EBSCN·2025-05-12 04:11Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the coal mining industry [7] Core Viewpoints - High inventory pressure is evident, leading to a further decline in coal prices. As of May 9, coal inventory at the Bohai Rim ports reached 33.051 million tons, up 6.50% week-on-week and 42.15% year-on-year, marking the highest level for the same period [2][5] - The recent week saw a downward trend in port coal prices, with the Qinhuangdao port's thermal coal price averaging 638 RMB/ton, down 14 RMB/ton (-2.18%) compared to the previous week, indicating that downstream pressure is greater than upstream [2][3] - The report suggests that short-term stabilization of coal prices may require a recovery in demand, recommending a defensive approach towards the sector and favoring companies with high long-term contract ratios and stable profits, such as China Shenhua and China Coal Energy [5] Summary by Sections Coal Price Trends - The Qinhuangdao port's thermal coal price (5500 kcal) averaged 638 RMB/ton, down 14 RMB/ton (-2.18%) for the week of May 5-9 [3] - The average price of thermal mixed coal at the Yulin pit in Shaanxi (5800 kcal) was 510 RMB/ton, down 6 RMB/ton (-1.21%) [3] Inventory Levels - As of May 9, coal inventory at Qinhuangdao port was 7.53 million tons, up 8.03% week-on-week and 56.22% year-on-year, also at a record high for the same period [5] - The Bohai Rim port coal inventory reached 33.051 million tons, reflecting a 6.50% increase week-on-week and a 42.15% increase year-on-year [5] Production and Utilization Rates - The operating rate of 110 sample coal washing plants was 62.4%, down 0.5 percentage points week-on-week and 1.7 percentage points year-on-year, remaining at a five-year low [4] - The capacity utilization rate of 247 blast furnaces was 92.09%, up 0.09 percentage points week-on-week and 4.42 percentage points year-on-year, with a daily average pig iron output of 2.457 million tons, up 0.1% week-on-week and 4.7% year-on-year [4] Key Company Financials - China Shenhua (601088.SH) is projected to have an EPS of 2.50 RMB in 2025, with a PE ratio of 16, and is rated "Accumulate" [6] - China Coal Energy (601898.SH) is expected to have an EPS of 1.31 RMB in 2025, with a PE ratio of 8, also rated "Accumulate" [6]