Bank of England Deputy Governor Ramsden said UK wage levels are lower than the Bank expected before the conflict.

TSMC said it aims to complete a 12-inch mask pilot production line by 2031.

GF Securities says securities-sector activity is improving while profitability is increasingly concentrated among top firms. Forty-two listed brokerages reported combined operating revenue of 364.0 bln yuan in H1 2026, up 44.5% YoY, and net profit attributable to shareholders of 154.7 bln yuan, up 49.3% YoY. Q2 net profit alone was 94.0 bln yuan, up 82% YoY and 55% QoQ; quarterly credit impairment jumped 662% YoY to 4.3 bln yuan. By business line in H1, investment gains (incl. fair value) +48% YoY, brokerage +54%, net interest +52%, investment banking +24%, and asset-management net income +24%. Market turnover rose while commission rates continued to fall; product scale and mix improved and buy-side advisory accelerated transformation. Brokerage revenues for the 42 firms totaled 98.4 bln yuan, +54% YoY. New public fund issuance rose 27% YoY; 15 fund houses reported combined net profit of 11.9 bln yuan, +35% YoY. Private fund filings in the first seven months reached 709.4 bln yuan, +67% YoY. Asset-management revenue for the 42 firms was 27.3 bln yuan, +24% YoY, with clear dispersion in growth rates. Investment view: sector is undervalued and underweight positions retain defensive qualities with upside; corporate earnings recovery underpins a gradual market rebound, internationalisation offers a second growth vector, and easing industry policy could provide catalysts. GF notes Q3 may see market volatility and wider broker profit dispersion; greater exposure to tech-innovation increases earnings upside potential.