Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-02-13 03:55Core Viewpoint - The construction materials industry is experiencing profit improvement driven by two main paths: cost-side improvements leading to profit elasticity release and a revaluation of channel value in the C-end retail transformation [1][2]. Group 1: Cost-side Improvement - The construction materials industry, being resource-intensive, has over 60% of its production costs attributed to energy and raw materials, making it sensitive to price fluctuations of commodities like coal, natural gas, soda ash, and PVC [2]. - Following the high volatility of global energy prices in 2022-2023, current coal supply policies have stabilized price levels, and international natural gas prices have significantly decreased from historical peaks, providing relief on the cost side for construction material companies [2][4]. - The recent decline in coal prices indicates a potential weakening in market demand, which could further impact profit margins positively [4]. Group 2: C-end Retail Transformation - The real estate sector is transitioning into a stock update era, fundamentally changing the demand structure, with a shift from new housing development to renovation and upgrading of existing properties [4][5]. - This shift compels construction material companies to move from a reliance on B-end bulk procurement to a dual-channel strategy that includes both B and C-end operations, enhancing cash flow quality and brand premium capabilities [4][5]. - C-end retail offers advantages such as stable cash flow, higher profit margins, and strong customer loyalty compared to B-end business, which is characterized by longer payment terms and slower receivables [4][5]. Group 3: Market Sentiment and Investment Trends - Institutional investors are increasingly aligning their portfolios with the construction materials sector, as evidenced by a rising proportion of active equity funds in the industry since Q2 2025, indicating a clear left-side layout for the industry cycle [6][10]. - By late January 2026, there was a significant increase in net inflows for construction materials ETFs, marking a transition from active institutional allocation to passive market resonance, suggesting an improvement in liquidity conditions [7][10]. - The construction materials ETF (159745) tracks the CSI Construction Materials Index, which includes leading companies across the entire industry chain, reflecting the overall performance of the sector [10][12].