高炉吨钢利润稳中向好，低库存背景下普钢公司业绩有望进一步修复

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the steel industry, consistent with the previous rating [2]. Core Viewpoints - The steel industry is expected to see performance recovery for general steel companies due to low inventory levels and stable profits from blast furnace steel production [2][3]. - Despite facing supply-demand imbalances and overall profit declines, the steel demand is anticipated to stabilize or slightly increase, supported by government policies aimed at economic growth, particularly in real estate and infrastructure sectors [3][5]. - The report highlights structural investment opportunities in the steel sector, particularly for companies with high gross margins and strong cost control capabilities [3][5]. Supply - As of May 2, 2025, the average daily pig iron production was 2.4542 million tons, a week-on-week increase of 1.07 tons, and a year-on-year increase of 16.7 tons [25]. - The capacity utilization rate for blast furnaces was 92.0%, up 0.40 percentage points week-on-week [25]. - The total production of five major steel products reached 7.734 million tons, a week-on-week increase of 0.90% [25]. Demand - The consumption of five major steel products was 9.709 million tons as of May 2, 2025, with a week-on-week increase of 4.82% [30]. - The transaction volume of construction steel by mainstream traders was 112,000 tons, a week-on-week decrease of 7.37% [35]. - The transaction area of commercial housing in 30 major cities increased to 1.934 million square meters, a week-on-week increase of 44.0% [35]. Inventory - The social inventory of five major steel products was 10.237 million tons as of May 2, 2025, a week-on-week decrease of 5.51% [43]. - The factory inventory of five major steel products was 4.234 million tons, a week-on-week decrease of 6.08% [43]. Prices & Profits - The comprehensive index for general steel was 3,483.3 yuan/ton as of April 30, 2025, with a week-on-week increase of 0.14% [50]. - The profit for rebar produced in blast furnaces was 120 yuan/ton, a week-on-week increase of 48.15% [60]. - The average cost of pig iron was 2,303 yuan/ton as of April 30, 2025, with a week-on-week decrease of 5.0 yuan [60].