Core Insights - South Korea's economy is projected to experience growth below 0.1% for the fourth consecutive quarter, marking a historical first [1] - The Bank of Korea is set to announce the actual GDP growth rate for the first quarter on the 24th of this month, with indications that it may fall below 0.2% due to various economic pressures [1] - The South Korean government has proposed a supplementary budget of 25 trillion won (approximately 5.13 billion RMB) to support export companies potentially impacted by U.S. tariff policies [1] Economic Indicators - The Bank of Korea's recent report suggests a possibility of negative growth in the first quarter, influenced by rising household debt and weak domestic demand [1] - The supplementary budget aims to expand the special policy fund by 1.5 trillion won, totaling 25 trillion won, to mitigate liquidity crises faced by companies amid increasing global trade uncertainties [1]

Summary of Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the **engineering machinery** industry, which is considered the most stable choice currently due to positive data from January despite fewer working days compared to last year [1] - The demand in **Eastern Europe** is expected to restart as geopolitical conflicts ease, with some engineering machinery companies making advancements in AI and robotics [2] Key Insights - The **real estate** sector shows no significant improvement, but demand for excavators and related machinery is driven by infrastructure projects such as municipal, renewable energy, and agricultural water conservancy [3] - Recommended companies in the engineering machinery sector include **Sany Heavy Industry**, which is expected to perform well due to its involvement in infrastructure projects [3] - Companies with low valuations and good performance, such as **Flagship Zhonggong** and **Zhengmei Machinery**, are also highlighted. Flagship Zhonggong benefits from water conservancy projects, while Zhengmei Machinery is diversifying its product offerings despite a downturn in the coal industry [4] Additional Considerations - General enterprises showed stable performance in January, with orders remaining flat or slightly increasing despite the reduced working days during the Spring Festival [5] - The **automation sector** is ranked third, while the **export sector** faces challenges due to proposed tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, which could affect Chinese goods as well [6][7] - The anticipated tariffs are expected to be 10%, not cumulative, as the previous tariffs announced in February will not take effect until March 4 [7] - Despite the potential for increased tariffs, some companies, like **Quxin Technology**, have already relocated production to Southeast Asia, mitigating the impact of tariffs [8] - Companies like **Dingli** are expected to benefit from a decrease in anti-dumping duties, making their overall situation better than last year despite new tariffs [9][10] Recommended Companies - Key companies to watch in the export sector include **Juxing Technology**, **Yindu Co.**, **Zhejiang Dingli**, **Chunfeng Power**, and **Jiechang Drive** [10]

Investment Rating - Industry investment rating is maintained as "Recommended" [1] Core Viewpoints - The report highlights positive signals from government policies aimed at boosting domestic demand and stabilizing the real estate market, with a focus on a 300 billion yuan subsidy for consumer goods [3][4] - The home furnishing sector is expected to benefit from these policies, with leading companies like Oppein Home and Sophia recommended for investment due to their high retail business ratios [3][4] - The paper industry is experiencing price differentiation, with cultural paper prices showing resilience despite overall weak demand [3][4] - Export data indicates a slight increase in overall exports, but home furnishing exports are under pressure due to high base effects and tariff impacts [3][4] Summary by Sections 1. Market Review - The light industry sector outperformed the market with a 1.34% increase, while the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 index rose by 1.39% [5] - Key sectors such as home furnishing, paper, and packaging printing showed varied performance, with home furnishing up by 1.24% [5] 2. Paper Sector Tracking - Major raw material prices showed mixed trends, with domestic needle pulp averaging 5847 yuan/ton, down 1.6% week-on-week [12][23] - Finished paper prices varied, with corrugated paper at 2766 yuan/ton, down 0.7% week-on-week, while cultural paper prices remained relatively stable [25][31] 3. Home Furnishing Sector Tracking - Government policies are expected to stimulate the home furnishing market, with a projected increase in new residential supply in key cities [3][4] - Home furnishing exports faced challenges, with a 15.5% year-on-year decline in furniture exports for January-February 2025 [36] 4. Other Sector Tracking - The report notes fluctuations in oil prices, with Brent crude at $70.36 per barrel, down 4.29% week-on-week [42] - Polyethylene prices increased slightly to 7892 yuan/ton, while polypropylene prices decreased to 7306 yuan/ton [43][44]

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Neutral" rating for the industry, indicating a projected performance within a range of -10% to 10% relative to the CSI 300 index over the next 12 months [53]. Core Insights - The macroeconomic environment shows signs of resilience in the U.S. with a combination of inflation rebound and strong employment, leading the Federal Reserve to maintain a cautious stance on interest rate cuts [3][15]. - In Europe, economic fundamentals are improving, but the European Central Bank is likely to continue a gradual rate cut approach due to ongoing uncertainties [4][25]. - Domestic consumption is expected to continue its recovery trend, with significant growth in retail and service sectors during the Spring Festival period [28]. - The export sector is showing resilience, supported by increased container throughput at ports and a recovery in the semiconductor supply chain [29]. - Inflation is anticipated to be influenced by seasonal factors, with CPI expected to decline post-Spring Festival due to the normalization of prices [41]. Summary by Sections 1. Overseas Economic and Policy Environment - U.S. GDP growth for Q4 2024 was revised to 2.3%, with consumer spending remaining strong despite some downward pressures from non-residential investment [13]. - The Eurozone's GDP growth for Q4 2024 was adjusted to 0.1%, with improvements in service and manufacturing PMIs, although disparities among major economies persist [24]. 2. Domestic Economy - Consumption during the Spring Festival saw a 10.8% increase in daily sales compared to the previous year, with significant growth in both goods and services [28]. - Investment in real estate remains under pressure, with construction activity not yet returning to pre-holiday levels [29]. - Export growth is expected to maintain resilience, aided by a recovery in global manufacturing and proactive export strategies [29]. 3. Domestic Policy Environment - The central bank is expected to maintain a cautious approach to interest rate cuts, with potential adjustments post the National People's Congress [6]. - Fiscal policy discussions during the upcoming meetings are likely to focus on stimulating domestic demand and supporting new productivity initiatives [45].