虎嗅

Financial Pressure Continues to Increase

原文:资金压力,持续加重

Summary in Plain Language

This is a three-star market analysis article aimed at ordinary investors, clearly explaining the current cold market conditions in the A-share market: recent trading volumes have been continuously declining, and long-term funds have been fleeing the market. This is compounded by the rise in inflation in the United States and the increasing interest rates on U.S. bonds, creating a global effect of capital outflow. The once highly touted AI technology sector is now unable to produce any disruptive products that could support the market. Additionally, there are emerging safety concerns and issues related to price increases, which pose risks. The article advises ordinary investors to avoid putting all their money into high-volatility tech stocks and to diversify their investments with more stable sectors as a form of risk mitigation. None of the content in this article constitutes investment advice.

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Breakdown of the Analysis in Simple Terms

1. **The current coldness in the A-share market is real and tangible**

Many people may not realize it, but the market's enthusiasm has dropped to its lowest level since the rebound at the beginning of April. Previously, investors flocked into the market due to the easing of tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Now, the trading volume in both markets has fallen to 1.66 trillion yuan. Although this number seems large, almost all the long-term funds have withdrawn. Apart from some retail investors still active in the tech sector, the funds representing the core assets of the market, such as the CSI 300 and A500 indices, have been flowing out for nearly a month. In short, people no longer believe in a “slow bull market” and are looking for quick profits, showing a lack of confidence in holding stocks for the long term.

2. **The U.S. is causing global capital to flow its way**

The biggest disruptor in the global market right now is the rising interest rates on U.S. government bonds. These bonds are essentially a form of guaranteed investment by the U.S. government, offering higher returns. As a result, hot money from around the world is flowing into these safe and profitable investments. Who would still want to invest in A-share stocks, which are highly volatile and could lead to losses? The rise in interest rates is entirely the result of U.S. policies: first, the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran have caused oil prices to break through $100 per barrel, leading to inflation worldwide; second, Trump’s election promises to distribute $5,000 to every adult in the U.S. have led to massive spending, effectively printing money and driving up prices even more; third, a large amount of U.S. debt is due to be repaid in the next few months, and higher interest rates will be needed to attract investors. If the U.S. government is unable to afford the interest payments and takes extreme measures to raise funds, it could have a significant impact on the global market.

3. **The AI sector is relying on hype rather than real innovation**

Everyone was hoping for a disruptive AI product to boost the entire tech market. However, the much-anticipated ChatGPT 6.0 turned out to be nothing special and quickly lost its momentum. Now, OpenAI is even lowering the prices of its models to attract users, indicating that its products are not strong enough to justify higher prices. Chinese open-source AI models are also catching up, and the hype about massive profits from AI has faded.

4. **Doubts within the AI community are growing**

The previous collective enthusiasm within the AI industry has faded, and voices of skepticism are emerging. For example, a key researcher from the leading AI company Anthropic has left, stating that companies are engaged in a “arms race” to dominate the market and are ignoring safety concerns. If AI becomes uncontrollable, governments will likely impose strict regulations, which could significantly reduce the industry’s value. Moreover, the owner of Kioxia, a Japanese company that manufactures storage chips for AI, has warned that rising chip prices are becoming too expensive, making it difficult for the industry to continue relying on the “AI demand → chip price increases → stock price increases” cycle.

5. **Ordinary investors should diversify their investments**

The U.S. is about to release new inflation data, which is likely to be higher than expected, leading to greater market volatility. Investors should not bet all their money on tech stocks, hoping for a sudden breakthrough. Instead, they should diversify into low-volatility financial sectors, livestock and breeding industries, and power grid equipment, which are benefiting from stable domestic and international demand. This will provide a safety cushion for their investment portfolio.

*Note: All of the above content is for market reference only and does not constitute investment advice. The stock market carries risks, and investors should proceed with caution.*