Market Overview & Outlook - Materials sector is viewed as a cyclical, economically sensitive area poised for growth, especially with the tax cut overhang resolved and reduced concerns about debt ceiling fights [2] - Despite emerging tariff headwinds, the materials sector is expected to benefit significantly, potentially leading to hoarding of metals [3] Investment Opportunities - While some copper stocks may be overpriced, there are still undervalued mining stocks available [4] - The potential for tariff-induced hoarding of metals like copper and iron ore could drive prices higher, benefiting miners [5] Company Specifics (Rio Tinto) - Rio Tinto (RIO) is favored due to its diversified metals and mining operations, global sales reach, and undervaluation relative to peers [6] - Rio Tinto has a significant opportunity with the Resolution copper mine in the United States, where they hold a 55% ownership stake in the joint venture, potentially becoming one of the first new copper mines in the US [7] - Rio Tinto is expected to benefit from higher metals prices, increased economic activity, and continued growth in China, currently trading at a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 10 [8]

Rio Tinto says it has a "strong desire" to invest in US copper mining following President Donald Trump’s plans to levy imports of the critical metal https://t.co/erXdpTLW4x ...

Core Insights - The new CEO of Rio Tinto is expected to significantly enhance production efficiency, implement cost reductions, and pursue transformative mergers and acquisitions [1][2] - The company is currently in the final selection phase for the new CEO, with candidates presenting to the board this week [1] - The chairman, Dominic Barton, emphasizes the need for a CEO willing to engage in substantial transactions, particularly in light of previous discussions with Glencore and potential synergies with Teck Resources [2] Group 1: CEO Selection and Expectations - The current CEO, Jakob Stausholm, will step down after a four-and-a-half-year term, with the new CEO expected to be announced by late July [1] - Internal candidates include Simon Trott, Bold Baatar, Jerome Pecresse, and Mark Davies, with a preference for internal promotion noted [4][5] - The new CEO will face challenges in controlling costs and transitioning the company towards copper mining, as demand for copper is projected to surge due to energy transitions [2] Group 2: Financial and Operational Challenges - Rio Tinto is projected to face capital expenditures of $30-35 billion over the next decade, including significant investments in lithium projects [3] - The company has experienced a 46.5% increase in costs from 2020 to 2024, outpacing competitors BHP and Anglo American, indicating a need for improved capital allocation [2] - The new leadership must address high operational costs and improve productivity, as Rio Tinto has been the highest-cost iron ore producer in Australia since Trott's appointment [4] Group 3: Candidate Profiles and Limitations - Simon Trott has overseen record iron ore shipments but has not improved cost efficiency, facing challenges from extreme weather and past incidents [4] - Bold Baatar's experience with government relations is critical, especially after recent changes in mining plans due to permit delays [4] - Jerome Pecresse has garnered support for his role in boosting aluminum profits, but his previous department faced ongoing losses [5]

Core Viewpoint - The final CEO candidate for Rio Tinto will present to the board in London this week, emphasizing an openness to large merger and acquisition deals and a focus on cost reduction [1] Group 1 - The new CEO is expected to adopt a proactive approach towards significant merger and acquisition opportunities [1] - Cost-cutting measures will be a priority for the incoming leadership [1]

Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided in the content. Core Views of the Report - The IMF has lowered the global economic growth rate forecast for 2025 to 2.8%, and trade policy uncertainty will disrupt the global supply chain. The Fed may be cautious about the timing of interest rate cuts, while the ECB may end the easing cycle. China will continue to implement an expansionary fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy in the second half of the year [4]. - In terms of supply, the global copper concentrate supply growth rate is expected to be only 1.7% in 2025 and further decline to 1.4% in 2026. The global refined copper supply growth rate will drop to 2% in 2025. In the second half of the year, domestic small and medium - sized smelters may face production cut risks, and the release of new global refined copper production capacity will be significantly limited [4]. - In terms of demand, copper has become a key strategic reserve resource in the context of global AI and electrification transformation. The global refined copper consumption growth rate is expected to be 3.7% in 2025, and the domestic growth rate will be 3.4% [4]. - The copper price center is expected to continue to rise in the second half of this year, with the risk of periodic high - level corrections due to overseas macro disturbances. The medium - to - long - term upward trend of copper prices remains unchanged. The main operating range of SHFE copper is expected to be 77,000 - 85,000 yuan/ton, and that of LME copper is 9,500 - 10,500 US dollars/ton [4]. Summary According to the Table of Contents 1. Review of the First - Half Market in 2025 - In the first half of 2025, copper prices showed a trend of bottoming out and rebounding. In the first quarter, SHFE copper rose from a low of 73,000 to 83,000 due to supply concerns and macro - economic factors. In the second quarter, prices fluctuated due to trade policy uncertainties, and then rebounded after the Sino - US trade negotiation [11]. - Domestic copper inventory first increased and then decreased. The spot premium changed from discount to premium. In the second half of the year, domestic refined copper spot premium is expected to remain in the premium range, with the center of premium moving up [13]. 2. Macroeconomic Analysis 2.1 Global Trade Situation Eases, and the US Economy Faces Stagflation Risks - The IMF has lowered the economic growth forecasts of major economies in 2025. The Sino - US trade negotiation has reached a preliminary consensus, but the tariff measures after the 90 - day suspension period are uncertain. The US economy has the risk of stagflation, while the eurozone economy shows a weak recovery [15][16]. 2.2 The Fed's Interest Rate Cut Expectations Rise, and the ECB May Slow Down the Rate - Cutting Pace - The Fed may have 1 - 2 small interest rate cuts this year, possibly starting in September. The ECB cut interest rates in June. The future monetary policies of both central banks will be affected by trade policies and economic data [17][19]. 2.3 Strengthen the Domestic Circulation System, and the Central Bank's Monetary Policy Remains Moderately Loose - China's economy faced challenges in the first half of the year. The central bank implemented a series of measures to support the economy. China's economy showed resilience in the first half, and the economic structure is expected to continue to optimize in the second half [21][22]. 3. Copper Ore Supply Analysis 3.1 The Global Concentrate Shortage Exceeds Expectations, and Chinese Enterprises Actively Explore Copper Ore Resources - In the first half of 2025, both Chinese and foreign capital accelerated the development of copper resources. However, the output of major mines was affected by various factors, and the shortage of copper concentrates is expected to exceed market expectations in 2025 - 2026 [25][27]. 3.2 The Global Copper Concentrate Growth Rate in 2025 is Expected to Drop to 1.7% - The planned global copper ore supply increment in 2025 is 115.5 million tons, but the actual increment is expected to be 70 - 80 million tons, with a growth rate dropping to 3%. Considering major interference factors, the actual supply growth rate in 2025 is expected to be only 1.7% and further decline in 2026 [31][33]. 4. Refined Copper Supply Analysis 4.1 Domestic Refined Copper Production Will Slow Down in the Second Half of the Year, and the Annual Year - on - Year Growth Rate May Drop to 4.5% - In the first half of 2025, domestic refined copper output was high, but more than 30% of smelters cut production to some extent. The actual output increment may be significantly lower than expected, and the annual growth rate is expected to slow down to 4.5% [41][43]. 4.2 The Release of Overseas Refined Copper Production in 2025 is Very Slow - Overseas new refined copper smelting capacity in 2025 is only 62 million tons, and the actual output is quite limited. The actual increment is expected to be about 15 million tons [45][46]. 4.3 Refined Copper Imports Will Remain at a Low Level in the Second Half of the Year, and Copper Has Become a Strategic Resource in the Great - Power Game - From January to May 2025, China's refined copper imports decreased year - on - year. In the second half of the year, imports are expected to remain at 25 - 28 million tons per month, and the annual imports will drop significantly compared with last year [48][49]. 4.4 Domestic Scrap Copper Supply is Generally Stable, and Southeast Asia May Fill the Gap in US Scrap Copper Imports - From January to May 2025, China's scrap copper imports decreased slightly year - on - year. The supply of scrap copper is expected to remain stable in the second half of the year, with Southeast Asian imports filling the gap left by the US [66][69]. 4.5 LME Inventories Plummeted by More Than 70% in the First Half of the Year, and the Tight - Balance Reality Has Lowered the Global Inventory Center - As of June 27, global visible inventories decreased significantly. LME inventories are at a low level with a risk of squeezing, while COMEX inventories are rising. Domestic inventories are expected to remain low in the second half of the year [73][75]. 5. Refined Copper Demand Analysis 5.1 This Year's Grid Investment Scale is Expected to Exceed 800 Billion, and the New UHV Grid System is Upgrading at an Accelerated Pace - The planned grid investment in 2025 is expected to reach 825 billion, with an increase of 220 billion compared with 2024. The copper consumption growth rate in grid investment is expected to be 3 - 4% [77]. 5.2 The Real Estate Market is Bottoming Out, and the Real Estate Regulation Policies are Intensifying - The real estate market showed a decline in the first five months of 2025, but the price decline margin narrowed. The market is expected to gradually recover in the second half of the year, with a slight decline in copper consumption growth rate [78][80]. 5.3 The "Two New" Policies Drive the Accelerated Production and Sales of Air - Conditioners - From January to May 2025, air - conditioner production and sales increased year - on - year. However, due to various factors, the production scale may be adjusted in the third quarter, and the export may decline [81][82].

据日经新闻：嘉能可、力拓和托克正在寻求政府援助，以维持澳大利亚冶炼厂。 ...

Group 1 - Aluminerie Alouette, an aluminum manufacturer partially owned by Rio Tinto, plans to invest up to 1.5 billion CAD (1.1 billion USD) for modernization of its plant in Northern Quebec [1] - The company has reached a new electricity supply agreement with Hydro-Quebec, the provincial government’s electricity supplier [1] - This investment is seen as positive news for the aluminum industry, which is facing pressure from U.S. tariffs on aluminum imports [1] Group 2 - The U.S. has imposed a 50% tariff on imported aluminum, which is expected to impact U.S. aluminum-consuming companies, such as Constellation Brands Inc., which anticipates a loss of approximately 20 million USD in the remaining fiscal year due to these tariffs [1] - Canada is the largest aluminum supplier to the U.S., and the U.S. lacks sufficient domestic aluminum smelting capacity to meet its demand [1] - Quebec produces 70% of North America's aluminum, highlighting its importance in meeting U.S. demand [1]

Aluminerie Alouette, an aluminum maker that’s partially owned by Rio Tinto, is planning to commit as much as C$1.5 billion to modernizing its facilities in northern Quebec https://t.co/DnQikFUeyz ...

Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. Core Viewpoints of the Report - In Q1 2025, the production and transportation of mainstream iron ore mines were disrupted, with the growth rate of supply falling short of expectations. The combined production/transportation volume of the four major mines in Q1 was 245 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 3.3%. Although most of the eight non-mainstream mines tracked achieved a year-on-year output increase of 6.8%, their performance may not be representative of the overall overseas non-mainstream mines. - The trend of "increasing mainstream supply and decreasing non-mainstream supply" may become the main theme of overseas iron ore supply from Q2 to Q4. The dominance of Australian and Brazilian mainstream mines in global seaborne iron ore may be further strengthened this year. - The reduction in non-mainstream mine supply is not enough to fully offset the increase in the four major mines. Therefore, the report holds a relatively optimistic view on the overall annual supply [1][2][58]. Summary by Directory 1. Overview of the Operation of Major Mines in Q1 2025 - **Mainstream Four Major Mines**: The combined production/transportation volume in Q1 was 245.307 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 3.3% and a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 14.6%. Vale and Rio Tinto maintained their annual production and transportation volume guidance ranges. BHP and Fortescue had completed over 75% of the lower limit of their full fiscal - year guidance ranges by Q1 and are expected to meet their annual targets [7][8]. - **Non - Mainstream Mines**: Most of the eight non - mainstream mines tracked showed a seasonal quarter - on - quarter decline in production in Q1 but achieved an overall year - on - year output increase of 6.8%. Mineral Resources and Champion Iron had significant year - on - year increases [9]. 2. Key Points Interpretation of the Quarterly Reports of the Four Major Mines 2.1 Vale (Vale) - Weather Factors Affected, Q1 Production and Sales Diverged - **Overall Situation**: In Q1, iron ore production was 67.664 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 4.5%. Sales were 66.141 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 3.6%. The company is confident in achieving its annual production targets of 325 - 335 million tons in 2025 and 340 - 360 million tons in 2026. The C1 cash cost in Q1 was 21.0 US dollars/wet ton, a year - on - year decrease of 10.6% [11][13]. - **Operation Details**: The northern system was affected by weather and license restrictions, but the S11D mine's output reached a new high. The southeastern system's output decreased due to factory maintenance. The southern system focused on high - quality ore production, resulting in a decline in output. Ball pellet production also decreased due to weather [15][17][20]. 2.2 Rio Tinto (Rio Tinto) - Extreme Weather Affected, Production and Transportation Increases Were Hindered - **Overall Situation**: In Q1, affected by multiple hurricanes, the shipment was about 13 million tons behind schedule, and about 6.5 million tons are expected to be made up later. The output of the Pilbara mining area was 69.771 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 10.5%, and the shipment was 70.74 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 9.3%. The company may achieve the lower limit of its annual shipment guidance range [23]. - **Operation Details**: The Western Range project achieved its first production in Q1, and the Brockman Syncline 1 project's investment was approved. The Simandou project in Guinea is progressing as planned and is expected to have its first shipment in November [26][27]. 2.3 BHP (BHP) - Supply Chain Optimization Resisted Some Weather Risks, and Production Stabilized - **Overall Situation**: In Q1, the equity output was 61.772 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 0.5%, and the sales volume was 60.679 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 3.9%. The company maintained its production guidance ranges for the 2025 fiscal year [33]. - **Operation Details**: The PDP - 1 project continued to improve efficiency. The second concentrator of the Samarco mine in Brazil was put into operation ahead of schedule, and the capacity ramp - up is expected to be completed by mid - year [35]. 2.4 Fortescue (Fortescue) - Low - Base Background, Q1 Output Increased Year - on - Year - **Overall Situation**: In Q1, the total iron ore shipment was 46.1 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 6.5%. The C1 cost of Pilbara hematite was 17.53 US dollars/wet ton, a quarter - on - quarter decrease of 4% and a year - on - year decrease of 7% [36]. - **Operation Details**: The Iron Bridge project was affected by a tropical cyclone. The company expects the total shipment of the Iron Bridge project to reach 10 - 12 million tons in FY26, 16 - 20 million tons/year in the first half of 2027, and full production of 22 million tons/year in FY28. The company completed the acquisition of Red Hawk in March [38][39]. 3. Review of the Quarterly Operation of Major Non - Mainstream Iron Ore Producers 3.1 Anglo American - Kumba's Logistics Continued to Improve, Minas - Rio's Output Reached a New High - **Kumba Iron Ore**: In Q1, the output was 8.99 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 3.1%, and the shipment was 8.939 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 6.6%. The iron grade remained stable at 64.2%. - **Minas - Rio Mine**: The output in Q1 was 6.455 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 10.0%, and the shipment was 5.625 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 21.9%. The iron grade averaged 67%. The company's annual production guidance range is 57 - 61 million tons, and it will continue to invest in logistics and infrastructure [41][43][44]. 3.2 ArcelorMittal - The Second - Phase Expansion of AML Is Nearly Completed, and Full Production Rate Will Be Reached by the End of the Year - In Q1, the total output was 11.8 million tons, and the output of the Liberian mines AML and AMMC for external sales was 8.4 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 29.2%. The company is expanding its mines in Liberia and acquiring new mineral resources in India. The second - phase expansion of the Liberian iron mine aims to increase the annual capacity from 15 million tons to 20 million tons and is expected to reach full production by the end of the year [45][47]. 3.3 India NMDC - Current Production Is Stable, and Long - Term Ambitious Goals Remain Unchanged - In Q1, the iron ore output was 13.27 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 0.4%, and the sales volume was 12.67 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 1.3%. The company aims to exceed 50 million tons in the 2024 - 2025 fiscal year and reach 100 million tons by 2030 [48][49]. 3.4 Brazil CSN - The Construction of the P15 Mining Area Continues to Advance - In Q1, the output was 10.21 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 11.8%, and the sales volume was 9.64 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 5.4%. The construction of the P15 mining area started earthwork excavation in Q1 and is expected to enter the equipment installation and commissioning stage in the second half of the year. The annual output target range remains at 42 - 43.5 million tons [50][52]. 3.5 Mineral Resources (MinRes) - The Shipment Growth Rate of Onslow Continued to Increase - In Q1, the output of Onslow Iron decreased by 22.9% quarter - on - quarter due to logistics and weather. The company adjusted its annual output target to 8.5 - 8.7 million wet tons and expects Onslow to reach full production in the third quarter of this year [53]. 3.6 Champion Iron - Bloom Lake's Sales Reached a Record High, and Shipments in Canada Increased Again - In Q1, the output of the Bloom Lake mining area was 3.167 million wet tons, a quarter - on - quarter decrease of 12.5% and a year - on - year decrease of 3.3%. The sales volume was 3.495 million dry tons, a year - on - year increase of 17.7%. The inventory decreased from 2.94 million wet tons to 2.6 million wet tons [55][56][57]. 4. Summary and Future Outlook - In Q1, the supply of mainstream mines was disrupted by weather, but the shipment improved in Q2. The report is confident in the annual supply increase of mainstream mines. - In Q1, the shipment of non - mainstream mines decreased significantly compared to last year. It is expected that the production and shipment volume of non - mainstream mines will be difficult to reach last year's level in the remaining time of this year. The trend of "increasing mainstream supply and decreasing non - mainstream supply" may dominate the overseas iron ore supply from Q2 to Q4, and the overall annual supply is expected to be relatively loose [58][59][62].

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant information provided. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - The supply of iron ore in China decreased while demand increased in the first half of 2025. The consumption of iron ore reached a record high, supporting the high valuation of iron ore among the black commodities. [2][93] - In the second half of the year, the global iron ore supply is expected to increase slightly, with a total increment of about 13 million tons from the Big Four mines and non - Australia and Brazil regions. The supply pressure is not significant. [2][93] - The demand for construction steel in China is expected to continue to decline, while the demand for manufacturing steel is expected to remain resilient. Overseas demand, especially from India, is expected to contribute more than 10 million tons of incremental demand throughout the year. [2][93] - The trading logic in the second half of the year mainly involves the Fed's interest - rate cuts and global tariff policies. The fundamentals of iron ore supply and demand will remain neutral, and the Platts iron ore price will fluctuate widely between $90 - $105. [3][94] - The trading strategy suggests speculatively buying at the bottom of the iron ore price and for spot enterprises to hedge at high prices. [5][95] 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Iron Ore Supply and Demand Analysis 3.1.1 Production and Sales of the Big Four Mines in H1 2025 - The total production of the Big Four mines in the first half of the year was estimated at 545 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 0.3% (2 million tons), and the total shipment was 544 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 0.1% (0.6 million tons). The overall production and sales were lower than market expectations. [12] - In the second half of the year, the production may accelerate, with the increment mainly from Rio Tinto and BHP, but the overall increment may be only about 7 million tons. [12] 3.1.2 Domestic Iron Ore Imports - From January to May 2025, China's cumulative imports of iron ore and its concentrates were 513 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 5% (26 million tons). Imports from Australia, Brazil, and non - Australia and Brazil all declined. [13] 3.1.3 Non - Australia and Brazil Global Shipments - The current non - Australia and Brazil global shipments depend on the remaining gap in global total demand after subtracting the shipments of the Big Four mines. The marginal cost of non - mainstream mine shipments may be above $90. [29][30] - Australia and Brazil's non - mainstream mines are unlikely to see large increments. Non - Australia and Brazil global shipments are likely to decline. [33][37] 3.1.4 Domestic Iron Concentrate Production and Scrap Steel Consumption - From January to May 2025, domestic iron concentrate production decreased by 5.4% year - on - year (6 million tons). In 2025, it is expected to continue to contribute to the reduction. [49] - In 2025, domestic scrap steel consumption is unlikely to see a significant increase due to the continuous decline in real estate investment. [49] 3.1.5 Terminal Steel Demand - The real estate market is still at the bottom, and the infrastructure may contribute a small reduction. The manufacturing investment remains at a relatively high level, and the demand for manufacturing steel is expected to maintain its resilience. [56][61] - Overseas iron element consumption has been at a high level. India's steel demand is expected to contribute more than 10 million tons of incremental demand throughout the year. [73][74] 3.1.6 Imported Iron Ore Port Inventory - The total inventory of imported iron ore ports is relatively high, but the low total iron element inventory and the resilience of overseas demand support the iron ore price. The port iron ore inventory is expected to remain balanced in the third quarter. [80][83] 3.2 Iron Ore Market Outlook - The supply of iron ore in China decreased while demand increased in the first half of 2025. In the second half of the year, the supply is expected to increase slightly, and the demand is expected to maintain a certain level. [93] - The trading logic in the second half of the year mainly involves the Fed's interest - rate cuts and global tariff policies. The fundamentals of iron ore supply and demand will remain neutral, and the Platts iron ore price will fluctuate between $90 - $105. [94] - The trading strategy suggests speculatively buying at the bottom of the iron ore price and for spot enterprises to hedge at high prices. [95]