Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Kstar and Envicool, while Kehua is rated as "Neutral" [2][11]. Core Insights - The data center supply chain in China is experiencing strong demand, with expectations for continued capacity expansion through 2025 and potentially into 2026, despite challenges such as overseas chip supply constraints [1][5]. - The report has revised earnings per share (EPS) estimates downward by 17%-31% for Kstar, Envicool, and Kehua, primarily due to uncertainties in domestic solar inverter and energy storage system (ESS) demand, as well as intense pricing competition [1][7]. - Kstar is favored over Kehua due to its faster long-term growth potential, better margin profile, and more attractive valuation metrics [2][5]. Kstar Summary - Kstar's sales and net income for 4Q24 decreased by 9% and 76% year-over-year, respectively, while 1Q25 showed a 14% increase in sales but a 17% decrease in net income [5][8]. - The company anticipates 30%-50% year-over-year order growth from domestic internet and telecom customers in 2025, with significant opportunities for customer base expansion [6][9]. - Kstar's total revenue is projected to grow from Rmb 4.159 billion in 2024 to Rmb 9.642 billion by 2030, with a net income increase from Rmb 394 million to Rmb 1.455 billion over the same period [10]. Envicool Summary - Envicool's 4Q24 and 1Q25 results missed expectations due to delayed revenue recognition and increased operating expenses, leading to a 31% downward revision in EPS estimates [11][15]. - The data center room cooling segment saw sales growth of 49% in 2024, with a record high order backlog by 1Q25, indicating strong demand [13][14]. - Envicool's total revenue is expected to rise from Rmb 3.529 billion in 2024 to Rmb 4.589 billion in 2025, with net profit projected to increase from Rmb 344 million to Rmb 453 million [16].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a defensive tactical stance with an overweight (OW) on bonds and cash, neutral (N) on credit, and an underweight (UW) on equities and commodities for the next three months [4]. Core Insights - Financial markets are currently navigating between the risks of a US recession and the concept of US exceptionalism, leading to a sell-off in US cyclicals compared to defensives and a widening of credit spreads [2][3]. - Recent equity market rallies have been supported by easing global growth concerns and more dovish monetary policy expectations, with technology stocks, particularly the Nasdaq, leading the rebound [3][10]. - The report highlights a significant outflow of approximately $60 billion from US stocks by foreign investors since March 1, indicating a shift in investor sentiment [3]. Summary by Sections Market Overview - US existing home sales and Euro area composite PMIs have both come in below expectations, while non-farm payrolls (NFPs) are expected to rise by 140,000 in April, above consensus [1]. - The market has begun to price in higher recession risks, leading to a relative underperformance of US equities compared to non-US equities [2]. Asset Allocation Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on domestic defensive sectors in Europe and taking advantage of resets in cross-asset volatility to add selective overlay hedges [4][15]. - The allocation recommendations include an underweight in equities across various indices, with specific forecasts for the S&P 500 and other major indices indicating potential downside in the short term [15]. Performance Metrics - The report provides performance metrics indicating that US equities, particularly the Nasdaq, have outperformed other indices since April 21, while Asian markets, especially China, have lagged [3][10]. - The correlation between US and non-US equities has started to decline, suggesting a potential shift in market dynamics [3][9]. Valuation and Risk Premia - The report includes a cross-asset valuation table showing current valuations and their percentiles relative to the past ten years, indicating that US equities are at a 71% expensiveness percentile [59]. - The current dividend yield for the S&P 500 is 1.5%, which is at the 16th percentile compared to the last ten years, suggesting a relatively low yield environment [62]. Fund Flows and Positioning - The report notes significant fund flows, with a focus on the cumulative flows across various asset classes, indicating a preference for safe assets over risky ones in recent weeks [74][78]. - The positioning data shows net long positions in equities and commodities, reflecting investor sentiment and market expectations [86][88].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Recent land market data indicates "green shoots" with higher land prices in major cities and increased land transactions, suggesting potential recovery in the property sector [5][6][7] - Despite these signs, the report cautions that they do not predict an immediate rise in property construction due to ongoing challenges in local government financing and land availability [5][6][38] - The property sector remains critical to China's GDP, accounting for approximately 19% of GDP in 2024, down from a peak of around 27% in 2020 [8][41] Summary by Sections Land Market Dynamics - Land sales data has shown recent improvements, with land prices rising in Tier-1 and some Tier-2 cities, while lower-tier cities continue to struggle [13][14] - Local government financing vehicles (LGFVs) accounted for 70% of total land sales volume in 2024, indicating a reliance on these entities for revenue generation rather than construction [5][23][24] Supply-Demand Mismatch - There is a persistent supply-demand mismatch across city tiers, with large cities experiencing a decline in land sales volume since 2021, while lower-tier cities face significant challenges from population outflows and high housing inventory [29][30] Government Revenue and Fiscal Implications - Government land sales revenue is expected to contract by 5-10% in 2025, reflecting ongoing economic challenges and the impact of US tariffs [41][42] - The report anticipates that property construction and investment have not yet reached their lowest point, projecting a continued drag on GDP growth from the property sector [41][38] Future Outlook - Recent stabilization in land prices in major cities may help anchor home prices, particularly for quality homes, but a broader recovery in home prices is still distant [41][44]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the sectors discussed Core Insights - The report highlights the impact of increased US tariffs on various sectors including appliances, autos, industrial tech, and solar companies, with management expressing concerns over supply chain disruptions and capital allocation strategies China Consumer Durables - Companies derive an average of 35% of revenues from China exports and 7% from exports to the US [5] - Production is shifting to overseas factories, with some companies receiving more orders from US clients as they seek to restock before the tariff reprieve period ends [6] - There is low visibility on price re-negotiation, with companies cautious about raising prices due to market share concerns [6] - Ex-US demand remains stable, particularly in Europe, which is expected to absorb US capacity [6] - CAPEX visibility is low, with Mexico considered a safer investment location due to its free trade agreement with the US [6] China Autos - Companies derive 6%-26% of total revenue from China exports and 0%-10% from exports to the US [7] - Management believes US-China trade tensions have softened recently, with expectations of higher exports to Europe due to ongoing negotiations [7] - Auto suppliers report no order cancellations and are negotiating new prices, with some passing on the full tariff burden to customers [8][10] China Industrial Tech - Companies derive 15%-45% of total revenue from exports and 2%-20% from exports to the US [11] - Orders paused initially in early April but returned to normal by the second week, with some customers continuing their overseas construction plans despite tariff uncertainties [11] - Most companies have signed FOB contracts, meaning customers bear the tariff costs [11] - Companies are maintaining existing capacity expansion plans, with some pausing expansion until tariff policies are clearer [12] China Solar - Companies involved in solar exports have 0%-15% direct exports to the US and 35%-55% to other countries [17][18] - One company has stopped shipping ESS products to the US due to high tariffs, while others are expanding inverter capacity overseas [19] - Softening demand in the US is a key challenge, with concerns over potential price hikes dampening downstream demand [20] - Companies are considering scaling back US exposure if operational risks outweigh profitability compared to other regions [20]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The heightened US tariffs are expected to significantly impact the Chinese economy and labor market, with a focus on labor market stability as a critical concern for policymakers [2][3] - The report estimates that approximately 16 million jobs are involved in the production of goods exported to the US, with significant vulnerabilities in sectors such as wholesale and retail sales, communication equipment, apparel, and chemical products [2][4][30] - The outlook for US-China tariffs and Chinese exports remains uncertain, with potential for a significant contraction in exports if high tariffs persist [4][38] Summary by Sections Economic Impact - The Trump administration's tariff increases have led to a reduction in the GDP growth forecasts for China, with projections for 2025 and 2026 lowered by 0.5 percentage points to 4.0% and 3.5% respectively [3] - Historical data indicates that during the 2008-09 global financial crisis, a similar decline in exports resulted in substantial employment pressures, particularly among low-skilled migrant workers [2][7] Labor Market Analysis - The report utilizes input-output analysis to quantify the impact of US tariffs on the labor market, highlighting that labor market pressures are expected to increase if exports decline sharply [2][27] - The labor intensity of US-bound goods exports is higher than that of the overall manufacturing sector, indicating that job losses could be significant in affected industries [20][26] Policy Responses - In response to potential unemployment pressures, the Chinese government has indicated plans to enhance unemployment insurance rebates and implement a comprehensive employment stabilization package [3][39] - Historical trends suggest that the People's Bank of China (PBOC) typically cuts policy rates in response to labor market weaknesses, with expectations for monetary easing in the near future [39][40]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive investment sentiment towards US Treasuries, with strong inflows observed in this segment [2][4]. Core Insights - Global fund flows showed a net inflow into equities of $9 billion for the week ending April 23, an increase from $8 billion the previous week, driven by reduced outflows from US equity funds [4]. - In fixed income, net outflows were significantly reduced to $0.8 billion from $21 billion in the prior week, with government bond funds continuing to attract inflows [4]. - Emerging markets saw positive flows into mainland China funds, while Taiwan maintained strong net inflows [4]. - Cross-border FX flows turned positive, indicating an improved risk appetite among investors, favoring currencies such as USD, EUR, GBP, and CNY [4]. Summary by Category Equity Flows - Total equity inflows amounted to $68,079 million over four weeks, with a weekly inflow of $9,164 million [10]. - Developed markets saw inflows of $34,063 million, while emerging markets recorded inflows of $27,140 million, with mainland China leading at $24,686 million [10]. - Sector-wise, technology funds experienced the largest inflows of $14,845 million, while financials and healthcare saw significant outflows [10]. Fixed Income Flows - Total fixed income experienced outflows of $32,369 million, with government bonds attracting inflows of $29,366 million [10]. - High yield bonds faced substantial outflows of $23,488 million, while short-duration bonds saw inflows of $29,804 million [10]. FX Flows - Total FX flows recorded a net outflow of $4,751 million, with G10 currencies showing mixed results [12]. - The USD faced outflows of $3,440 million, while the EUR and GBP saw inflows of $2,880 million and $799 million respectively [12]. Fund Positioning - The report highlights a shift in fund positioning, with an increasing share of equity assets in total assets, indicating a growing preference for equities over fixed income [20][27]. - The share of money market fund assets as a percentage of global mutual fund assets has also seen fluctuations, reflecting changing investor sentiment [20].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report forecasts a soft GDP growth of 0.5% for 2025 Q4/Q4, primarily due to the negative impacts of tariffs, which are likened to a tax hike, tightening financial conditions, and increasing business uncertainty [3][6] - It identifies three main risks: higher production costs due to tariffs, high foreign retaliatory tariffs, and loss of access to rare earth elements, all of which could disrupt production and employment [3][34] Summary by Sections Economic Impact of Tariffs - The report estimates that tariff-driven cost increases could raise US production costs by 5-15% in some industries, significantly affecting their competitiveness [11][17] - It highlights that tariffed US exports to China account for approximately 0.5% of US GDP and support over 750,000 jobs across various sectors [28][30] Risks from Retaliatory Tariffs - China's 125% tariff on US exports is expected to block most exports, posing a significant risk to industries reliant on the Chinese market [26][28] - The report notes that while other countries have been restrained in retaliating against US exports, the high tariff rates could lead to further economic disruptions if not addressed [30][43] Rare Earth Element Restrictions - The report discusses the potential impact of China's restrictions on rare earth exports, which could disrupt production in industries that rely heavily on these materials [34][35] - It estimates that disruptions could affect between 200,000 to 500,000 jobs depending on the severity of the restrictions [35] Sector Analyst Insights - A survey of sector analysts indicates that about half expect trade-war related production disruptions and layoffs, with concerns primarily centered around retaliatory tariffs [39][41] - The report emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding how companies will adapt to these risks, with potential responses including halting production or seeking alternative markets [39][41] Monitoring Trade War Risks - The report introduces trade war trackers to monitor industrial production and payrolls in the most affected industries, providing a framework to assess ongoing impacts [44][47] - It suggests that the current high tariff rates could lead to unintended consequences, further risking GDP forecasts if not mitigated [43][44]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Global trade volumes have been holding up relatively well in April, with air freight markets re-accelerating after a slowdown [1] - A forecasted 1% year-over-year decline in global container volumes for 2025, primarily driven by declines in the Pacific region [2] - Container rates have remained steady, supported by blanked sailings on the Pacific [3] Summary by Sections Freight: Holding up for now - High-frequency freight data indicates that global trade volumes are stable, with air freight showing signs of recovery [1] Air Freight: April supported by frontloading - Air freight volumes have seen a resurgence due to frontloading, with strong indicators from Europe and Asia [1][2] Sea: April holding up, SE Asia strong - Container volumes increased by 7% year-over-year in March, with Southeast Asia showing robust trade activity [35] Shipping: Blanking supports rates for now - China-outbound container spot rates fell approximately 45% by April 2 but have stabilized since then, aided by carriers blanking sailings [3][92] Travel: Uncertainty on demand outlook - The report highlights uncertainty regarding future demand in the travel sector, although specific data is not provided [6] Airlines - No specific insights provided in the summary regarding airlines [6] Airports: Spain slowing, Zurich and Paris incrementally better - The report notes varying performance across European airports, with some showing improvement while others are slowing [6] Roads: Europe road traffic growing - European road traffic is reported to be growing, indicating a potential increase in logistics activity [6] Commodities Shipping - No specific insights provided in the summary regarding commodities shipping [6] Stable Markets, Supported by Low Capacity Growth - The report suggests that stable markets are being supported by low capacity growth, although specific data is not provided [6]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry discussed [1]. Core Insights - The report highlights a significant pullback in new export orders in countries affected by tariffs, particularly Canada and Mexico, with a historical correlation indicating that a 1-point decline in the S&P new manufacturing export orders PMI component predicts a 0.75 percentage point hit to year-on-year export growth [2]. - The April flash PMIs indicate mixed trends in developed markets (DM), with the DM composite flash PMI falling by 1.1 points to 50.7, driven by a decline in the services component [2]. - The report notes that the Euro area composite flash PMI declined to 50.1 in April, slightly below consensus expectations, with services leading the decline [4]. Summary by Sections Global Trade Data - The report compiles a data calendar for upcoming global business surveys and trade data releases, emphasizing the importance of country-specific export data as indicators of how tariffs are reshaping global trade [2]. - Early releases of trade data have shown a correlation with US trade flows, with expectations of a pullback due to tariff implementation [2]. US Economics - The report indicates a growth slowdown, with a lowered Q1 GDP tracking estimate by 0.6 percentage points to -0.2%, influenced by mixed signals from housing and durable goods orders [3]. - It discusses the potential impact of Canadian elections on GDP growth, with increased spending under a Liberal government expected to raise GDP levels by 0.6-0.7% over the next four years [3]. European Economics - The report notes that long-term inflation expectations in the University of Michigan survey remained at 4.4%, with consumer sentiment significantly below earlier levels [4]. - The European Central Bank (ECB) delivered a 25 basis point cut and signaled concerns about growth, with expectations for further cuts in the coming months [4]. Asia/EM Economics - The report assesses the disinflationary impact of tariff-induced global supply reallocation, estimating a potential downside of 1.5% to the price level of core goods [5]. - It highlights the expected impact of US tariffs on Chinese exports and anticipates a focus on easing measures from Chinese leadership in response to economic pressures [5]. GDP Forecast Tracker - The report provides GDP growth forecasts for various regions, with the US expected to grow at 1.2% in 2025, while the Euro area is projected at 0.7% [6]. - China’s growth is forecasted at 4.0% for 2025, reflecting a slowdown compared to previous years [6].

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive sentiment towards the market, with the S&P 500 on track for a 3.9% gain for the week [1] Core Insights - The University of Michigan Consumer sentiment survey shows an increase in sentiment to 52.2 from 50.8, while near-term inflation expectations have decreased to 6.5% from 6.7% [2] - The S&P 500 index is currently 10% below its mid-February high but has risen 13% from its April 7 low, reflecting a constructive market outlook [3] - The potential for the Federal Reserve to counteract any economic slowdown remains, as inflation has not shown significant increases, with March Core CPI inflation reported at only 0.06% month-over-month [3] - Despite recent positive trends, risks to growth, inflation, and corporate earnings persist, with a recession probability estimated at 45% [4] Market Performance - The S&P 500 has shown a weekly change of +4.0%, while the DJIA and NASDAQ have also experienced gains of 2.4% and 6.0% respectively [19] - The report highlights that corporate earnings growth may slow due to the impact of tariffs and a slower growth trajectory for the US economy, with the S&P 500 2025 EPS forecast lowered to $253 [8] Economic Indicators - Key indicators to watch include core retail sales, spending on imports, manufacturing production, jobless claims, and the unemployment rate [13] - The report anticipates continued softness in survey data before hard data begins to weaken around mid-to-late summer [13] Future Outlook - The report suggests that inflation may rise due to high tariffs, with a forecasted acceleration in PCE inflation to around 3.5% year-on-year over the next six months [8] - Upcoming macro and micro data releases are expected to provide further insights into the labor market, inflation, and corporate earnings [17][18]