Global Research ab 19 November 2025 First Read China Duty Free Sector Foreign duty-free operators to enter China airport stores? Event: SIA unveils duty-free tender rules Based on our channel check and tender website information, Shanghai International Airport (SIA) announced its tender plan for the duty-free area of Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA): 1) The tender consists of three sections: T1 and S1 of PVG (section 1), T2 and S2 of PVG (section ...

Core Viewpoint - Hongqi Chain experienced a decline of 3.26% in stock price on November 20, with a trading volume of 216 million yuan, indicating potential market concerns regarding its performance and investor sentiment [1] Financing Summary - On November 20, Hongqi Chain had a financing buy-in amount of 28.14 million yuan and a financing repayment of 22.56 million yuan, resulting in a net financing buy of 5.58 million yuan [1] - As of November 20, the total financing and securities lending balance for Hongqi Chain was 316 million yuan, with the financing balance accounting for 4.11% of its market capitalization, which is above the 70th percentile of the past year [1] - The company repaid 2,100 shares in securities lending on November 20, with a total sell amount of 68,700 yuan, while the securities lending balance was 946,400 yuan, indicating a lower position compared to the 50th percentile of the past year [1] Business Performance Summary - As of October 31, the number of shareholders for Hongqi Chain was 64,100, a decrease of 0.44% from the previous period, while the average circulating shares per person increased by 0.45% to 17,865 shares [2] - For the period from January to September 2025, Hongqi Chain reported a revenue of 7.11 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 8.48%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 383 million yuan, down 1.89% year-on-year [2] - Since its A-share listing, Hongqi Chain has distributed a total of 1.56 billion yuan in dividends, with 926 million yuan distributed over the past three years [2] Shareholding Structure Summary - As of September 30, 2025, Hongqi Chain's fourth largest circulating shareholder was Hong Kong Central Clearing Limited, holding 35.23 million shares, a decrease of 19.98 million shares from the previous period [2] - The tenth largest circulating shareholder was the Southern CSI 1000 ETF, holding 6.23 million shares, which is a reduction of 250,500 shares compared to the previous period [2]

Economic Overview - The province's economy showed overall stability in the first ten months of the year, with industrial growth, declining fixed asset investment, expanding market sales, and rapid export growth [1] Industrial Performance - The added value of industrial enterprises above a designated size increased by 1.5% year-on-year, with high-tech manufacturing growing by 3.9% [1] - By sector, mining increased by 7.8%, manufacturing by 0.7%, and electricity, heat, gas, and water production and supply by 0.1% [2] - State-owned enterprises saw a 2.2% increase in added value, while foreign and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan-invested enterprises experienced a decline of 5.9% [2] - Among 40 industrial categories, 23 reported year-on-year growth, resulting in a growth rate of 57.5% [2] - Notable growth sectors included chemical fiber manufacturing (growth of 7.7 times), transportation equipment manufacturing (growth of 47.1%), and gas production and supply (growth of 21.6%) [2] Investment Trends - Fixed asset investment decreased overall, but manufacturing investment rose by 6.2%, with high-tech manufacturing investment increasing by 10.8% [2] - Investment in the primary industry grew by 5.1% year-on-year [2] Market Sales - The total retail sales of consumer goods reached 877.98 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3.5% [3] - Sales of essential goods remained stable, with food and oil retail sales increasing by 13.4% and daily necessities by 11.8% [3] - Upgraded consumer goods saw significant sales growth, including wearable smart devices (growth of 15.5 times) and energy-efficient home appliances (growth of 1.3 times) [3] Trade Performance - The province's total import and export value reached 338.37 billion yuan, marking a 9.6% increase [3] - Agricultural product exports totaled 27.67 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 9.9% [3] - Machinery and electrical products exports were 170.59 billion yuan, growing by 8.5%, with notable increases in ship and automotive parts exports [3] Price Trends - Consumer prices remained stable overall, while industrial producer prices experienced a decline [4]

Core Viewpoint - The report from Guotai Junan Securities highlights a tightening supply-demand situation in the technology manufacturing sector, alongside a marginal improvement in consumer and travel sentiment [1][2]. Consumer Sector - Essential consumer goods retail showed a notable recovery in October, with beverage, grain and oil, and tobacco and alcohol retail sales increasing by 7.1%, 9.1%, and 4.1% year-on-year respectively, likely driven by the "Double Festival" and "Double Eleven" shopping events [3] - Real estate and durable goods continue to face pressure, with transaction volume of new homes in 30 major cities down by 24.8% year-on-year, and significant declines in first, second, and third-tier cities [3] - Service consumption is improving, with the tourism price index in Hainan rising by 2.1% month-on-month and movie box office revenue increasing by 90.2% year-on-year due to new film releases [3] Technology & Manufacturing Sector - The electronic industry remains highly prosperous, with explosive growth in storage demand driven by AI, leading to continued price increases in memory chips [4] - The lithium battery industry is experiencing improved sentiment, with the price of lithium hexafluorophosphate continuing to rise significantly [4] - Construction demand remains weak, with seasonal factors impacting demand for building materials, leading to a subdued price environment for steel and construction materials [4] Resource Sector - Coal prices continue to rise due to supply constraints, with strong heating and electricity demand [5] - International metal prices have seen a slight increase, influenced by rising expectations of overseas interest rate cuts [5] Logistics Sector - Air passenger transport has improved, with long-distance travel demand increasing by 3.7% month-on-month and 14.5% year-on-year, indicating a recovery in business travel [5] - Freight logistics also show improvement, with national highway truck traffic and railway freight volume increasing by 2.6% and 0.2% respectively [5] - However, shipping prices continue to decline, and port throughput has decreased, reflecting fluctuations in export demand [5]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the industry [2][31] Core Insights - In October 2025, the total retail sales reached 46,291 billion, with a nominal year-on-year growth of 2.9%, slightly exceeding expectations; excluding automobiles, the retail sales of consumer goods grew by 4.0% [12][21] - The overall consumption sentiment showed a decline due to significant drag from appliances, automobiles, and petroleum, while optional consumption was positively influenced by the dual festivals and Double Eleven shopping event [12][21] - The online retail sales for the first ten months of 2025 increased by 9.6%, with October's online retail sales at 15,086 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 8.1% [24][25] Summary by Sections Overall Retail Data - The total retail sales for January to October 2025 amounted to 412,169 billion, with a nominal year-on-year growth of 4.3%, and excluding automobiles, the growth was 4.9% [12][21] - In October, the retail sales of goods and dining revenue were 41,092 billion and 5,199 billion respectively, with year-on-year growth of 2.8% and 3.8% [12][21] Retail Data Above Designated Size - In October, the retail sales above designated size reached 17,782 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 1.6% [13] - The dining revenue for October showed a year-on-year increase of 3.7%, while the retail sales of goods grew by 1.4% [13] Online Retail Data - The online retail sales for the first ten months totaled 127,916 billion, with a cumulative year-on-year growth of 9.6% [24] - The physical online retail sales for January to October reached 103,984 billion, accounting for 28.4% of total goods retail and 25.2% of total retail sales [24]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is maintained at "Overweight" [1] Core Viewpoints - The report highlights that the consumption sector is showing signs of recovery, particularly in the restaurant industry due to the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, with restaurant revenue reaching 519.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.8% [5] - The overall retail sales in October reached 4.63 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 2.9%, indicating better-than-expected performance [5] - The report suggests that while essential consumption categories are performing well, optional categories like home appliances are experiencing slower growth due to high base effects from the previous year [5] - Online retail penetration is increasing, with online retail sales for the first ten months reaching 12.8 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.6% [5] Summary by Sections Recent Industry Performance - In the past 12 months, the industry has shown relative returns of 4.65% over one month, -1.1% over three months, and 2.33% over twelve months compared to the CSI 300 index [2] - Absolute returns were 4.86% over one month, 9.03% over three months, and 18.94% over twelve months [2] Investment Highlights - The report emphasizes the potential for growth in the consumption market, driven by government initiatives to boost consumption and improve the supply of quality goods and services [5] - Specific companies to watch include those in the restaurant supply chain, consumer growth sectors, and service consumption [5]

Core Viewpoint - The report from Kaiyuan Securities indicates a continued decline in the growth rate of social retail sales in October 2025, with expectations for more fiscal policies to support domestic demand and a recovery in consumer spending [1] Monthly Observation - In October 2025, the total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 2.9% year-on-year, with a month-on-month decline of 0.1 percentage points from September [1] - The consumption structure showed marginal recovery in food, beverages, tobacco, and catering due to holiday spending, while the "trade-in" policy's diminishing effect and a high base from the previous year led to negative growth in appliances and automotive categories [1] - Catering and above-limit catering revenue increased by 3.8% and 3.7% year-on-year, respectively, with month-on-month growth of 2.9 percentage points and 5.3 percentage points from September, supported by holiday travel [1] - Sub-sectors such as grain and oil food, beverages, and tobacco saw year-on-year increases of 9.1%, 7.1%, and 4.1%, respectively, with significant month-on-month improvements [1] Quarterly Observation - The growth rate of social retail sales is expected to continue declining in Q4 2025, although there may be marginal improvements in the growth rates of catering and food and beverage sectors [2] - In October 2025, the retail sales growth rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points compared to Q3 2025, primarily due to the weakening effect of subsidy policies and a high base from the previous year [2] - The growth rates for grain and oil food, beverages, and tobacco in October 2025 improved compared to Q3 2025, indicating a positive trend in food and beverage consumption [2] Industry Observation - The liquor industry is still in a bottoming phase, with structural differentiation in consumption during the October holiday, showing recovery in mass banquets and family gatherings, while business consumption remains weak [3] - The snack industry demonstrates resilience due to its high-frequency demand, supported by holiday consumption, with leading companies enhancing competitiveness through product innovation and channel expansion [3]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" (maintained) [4] Core Viewpoints - The retail sales growth in October exceeded expectations, with basic living and some upgraded consumption categories experiencing rapid growth [4] - The total retail sales of consumer goods in October reached 46,291 billion, a year-on-year increase of 2.9%. Excluding automobiles, the total retail sales amounted to 42,036 billion, growing by 4.0% year-on-year [7][6] - Urban and rural retail sales in October were 40,021 billion and 6,270 billion respectively, with year-on-year growth of 2.7% and 4.1% [7] Summary by Category Overall Data - The overall retail sales in October showed a year-on-year increase of 2.9%, with significant growth in essential and some upgraded consumption categories [7][6] Consumption Types - The retail sales of catering outpaced goods, with limited above-unit retail sales reaching 17,782 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1.6% [14] - The retail sales of goods and catering in October were 41,092 billion and 5,199 billion respectively, with year-on-year growth of 2.8% and 3.8% [14] Essential Consumption - In essential consumption, the retail sales of grain, oil, and food increased by 9.1%, beverages by 7.1%, tobacco and alcohol by 4.1%, and daily necessities by 7.4% [18][26] Optional Consumption - In optional consumption, jewelry and communication equipment saw significant growth, with jewelry retail sales increasing by 37.6% and communication equipment by 23.2% [26][34] Other Consumption Categories - Among other consumption categories, furniture retail sales grew significantly by 9.6%, while home appliances, building materials, and petroleum products saw declines of 14.6%, 8.3%, and 5.9% respectively [35][39]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" (maintained) [1] Core Insights - The retail sector shows a steady recovery in consumer spending, with a year-on-year increase of 4.3% in retail sales from January to October 2025, and a 2.9% increase in October alone [5] - Key categories such as essential goods like grains and oils maintain resilience, while discretionary items like gold and jewelry show remarkable performance, with jewelry sales up by 37.6% year-on-year in October [6] - Online retail continues to grow, with a 9.6% increase in online sales from January to October 2025, while offline retail channels also show signs of recovery [7] Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The retail sector is experiencing a robust recovery, with October retail sales reaching 46,291 billion yuan, exceeding market expectations [5] - The overall consumer price index (CPI) has turned positive, driven by rising prices in services and industrial goods [6] Consumer Behavior - Essential consumption categories like grains and oils have shown strong growth, while discretionary spending on cosmetics and jewelry has surged, indicating a shift towards "emotional consumption" [6][8] - The report emphasizes the importance of brands that resonate with consumers' emotional values and competitive strengths [8] Investment Recommendations - Focus on high-quality companies in the "emotional consumption" theme, particularly in four key areas: 1. Gold and jewelry brands with unique product offerings [8] 2. Offline retail companies adapting to market changes [8] 3. Domestic cosmetic brands emphasizing emotional value and safety [8] 4. Medical beauty firms with differentiated products and expansion strategies [8]

Core Insights - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October showed a month-on-month increase of 0.2% and a year-on-year increase of 0.2%, marking a recovery from the previous value of -0.3% [2] - The core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose by 1.2% year-on-year, the highest increase since March 2024, indicating a sustained upward trend for six consecutive months [2] - Key factors contributing to the improvement in price data include better food prices, rising gold prices, and robust travel consumption during the holiday season [2] Food Prices and Consumer Behavior - Food prices showed a notable improvement, with actual prices rising by 0.3% in October, contrary to the expected decline of 0.4% based on high-frequency wholesale prices [2] - The increase in gold jewelry prices contributed approximately 0.06 percentage points to the month-on-month CPI [2] - The demand for travel during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival led to significant price increases in accommodation (8.6%), air tickets (4.5%), and tourism (2.5%) [2] Weakness in Certain Price Segments - Despite the overall CPI recovery, certain segments like pork and tobacco prices remain weak, with pork prices declining by 2.5% month-on-month, impacting CPI by approximately 0.03 percentage points [4] - Tobacco and alcohol prices also experienced negative growth, both decreasing by 0.1 percentage points, reflecting limited demand for non-essential consumer goods due to unhealed consumer sentiment [4] Durable Goods Demand - Reports indicate that the demand for durable consumer goods is not strong, with transportation tools showing a consistent year-on-year decline of 1.9% for three consecutive months [4] - The year-on-year growth rates for household appliances and communication tools have also decreased, indicating a slowdown in consumer spending [4] Urban vs. Rural Price Trends - There is a divergence in price trends between urban and rural areas, with urban CPI increasing by 0.3% year-on-year while rural CPI decreased by 0.2% [4] - The higher weight of food expenditure in rural consumption leads to a more pronounced impact from food price deflation, resulting in a weaker rural price index [4] Future Outlook - The increase in holiday-related consumption is seen as a temporary spike, and fluctuations in gold prices are expected in November [5] - For sustained improvement in CPI, ongoing policy support will be necessary, as the current factors driving CPI are not expected to be long-lasting [5]