EBSCN·2025-04-27 13:21Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the coal mining sector, indicating a positive outlook for the industry in the near term [5]. Core Insights - Non-electric demand for coal remains high, with a focus on the recovery of thermal coal demand during the peak season. The average daily pig iron output from 247 blast furnaces reached 2.4442 million tons, up 1.8% week-on-week and 6.8% year-on-year, marking the highest level for the same period in the past five years [1]. - Cement clinker capacity utilization is at 58.2%, up 9.6 percentage points year-on-year, significantly higher than the same period last year [1]. - The Ministry of Finance has arranged for a total of 1.3 trillion yuan in ultra-long special bonds this year, an increase of 300 billion yuan compared to 2024, with 800 billion yuan allocated for greater support of "two heavy" projects, suggesting that infrastructure investment growth will remain high, supporting non-electric coal demand [1]. Summary by Sections Coal Price Trends - The average closing price of thermal coal at Qinhuangdao Port (5500 kcal weekly average) was 658 yuan/ton, down 6 yuan/ton (-0.90%) week-on-week [2]. - The average price of mixed thermal coal at the pit in Yulin, Shaanxi (5800 kcal) was 521 yuan/ton, down 11 yuan/ton (-2.07%) week-on-week [2]. - The FOB price of thermal coal in Newcastle, Australia (5500 kcal weekly average) was 71 USD/ton, up 0.11% week-on-week [2]. Production and Utilization Rates - The operating rate of 110 sample coal washing plants (approximately 50% of national washing capacity) was 63.0%, up 1.1 percentage points week-on-week but down 4.1 percentage points year-on-year, remaining at a low level for the same period in five years [3]. - The capacity utilization rate of 247 blast furnaces was 91.60%, up 1.45 percentage points week-on-week and 6.07 percentage points year-on-year [3]. Inventory Levels - As of April 25, coal inventory at Qinhuangdao Port was 6.89 million tons, up 0.58% week-on-week and up 35.63% year-on-year, remaining at a high level for the same period [4]. - The total coal inventory at ports in the Bohai Rim was 31.099 million tons, down 2.66% week-on-week but up 32.63% year-on-year [4]. Investment Recommendations - Given the recent significant declines in oil and gas prices, coal prices have shown resilience. The report suggests that the further downside for port thermal coal prices is limited, considering that the current port spot prices are below long-term contract prices. It is recommended to adopt a defensive approach towards the sector, favoring companies with high long-term contract ratios and stable profitability, such as China Shenhua and China Coal Energy [4].