Tianfeng Securities·2025-05-18 07:28Investment Rating - Industry Rating: Outperform the market (maintained rating) [5] Core Viewpoints - The strategic importance of the central region has been further emphasized, particularly regarding the infrastructure boom in the Midwest, especially in Sichuan province. The central economic work conference at the end of 2023 highlighted the need to optimize major productivity layouts and strengthen the construction of national strategic hinterlands [2][13]. - The issuance of special bonds in the Midwest has significantly accelerated, with a total of 1.19 trillion yuan in new special bonds issued from January to April 2025, a year-on-year increase of 65%. This indicates a clear recovery in fixed asset investment sentiment in the region [3][14]. - The construction sector is expected to see a rebound in physical work volume, with cement shipment rates and asphalt plant operating rates showing positive trends. The cement shipment rate reached 49%, up 0.93 percentage points week-on-week, indicating optimism for Q2 [18]. Summary by Sections Strategic Importance of the Central Region - The central region's development opportunities, particularly in Sichuan, have been recognized at the highest levels of government, with strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing regional development and optimizing economic layouts [2][13][17]. Special Bond Issuance - The issuance of special bonds in the Midwest has accelerated, with Sichuan province alone issuing 800.17 billion yuan in new special bonds, a 162% increase year-on-year. This trend is expected to support infrastructure investment and economic recovery in the region [3][14]. Market Performance - The construction index rose by 1.10% during the week of May 12-16, 2025, with significant gains in the housing and construction decoration sectors. Notable stocks included Dongzhu Ecology (+22%) and Zhengzhong Design (+20%) [4][22]. Investment Recommendations - Focus on cyclical opportunities arising from improved infrastructure work volumes, particularly in water conservancy, railways, and aviation sectors. Recommended stocks include Sichuan Road and Bridge, Zhejiang Communications, and major state-owned enterprises like China Communications Construction [28][29]. - Emphasis on the transformation of the construction sector and emerging business directions, such as AI-driven computing power facilities and cleanroom technology, with recommendations for companies like Hainan Huatie and Baicheng Co [30][31].