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03 November 2011

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Macro View

Rescues underway

The Big Call

Auto sales stall

Although total car sales growth this year has been lacklustre, small city demand is relatively strong.

Consumer China

Fashion apparel – shooting for the stars

What do US and Chinese movie stars Wentworth Miller, Chen Daoming and Daniel Wu all have in common?

Lilang – the look for middle-aged men in lower-tier cities

Robust profit margins and strong sales underpin Lilang’s performance, but the launch of ‘L2’, a higher-end brand, has met a lukewarm reception.

Metersbonwe – youth hit seeks to move upmarket

College-age consumers drive strong sales this year, but Metersbonwe is trying to upgrade its brand value by hiring stars as brand ambassadors.

Giordano – casual appeal spreads in lower-tier cities

A China Confidential survey shows Giordano ranking fourth in third-tier cities among apparel brands, while ranking tenth overall.

Esprit – still struggling to locate the Chinese spirit

Esprit lacks the draw of rival brands but tends to be priced higher, however, popularity in first-tier cities is improving.

Financial China

Selected Financial Charts

A selection of key financial data.

Privatisation is part of solution to LGFV debts – officials

China Confidential's conversations with senior financial officials reveals a new, breezy official attitude toward the problem of local government debt.

Into the rescue phase

Several signs are pointing to a continuation of the rescue phase in economic policy as inflationary pressures ease.

The Best of Chinese Commentators

Monetary policy – the future

Recent comments from the State Council have been interpreted as a sign of policy easing. Commentators discuss what form loosening may take, if at all.

Property restrictions to ease?

Debate has begun over whether property price cuts will lead to widespread easing of restrictions in the market.

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China Confidential Funds, a new research service launched by FT China Confidential, is dedicated to illuminating the mainland fund industry. Our team of fund industry experts in Shanghai search out the interesting trends in fund performance, strategy, interactions with overseas funds, regulatory changes, distribution and management. We also use a proprietary system to track the emerging flows of Chinese money. Click here to find out more.

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Europe's financial problems and the US's slow recovery cast a shadow over prospects for the world economy. In this gloomy scenario, growth in China, India, Brazil and other emerging markets is certainly a bright spot. But how badly exposed is the developing world of the south to the problems of debt-ridden north? In a special report, a team from FT Brazil Confidential interviewed GlobalSource Partners local experts from 16 emerging economies.

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