Group 1 - The A-share market saw a collective decline in lithium mining stocks, with notable drops including Nepean Mining falling nearly 12% and several other companies hitting the daily limit down [1] - The main contract for lithium carbonate experienced a limit down, with a decrease of 11%, currently priced at 148,200 yuan per ton [1] Group 2 - Specific stock performances included Nepean Mining down 11.46% with a market cap of 8.152 billion yuan, and other companies like Meiyuan Co. and Tibet Zhufeng both down 10% [2] - Other significant declines included Western Mining down 9.99% with a market cap of 84.8 billion yuan, and Tianqi Lithium down 8.74% with a market cap of 88.5 billion yuan [2]

Group 1 - The interest of mutual funds in the Hong Kong market slightly decreased in Q4 of last year, with strong capital inflows into the metals and financial sectors [1] - By the end of 2025, the structure of stock holdings in equity and mixed mutual funds diversified, with the top 50 holdings' share of total stock investments dropping from 25.8% to 25.1% [1] - The proportion of Hong Kong stocks in mutual fund heavyweights decreased from a peak of 17.8% to 16.3% [1] Group 2 - Driven by global metal market trends, Chinese mutual funds significantly increased their investments in metal stocks in Q4, with a quarterly rise of 1.7 percentage points [2] - Fund managers showed optimism towards banks and diversified financials, with notable inflows into Industrial Bank and ICBC [2] - For Q1 2026, mutual funds are expected to have a higher risk tolerance post profit-taking, with AI and metals remaining key investment themes [2]

Group 1 - The small metal sector saw a rise on January 28, 2026, with the China Rare Metals Theme Index increasing by 0.23%, and notable stock performances included Dongfang Tantalum Industry up by 8.41%, Zhuhai Group up by 5.25%, and others [1] - Tungsten concentrate prices approached 550,000 RMB per ton, ammonium paratungstate prices exceeded 800,000 RMB, and tungsten powder prices surpassed 1,300,000 RMB [1] - Industrial-grade lithium carbonate prices reached 168,000 RMB per ton with a weekly increase of 9.80%, while lithium iron phosphate prices rose by 4.43% compared to January 4 [1] Group 2 - Longcheng Securities estimated that the static cost share of lithium carbonate, rare earths, and antimony in downstream applications is nearing historical highs, with a demand growth rate of over 10% expected in sensitive sectors like wind power in 2026 [1] - The auction price for lithium spodumene concentrate from Wodgina reached 16,852 RMB per dry ton, indicating a significant premium for overseas lithium resources [1] - The Congolese government submitted a shortlist of state-owned mineral assets to the U.S., highlighting ongoing geopolitical supply disruptions that reinforce the scarcity of strategic metals [1] Group 3 - As of December 31, 2025, the top ten weighted stocks in the China Rare Metals Theme Index included Luoyang Molybdenum, Northern Rare Earth, and others, accounting for 59.54% of the total index [2] - The Rare Metals ETF (562800) tracks the China Rare Metals Theme Index, providing a convenient tool for investing in the rare metals sector [3] - Investors can also explore investment opportunities in the rare metals sector through the Rare Metals ETF linked fund (014111) [4]

近期，宜春八矿中已有两矿更新进度，处于换证进程中。 自然资源部采矿许可信息查验系统显示，宜春国轩矿业有限责任公司的水南矿开采主矿种已变更为"锂 矿"，说明已经进入换证阶段。同样，宁德时代枧下窝锂矿的开采主矿种也变更为"锂矿"。此前，枧下 窝锂矿已于2025年12月18日进入第一次环评公示阶段，公示期为10个工作日。 关于换证停产问题，国轩高科回应记者称，目前也在了解情况，以公司公开信息为准。 按照有关法规，换证期间矿山应处于停产状态。《矿产资源开采登记管理办法》规定，变更主要开采矿 种的，采矿权人应当在采矿许可证有效期内，向登记管理机关申请变更登记。任何单位和个人未领取采 矿许可证擅自采矿的，由登记管理机关依照有关法律、行政法规的规定予以处罚。 新的采矿许可证下达或仍需等待较长周期。一位业内知情人士告诉记者，矿山企业申请变更开采主矿 种，是矿业权管理中的重大变更登记事项之一，其办理周期长、流程复杂、不确定性高。通常，一个完 整的变更流程至少需要1.5年至3年甚至更长时间，具体周期受项目基础、地区政策、审批层级等因素影 响巨大。其中，如涉及重做或重大变更，环评报告需重新报批，整个过程包括编制、公示、评审、批 复 ...

Industry Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is maintained at "Outperform the Market" [1] Core Views - The report highlights that geopolitical events are accelerating the de-dollarization process, leading to a broad increase in commodity prices [4] - Precious metals are recommended for strong holding due to rising demand driven by political events and net selling pressure on U.S. Treasury bonds, with gold and silver prices increasing by 8.30% and 14.80% respectively [4] - Copper prices have risen by 1.09% due to a temporary easing of European risks, but there are signs of weak demand from downstream sectors [5] - Aluminum prices are expected to rise as supply continues to grow while demand shows signs of stabilization [5] - Tin prices have rebounded significantly due to macroeconomic factors and uncertainties in supply from conflict regions [6] - Lithium prices are on the rise due to low inventory levels and strong demand expectations, indicating a potential upward trend [6] Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The closing index for the industry is at 9972.0, with a weekly high of 9972.0 and a low of 4295.55 [1] Price Movements - Basic metals saw price changes: copper up 1.09%, aluminum up 0.25%, zinc up 1.08%, lead down 1.43%, and tin up 13.57% [19] - Precious metals experienced significant increases: gold up 8.30% and silver up 14.80% [19] - Lithium carbonate prices surged by 13.25% due to supply constraints [19] Inventory Levels - Global visible inventory changes: copper increased by 38,104 tons, aluminum by 21,952 tons, zinc by 2,662 tons, lead by 12,077 tons, tin by 16 tons, and nickel decreased by 1,711 tons [33][35]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the news is that Zhongkuang Resources has shown significant trading activity and financial performance, with a notable increase in stock price and trading volume on January 23, 2025 [1] - On January 23, Zhongkuang Resources' stock price increased by 5.36%, with a trading volume of 2.636 billion yuan, and a net financing purchase of 11.94 million yuan [1] - As of January 23, the total margin balance for Zhongkuang Resources was 2.505 billion yuan, with a financing balance of 2.489 billion yuan, representing 3.57% of the circulating market value, indicating a high level of financing activity [1] Group 2 - As of September 30, 2025, Zhongkuang Resources had 58,600 shareholders, a decrease of 11.15% from the previous period, while the average circulating shares per person increased by 12.55% to 12,139 shares [2] - For the period from January to September 2025, Zhongkuang Resources reported operating revenue of 4.818 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 34.99%, but the net profit attributable to shareholders decreased by 62.58% to 204 million yuan [2] Group 3 - Since its A-share listing, Zhongkuang Resources has distributed a total of 1.728 billion yuan in dividends, with 1.592 billion yuan distributed in the last three years [3] - As of September 30, 2025, the second-largest circulating shareholder of Zhongkuang Resources was Hong Kong Central Clearing Limited, holding 17.3965 million shares, an increase of 988,800 shares from the previous period [3] - The Southern CSI 500 ETF was the fourth-largest circulating shareholder, holding 10.5236 million shares, a decrease of 217,000 shares, while the Southern CSI Shenwan Nonferrous Metals ETF was a new shareholder with 5.8638 million shares [3]

Investment Rating - The industry rating is "Recommended" [3] Core Views - Short-term raw material supply tightness is expected to support nickel prices, with LME nickel spot price reaching $18,630 per ton, up 5.70% from January 16 [1] - The cobalt market is anticipated to see continued price increases due to structural supply tightness, with electrolytic cobalt priced at 438,000 yuan per ton, down 3.74% from January 16 [2][5] - Domestic antimony supply remains tight, providing price support, with antimony ingot prices at 160,500 yuan per ton [6] - Lithium carbonate prices are expected to continue rising, with a market average of 171,100 yuan per ton, up 8.36% from January 16 [8][19] - Supply uncertainties in the rare earth market are expected to support prices, with significant global supply concentration in China [10][20] - Tin prices are supported by overseas supply uncertainties, with LME tin prices at $54,200 per ton, up 9.66% from January 16 [11][21] - Tungsten market supply-demand imbalance is notable, with white tungsten concentrate prices at 535,500 yuan per ton, up 5.93% from January 16 [13][22] - Uranium supply tightness is expected to persist, with global uranium prices at $63.51 per pound [14][15] Summary by Sections Nickel and Cobalt Industry Update - Nickel prices are supported by supply constraints, with Indonesia's nickel mining production quota expected to be reduced to 250-260 million tons [1][16] - Cobalt supply is projected to tighten further, with Congo's export quotas confirmed to extend into 2026 [2][17] Antimony Industry Update - Antimony supply remains tight, with domestic prices expected to rise due to export restrictions and seasonal supply issues [6][18] Lithium Industry Update - Lithium carbonate prices are expected to remain strong due to demand support and supply uncertainties, particularly regarding the recovery of key lithium mines [8][19] Rare Earth Industry Update - The rare earth market is facing supply tightening due to export bans and geopolitical factors, with China maintaining a dominant position [10][20] Tin Industry Update - Tin prices are supported by uncertainties in overseas supply, particularly from Myanmar and Congo [11][21] Tungsten Industry Update - The tungsten market is experiencing a supply-demand imbalance, with prices expected to rise due to limited new supply [13][22] Uranium Industry Update - Uranium prices are supported by ongoing supply tightness and geopolitical factors affecting production [14][15]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the non-ferrous metals industry is "Positive" (maintained) [4] Core Views - The report highlights that copper prices are experiencing high-level fluctuations amidst inventory accumulation, with short-term price adjustments expected to be limited due to the financial attributes of copper supported by rising gold prices. The supply-demand balance for copper may shift from tight equilibrium to shortage in the medium to long term, driven by insufficient capital expenditure in copper mines and frequent supply disruptions. The report suggests monitoring companies such as Zijin Mining, Luoyang Molybdenum, Jiangxi Copper, and others [5] - For aluminum, the report notes that both alumina and aluminum prices are under pressure due to high inventory levels. The short-term outlook for aluminum prices is expected to remain stable amidst high demand, particularly in the air conditioning and consumer goods sectors [5] - Lithium demand remains strong despite seasonal trends, with lithium carbonate prices entering an upward cycle driven by supply-demand reversal. The report recommends focusing on companies with high self-sufficiency in lithium resources [5] - Cobalt prices are expected to continue rising due to tight raw material supply, with the report suggesting companies like Huayou Cobalt and others for investment [5] Summary by Sections 1. Industry Overview - The report provides insights into macroeconomic indicators, including the U.S. core PCE price index and unemployment claims, which align with expectations [9] - Key announcements include Zijin Mining's completion of the second phase of the Jilong Copper Mine, significantly increasing its production capacity [10] 2. Market Performance - The non-ferrous metals sector outperformed the Shanghai Composite Index, with a weekly increase of 6.03% compared to the index's 0.84% rise [11] - The report lists the top-performing stocks in the sector, highlighting significant movements in various sub-sectors [11] 3. Valuation Changes - The report notes that the TTM PE for the non-ferrous metals sector is 33.82, with a change of 1.79, while the PB is 4.18, reflecting a significant premium over the broader market [20][23]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for all key companies listed, including Zijin Mining, Luoyang Molybdenum, and Huayou Cobalt, among others [2]. Core Insights - The report highlights a significant increase in commodity prices, particularly in precious metals like gold and silver, driven by rising geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns [8][67]. - Industrial metals are expected to see price stability due to improved domestic demand and production adjustments, despite some fluctuations in inventory levels [21][24]. - The energy metals sector, particularly cobalt and nickel, is facing supply constraints, which may lead to price increases in the near future [83]. Industry and Company Performance - The SW Nonferrous Index rose by 6.03% during the week of January 19-23, with precious metals like gold and silver increasing by 8.30% and 14.80%, respectively [8]. - Key companies such as Zijin Mining and Luoyang Molybdenum are projected to have strong earnings growth, with EPS estimates for 2024 at 1.21 and 0.63 yuan, respectively [2]. - The report recommends several companies for investment, including Shengtu Mining, China Nonferrous Mining, and Western Mining, based on their strong market positions and growth potential [8]. Base Metals - Aluminum prices are expected to remain under pressure due to high inventory levels, with LME aluminum prices recorded at $3,174 per ton, reflecting a 1.44% increase [13][24]. - Copper prices are influenced by macroeconomic factors, with current prices at $13,128.5 per ton, showing a 2.50% increase [13][38]. - Zinc prices have shown volatility, with LME zinc prices at $3,246.5 per ton, reflecting a 1.17% increase, driven by supply disruptions [43][44]. Precious Metals - Gold and silver prices have surged due to heightened geopolitical risks, with gold trading at approximately 4,983.10 USD per ounce, an increase of 8.30% [15][67]. - The report emphasizes the long-term bullish outlook for gold prices, supported by central bank purchases and weakening dollar credit [67]. Energy Metals - Cobalt prices are expected to rise due to ongoing supply shortages, with current prices around 432,500 yuan per ton [83]. - Nickel prices are projected to remain high due to production cuts in Indonesia, with current prices at 148,010 yuan per ton [55].

Core Insights - The report highlights a bullish outlook for the metals sector, driven by macroeconomic factors such as the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts and a recovering global economy, particularly in China [3][44] - Key investment themes for 2026 include expanding demand for precious metals like gold and silver, improving fundamentals for aluminum and copper, strategic opportunities in rare earths, and supply-side disruptions due to overcapacity in certain sectors [3][4] Group 1: Precious Metals - The report suggests a long-term bullish view on gold, with expectations of price increases driven by anticipated interest rate cuts and geopolitical tensions, which enhance gold's appeal as a safe-haven asset [3][44] - Silver is also highlighted as a key investment opportunity due to its high price ratio to gold, indicating potential for significant price appreciation [3] - Specific companies to watch include Shandong Gold (600547.SH) and Zijin Mining (601899.SH), which are expected to benefit from increased production and operational efficiencies [4] Group 2: Industrial Metals - The report notes that aluminum and copper are set to see improved profitability due to lower production costs and increased demand, particularly in the context of infrastructure investments [3][4] - Companies such as Zhongfu Industrial (600595.SH) and Zijin Mining (601899.SH) are identified as having strong positions in the copper market, with expected profit growth [4] - The report emphasizes the importance of monitoring supply chain dynamics, particularly in copper, where inventory levels are shifting significantly [18][58] Group 3: Rare Earths and Strategic Metals - The report identifies rare earth elements as a critical area for investment, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions between the US and China, which may create opportunities for companies involved in rare earth mining and processing [3][4] - Companies like Northern Rare Earth (600111.SH) and China Rare Earth (000831.SZ) are highlighted for their potential to benefit from price increases in rare earth materials [4] Group 4: Energy Metals - The report discusses the rebound in lithium and nickel prices, driven by strong demand from the battery sector, with specific mention of companies like Tianqi Lithium (002466.SZ) and Ganfeng Lithium (002460.SZ) [4][27] - The expected growth in energy storage solutions is also noted as a significant driver for demand in these metals [4] Group 5: Overall Market Performance - The overall performance of the non-ferrous metals sector is noted to have outperformed the broader market, with a cumulative increase of 96.46% in 2025 compared to a 21.65% increase in the Shanghai Composite Index [33][35] - The report indicates that while the sector has seen significant gains, valuations are currently at historical averages, suggesting potential for further growth [35]