Guotai Junan: It is expected that the lithium price will fluctuate in the bottom range in 2025, and there is a strong opportunity and space for rebound. Guotai Junan Securities recently reported that the lithium price has entered the bottom range by the end of 2024. If the demand maintains the current neutral estimate in 2025, the lithium price will fluctuate in the bottom range. At present, the market is optimistic about the demand in 2025, and the industry supply has slowed down. It is estimated that the price trend of lithium will fluctuate in the bottom range in 2025, in which the stage is affected by seasonal factors and there is a strong rebound opportunity and space. The market expected the trading of lithium plate earlier, that is, when the commodity price bottomed out, the lithium plate already contained the expectation of industrial clearing. When the industry actually enters the stage of supply and clearing, the sector will trade commodity price reversal expectations. From this, we infer that the rise of lithium plate will start before the spot price reverses.Bank of Japan: Japanese companies expect consumer prices to rise by 2.3% in three years, compared with 2.3% in the previous survey; Japanese companies expect consumer prices to rise by 2.2% in five years, compared with 2.2% in the last survey.This year's performance is the worst since the epidemic, and Starbucks will reduce the salary increase for its employees. An internal document shows that in view of the company's worst financial performance since the epidemic, Starbucks will reduce the salary increase for its coffee shop employees. According to different qualifications, this year's salary increase is generally between 2% and 3%, while last year's salary increase was at least 3%, and employees who have served for five years or more were at least 5%. The salary increase will take effect on December 30, and employees will see the change of payroll on January 10 or January 17.
Rio Tinto will invest $2.5 billion to develop a new lithium mine in Argentina, and Rio Tinto Group plans to invest $2.5 billion to develop a new lithium mine in Argentina, which is a victory for Argentine President Javier Millay, who is trying to loosen the control of the economy and attract foreign investment. The British company said in an announcement on Thursday that it plans to build a processing plant with an annual output of 60,000 tons of lithium carbonate in Rincon mine. Subject to permission, the construction of the facility will begin in the middle of next year.Thirteen companies disclosed the progress of repurchase, among which Green Energy Huichong and Ruike had the highest amount of laser repurchase plans. On December 13th, a total of 13 companies issued announcements on stock repurchase. Among them, two companies disclosed the stock repurchase plan for the first time, four companies disclosed the progress of the implementation of stock repurchase, and seven companies have completed the implementation of the repurchase plan. Judging from the initial disclosure of the repurchase plan, Green Energy Huichong and Ruike Laser have the highest amount of repurchase plans, with the planned repurchase not exceeding 1.115 million yuan and 487,900 yuan respectively. Judging from the implementation progress of repurchase, Yuanli Technology, Jiuli Special Materials and Jack have the highest share repurchase amounts, with 33.1077 million yuan, 30.9807 million yuan and 3.2323 million yuan respectively. Judging from the completed repurchase, a total of one company repurchased more than 10 million on that day. Aerospace Rainbow, Aerospace Rainbow and Guanshi Technology have completed the highest repurchase amount, with 33.2989 million yuan, 2.479 million yuan and 2.1642 million yuan respectively.Cathay Pacific: The number of the group has exceeded 30,000, and there will be more than 100 passenger destinations next year. On December 13, Cathay Pacific said that it had the largest recruitment in history in 2024, with about 7,000 new employees hired throughout the year, and the total number of employees in the group exceeded 30,000. With the total flight volume of Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Express returning to the pre-epidemic level in January next year, Cathay Pacific announced that the two-year reconstruction trip will be completed soon, and there will be more than 100 passenger destinations next year. (Hong Kong Economic Times)
People's Daily: Ensure that artificial intelligence is always a "friend". At present, the ability of artificial intelligence is comparable to that of human brain in many aspects, but it cannot accurately distinguish right from wrong in terms of value. This means that it is necessary to strengthen the supervision and regulation of artificial intelligence from many aspects. In recent years, many countries, including China, have introduced artificial intelligence development plans, management methods and supervision principles, precisely to ensure that technology truly serves people and benefits society. No matter how far artificial intelligence develops, it all comes from human design and is an extension of human wisdom. Artificial intelligence is doing more and more work and becoming more and more intelligent. We must take precautions to ensure that it is always a "friend".Guotai Junan: The liquor sector is determined to be ahead of growth, paying attention to the trend of price approval and the orientation of head liquor enterprises. Guotai Junan said that the liquor reporting end began to enter a downward period in 2024Q2, and the bottom shock is expected in 2025H1. Sales are slowing down, inventory is passively rising, and the approval price is expected to be relatively weak. The Spring Festival in 2025 will experience a stress test period. In terms of price, real estate liquor > high-end > secondary high-end. After this round of adjustment, real estate liquor is expected to recover first, followed by high-end liquor, and the secondary high-end liquor is expected to recover for a long period.Macquarie Asset Management is considering selling its Indian highway portfolio.