Key Financial News and Capital Market Events to Focus on on on May 18th:

1. The State Council Information Office will hold a press conference on the operation of the national economy in April 2026

On May 18th, the State Council Information Office will hold two press conferences. At 10 am, Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics, Chief Economist, and Director of the Comprehensive Statistics Department of the National Economy, introduced the operation of the national economy in April 2026 and answered questions from reporters.

At 3 pm, Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping, along with relevant officials from the State Administration of Taxation, Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, introduced the situation of strengthening and optimizing the measures for outbound tax refunds to expand inbound consumption, and answered questions from reporters.

2. House price data for 70 cities in April will be released

On May 18th, the National Bureau of Statistics will release the changes in sales prices of commercial residential properties in 70 large and medium-sized cities in April 2026.

3. The 2026 Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit will be held

On May 18th, the 2026 Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit will be held in Beijing. The theme of this summit is "Moving towards the New, Connecting the Future". During the summit, the "Beijing Initiative for the 2026 Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit" will be released, calling on the global business community to work together to cultivate a new engine of world economic growth, create a mutually beneficial, more resilient and sustainable development pattern.

4. 25.279 billion yuan worth of restricted shares lifted today

On May 18th, a total of 26 companies' restricted shares were unlocked, with a total of 690 million shares unlocked. Based on the latest closing price, the total unlocked market value is 25.279 billion yuan.

From the perspective of unlocked shares, 9 companies have unlocked over 10 million shares. Aerospace Nanhu, Huawei Technologies, and Bee Assistant have the highest number of shares unlocked, with 250 million shares, 183 million shares, and 59.8 million shares respectively. From the perspective of unlocked market value, 9 companies have unlocked market values exceeding 100 million yuan. Aerospace Nanhu, Huawei Technologies, and Bee Assistant ranked first in terms of unlocked market value, with unlocked market values of 9.303 billion yuan, 3.567 billion yuan, and 2.932 billion yuan, respectively.

5. 44 shares registered today

According to the equity distribution plan of listed companies, 44 A-shares were registered today. Among them, 36 shares are planned to receive dividends, 1 share is planned to be converted into an additional share, and 7 shares will receive dividends, additional shares, or bonus shares simultaneously.

In terms of dividend distribution, the equity registration date for dividend distribution of 36 individual stocks is May 18th. Liju Thermal Energy, Babi Food, and Jimi Technology have the highest dividend payout, with dividends of 15.00 yuan, 12.00 yuan, and 11.84 yuan per 10 shares, respectively. In terms of share capital conversion, the registration date for one individual share's share capital conversion is May 18th. Feiwo Technology has the highest number of shares converted, with 4 shares converted for every 10 shares.

6. The May NAHB housing market index in the United States and the March trade account data of Italy will be released.

(Data source Wind, content does not constitute any investment advice)

Compiled by Wang Junyong, Editor of Economic Observer Network