Zheng Quan Ri Bao·2025-10-31 16:16Core Viewpoint - The steel industry in China is entering a new phase of mergers and acquisitions driven by supportive policies, capital, and market factors, aiming to enhance industry concentration and improve overall quality [1] Policy Developments - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the "Steel Industry Normative Conditions (2025 Edition)" to establish a graded management system for steel enterprises, promoting resource concentration towards leading companies [2] - A joint plan by five ministries aims for an average annual growth of around 4% in the steel industry's added value from 2025 to 2026, with a focus on balancing supply and demand and enhancing green and digital development [2] - The proposed "Capacity Replacement Implementation Measures" require a minimum replacement ratio of 1.5:1 for iron and steel capacity across provinces, with a slightly lower ratio for newly acquired compliant capacity post-2021 [2] Local Initiatives - Henan Province's "Steel Industry Quality Upgrade Action Plan" emphasizes accelerating enterprise restructuring and encourages innovative cooperation among small and medium-sized steel enterprises [3] - Experts highlight the significance of these policies in providing a clear development path and strong momentum for the steel industry's high-quality development [3] Industry Performance - As of the report, 47 announcements regarding mergers and acquisitions have been disclosed by listed steel companies this year, with many aiming to improve profitability through asset restructuring [4] - Companies like Anyang Iron and Steel and Benxi Steel are actively optimizing their asset structures to enhance profitability and reduce debt levels [4] - The overall performance of listed steel companies has improved, with significant profit growth reported in the third quarter [4] Financial Results - Beijing Shougang achieved a net profit of 9.53 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 368.13%, while other companies like Fangda Special Steel and Jiangsu Shagang reported profit increases of 317.39% and 119.3%, respectively [5] - Many steel companies have turned losses into profits, indicating a positive trend in the industry [5] Structural Changes - The improvement in steel companies' performance is seen as a reflection of the effectiveness of industry restructuring, with the sector transitioning from being the largest steel producer to aiming for the top of the global steel value chain [6]