有色钢铁行业周思考（2025年第30周）：重申钢铁板块在“反内卷”背景下的中期投资逻辑

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the steel sector, emphasizing its mid-term investment value under the "anti-involution" policy context [9][14]. Core Viewpoints - The steel sector is expected to have fundamental support for mid-term investment value, driven by supply-side, cost, and profit release expectations [9][14]. - The "anti-involution" policy is seen as a short-term catalyst for realizing mid-term investment logic, with three favorable mid-term logic points identified [9][14]. Supply and Demand Logic - The ultra-low emission transformation is nearing completion, which is expected to reverse structural supply issues and serve as a mid-term capacity clearance tool [15]. - As of April 20, 2025, approximately 760 million tons of capacity have completed or partially completed ultra-low emission transformations [15]. - Downstream demand from infrastructure and shipbuilding industries is anticipated to grow, supporting steel price stabilization and profit release [15]. Cost Logic - The West Mangu project is set to commence production by the end of 2025, with an annual output of 120 million tons, potentially contributing nearly 5% to global supply [15]. - The project is expected to alleviate profit pressure on midstream steel companies from upstream raw material costs [15]. High Dividend Logic - With the completion of ultra-low emission transformations and capacity replacements, capital expenditures for steel companies are expected to decline [15]. - The report anticipates accelerated profit release for midstream steel companies, making high dividends a reality [15]. Steel Price Outlook - The report indicates that the steel price index is expected to continue rising, with a notable increase of 4.16% in the overall steel price index this week [35]. - The price of cold-rolled steel has seen a significant rise of 4.67% [35]. Inventory and Production Data - The report notes a weekly rebar consumption of 2.17 million tons, reflecting a week-on-week increase of 5.05% [16]. - Social inventory and steel mill inventory are showing signs of divergence, with expectations for continued improvement on the demand side [22]. New Energy Metals - The report highlights a significant year-on-year increase of 20.95% in lithium carbonate production in June 2025, reaching 71,890 tons [39]. - The demand for new energy vehicles remains strong, with June 2025 production of 1.1923 million units, a year-on-year increase of 24.11% [43]. Price Trends in New Energy Metals - The average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate has risen significantly, reaching 77,000 yuan per ton, a week-on-week increase of 17.56% [48]. - Nickel prices have also shown upward trends, with LME nickel settling at 15,330 USD per ton [48].