Zhongyuan Securities·2025-04-14 06:14Investment Rating - The report maintains an investment rating of "Outperform the Market" for the lithium battery industry [5][6][9]. Core Viewpoints - The lithium battery sector has shown strong sales growth, with March 2025 sales of new energy vehicles reaching 1.237 million units, a year-on-year increase of 40.09% and a month-on-month increase of 36.86% [5][16]. - The report highlights the importance of monitoring upstream raw material price trends, monthly sales, and domestic and international trade policy statements as key factors influencing the industry [5][9]. - The overall industry outlook remains positive, with expectations for continued growth in the domestic and international new energy vehicle markets [5][9]. Summary by Sections 1. Market Review - In March 2025, the lithium battery index fell by 9.76%, while the new energy vehicle index decreased by 1.61%, both underperforming the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 index, which fell by only 0.03% [2][9]. - Among individual stocks in the lithium battery sector, 23 stocks rose while 83 fell, with a median decline of 6.04% [9][10]. 2. New Energy Vehicle Sales and Industry Prices - In March 2025, new energy vehicle sales in China reached 1.237 million units, with a market share of 42.44%, marking a historical high for the month [5][16]. - The report notes that the price of battery-grade lithium carbonate was 70,300 CNY/ton, down 6.08% from early March 2025, while lithium hydroxide was priced at 71,800 CNY/ton, down 2.21% [5][40]. - The report emphasizes the significant growth in power battery installations, which reached 56.60 GWh in March 2025, a year-on-year increase of 61.72% [5][35]. 3. Industry and Company News - The report outlines various industry developments, including government policies aimed at promoting electric vehicle infrastructure and the establishment of competitive battery material supply chains in Europe [58][59]. - It also highlights the strategic partnerships being formed within the industry, such as the collaboration between NIO and CATL to enhance battery swapping networks [59].