Core Viewpoint - The Chinese passenger car retail and wholesale sales are expected to reach historical highs in 2025, surpassing market expectations from last year [1] Group 1: Industry Resilience - The automotive industry is anticipated to be more resilient than market expectations, with retail sales in 2026 expected to remain stable year-on-year despite the reduction of replacement subsidies and halving of new energy vehicle purchase tax incentives [2] - Wholesale volume is projected to grow by 2.9% year-on-year in 2026, supported by an increase in exports [2] - The report suggests that if sales are weak in the first half of 2026, there is a possibility of new government stimulus policies being introduced [2] Group 2: Market Trends and Competition - The competition in the Chinese automotive industry is expected to intensify in 2026 due to a record number of new model releases, with some companies benefiting from aggressive pricing strategies [3] - Chinese brands are expected to continue increasing their market share, while foreign brands will launch more localized new energy models [3] - The demand for energy storage batteries is expected to improve, leading to a rise in battery prices, which may impact automaker profit margins [3] - Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are anticipated to regain growth momentum in 2026 due to the introduction of new models and the reduction of subsidies [3] Group 3: New Energy Vehicle Landscape - The competition in the new energy vehicle sector is expected to enter a new phase in the second half of 2026, with valuation premiums between new players and traditional automakers likely to narrow [4] - The competitive landscape will expand beyond vehicle manufacturing to include AI applications, such as Robotaxi and robotics [4] - Foreign brands are expected to accelerate the launch of new energy models, gaining a deeper understanding of the Chinese market [4] Group 4: Investment Recommendations - The preferred stock in the automotive sector is Geely Automobile, which has solid fundamentals and attractive valuations, with potential for continued growth in new energy vehicle sales [5] - The high-margin models expected to launch in the second half of 2025, along with accelerated new energy exports, are likely to boost profit margins for Geely [5] - In the battery sector, attention is drawn to the new player, Zhengli New Energy, which has achieved industry-leading profit margins due to its efficient operations and is expected to benefit from an optimized customer structure and potential battery price increases [5]

Group 1: Eurozone Focus - The European Central Bank (ECB) appears satisfied with the current inflation situation, indicating no necessity for further rate cuts in the second half of the year [9][11][14] - The "Rearmament of Europe" initiative is expected to benefit industries such as traditional military manufacturing, dual-use high technology, strategic resources, and energy security, with a focus on the aerospace and defense sectors [20][22] - Rheinmetall and Airbus are identified as key beneficiaries of the "Rearmament of Europe" plan, with Rheinmetall projected to see a 20% revenue growth due to increased defense spending [22][21] Group 2: Indian Market Focus - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the key repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5%, exceeding market expectations, while maintaining a neutral stance due to limited growth support [31][29] - There is an anticipated further rate cut of 25-50 basis points in the current fiscal year, driven by moderate growth prospects and weak private consumption [34][32] - The Indian stock market is currently overvalued, with the Nifty index's earnings per share forecast being significantly downgraded, leading to cautious short-term return expectations [37][35] Group 3: Thai Market Focus - Political instability in Thailand is hindering economic recovery, with significant pressure on the stock market and a cautious outlook on corporate earnings [41][51] - The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has maintained the policy rate at 1.75% but is expected to lower it to 1.25% later this year to support the economy [47][46] - CP All and Minor International are highlighted as resilient players in the Thai market, with CP All benefiting from 7-Eleven's growth and Minor International having long-term rebound potential despite short-term pressures [52][51]

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market experienced a strong rebound, with the S&P 500 index rising by 4.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 2.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite, driven by tech stocks, climbing 6.6% [1] - Major indices have recovered losses incurred since the April 2 tariff announcement, with a busy week ahead for economic data and corporate earnings reports [1] Economic Data and Corporate Earnings - Key economic indicators to watch include the upcoming non-farm payroll report and first-quarter inflation data, with particular focus on GDP growth [1][10] - 180 S&P 500 companies are set to release quarterly earnings, with major attention on giants like Apple, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Eli Lilly, Meta, Microsoft, and Chevron [1] Policy Signals and Market Sentiment - Trump's recent comments alleviated concerns regarding the independence of the Federal Reserve and hinted at a potential reduction in tariffs on Chinese goods, which positively impacted market sentiment [4] - The S&P 500 achieved its first four-day consecutive gain since January, although strategists caution that tariff concerns remain [4] Inflation Indicators - The core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index is anticipated to show a year-over-year increase of 2.5% for March, down from 2.8%, with a month-over-month growth expected at 0.1% [7] Labor Market Resilience - Despite signs of economic slowdown, the labor market remains robust, with expectations of 133,000 new non-farm jobs in April and an unemployment rate steady at 4.2% [10] - The labor market's stability is noted, although employers may be adopting a wait-and-see approach due to recent trade policy changes [10] Technology Sector Performance - Tech stocks have led the recent market rally, with Tesla's stock rising approximately 18% amid positive sentiment regarding CEO Elon Musk's reduced government role and new autonomous driving regulations [14] - The "Big Seven" tech companies, including Nvidia, Amazon, and Meta, saw stock increases of about 9%, while Google's positive earnings report boosted its stock by 7% [14] - Upcoming earnings reports from major tech firms will be critical in assessing the impact of tariff changes and competition in the AI sector on their growth prospects [14]