Report archive
08 March 2012
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NPC unpluggedThe Big Call
Property green shoots
A confluence of factors is behind a rise in property sales, but many smaller developers are still facing a perilous future.
Consumer China
Home textiles – emerging from its slumber
Home-textile demand has soared in recent years, yet the market remains under-developed and highly fragmented, presenting enormous growth opportunities for rapidly expanding domestic players.
Mendale – rapid expansion eroding its bottom line
A blistering store-opening programme is a big roll of the dice, but the company’s dominance in central China is a plus.
Luolai – leading the pack
Celebrity endorsements allows Luolai to sell at a price premium.
Fuanna – share price outperformance
A larger directly operated store network has enabled Fuanna to enjoy higher gross margins than Luolai and Mendale.
Financial China
Bank deposit drought could prompt trust U-turn
Chinese regulators may loosen restrictions on trust products to ensure sufficient bank deposits to sustain lending, further accelerating the trust industry’s rapid rise.
Selected financial charts
A selection of key financial data for March.
Capital Intensive China
Water price increases could open investment floodgates
Chinese authorities appear willing to raise water prices, a move which has the potential to attract much-needed private investment into water distribution, wastewater treatment and water conservation projects.
Best of Chinese Commentators
'Junk bonds' Chinese-style
Guo Shuqing, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), is on record as saying that high-yield bonds are to be launched during 1H12 and their trading rules are currently being formulated (CC Feb 23 2012, Financial China). The main aim is to increase funding avenues for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). What are the implications?
China lowers GDP growth target
Commentators have been debating the significance of the lowering of China's 2012 GDP target to 7.5%, from its 8% growth target in recent years.
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RENMINBI COMPASS
Renminbi Compass, a new research service launched by the FT, aims to act as a navigational guide through the expanding universe of renminbi asset classes. With the Chinese currency gaining ever-wider acceptance around the world and Beijing taking steps to open its capital account, we are broadening our research coverage to include not only equity funds but also all other important renminbi asset classes, such as chengtou bonds, dim sum bonds, real estate, trust products, underground banking, art, antiques and several others.
