August 24, 2025 07:26 PM GMT Investor Presentation | Asia Pacific M Foundation Growth Cool, Policy Drip, Market Buoyant Related Reports: Growth Cool, Policy Drip, Market Buoyant (21 August 2025) Is the HIBOR Spike a Headwind? (20 August 2025) Morgan Stanley Asia Limited Robin Xing Chief China Economist Robin.Xing@morganstanley.com +852 2848-6511 Jenny Zheng, CFA Economist Jenny.L.Zheng@morganstanley.com +852 3963-4015 For important disclosures, refer to the Disclosure Section, located at the end of this rep ...

Asia Insights Global Markets Research Economics - Asia ex-Japan China: Policymaking amid a stock market rally and growth slowdown As economists we do not forecast stock markets, but we closely watch their impact on policymaking and economic activity. We believe that China's stock market rally since late September last year has been primarily driven by solid fundamentals. However, based on what previously happened, the boom has the potential to lead to a rise in irrational exuberance, an increase in leveragi ...

20 August 2025 Relatedly, on 15 August, the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the Communist Party of China (CCP) Central Committee, published an article by President Xi, emphasising key measures needed to promote development of the private economy. The article was based on President Xi's speech delivered in the symposium with the private sector in February (see China macro tracker, 19 Feb), which reiterated the importance of fair competition, settling local government arrears as well as protecting POE' ...

22 August 2025 | 8:49PM BST Global Rates Trader Cutting Through Mixed Messages Chair Powell's Jackson Hole message cleared the market's low bar for dovishness following a steady erosion in Fed cut pricing. It will be up to the data to determine the pace and depth of cuts, but the position and balance of risks around the labor market leave us comfortable with front-end longs in the US; renewed efforts to reshape the Fed present a potential challenge to longer maturities. Higher frequency Treasury demand meas ...

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Brands is highlighted as a significant investment opportunity within Berkshire Hathaway's high-yield dividend holdings, despite challenges in the alcohol market and a lower-than-average dividend yield [1][2]. Group 1: Berkshire Hathaway's High-Yield Dividend Stocks - Berkshire Hathaway has invested in dividend stocks, with the average yield in the current market at 1.2% [1]. - Eight stocks in Berkshire's portfolio offer high yields, with Constellation Brands being the top pick due to aggressive recent purchases [2]. - Other high-yield stocks in the portfolio, such as Kraft Heinz and SiriusXM, face significant challenges, making them less attractive compared to Constellation [6][8]. Group 2: Constellation Brands' Position and Challenges - Constellation Brands primarily generates revenue from beer, holding U.S. distribution rights for popular brands like Modelo and Corona, but faces potential tariff issues [9]. - The company has an annual dividend of $4.08 per share, yielding just under 2.5%, which is lower than some other Berkshire investments [10]. - Despite challenges, Constellation is viewed as a turnaround story with a path to success, as alcohol consumption remains a long-standing human behavior [11]. Group 3: Growth Potential and Valuation - Constellation has opportunities for revenue growth by leveraging its beer success in the wine and spirits segments [12]. - The company has a trailing P/E ratio of 47, but a forward P/E ratio of 13 suggests a more favorable valuation, indicating potential for stock price appreciation [13][16]. - Berkshire's significant share purchases, totaling over 13 million shares in recent quarters, suggest confidence in Constellation's overlooked growth potential [14].

Market Reactions to Fed Commentary - The market reacted positively to Powell's comments, indicating a shift towards an easing stance by the Fed, which surprised many investors [4][6][10] - There is a presupposition in the market that multiple rate cuts will occur, with discussions around three to four cuts anticipated by 2025 [10][11] Labor Market Insights - Powell's revision of job growth figures revealed a significant underestimation, with actual growth at 35,000 jobs per month instead of the previously thought 150,000 [5][9] - The labor market's rapid weakening could lead to a sharp rise in unemployment, influencing the Fed's decision-making [9][31] Bond Market Dynamics - The bond market is responding to anticipated rate cuts, with declining yields and rising bond prices, particularly in the short end of the yield curve [8][11] - A rally in the benchmark ten-year treasury indicates market expectations of economic slowdown [12][13] Tariff Implications - Tariffs are being viewed as a tax on corporations, affecting profit margins and potentially leading to layoffs if costs cannot be passed to consumers [14][15][19] - Consumer spending is slowing, with a notable shift towards discount retailers as consumers trade down due to rising costs [16][17] Housing Market Trends - The housing market is shifting to a buyer's market, with rising FHA delinquencies and foreclosures indicating distress [34][35] - The impact of student loan repayments on household credit is complicating the housing market dynamics [35][23] US Dollar Outlook - The US dollar is experiencing weakness as the market prices in a full easing cycle from the Fed, but global economic conditions may influence its recovery [38][40] - A crowded short position on the dollar could lead to a contrarian rebound as investors reassess the Fed's rate-cutting trajectory [40]

Group 1 - Sensor Unlimited is part of the investing group Envision Early Retirement, which focuses on generating high income and growth with isolated risks through dynamic asset allocation [2] - The group offers two model portfolios: one for short-term survival/withdrawal and another for aggressive long-term growth, along with direct access for discussions, monthly updates, and tax discussions [2] - Sensor Unlimited has a PhD in financial economics and has spent the last decade covering the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry, with a focus on asset allocation and ETFs [3] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of proven solutions in investment strategies to mitigate risks while aiming for high returns [2] - It highlights the role of quantitative modeling in understanding market dynamics and making informed investment decisions [3]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Global Macro Outlook**: The conference call discusses the macroeconomic outlook, focusing on US rates, international rates, commodities, currencies, and emerging markets [3][4][5][6][7]. Core Insights and Arguments US Rates - **Investment Strategy**: Maintain 5s20s steepeners due to diverse views across the FOMC, which keeps volatility and term premium elevated. Tactical shorts in 3-year Treasuries are recommended as near-term risks skew towards mean reversion [3][12][15]. - **Interest Rate Forecast**: The first Fed cut is projected for September 2025, with 2-year and 10-year Treasury yields expected to reach 3.50% and 4.20% by year-end 2025 [11]. International Rates - **Market Reactions**: Following a dovish surprise from the US labor market report, developed market (DM) rates have sold off broadly, with curves steepening amid low August liquidity [4][38]. Commodities - **Oil and Natural Gas**: The Trump administration has limited leverage over Russia without risking a spike in oil prices. The enactment of the OBBA is expected to decrease overall renewable energy capacity additions, but may expedite wind and solar projects that are advanced enough [8][92]. - **Copper Prices**: A bearish outlook for copper prices is anticipated, with expectations of prices dropping towards $9,000/mt due to unwinding Chinese demand and front-loading in US imports [95]. Currencies - **USD Outlook**: A bearish stance on the USD is maintained, with expectations that US data needs to slow further or Fed independence concerns need to intensify for significant USD weakness to occur. A potential Russia/Ukraine ceasefire could also act as a catalyst for USD weakness [57][59][64]. - **CNY Forecast**: The USD/CNY forecast has been revised to 7.10 for Q4 and 7.05 for 2Q'26, reflecting lower US rates and better-than-expected local equity returns [81]. Emerging Markets - **Investment Positioning**: The strategy has shifted to overweight (OW) emerging market (EM) FX and local rates, while remaining underweight (UW) EM sovereign credit. The expectation is for renewed USD weakness to provide opportunities for EM currencies to appreciate [108][109]. Additional Important Insights - **Treasury Funding**: The US Treasury is well-funded through FY25, but a significant funding gap is expected to emerge in FY26, leading to anticipated coupon size increases starting in May 2026 [21][24]. - **Investor Positioning in Agriculture**: Aggregate investor positioning in agriculture markets is rising from seasonal lows but remains vulnerable to short covering [96][100]. - **Foreign Demand for Treasuries**: Demand from foreign investors remains weak, with expectations of a shift towards more price-sensitive investors, which may keep long-term yields anchored at higher levels [31][33]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing insights into the macroeconomic landscape, investment strategies, and market forecasts across various sectors.

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the psychological behavior of investors when facing losses and gains, highlighting the tendency to hold onto losing positions while being quick to take profits when the market starts to recover [1]. Group 1: Market Overview - The A-share market approached 3800 points, with a mixed sentiment influenced by bond market conditions and monetary policy signals [3]. - The central bank conducted a net injection of 1243 billion yuan through reverse repos, indicating a balanced and slightly loose liquidity environment [3]. - The interbank funding rates showed a slight decline, with DR001 around 1.46% and DR007 at 1.51% [3]. Group 2: Bond Market Dynamics - The bond market experienced cautious sentiment, with the 10-year government bond yield fluctuating around 1.78% after an initial rise [5]. - There were reports suggesting restrictions on short-selling in the bond market, which contributed to the volatility in interest rates [5]. - The government bond futures showed a strong upward movement, indicating a potential rebound in market sentiment after a prolonged period of pressure [5]. Group 3: Interest Rate Trends - The weighted average rates for various repo transactions were reported, with R001 at 1.51% and R007 at 1.54%, reflecting changes in market liquidity [4]. - The interest rates for government bonds across different maturities showed a downward trend, with the 10-year bond yield at 1.7610% [8]. - The overall trading volume in the interbank market was substantial, with R001 transactions reaching approximately 64699.39 billion yuan [4].

Banking Industry Operations - Banks spend approximately 70% of their time each week closed [1]