Core Viewpoints - The article discusses recent economic data from the US, Eurozone, and Japan, highlighting trends in inflation, employment, and financial conditions [2][4][10]. Group 1: Important Data Review - In February, the US PPI increased by 3.2% year-on-year, lower than the expected 3.3% and previous 3.5%, with a month-on-month change of 0% against an expected increase of 0.3% [9]. - The US CPI for February grew by 2.8% year-on-year, below the expected 2.9% and previous 3%, with a month-on-month increase of 0.2% [9]. - The Eurozone's Sentix investor confidence index for March rose to -2.9, significantly above the expected -8.4 and previous -12.7 [10]. - Germany's January exports fell by 2.5% month-on-month, contrary to the expected growth of 0.5% [10]. - Japan's 2024 Q4 real GDP annualized quarter-on-quarter growth was revised down to 2.2%, below the expected 2.8% [10]. Group 2: Weekly Economic Activity Index - The US WEI index increased to 2.65% for the week of March 8, up from 2.24% the previous week [13]. - The German WAI index rose to 0.51% for the week of March 9, compared to 0.24% the previous week [13]. Group 3: Demand - The US Redbook retail sales year-on-year growth rate decreased to 5.7% for the week of March 8, down from 6.6% the previous week [14]. - The US mortgage application numbers increased, with the MBA market composite index rising to 269.3, an 11.2% week-on-week increase [15]. Group 4: Employment - Initial jobless claims in the US fell to 220,000 for the week of March 8, down from 222,000 the previous week [16]. - Continuing claims also decreased to 1.87 million, compared to 1.90 million the previous week [16]. Group 5: Prices - The RJ/CRB commodity price index was 302.67 on March 14, a 0.1% decrease from the previous week [17]. - The US gasoline retail price was $2.95 per gallon on March 10, down 0.1% from the previous week [17]. Group 6: Financial Conditions - The Bloomberg financial conditions index for the US was 0.20 on March 14, down from 0.27 the previous week [18]. - The Eurozone's Bloomberg financial conditions index increased to 1.30, up from 1.17 the previous week [18]. - Offshore dollar liquidity showed deterioration, with the yen and euro swap basis against the dollar decreasing [19]. Group 7: Bond Yield Spread - The 10-year bond yield spread between the US and Eurozone narrowed, with the US-EU spread at 135.6 basis points, down from 144.7 basis points the previous week [21].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Recommended," indicating an expected increase in the industry index by more than 5% over the next 3-6 months compared to the benchmark index [51]. Core Insights - The Eurozone's investor confidence index saw a significant rebound in March, with the Sentix index rising to -2.9, surpassing expectations of -8.4 and the previous value of -12.7 [8]. - In the U.S., the Producer Price Index (PPI) for February was lower than expected, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed an unexpected decline [7][9]. - The U.S. financial conditions are tightening, while the Eurozone is experiencing a loosening of financial conditions, as indicated by the Bloomberg financial conditions index [28]. Summary by Sections 1. Important Data Review - U.S. February PPI increased by 3.2% year-on-year, below the expected 3.3% and previous 3.5% [7]. - Eurozone's investor confidence index rebounded significantly in March [8]. - Japan's GDP for Q4 2024 was slightly revised down [7]. 2. Weekly Economic Activity Index - The U.S. WEI index rose to 2.65% for the week of March 8, up from 2.24% the previous week [14]. - Germany's WAI index increased to 0.51% for the week of March 9, compared to 0.24% the previous week [14]. 3. Demand - U.S. retail sales growth, as measured by the Redbook index, decreased to 5.7% year-on-year from 6.6% the previous week [17]. - Mortgage rates in the U.S. rose slightly to 6.65%, while mortgage applications increased by 11.2% [20]. 4. Employment - Initial jobless claims in the U.S. fell to 220,000, down from 222,000 the previous week [22]. 5. Prices - The RJ/CRB commodity price index was 302.67, showing a 0.1% decline from the previous week [25]. - U.S. gasoline prices decreased to $2.95 per gallon, down 0.1% from the previous week [25]. 6. Financial Conditions - The Bloomberg financial conditions index for the U.S. was 0.20, down from 0.27 the previous week, indicating tightening conditions [28]. - Offshore dollar liquidity has worsened, with the yen and euro swap basis against the dollar showing declines [28]. 7. Bond Yield Spread - The 10-year bond yield spread between Germany and Portugal narrowed, with spreads of -49.3bp and -106.0bp respectively [33].