Report Industry Investment Rating - The rating for Shanghai lead is "volatile", with a wide - range oscillation mainly within the range of 16,800 - 18,500 yuan/ton [3][4][71]. Core Viewpoints of the Report - The cost support from waste batteries and demand limit the upside of lead prices. In the second quarter, lead prices may shift to wide - range oscillations. However, due to the persistent shortage of raw materials, the probability of a sharp decline in lead prices in the second quarter is low. It is advisable to adopt a low - buying strategy in the medium - term, and pay attention to the actual performance and sustainability of replacement demand and energy storage increments [4][71]. Summaries According to Related Catalogs 1. Market Performance in Q1 2025 - Lead prices showed a generally bullish trend in Q1 2025, with two cycles of "sustained rise and periodic sharp decline". After the Spring Festival, lead prices soared due to expectations of demand recovery and low inventory accumulation in the industry chain, then fluctuated around 17,000 yuan/ton. Subsequently, there were sharp declines and rebounds due to various factors such as rumors of downstream production cuts, inventory accumulation, and changes in supply - demand relationships [5][8]. 2. Overseas Lead Mine Supply - In 2024, the global lead concentrate production was basically flat year - on - year. In Q1 2025, overseas disturbances decreased significantly, and production was expected to be basically flat quarter - on - quarter. In Q2 2025, there might be an obvious recovery due to the low base in the previous year. The expected overseas lead mine increment in 2025 is about 103,000 metal tons, but the improvement will be less than that of zinc [12][13][14]. 3. Domestic Lead Mine Supply - In 2024, the domestic lead mine shifted from shortage to tight balance. It is expected that the domestic lead mine increment in 2025 will be about 20,000 metal tons, mainly in the second half of the year. In Q1, the lead concentrate import window remained open, and in Q2, imports may decrease quarter - on - quarter but increase year - on - year. The TC has an expectation of increase in the medium - term, but the increase is highly limited [20][24]. 4. Domestic Primary Lead Production - Overseas primary lead production in 2024 was 1.454 million tons (YoY + 1%), and in January 2025, the global lead market had a supply surplus of 1,000 tons. Domestic primary lead production from January to February was 568,000 tons (YoY - 0.2%), and in March, production increased significantly by 40,000 - 50,000 tons. In Q1 2025, production was expected to be 913,000 tons (YoY + 5.7%). In Q2, there is an expectation of raw material inventory consumption, and it is difficult to repair smelting profits [28]. 5. Domestic Secondary Lead Production - It is estimated that the secondary lead production in Q1 2025 was 725,000 tons (YoY - 6.4%). Waste batteries are expected to be in a more severe shortage in 2025 compared to last year. With the operating loss of secondary lead smelters, there is a possibility of large - scale production cuts in the second quarter when demand weakens [36][47]. 6. Lead Demand - Initial - stage demand: After the Spring Festival, the start - up of battery enterprises was generally lower than expected. In April, the traditional lead - acid battery demand entered the off - season, and it is necessary to pay attention to the production arrangements of large enterprises in the future. Energy storage batteries showed obvious growth, and lead - carbon battery manufacturers had sufficient production orders [49][51]. - Terminal demand: In Q1, terminal demand may have reached its peak and will weaken marginally in Q2. Electric two - wheelers' replacement demand has recovered due to policies, but the lithium - for - lead substitution process may continue in the long - term. The automotive market was strong in Q1 but weakened in Q2. The communication base station equipment production decreased in 2024 and is expected to improve in 2025. Energy storage will contribute obvious increments [52][58]. - Overseas demand: The export of lead - acid batteries in 2024 slowed down. From January to February 2025, exports declined significantly. It is expected that the annual export growth rate of batteries will be adjusted down to - 1%. Exports to Belt and Road countries may increase quarter - on - quarter in Q2 [59]. 7. Inventory and Import - LME inventory: There was a concentrated delivery in the LME in mid - March, and the overseas consumption capacity of lead ingots remains weak. - Domestic social inventory: After the Spring Festival, the supply recovery rate exceeded demand, and the social inventory is currently at a seasonally neutral - to - high level. In April, social inventory may continue to rise in the short - term. - Lead ingot import: In Q1, the import profit and loss was close to the import window of crude lead, and some crude lead flowed in. It is possible that crude lead will continue to flow in Q2 [67]. 8. Second - Quarter Fundamental and Trading Logic Outlook - Primary lead: In Q2, primary lead smelters will continue to produce. Pay attention to the overseas mine repair progress and the limitations of raw materials and costs on smelting capacity. - Secondary lead: The shortage of waste batteries will continue. Secondary lead smelters may cut production after demand weakens. - Demand: Policy - driven replacement demand and high - speed growth in the energy storage sector will offset some of the weakening automotive demand and high - ratio - suppressed export demand. Demand may run stably in Q2. - Trading logic: Lead prices may shift to wide - range oscillations in Q2. It is advisable to adopt a low - buying strategy in the medium - term, and pay attention to inter - period positive spreads and internal - external reverse spreads [69].
重心上移，仍可择机试多
Dong Zheng Qi Huo·2025-04-01 07:58