system is being explored to implement zero-based budgeting, enhancing collaboration among multiple departments [4] - The focus is on monitoring general expenditures and ensuring efficient use of fiscal resources through real-time tracking and analysis of budget items [4] Group 4: Risk Control - A dual-layer comparison mechanism is being developed to monitor budget unit fund payments, enhancing the identification of potential misuse of fiscal funds [5] - The system employs advanced technology for risk scanning, transitioning from manual checks to intelligent audits, particularly focusing on sensitive expenditure categories [5] Group 5: Decision-Making Support - A visual and expandable intelligent analysis platform is being created to transform fiscal economic indicators into dynamic visual elements, aiding in scientific decision-making [6] - The development of an AI model for intelligent table processing aims to automate data handling, improving efficiency and accuracy in fiscal operations [6] - Future plans include expanding data integration and applying AI innovations to build a comprehensive data application system for fiscal management [6]