Vi e w p o i n t | 12 Oct 2025 19:31:17 ET │ 9 pages China HDT HDT Demand Update & 4Q25/2026E Outlook CITI'S TAKE On Oct 10, we hosted an expert call with Mr. Xie Guangyao, chief editor of CVWorld (a Chinese online magazine that focuses on commercial vehicles) and a seasoned expert in commercial vehicles, to discuss the HDT demand outlook and 4Q25/2026E update. Below are the key takeaways. Also read: China HDT - Sep HDT Sector Sales Update. Sep HDR sales review – Sep HDT wholesale beat at 105k units, accord ...

Pharmaceutical Industry - President Trump's 100% tariff on branded pharmaceutical imports took effect on October 1st, causing initial declines in shares of European and Asian drugmakers, with Novo Nordisk experiencing the largest drop [2][3] - Pfizer announced a deal with the Trump administration to cut drug prices and invest $70 billion in U.S. research and manufacturing, receiving a three-year exemption from the tariffs, which led to a surge in its stock price [3][4] - Analysts suggest Pfizer's deal could serve as a model for other drugmakers, but caution that the financial impact may be more about optics than substantial change [4] Trucking Industry - A 25% tariff on heavy trucks imported from other countries began on October 1st, aimed at protecting U.S. manufacturers [5][6] - Shares of Daimler Truck and Traton fell by 2% and 2.4% respectively, with analysts estimating a potential €700-800 million impact on Daimler's earnings, though some losses could be offset by price increases [6] - Volvo Group, which produces all its U.S. trucks domestically, saw a 3.5% increase in shares, while analysts predict increased operational costs and reduced freight demand for trucking stocks like J.B. Hunt and UPS [6] Entertainment Industry - A 100% tariff on movies made outside the U.S. was announced, leading to declines in shares of Indian media stocks and major U.S. media companies, including Netflix and Amazon [9][10] - Analysts expressed concerns that the tariffs could lead to reduced content production and increased costs for consumers [10] Agriculture Sector - President Trump announced a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss agriculture, particularly soybeans, which led to a 1.3% increase in Chicago soybean futures [10][11] - Analysts noted that while the announcement provided support, the underlying issues caused by previous tariffs may not be resolved [11] Government Operations - The U.S. government shutdown began on October 1st, with a muted market reaction, as the S&P 500 saw a slight decline and the Nasdaq Composite managed a small gain [13][14] - Analysts viewed the shutdown as political theater with limited immediate impact, but some warned that the current economic conditions could make the situation more detrimental than in previous shutdowns [14]

Group 1: Tariff Announcements - A new wave of tariffs will take effect on October 1, 2025, including a 100% levy on imported branded and patented pharmaceuticals, a 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, a 30% tax on upholstered furniture, and a 25% duty on heavy trucks [2] - The rationale for these tariffs is to protect American businesses from foreign goods and for national security reasons [2] Group 2: Market Reactions - The immediate market reaction on September 26, 2025, was mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.33% to close at 42,313.00, while the S&P 500 dipped 0.13% to 5,738.17, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.39% to 18,119.59 [3] - Home furnishings retailers and manufacturers, such as Wayfair and RH, experienced sharp declines, with RH dropping over 4%, while overseas pharmaceutical stocks also took a hit [4] Group 3: Economic Implications - Analysts warn of rekindled inflation concerns, particularly regarding healthcare expenses, as drug prices could potentially double due to the tariffs [6] - The Flash U.S. Manufacturing PMI fell to 52.0 in September from 53.0 in August, indicating supply chain disruptions and higher costs tied to the tariffs [6] Group 4: Historical Context - The current tariff situation is reminiscent of earlier tariffs imposed in April 2025, which led to significant market declines, including a 4.88% drop in the S&P 500 [7][8] - The S&P 500 had fallen about 12% within four days following the April tariffs, indicating the market's sensitivity to such announcements [9] Group 5: Broader Economic Concerns - The combination of aggressive trade policies, rising inflation, and a weakening labor market suggests a precarious economic environment, with Moody's Analytics indicating the U.S. economy may be closer to a recession than many investors realize [16] - Gold prices have shown a slight increase to around $3,789.80 per ounce, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties [17]

Trade Policy Impact - President Trump announced new tariffs effective October 1, 2025, including 100% on imported branded pharmaceuticals, 25% on heavy-duty trucks, 50% on kitchen cabinets, and 30% on upholstered furniture, aimed at protecting domestic industries [2][3] - The pharmaceutical sector reacted variably, with domestic companies like Merck, Eli Lilly, and Johnson & Johnson seeing stock price increases due to exemptions for those investing in US manufacturing [3][4] - Asian pharmaceutical stocks, particularly Indian firms, faced declines, with Sun Pharma's shares dropping 5% and Biocon's by 3.3%, while the Nifty Pharma index fell 2.54% [4] Heavy-Duty Truck Industry - The 25% tariff on imported heavy-duty trucks negatively impacted European manufacturers like Daimler Truck, which could face a €700-800 million earnings hit, while American manufacturer Paccar Inc. saw stock gains of 5-7% [5] - Volvo Group, manufacturing all North American trucks domestically, also experienced stock price increases of nearly 3% [5] Kitchen Cabinets and Furniture - The 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets and 30% on upholstered furniture led to mixed market reactions, with domestic manufacturers like MasterBrand benefiting, while import-reliant retailers like RH and Williams-Sonoma suffered declines [6] Semiconductor Industry - A proposed policy requiring a 1-to-1 domestic-to-imported chip ratio boosted US chipmakers like Intel and GlobalFoundries, whose shares rose by 5.5% and 9% respectively, while Asian competitors saw declines of 2-6% [7] Market Reactions - The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached an all-time high of 42,313.00, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite experienced declines of 0.50% and 0.55% respectively [10] - Analysts noted that Trump's trade policy is seen as a tool for redistributing competitive advantage rather than a universal shock, leading to selective investment strategies [11]

Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement of significant tariffs on various imported goods, including upholstered furniture, pharmaceuticals, and kitchen cabinets, has created uncertainty for companies like Naturepedic, which relies on imports for its products. The tariffs are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to reshape U.S. trade policy and protect domestic industries [1][2][4]. Group 1: Impact on Companies - Naturepedic is contemplating whether to proceed with the launch of its upscale upholstered headboard in light of a 30% tariff on imported upholstered furniture, which could affect pricing strategies and overall profitability [1]. - The tariffs on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and upholstered furniture are expected to impact major exporters like China and Vietnam, potentially increasing costs for U.S. consumers and affecting the housing market [11][12]. - The tariffs on pharmaceuticals, while initially causing stock prices of some drug companies to rise, are likely to lead to higher prices for consumers, particularly those without comprehensive health care plans [9][10]. Group 2: Economic Context - The U.S. Treasury has seen a significant increase in customs duties, collecting $172 billion since the start of fiscal year 2025, which is a 126% increase from the previous year, although tariffs still represent less than 4% of federal revenue [5]. - The price of living room, kitchen, and dining room furniture has already risen nearly 10% over the past year, indicating that the new tariffs may exacerbate existing inflationary pressures in the furniture market [12]. - The rapid implementation of these tariffs is causing disruptions in retail supply chains, making it difficult for companies to plan and adapt to the changing economic landscape [13].

Summary of Conference Call on Heavy-Duty Truck Industry and Policies Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the heavy-duty truck industry, specifically focusing on the 2025 subsidy policies for replacing old trucks and the implications for natural gas and electric trucks [2][4][6]. Key Points and Arguments 1. Changes in Subsidy Policies - The 2025 subsidy policy has removed the restriction on diesel trucks, allowing natural gas heavy-duty trucks to receive subsidies up to 65,000 yuan, leveling the competitive landscape between diesel and natural gas trucks [2][4]. - The inclusion of natural gas trucks in the subsidy program is expected to stimulate purchases, potentially increasing the market capacity significantly [2][4]. 2. Market Growth Projections - The overall market for heavy-duty trucks in 2025 is conservatively estimated at 105-110 million units, with an expected retail volume of around 760,000 units, including a 30% increase from the old-for-new policy [5][9]. - The penetration rate of natural gas heavy-duty trucks is projected to rise from 29.6% in 2024 to 38%-40% in 2025, contributing approximately 100,000 units to the market [6][11]. 3. Impact of Old-for-New Policy - The old-for-new policy is anticipated to generate about 21,000 new truck sales, primarily benefiting natural gas trucks due to their economic advantages [4][5]. - Local implementation of the old-for-new policy has been slow, but acceleration is expected in the second quarter as more regions finalize their policies [7][13]. 4. Electric Vehicle Trends - The penetration of electric trucks in the market is rapidly increasing, with an expected rate of over 25% for the year, particularly in the traction truck segment, which is projected to account for 70% of electric truck sales [14][16]. - The old-for-new policy is expected to contribute 30,000 to 40,000 electric trucks to the market, indicating a significant shift towards electrification [16][29]. 5. Pricing Trends - In Q1 2025, prices for natural gas heavy-duty trucks increased by 10,000 to 20,000 yuan, recovering from previous declines but still not reaching the levels of the first half of 2024 [19][20]. - Major manufacturers are shifting from aggressive pricing strategies to improving profitability, indicating a potential stabilization in the market [18][22]. 6. Export Market Outlook - The export market for heavy-duty trucks is expected to decline from 330,000 units in 2024 to around 310,000 units in 2025, primarily due to reduced demand in the Russian market [28]. 7. Consumer Sentiment - There is no significant consumer hesitation in purchasing heavy-duty trucks, although larger fleet operators may adopt a wait-and-see approach until policies are fully implemented [25][26]. Additional Important Insights - The transition towards natural gas and electric vehicles aligns with broader environmental goals, as natural gas trucks produce fewer emissions compared to diesel [6][10]. - The competitive landscape is characterized by a lack of significant differentiation among products from major manufacturers, leading to intense competition for market share [24]. - The overall sentiment for the heavy-duty truck market in 2025 is optimistic, with expectations of increased sales driven by policy support and market recovery [29].