钢材行业：警惕情绪降温带来的波动

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese steel industry is facing challenges from "involution" competition, necessitating a collective effort from both the steel and automotive sectors to prioritize industry benefits over individual company interests [1] Group 1: Industry Challenges - The steel industry is experiencing intensified homogenization competition, leading to declining product prices and an imbalanced market structure [1] - The black industrial chain is facing a significant imbalance in profit distribution, with steel mills overly reliant on low raw material prices, while coal companies are struggling with losses due to three consecutive years of price declines [2] - The midstream trading sector lacks a "buffer" function, exacerbating short-term price volatility and hindering long-term industry stability [2] Group 2: Strategic Recommendations - To combat "involution," the focus should be on optimizing demand structure and restructuring profit distribution mechanisms to facilitate a transition towards high-quality development [2] - The current "反内卷" (anti-involution) movement emphasizes market mechanisms and industry self-discipline, promoting an increase in electric arc furnace steelmaking and technological upgrades for efficiency and green transformation [1] - The industry has made progress in capacity regulation and the exit of outdated capacity, but market supply and demand remain mismatched due to fluctuations in terminal demand [2] Group 3: Market Outlook - The "反内卷" movement is becoming a key variable influencing future market trends, with black commodity prices at relatively low levels and significant price elasticity [3] - The sustainability of the anti-involution trend will depend on the introduction of specific policies targeting the steel industry [2][3] - Without substantial policy measures, there is a risk of market sentiment cooling, which could lead to price volatility [3]