Summary of Morgan Stanley A-share Sentiment Indicator (MSASI) Relaunch Industry Overview - The report focuses on the A-share market in China, specifically the sentiment and technical signals related to the CSI 300 index. Key Points and Arguments Relaunch of MSASI - The Morgan Stanley A-share Sentiment Indicator (MSASI) was originally launched in March 2019 to track weekly shifts in A-share market sentiment. The relaunch is prompted by the evolution of data availability and market structure, which rendered some original inputs outdated [3][17]. New Design and Metrics - The updated MSASI features a broader scope and sharper signals, now incorporating 12 metrics instead of the previous nine. These metrics cover turnover, market sentiment, short-selling activity, fund flows, and fundamentals [4][19]. - New metrics added include: - New SSE account registrations - CSI 300 futures backwardation - CSI 300 call-put ratio - Foreign passive fund flows to the CSI 300 [4][26]. Methodology Enhancements - The new methodology employs a 100-day moving min-max normalization to smooth out noise and highlight medium-term sentiment shifts. This results in two versions of the index: - MSASI (Weighted): A real-time composite on a 0-100 scale - MSASI (Weighted 1MMA): A one-month moving average to highlight broader trends [5][33]. Tactical Framework - The MSASI helps identify sentiment extremes, with specific trading strategies suggested: - Short the CSI 300 when the index reaches ≥78% and close after 70 trading days, historically yielding a cumulative return of 31% [6][43]. - Long the CSI 300 when it falls to ≤22% and exit after 70 trading days, historically yielding a cumulative return of 91% [6][43]. Current Market Sentiment - As of late September 2025, MSASI surged but has since cooled due to US-China uncertainties, weak consumption, and reduced expectations for fiscal stimulus. The indicator remains elevated but has normalized from overheated levels [15]. Importance of Tracking Sentiment - The relaunch aims to provide a sharper gauge of market sentiment, crucial for identifying early inflection points and navigating shifts in investor behavior. The focus on China's A-share market is improving, particularly following government calls for a "slow bull" market [18]. Historical Performance - Historical data shows that readings above 78% typically indicate strong optimism, often preceding market pullbacks, while readings below 22% signal excessive pessimism, often leading to meaningful rallies [43]. Additional Important Content - The report emphasizes the importance of understanding sentiment as a crucial component of A-share market dynamics, especially in light of recent market developments and investor behavior [16][18]. - The methodology and metrics used in the MSASI are designed to adapt to changes in market conditions and data availability, ensuring the indicator remains relevant [19][28]. This comprehensive overview of the MSASI relaunch highlights its significance in tracking A-share market sentiment and provides actionable insights for investors navigating the evolving landscape.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **Chinese equity market**, particularly the dynamics of **foreign and domestic fund flows** in August 2025, highlighting the engagement of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and retail investors in A-shares. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Foreign Fund Flows**: - Foreign inflows into Chinese equities decreased to **US$0.9 billion** in August from **US$2.7 billion** in July, with passive funds contributing **US$1.4 billion** and active funds experiencing outflows of **US$0.5 billion**, the lowest since mid-2023 [11][1][4] - Year-to-date (YTD) cumulative foreign passive inflows reached **US$13 billion**, surpassing the **US$7 billion** recorded in 2024, while YTD cumulative foreign active outflows totaled **US$11 billion**, down from **US$24 billion** in 2024 [11][1][4] 2. **Market Liquidity**: - A-share liquidity indicates stronger engagement from HNWIs, with retail activity slightly increasing but still below previous peaks [2][4][15] - Onshore private funds saw a significant increase in assets under management (AUM), rising by **Rmb325 billion** to **Rmb5.9 trillion** in July, indicating stronger HNWI activity [23][1] 3. **Sector and Company Trends**: - Active fund managers increased their positions in sectors such as **Capital Goods**, **Media & Entertainment**, and **Transportation**, while reducing exposure in **Consumer Services** and **Energy** [11][1] - Notable companies added to portfolios include **CATL**, **Pop Mart**, and **Zijin Mining**, while **Meituan**, **PetroChina**, and **CCB** were trimmed [11][1] 4. **Retail Participation**: - New account openings on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) rose to **2.7 million** in August, up from **1.6 million** earlier, but still below the **3.1 million** in March and far from the peaks of **6.8 million** in October 2024 [24][1] - The daily average net inflow of small orders (below **Rmb40,000**) reached **Rmb4 billion** in August, slightly below the **Rmb5 billion** seen earlier in 2025 [24][1] 5. **Shift in Fund Types**: - Onshore mutual funds saw a shift from money market funds to equity and hybrid funds, with equity and hybrid mutual funds adding **Rmb660 billion** in AUM during July-August, while money market funds declined by **Rmb50 billion** [26][1] Other Important Insights - The report indicates a modest return to net buying by foreign passive funds in August after significant outflows in April, although levels remain below those seen earlier in 2025 [35][1] - The analysis of fund positions shows a reduction in underweights for global and emerging market funds in China, suggesting a potential shift in investment sentiment [11][1] This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call, providing insights into the current state of the Chinese equity market, fund flows, and investor behavior.