智通财经网·2026-01-12 00:29Core Viewpoint - The coal industry is expected to maintain a weak supply and demand balance in 2026, but coal prices may perform better than in 2025 due to policy support, leading to improved profitability and dividend expectations for listed companies [1] Supply and Demand Analysis - In 2026, policies and import factors may limit domestic supply, with a projected net increase in coal production of 28 million tons, corresponding to a growth rate of approximately 0.6% [2] - Domestic coal production is expected to decline year-on-year from July to November 2025 due to stricter safety regulations and overproduction checks [2] - Coal imports are anticipated to decrease by 19 to 20 million tons in 2026, influenced by production cuts in countries like Indonesia and domestic "anti-involution" policies [2] Demand Dynamics - The growth in demand is expected to be limited, with a slight year-on-year decrease in thermal coal consumption of about -0.2% in 2026 [3] - The construction and steel sectors will continue to be affected by real estate activity, leading to a decline in coal consumption, although the rate of decline is expected to narrow [3] - Chemical industry coal consumption may see a growth rate of 6% due to new coal chemical projects and widening oil-coal price differentials [3] Price Outlook - The supply pressure is expected to ease, allowing for a slight upward adjustment in coal prices, with a projected increase of 5 to 7% in the average domestic coal price for 2026 [4] - The bottom of coal prices is expected to rise due to policy support and improvements in the global coal supply-demand balance [4] Investment Strategy - The anticipated rise in coal prices is expected to improve the performance of listed companies, with dividend yields likely to see a slight increase if dividend ratios are maintained [6] - Investment opportunities are suggested along three main lines: 1. Long-term holdings in dividend-paying thermal coal leaders [6] 2. Companies benefiting from capacity expansion and favorable policies [6] 3. Companies with high elasticity that may benefit from price expectation discrepancies [6]