EBSCN·2025-08-03 07:26Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the coal mining industry, indicating a positive outlook for the sector in the near term [6]. Core Insights - Significant decrease in port coal inventories and sustained increase in thermal coal prices during the peak season. The average closing price of thermal coal at Qinhuangdao Port (5500 kcal weekly average) increased by 9 CNY/ton (+1.36%) this week, marking six consecutive weeks of upward movement. Port coal inventory at Qinhuangdao is now at 5.22 million tons, down 10.77% week-on-week, returning to normal levels for this time of year, suggesting a tightening supply-demand situation [1][2]. - The coal supply-demand structure is expected to continue improving due to policies aimed at reducing overproduction, which may support further price increases for port coal [1]. Summary by Sections Price Trends - The average closing price of thermal coal at Qinhuangdao Port is 658 CNY/ton, up 9 CNY/ton (+1.36%) week-on-week. The average price of mixed thermal coal in Yulin, Shaanxi (5800 kcal) is 510 CNY/ton, up 23 CNY/ton (+4.72%) [2]. Inventory Levels - As of August 1, coal inventory at Qinhuangdao Port is 5.22 million tons, down 10.77% week-on-week, and up 1.36% year-on-year. The inventory at the Bohai Rim ports is 24.73 million tons, down 8.22% week-on-week, and up 0.64% year-on-year [4]. Production and Utilization Rates - The operating rate of 110 sample coal washing plants is 61.5%, down 0.8 percentage points week-on-week and down 5.1 percentage points year-on-year, remaining at a five-year low. The capacity utilization rate of 247 blast furnaces is 90.24%, down 0.57 percentage points week-on-week, but up 1.37 percentage points year-on-year [3]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that recent policies aimed at reducing overproduction and the peak season for coal may lead to significant improvements in coal price expectations. It recommends stocks such as China Shenhua, China Coal Energy, and Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry, with a particular focus on coking coal stocks like Lu'an Mining and Shanxi Coking Coal [4].