Emerson Electric on Tuesday posted higher first-quarter profit and raised the bottom end of its 2026 adjusted per-share profit forecast, helped by strong demand for industrial automation equipment. ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Manufacturing and Industrial Automation in China - **Key Indicators**: Manufacturing Fixed Asset Investment (FAI) and production metrics for various sectors Core Insights 1. **Manufacturing FAI Decline**: Manufacturing FAI decreased by **-2.0% year-on-year (yoy)** in August, a significant drop from **-0.2% yoy** in July, primarily due to declines in electronics and basic materials FAI [3][51] 2. **Chemical and Steel FAI**: Chemical FAI was reported at **-5.2% yoy** and steel FAI at **-4.1% yoy**, negatively impacting companies like Supcon and Baosight [3][24][26] 3. **Industrial Robot and Machine Tool Production**: Industrial robot production increased by **14% yoy** but remained flat month-on-month (mom). Machine tool production rose by **16% yoy**, also flat mom, indicating a stable production environment [3][40] 4. **Export Trends**: Key equipment exports remained stable, with PIMM export value and volume increasing by **24% yoy** and **34% yoy**, respectively. Machine tools saw a value increase of **19% yoy** but a volume decrease of **20% yoy** [4][29][34] 5. **Order Trends for Coverage Companies**: Orders for coverage companies were broadly steady in August, with notable growth in Inovance's IA orders at **+20-30% yoy**. However, Yiheda's orders were impacted by a **-12% yoy** decline in the automotive sector [4][20][11] Additional Important Insights 1. **Capex Financing Weakness**: Capex financing showed a **-12% yoy** decline in August, following a drastic **-96% yoy** drop in July, indicating a tightening investment environment [64] 2. **Profitability Metrics**: The profit before tax (PBT) margin for industrial enterprises with revenue over **Rmb20 million** was **5.5%** in Q2 2025, slightly down from **5.6%** in Q1 2025 [71] 3. **Electricity and Cement Production**: Electricity generation increased by **3.2% yoy** in August, while cement production saw a decline of **-6.2% yoy** [81][88] 4. **Consumer Market Trends**: Passenger vehicle retail sales and production increased by **5%** and **11% yoy**, respectively, indicating a recovery in the automotive sector [90] 5. **NEV and Renewables**: Electric vehicle (EV) sales and production surged by **27% yoy** in August, reflecting strong demand in the new energy vehicle market [107] Conclusion The manufacturing sector in China is experiencing a mixed environment with declining FAI, stable production metrics, and selective strength in orders. The overall economic backdrop remains challenging, with significant declines in capex financing and profitability metrics, while certain sectors like EVs show robust growth.

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant role of the Sci-Tech Innovation Board (STAR Market) in supporting technological innovation and the development of high-quality enterprises in China over the past six years, showcasing its achievements and future expectations for continued reform and support for tech companies [1]. Group 1: Impact of STAR Market on Companies - The STAR Market provides a more open, inclusive, and efficient capital market environment for technology companies, leading to significant improvements in governance, innovation, competitiveness, and operational capabilities for companies like Haiguang Information [4][5]. - Companies like Zhongkong Technology have experienced a milestone transformation post-listing, benefiting from ample funding for R&D and exploration in AI and robotics, thereby solidifying their market position in industrial automation [7][8]. - The STAR Market has enhanced the capital market's inclusivity and support for high-quality, unprofitable companies, as exemplified by Baili Tianheng's focus on innovative drug development in oncology, enabled by the registration system reform [11][12]. Group 2: Future Expectations for STAR Market - There is an anticipation for the STAR Market to continue optimizing support mechanisms for tech companies, particularly in R&D investment and result transformation, to facilitate more technological breakthroughs [8]. - The introduction of policies such as the growth tier and the resumption of the fifth listing standard is expected to further support the growth of innovative companies like Zhejing Pharmaceutical, enhancing the capital market's role in fostering technological innovation [14][15]. - Companies like Tuojing Technology view the STAR Market as an accelerator for growth, emphasizing the need for continued reform to optimize valuation mechanisms and broaden long-term funding channels for hard tech enterprises [17].