Market Overview - US stock index futures continued to rise after the release of December non-farm payroll data, with Dow Jones futures up 0.19%, S&P 500 futures up 0.23%, and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.29% [1] - Major European indices also saw gains, with the Euro Stoxx 50 up 1.09%, FTSE 100 up 0.48%, CAC 40 up 0.83%, and DAX 30 up 0.42% [1] - WTI crude oil rose by 0.87% to $58.26 per barrel, while Brent crude increased by 0.85% to $62.52 per barrel [1] Economic and Trade Developments - The EU member states voted to approve a free trade agreement between the EU and the Southern Common Market [1] - The US Bank raised its average palladium price forecast for 2026 to $1,725 per ounce [1] - The average oil production in Russia for December was reported at 9.326 million barrels per day [1] - The US Secretary of Commerce stated that the lack of a phone call between the Indian Prime Minister and Trump has stalled the US-India trade agreement [1] - Trump announced the cancellation of the second wave of sanctions against Venezuela, with oil giants planning to invest at least $10 billion in the country [1] Company News - Meta Platforms signed a multi-gigawatt nuclear energy agreement to power AI data centers, investing in nuclear plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania [1] - Rio Tinto and Glencore are in preliminary discussions for a merger to form the world's largest mining company [1] - Rolls-Royce reported a 0.8% year-on-year decline in deliveries for 2025, with a total of 5,664 cars delivered [1] - Honda is recalling 2,155 units of the 2024-2025 CBR650R motorcycles in the US [1] - Nissan is recalling 4,655 units of the 2026 Rogue models in the US [1] - Apple's next-generation foldable phone hinges will be exclusively supplied by Chi Mei and Amphenol, each holding a 50% share, while Luxshare Precision is developing related technology [1] - Cook revealed that Apple expects a leadership change this year, with current Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, as the top candidate for succession [1] - Nvidia hired a Google Cloud executive as Chief Marketing Officer to further enhance its brand influence [1]

Core Insights - Nexperia's supply shortage has led Nissan to reduce production of its popular SUV model Rogue in Japan, starting next week [2] - The production cut is approximately 900 units at Nissan's Kyushu plant, with further evaluations for the following week due to ongoing supply instability [2] - Nissan confirmed a "small-scale production adjustment" affecting hundreds of vehicles across its Kyushu and Oppama plants, emphasizing the need to monitor the situation closely [2] - The incident highlights the automotive industry's reliance on critical chips and the impact of geopolitical tensions on supply chains, testing manufacturers' adaptability [3] Industry Impact - The Rogue model was Nissan's best-selling vehicle in the U.S. last year, with annual sales nearing 246,000 units, indicating significant market reliance on this model [3] - The supply chain crisis stemming from Nexperia's situation has broader implications, as Honda has also paused production at its Mexican plant and adjusted North American production plans [2]

Core Viewpoint - Nissan is facing significant financial challenges, reporting a net loss of 115.76 billion yen (approximately 5.5 billion RMB) in Q1 of FY2025, marking a shift from a profit of 28.56 billion yen in the same period last year, primarily due to currency fluctuations and U.S. tariff policies [1][8][20]. Financial Performance - Nissan's net sales for Q1 FY2025 were 2.7 trillion yen, a decrease of 9.7% year-on-year [1]. - The company reported an operating loss of 79.1 billion yen, compared to an operating profit of 9.95 billion yen in the previous year [1]. - Global retail sales fell to 707,000 units, down 10.1% year-on-year, with a notable 27.5% decline in the Chinese market [8][12]. Market Challenges - The decline in sales is attributed to intense competition in the Chinese market and a shrinking non-luxury joint venture segment, exacerbated by escalating price wars [8]. - Nissan has struggled to capitalize on the hybrid demand in the U.S. market, leading to decreased sales and revenue [12]. Strategic Responses - In response to the financial crisis, Nissan has initiated a revival plan called "Re:Nissan," which includes cost optimization measures such as laying off 20,000 employees and closing seven factories globally [17][19]. - The company plans to invest 100 billion yen in R&D for new energy vehicles and aims to launch 10 new models in China by 2027 [15][19]. Future Outlook - Nissan has not disclosed a profit forecast for FY2025 but anticipates further losses in the first half, with an expected operating loss of up to 180 billion yen [17]. - The company projects a 2.9% decline in global sales for FY2025, primarily due to an 18.2% expected drop in the Chinese market [17]. - Nissan's leadership emphasizes the urgency of the revival plan to ensure a sustainable and profitable future [20].