“反内卷”背景下，如何看待镍价走势？

Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided Core Viewpoints - The "anti-involution" policy aims to repair corporate profits and reverse deflation expectations. Stainless steel and nickel prices have rebounded, but high stainless steel inventories and limited supply contraction restrict price increases. The nickel-iron price may be under continuous pressure, and the nickel price lacks support for a rebound. The price of the entire industry chain is expected to decline further [2][12][14]. Summary by Related Catalogs Stainless Steel Price - Stainless steel prices have a profit repair expectation due to the long - term negative profit margin. As of July 25, 2025, the profit margin of domestic self - produced high - nickel iron enterprises producing 304 stainless steel dropped to - 6.02%. However, high inventory and high production strategies limit price increase elasticity. As of July 17, 2025, the national mainstream market stainless steel 89 - warehouse social total inventory was 1148000 tons, with a week - on - week decrease of 1.69%. In July, the expected production reduction of 43 stainless steel plants was limited, with a month - on - month decrease of 0.7% and a year - on - year decrease of 1.2% [5][6]. - In the long run, the weak demand side is the core reason for the low stainless steel price. Even if the supply side takes action, prices can only stop falling, not rise, until downstream demand significantly recovers [6]. Nickel - Iron and Nickel Price - The nickel - iron price may be under continuous pressure. Based on the weak stainless steel price forecast, the demand for nickel - iron is expected to have limited recovery, and the cost support for nickel - iron will weaken as the nickel ore supply is expected to loosen. The 2025 RKAB approved quota for Indonesian nickel ore is 364 million tons [12]. - The nickel price lacks support for a rebound. The short - term market price is still anchored to the RKEF conversion cost. The high premium of refined nickel over nickel - iron may lead to some production lines switching from nickel - iron to high - grade nickel matte, increasing the potential supply of refined nickel and dragging down the nickel price [12]. Summary - Affected by the "anti - involution" action, nickel and stainless steel prices have rebounded, but the high stainless steel inventory and limited supply contraction make it difficult to reverse the oversupply situation. The ore price is expected to continue to decline, driving down the price center of the industrial chain. Attention should be paid to stainless steel production reduction and demand - stimulating policies [14].