铜行业周报（20250519-20250523）：TC现货价续创新低，铜精矿现货延续紧张-20250525

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the copper industry [6]. Core Viewpoints - The report anticipates that copper prices will rise in 2025 due to tightening supply and improving demand, with specific recommendations for companies such as Jincheng Mining, Zijin Mining, Luoyang Molybdenum, and Western Mining, while also suggesting to pay attention to Minmetals Resources [4][5]. Summary by Sections Macro Environment - Recent trade conflicts have eased, but the negative impacts of tariffs and trade disputes on the economy have yet to manifest, which continues to suppress copper price increases [1]. - As of May 23, 2025, the SHFE copper closing price was 77,790 RMB/ton, down 0.4% from May 16, while the LME copper closing price was 9,614 USD/ton, up 1.76% [1][17]. Supply and Demand - Domestic electrolytic copper inventory continues to rise, primarily due to the weakening of preemptive stocking against tariffs and the seasonal downturn in demand [1]. - The operating rate of cable enterprises remains above 80%, with production of air conditioners expected to continue growing in June and July [1]. - As of May 23, 2025, domestic copper concentrate inventory at major ports was 780,000 tons, down 4.8% from the previous week [2][49]. Inventory - Domestic copper social inventory increased by 6% week-on-week, while LME copper inventory decreased by 5.4% [2][25]. - Global inventory across the three major exchanges totaled 452,000 tons as of May 16, 2025, up 4.7% from the previous week [2]. Smelting and Processing - The TC spot price reached a new low of -44.30 USD/pound as of May 23, 2025, down 1.3 USD/pound from May 16 [3][63]. - The electrolytic copper production in China for April 2025 was 1,125,700 tons, up 0.3% month-on-month and 14.3% year-on-year [68]. Futures Market - The SHFE copper active contract positions decreased by 11% week-on-week, with a total position of 152,000 lots as of May 23, 2025 [4][33]. - The COMEX non-commercial net long position decreased by 2.2% [4][33]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that copper prices are likely to rise in 2025, recommending specific companies for investment [4][5].