Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Economics** sector, particularly analyzing inflation trends and upstream prices influenced by anti-involution efforts [1][4][6]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Inflation Trends**: - Headline CPI remained soft at -0.3% YoY, while core inflation rose to 1.0% YoY for the first time in 19 months, indicating a gradual recovery in core goods inflation, particularly in gold jewelry and durable goods [1][4][6]. - Core goods inflation is estimated at 1.5% YoY, the highest since January 2020, driven by significant increases in gold jewelry prices (6.5% MoM and 42.1% YoY) [4][6][9]. - **PPI Dynamics**: - PPI deflation narrowed to -2.3% YoY, with a sequential change of 0.0% MoM, suggesting some stabilization in upstream prices due to anti-involution initiatives [4][6][16]. - The contraction in ferrous metal smelting narrowed significantly to -0.6% YoY from -10.0% YoY two months prior, indicating a recovery in this sector [4][6][16]. - **Sector Performance**: - Downstream sectors showed limited improvement, with PPI for autos contracting by -3.0% YoY and electronics prices declining by -2.5% YoY, highlighting ongoing demand challenges [4][6][16]. - Energy prices negatively impacted headline CPI, with transportation fuel prices dropping -1.7% MoM [4][6]. - **Future Outlook**: - The GDP deflator is expected to find a bottom in Q3 2025, supported by base effects and anti-involution initiatives, but the medium-term reflation outlook remains uncertain and heavily reliant on demand-side factors [6][7]. - Policymakers are expected to focus on supply and demand rebalancing in the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, with potential regulatory actions in the solar sector [6][7]. Additional Important Insights - **Consumer Behavior**: - The report notes that one-off factors, such as gold prices and trade-in subsidies, may not provide sustainable inflationary impulses going forward, emphasizing the need for a more balanced demand-supply dynamic [7][16]. - **Sector-Specific Developments**: - The report highlights price increases in solar energy and a narrowing contraction in lithium battery prices, indicating potential growth areas within the energy sector [4][6][16]. - **Policy Implications**: - The anti-involution initiative is seen as a critical factor in stabilizing prices, with explicit announcements from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) expected to support this effort [6][7]. This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current economic landscape in China, particularly regarding inflation and sector performance.

Core Insights - The article highlights the top-performing leveraged and inverse ETFs from the previous week, showcasing significant returns driven by various market factors. Group 1: Top Performing ETFs - The GraniteShares 2x Long AMD Daily ETF (AMDL) achieved a remarkable 60.41% return, attributed to AMD's partnership with OpenAI and strong performance in the chip industry under new leadership [2][3]. - The Defiance Daily Target 2x Long OKLO ETF (OKLL) recorded a 31.78% return, driven by increased demand for AI-related power and a new contract with the U.S. Air Force [2][4]. - The MAX Auto Industry -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN (CARD) saw a 28.53% return, linked to a surge in electric vehicle sales following the expiration of a federal tax credit [2][5]. - The 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (UVIX) gained 25.15%, reflecting heightened market volatility due to concerns over a potential U.S. government shutdown and trade tensions with China [2][6]. - The Direxion Daily FTSE China Bear 3X Shares (YANG) returned 24.19%, as Chinese markets reacted negatively to renewed U.S. tariff threats [2][7]. - The ProShares UltraShort Ether ETF (ETHD) achieved a 24.03% return amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and a crypto market crash [2][8]. - The ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (UVXY) gained 18.95%, benefiting from increased market volatility [2][9]. - The ProShares UltraShort FTSE China 50 (FXP) recorded a 15.83% return, reflecting inverse exposure to China's large-cap stocks [2][9]. - The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RIOT ETF (RIOX) saw a 14.66% return, driven by positive operational updates from Riot Platforms, Inc. [2][9]. - The Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exp. & Prod. Bear 2X Shares (DRIP) achieved a 14.61% return, influenced by a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and renewed trade tensions affecting oil prices [2][10].

Core Viewpoint - The domestic markets have remained stable despite challenges such as US tariffs and significant foreign institutional investor selling, supported by favorable monsoon conditions and expected recovery in domestic demand [1][2]. Market Analysis - The Nifty is valued at a 15-year average P/E multiple of 19.2x, with a 12-month target of 28,781, reflecting an increase from the previous target of 27,609. In a bull case scenario, the target rises to 30,220, while in a bear case, it drops to 25,903 [3]. Sector Performance - Domestic-oriented sectors are expected to outperform, with banks, NBFCs, auto, retail, consumer staples, defense, metals, and select durables identified as key outperformers [4]. Earnings Forecast - Strong growth is anticipated for Q2FY26, with a projected 9.7% rise in sales, 11.2% growth in EBIDTA, and a 9.9% increase in Profit Before Tax (PBT) [5]. Growth Drivers - The growth trajectory is expected to be driven by commodities such as metals, cement, and oil and gas, along with sectors like telecom, AMC, and EMS. Conversely, banks, Housing Finance Companies, media, and travel sectors are projected to see a decline in PBT [6]. Stock Recommendations - Preferred large-cap stocks include Adani Ports, Apollo Hospitals, Britannia, HAL, ICICI Bank, and ITC. Mid/small-cap picks include Amber Enterprises, DOMS Industries, Eris Lifesciences, and Voltamp Transformers. Recent additions to conviction picks are Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, State Bank of India, Amber Enterprises India, and Latent View Analytics, while Bharti Airtel, Aster DM Healthcare, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, and Ingersoll Rand (India) have been removed [7].

Core Insights - The Chicago Fed predicts a steady unemployment rate of 4.34% for September 2025, relying on real-time data due to the U.S. government shutdown affecting Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data releases [1][2] - Private data sources indicate a cooling labor market, with weak holiday hiring plans potentially impacting payrolls through year-end [3][4] Labor Market Analysis - The Chicago Fed's analysis shows the unemployment rate unchanged from August, with layoffs at 2.10% and hiring rates for unemployed workers at 45.22%, both slightly down from the previous month [2] - Bill Adams, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank, notes that alternative data sources suggest a "low hire, low fire, low gear" job market, with Revelio Labs estimating 60,100 jobs added in September, contrasting with ADP's reported decline of 32,000 [4][5] - Hiring intentions have plummeted 70% year-over-year according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, while the Cleveland Fed's WARN Act index dropped 22% to 14,000, indicating minimal planned layoffs [4][5] Economic Pressures - Broader economic pressures include low consumer confidence, tariff impacts on margins, and a potential drop in auto sales following the expiration of EV subsidies [5] - AI-driven growth is noted to be capital-intensive, creating fewer jobs and potentially widening the gap between economic output and employment [5] - The government shutdown could shave 0.1-0.2% off GDP growth weekly, with Comerica forecasting a 0.25% Fed rate cut in late October [5] Market Reactions - The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:QQQ) saw slight increases, with SPY up 0.12% and QQQ up 0.41% [7]

Core Viewpoint - Upstart's shares experienced a significant decline in September due to concerns over rising delinquency rates on its loans, influenced by third-party market research and signs of a weakening economy [1][5]. Group 1: Stock Performance - By the end of September, Upstart's stock had fallen 31%, with most of the decline occurring towards the end of the month [3]. - The stock's worst day was on September 10, when it dropped 9.4% following the bankruptcy of Tricolor Holdings, a used-car dealer that lends to borrowers with no credit [6]. - After a brief recovery due to the Federal Reserve's rate cut on September 17, the stock began to slide again as credit concerns resurfaced, culminating in an 8% drop on September 29 after a note from BTIG regarding increased delinquencies [7]. Group 2: Market Context - The sell-off in Upstart's stock was primarily driven by a deteriorating credit picture for low-income Americans, which is a core market for the company [5]. - Other fintech stocks, particularly in the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) sector, also experienced declines due to rising credit risk concerns [2]. - The bankruptcy of Tricolor Holdings, although not directly connected to Upstart, negatively impacted credit markets and contributed to the volatility of Upstart's stock [6]. Group 3: Company Communication - There has been no direct communication from Upstart regarding the impact of changing credit markets on its business, despite management's participation in a Goldman Sachs conference on September 9 [8].

September 25, 2025 10:58 AM GMT Source: Morgan Stanley Research, Factset MS Capex Tracker aggregates forecasts across hundreds of companies, separating the data into 14 key verticals. The MS Capex Tracker has further accelerated through Q3 w/ NTM capex now tracking +20%, a step function higher from the already healthy +10% base growth entering 2025 (Exhibit 1). However, as we peel back the onion it becomes clear that positive rate of change is almost entirely driven by US Hyperscalers (Exhibit 2) – in line ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the **China equity market**, specifically the **MSCI China index**, which has shown significant performance improvements over the past year and year-to-date (YTD) [2][9]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Performance Metrics**: - MSCI China has achieved a **48% total return** over the past 12 months and a **38% total return YTD**, making it the best-performing market globally [2][9]. - The market's rally is supported by structural improvements, including a bottoming out of return on equity (ROE) and a shift towards high-quality large-cap stocks [2][15]. 2. **Earnings Growth**: - Earnings growth has been a key driver of market returns for three consecutive years since 2023, contributing **0.6 percentage points (ppt)** in 2023, **5.0 ppt** in 2024, and **3.2 ppt** YTD in 2025 [3][16]. - The positive earnings growth trajectory began to accelerate in the second half of 2024, with earnings growth contributing positively to monthly index returns approximately **75% of the time** [3][19]. 3. **Sector Contributions**: - The sectors driving earnings growth include **Internet, Financials, Technology, Capital Goods, and Materials**, which are expected to account for about **80%** of MSCI China's total earnings and earnings growth in 2025 and 2026 [4][28]. - Internet, Financials, and Technology now represent **76.9%** of MSCI China's index weight, up from **70.4%** in 2022 [24]. 4. **Future Outlook**: - The sustainability of earnings growth appears promising, with critical sectors showing positive revision trends and reasonable valuations [5][41]. - The risk of significant misses in consensus earnings estimates is decreasing, suggesting that the current momentum is likely to persist through 2026 [5][45]. 5. **Earnings Estimate Revision Breadth (ERB)**: - MSCI China's ERB turned positive in August 2025, indicating a favorable trend in earnings estimate revisions, making it one of only two major global equity markets with this trend [22][41]. - Most sectors critical to MSCI China's EPS growth are showing positive ERB trends, with banks and consumer services being exceptions [45][41]. Additional Important Insights - The market has seen a significant increase in investor interest, the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic, although some investors still attribute the market's performance primarily to liquidity and sentiment rather than corporate fundamentals [13][15]. - The conference highlights the importance of understanding the drivers behind the index-level earnings growth to separate meaningful signals from noise [24][28]. - The anticipated wrap-up of severe price competition in e-commerce by the end of 2025 is expected to trigger earnings growth re-acceleration in 2026 [28][36]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call regarding the MSCI China index and its performance, sector contributions, and future outlook.

Group 1 - Charlie Munger emphasized that market volatility is a normal aspect of investing, viewing downturns as opportunities for long-term wealth building [1][3] - Munger warned that investors who panic during market downturns are likely to achieve mediocre returns, contrasting them with those who maintain a philosophical approach to market fluctuations [3][4] - He referenced Berkshire Hathaway's experience, noting that the company's stock had fallen by more than 50% multiple times, yet they continued to invest in undervalued stocks during market drops [4][5] Group 2 - Munger shared his career principles, highlighting the importance of hard work, discipline, and strategic choices for career satisfaction [6][7] - He advised maintaining a strong reputation and integrity, emphasizing the importance of trust and surrounding oneself with admirable colleagues [7] - Munger humorously noted that Warren Buffett's financial success was due to starting earlier, working harder, and being slightly smarter, indicating that intelligence alone does not guarantee success [7]

Investor Presentation September 2025 NN Blue Dark Charcoal Platinum Pewter Orange Green Forward Looking Statement & Disclosures This presentation contains express and implied forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our financial outlook for the full year of fiscal 2025, the impact of, and our ability to execute, our corporate strategies and business initiatives and the potential impact tariffs, high interest rates, ...

Economic Impact of Tariffs - The implementation of tariffs is raising costs for U.S. businesses, which could lead to a reduction in GDP by approximately 0.5% in the long run [6][13] - The unpredictability of tariff rates creates chaos for businesses, making investments riskier and potentially leading to poor financial outcomes [7][8] - Tariffs are primarily affecting inputs into U.S. manufacturing, thereby increasing operational costs for companies [12][13] Labor Market and Immigration - The reduction of immigrant labor due to immigration policies is negatively impacting productivity and living standards for native-born workers [5][4] - The construction industry, heavily reliant on immigrant labor, is facing challenges that could further drive up housing costs [2][4] Auto Industry Dynamics - The North American auto industry is highly integrated, and tariffs on steel and aluminum are increasing production costs without effectively bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. [15][16] - The pressure on manufacturers to automate due to rising costs may not translate into job creation for U.S. workers [16][17] Revenue Generation and Fiscal Policy - Tariffs function as a sales tax on imported goods, which could theoretically help reduce the deficit, but the actual revenue generated may not be substantial [19][20] - The potential increase in tariff rates could lead to higher revenue, but the effectiveness of this approach in addressing the deficit remains uncertain [21] Long-term Trade Relations - The current administration's approach to tariffs is likely to damage U.S. credibility in international trade agreements, making future negotiations more challenging [22][23] - The violation of established trade agreements could have lasting repercussions on the U.S.'s role in the global trading system [22][23]