信达证券：钢铁行业淡季累库有限 板块配置安全边际高

Core Viewpoint - The steel sector is expected to have strong "anti-involution" characteristics and significant profit recovery potential, making it a strategic investment opportunity in the medium to long term, with a "positive" industry rating maintained [1] Market Performance - Last week, the steel sector rose by 1.01%, outperforming the broader market; the special steel sector increased by 1.80%, while long products fell by 3.15% and flat products rose by 1.24% [2] - Iron ore sector increased by 4.12%, while steel consumption materials and trade circulation sectors fell by 1.61% and 1.78% respectively [2] Supply Situation - As of February 13, the capacity utilization rate of blast furnaces among sample steel companies was 86.4%, up by 0.72 percentage points week-on-week [2] - Electric furnace capacity utilization was 21.0%, down by 27.11 percentage points week-on-week [2] - The production of five major steel products was 6.96 million tons, a decrease of 248,600 tons or 3.45% week-on-week [2] Demand Situation - As of February 13, the consumption of five major steel products was 6.891 million tons, down by 715,800 tons or 9.41% week-on-week [2] - The transaction volume of construction steel among mainstream traders was 35,000 tons, down by 48.24% week-on-week [2] Inventory Situation - As of February 13, social inventory of five major steel products was 10.267 million tons, up by 9.17% week-on-week [3] - Factory inventory was 4.161 million tons, also up by 4.71% week-on-week [3] Price and Profit Situation - As of February 13, the comprehensive index for ordinary steel was 3,409.5 yuan/ton, down by 0.14% week-on-week [3] - The comprehensive index for special steel was 6,579.7 yuan/ton, down by 0.03% week-on-week [3] - The profit for rebar was 80 yuan/ton, up by 23.08% week-on-week [3] Raw Material Situation - As of February 14, the spot price index for Australian powder ore (62% Fe) was 754 yuan/ton, down by 1.44% week-on-week [4] - The price for primary metallurgical coke was 1,770 yuan/ton, unchanged week-on-week [4] Overall Assessment - The current inventory pressure for the five major steel products is relatively limited, with overall inventory at a historically low level and accumulation speed slower than previous years [5] - The profit margins for ordinary steel are favorable, indicating significant improvement potential for ordinary steel companies, which may lead to value recovery in the steel sector [5]