Consumption Data - In July 2025, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 38,780 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 2.7%, slowing from 3.8% in the previous month[2] - Household deposits grew by 10.27% year-on-year in July, a slowdown of 0.51 percentage points from the previous month; household loans increased by 2.65%, down 0.33 percentage points[2] - The retail sales of petroleum and products showed negative growth, dragging down the overall retail sales growth by 0.44 percentage points[2] Real Estate Market - In July, the sales area of commercial housing was 57.09 million square meters, a year-on-year decline of 8.4%, with the decline expanding by 1.8 percentage points from the previous month[15] - The average price of commercial housing fell by 2.4% year-on-year, indicating a continued downward trend in housing prices[21] - The cumulative year-on-year decline in real estate development funding sources was 7.5%, with domestic loans down by 0.5 percentage points to 0.1%[26] Investment Trends - From January to July, national fixed asset investment totaled 288,229 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 1.6%, slowing by 1.2 percentage points from the previous month[3] - Infrastructure investment (excluding electricity) grew by 3.2%, but the pace has slowed due to reduced government spending and early utilization of government bonds[28] - Manufacturing investment growth was 6.2%, down 1.3 percentage points from the previous period, reflecting a slowdown in investment across various sectors[35]

Group 1 - The report highlights that consumer spending has weakened since peaking in May-June 2025, with retail sales growth for January to July 2025 at 4.8%, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous period, significantly impacted by the restaurant sector, which saw a growth rate of 3.8% [2][3] - Industrial value-added growth for July 2025 was 6.3%, a decline of 0.1 percentage points from June, with production in "anti-involution" sectors like automotive and photovoltaic experiencing notable decreases [3][4] - Fixed asset investment growth has accelerated its decline, with a cumulative year-on-year growth rate of 1.6% in July 2025, down 1.2 percentage points from June, driven by weak performance in real estate, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors [3][5] Group 2 - The bond market has shown a weakening in pricing based on fundamentals, with the yield curve flattening, indicating pessimistic expectations for the economy despite weak demand in the real sector [3] - The report anticipates that the 10-year government bond yield will range between 1.65% and 1.80% in August and September 2025, with conditions for further yield declines being more stringent [3] - The report notes that August is a peak supply month for government bonds, and if market adjustments worsen, there is a possibility that the central bank may restart bond purchases [3]

Economic Performance - July's economic performance reflects the resonance of weakened subsidies, tariff disruptions, and anti-involution policies, leading to compressed profits but maintained production intensity for cash flow purposes[4] - Industrial added value in July increased by 5.7% year-on-year, down from 6.8% in the previous month, indicating resilience in production despite tariff impacts[6] - Fixed asset investment in July decreased by 5.3% year-on-year, a significant drop of 5.2 percentage points, with manufacturing and real estate investments declining by 0.3% and 17.2% respectively[25] Policy and Market Dynamics - The Politburo meeting in July maintained a restrained demand policy while emphasizing the need for flexibility and foresight, suggesting potential future policy adjustments[4] - The subsidy for "old-for-new" consumer goods saw a decline in retail growth from 13.2% in June to 9.0% in July, indicating reduced consumer support for subsidized items[15] - Service sector production index grew by 5.8% year-on-year in July, contrasting with the weakening of goods consumption, suggesting a shift in consumer behavior[16] Investment and Consumption Trends - The production and sales rate of enterprises in July was 97.1%, the lowest in recent years, indicating a tightening in operational capacity[9] - The proportion of second-hand housing transactions in nine sample cities rose to 62.4%, up 6.4 percentage points year-on-year, reflecting a shift in the real estate market[29] - Manufacturing investment in July fell by 0.3%, a decline of 5.4 percentage points from the previous month, influenced by tariff uncertainties and anti-involution measures[28]

Investment Rating - Industry rating is maintained at "Outperform the Market" [5] Core Viewpoints - Infrastructure investment in July showed a high increase in railway and water electricity fuel investment, while overall infrastructure investment is experiencing marginal slowdown, particularly in the central and western regions [1][2] - Real estate development investment from January to July decreased by 12%, with a significant drop of 17.1% in July alone, indicating a continued weakness in the real estate sector [2] - The issuance of special bonds has accelerated, with a total of 27,775.89 billion yuan issued from January to July, representing a year-on-year increase of 56.5%, which is expected to support infrastructure investment growth in the second half of the year [1] - Cement demand is anticipated to gradually recover, with a focus on investment opportunities at relatively low points in the market, despite a 4.5% year-on-year decline in cement production from January to July [3] - The flat glass market is showing signs of improvement, with a slight increase in prices and a reduction in inventory levels, suggesting a potential recovery in demand [4] Summary by Sections Infrastructure Investment - In July, infrastructure investment growth was supported by a 21.5% year-on-year increase in water electricity fuel investment, while transportation and storage investment saw a 3.9% increase [2] - The report emphasizes the importance of focusing on major engineering projects and infrastructure investments in the central and western regions [1] Real Estate Sector - The real estate sector continues to show weakness, with significant declines in sales, new construction, and completion areas from January to July [2] - The report highlights the need for monitoring policy changes that could impact the real estate market [4] Cement and Glass Markets - Cement production decreased by 4.5% year-on-year, with a notable drop in July, but there are expectations for demand recovery as the market enters a peak season [3] - The flat glass market is experiencing a slight recovery, with improved trading conditions and reduced inventory levels [4]

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a mixed performance for the first half of 2025, with a basic profit of HKD 11.32 billion, up 11% year-on-year, but a 9% decline in EBITDA, indicating increased cost pressures and external challenges [2][3]. Financial Performance - Total revenue reached HKD 240.66 billion, reflecting a 3% year-on-year increase [2]. - Retail business (primarily Watsons) grew by 8%, port business by 9%, while infrastructure and telecommunications grew by 6% and 5%, respectively [3]. - The financial and investment segment saw a 10% decline, negatively impacting overall performance [3]. - A significant one-time loss related to the UK telecommunications merger led to a substantial drop in EBITDA [3][6]. Strategic Developments - The merger with Vodafone, completed on May 31, is expected to generate significant long-term benefits, including a commitment to invest GBP 11 billion in a 5G network over the next decade [3][4]. - The merger is projected to yield GBP 700 million in annual cost and capital expenditure synergies by the fifth year post-merger [4]. Port Business Update - The company is in discussions regarding the sale of its overseas port business, which has attracted attention from multiple countries [8][9]. - The transaction involves regulatory scrutiny from China, the US, the UK, and Europe, necessitating changes in the consortium structure to facilitate approval [9][11]. - The port business generated revenue of HKD 23.60 billion, a 9% increase, driven by growth in throughput at key ports [12]. Operational Insights - The company’s throughput increased by 4% to 44 million TEUs, with local and transshipment cargo remaining stable at 65% and 35%, respectively [12]. - Despite challenges in global trade and geopolitical risks, the port business is expected to maintain profitability growth in the second half of the year [12].

Economic Performance Overview - In July, China's economic growth rate slowed due to extreme weather conditions, but it remained above the 5% target level, with a focus on utilizing existing policies while maintaining proactive measures [1][3] - The service sector outperformed the industrial sector in July, with the service production index decreasing by 0.2 percentage points to 5.8%, while industrial added value fell by 1.1 percentage points to 5.7% [1][3] Demand and Consumption - Exports in July increased by 7.2% year-on-year in USD terms, accelerating by 1.3 percentage points compared to June, driven by a "rush to re-export" effect before the expiration of "reciprocal tariffs" [1][2] - Retail sales of consumer goods grew by 3.7% year-on-year in July, a decline of 1.1 percentage points from the previous month, with dining revenue rebounding slightly while commodity retail growth slowed [2] Investment Trends - Fixed asset investment from January to July grew by 1.6% year-on-year, a slowdown of 1.2 percentage points compared to the first half of the year, with infrastructure investment growing by 3.2% [2] - Real estate development investment decreased by 12.0% year-on-year from January to July, with the decline expanding by 0.8 percentage points compared to the first half of the year [2] Policy and Future Outlook - The Central Political Bureau meeting emphasized the need for sustained macroeconomic policy efforts, focusing on expanding domestic demand and improving living standards [3][4] - Key initiatives include promoting service consumption, enhancing personal consumption loan policies, and stimulating private investment through infrastructure projects [3][5] - The meeting also highlighted the importance of deepening reforms and managing risks in key areas, particularly in local government debt and real estate markets [4][5]

Economic Overview - The economy in July shows signs of weak recovery, with a potential trend of high-to-low performance throughout the year, indicating increased volatility due to external uncertainties[1] - The nominal GDP is projected to reach around 140 trillion yuan, with limited elasticity in growth rates and GDP deflator index in the second half of the year[12] Industrial Growth - In July, the industrial added value increased by 5.7% year-on-year, slightly below market expectations, while month-on-month growth was 0.38%[14] - Manufacturing demand is recovering but showing signs of marginal slowdown, with the new orders index at 49.4%, indicating a decrease in manufacturing market demand[16] Consumer Spending - The retail sales of consumer goods in July grew by 3.7% year-on-year, down from 4.8% in June, with a notable decline of 1.1 percentage points[19] - Factors affecting retail sales include reduced funding for the "old-for-new" policy, which decreased from 162 billion yuan in the first half of 2025 to 138 billion yuan in the second half[21] Fixed Asset Investment - From January to July, fixed asset investment (excluding rural households) totaled 288.229 billion yuan, growing by 1.6%, which is below market expectations of 2.7%[29] - Infrastructure investment grew by 3.2%, while real estate development investment saw a significant decline of 12.0%[29] Employment Trends - The urban surveyed unemployment rate in July was 5.2%, slightly up from the previous month, reflecting seasonal pressures from the graduation season[6] - Employment policies are being implemented to mitigate youth unemployment, including support for job creation in various sectors[6] Investment Outlook - Manufacturing investment growth was 6.2% year-on-year, but July recorded a negative growth of -0.3%, the first negative reading since July 2020, primarily due to high base effects and uncertainties from trade tensions[45] - The overall investment environment remains cautious, with private investment declining by 1.5% year-on-year, particularly in the real estate sector[29]

Consumption Data - In July, the total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 3.7% year-on-year, marking a decline of 1.1 percentage points from the previous month and the lowest monthly growth rate this year[3] - Retail sales of automobiles fell by 1.5% year-on-year, a significant drop of 6.1 percentage points compared to June, closely linked to the recent downturn in the real estate market[3] - Retail sales of communication equipment rose by 14.9%, while home appliances and furniture grew by 28.7% and 20.6%, respectively, despite declines from June[3] Investment and Real Estate - Fixed asset investment saw a sharp decline of 5.3% year-on-year in July, the largest drop since April 2020[4] - Real estate development investment fell by 17.0% year-on-year, the lowest since December 2022, indicating a renewed acceleration in market adjustments[4] - The area of residential sales decreased by 7.1% year-on-year, remaining at a low level despite a slight improvement[5] Industrial Production - The industrial added value growth rate fell to 5.7% year-on-year, down 1.1 percentage points, with the mining and manufacturing sectors also experiencing declines[6] - The automotive manufacturing sector saw a significant drop of 2.9 percentage points to 8.5%, the lowest since November 2024, reflecting the combined effects of supply-side policies and demand cooling[6] Policy Implications - The simultaneous cooling of retail, investment, and real estate markets in July may signal the need for policy measures in the second half of the year[6] - The central government may need to implement larger subsidies for durable goods consumption and consider a small interest rate cut of 10 basis points to stabilize the real estate market[6]

Core Viewpoint - The economic data for July indicates a slowdown in China's economy, with both supply and demand sides experiencing challenges, leading to a mixed outlook for various sectors [1][3]. Consumption - Retail sales growth in July was 3.7%, below the market expectation of 4.8%, influenced by extreme weather and other short-term factors [4][5]. - The growth rate of commodity consumption fell to 4%, with notable resilience in demand for essential goods like grain and oil (8.6%) and home appliances (28.7%) [4][5]. - Service retail sales growth slightly decreased to 5.2%, with cultural and tourism consumption supported by government subsidies [7][8]. Fixed Asset Investment - Fixed asset investment growth was 1.6%, down 1.2 percentage points from the previous month, with infrastructure investment at 7.3% and manufacturing investment at 6.2% [9][12]. - Real estate investment continued to decline, with a year-on-year drop of 12%, and sales volume and value of commercial housing also decreased significantly [12][14]. Import and Export - July saw better-than-expected performance in imports and exports, with export growth in dollar terms rising to 7.2%, driven by strong demand from non-US regions [18][19]. - Trade surplus expanded to $98.24 billion, a year-on-year increase of 14.9% [18][19]. Supply - Industrial production showed stable growth, with a year-on-year increase of 5.7%, supported by resilient exports and government policies [21][22]. - The service sector maintained a growth rate of 6.0%, although there are concerns about the sustainability of this growth [21][22]. Inflation - Price pressures remained, with CPI inflation at 0% and PPI inflation at -3.6%, influenced by seasonal factors and international trade uncertainties [23][24]. Outlook - The economic outlook suggests rising uncertainties in external demand and persistent internal demand issues, with recent policies aimed at boosting consumption and investment expected to take effect gradually [25].

Core Viewpoint - July economic data shows signs of slowdown, with only exports accelerating while industrial, service, consumption, investment, and real estate sales all underperformed compared to previous values, indicating a divergence in internal and external demand [1][6]. Economic Data Summary - Actual GDP index estimated to be approximately 5.02% year-on-year based on industrial value added and service production index, and about 4.79% when estimated using industrial value added and retail sales [1][6]. - Exports increased by 7.2% year-on-year, surpassing the previous value of 5.9% [6]. - Industrial value added grew by 5.7%, down from 6.8% previously, with a month-on-month seasonal adjustment of 0.38% [1][7]. - Service production index rose by 5.8%, lower than the previous 6.0% [6]. - Retail sales (社零) increased by 3.7% year-on-year, down from 4.8% previously, with a month-on-month seasonal adjustment of -0.14% [2][10]. - Fixed asset investment showed a cumulative year-on-year growth of 1.6%, down from 2.8%, with a single-month year-on-year decline of -5.2% [3][13]. - Real estate sales decreased by 8.0% year-on-year, compared to a previous decline of 5.4% [4][15]. Sector-Specific Insights - In the industrial sector, coal production growth saw a significant decline, while new industry products like smartphones and robots also experienced a slowdown [7][8]. - Retail sectors such as dining and tobacco continue to show low growth, with automotive sales turning negative for the first time in five months [2][10]. - Fixed asset investment in manufacturing, infrastructure, and real estate all showed notable declines, with real estate investment down by 17.2% year-on-year [3][15]. - Real estate data indicates a continued slowdown in sales, new construction, and investment, with significant declines in various metrics [4][15][16]. Policy and Market Outlook - The overall economic indicators suggest the emergence of a "slowdown zone," which aligns with market expectations [5][18]. - Recent macroeconomic policies are focused on supporting service consumption, particularly through interest subsidies for personal and business loans [5][18]. - The continuation of "two重" policies and real estate policies is deemed crucial for stabilizing the economy [5][18].