Orient Securities·2025-08-17 12:44Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" outlook on the non-ferrous and steel industries [5]. Core Viewpoints - The report emphasizes the importance of new non-ferrous materials in accelerating applications in AI hardware, highlighting that the market has not fully priced in the use of non-ferrous metals in AI [12][13]. - The demand for liquid cooling technology is expected to grow significantly due to the limitations of air cooling systems, with copper and aluminum being key materials for heat transfer [13]. - The report forecasts a substantial increase in the market for metal soft magnetic materials driven by the explosive growth in AI computing power, with AI server shipments projected to rise significantly [14]. Summary by Sections Non-Ferrous Metals - The report highlights the increasing demand for liquid cooling solutions in AI hardware, with copper and aluminum being essential materials due to their thermal conductivity [13]. - It notes that the next generation of AI computing cards will adopt full liquid cooling solutions, further driving demand for these metals [13]. - The report identifies potential investment opportunities in companies like Huafeng Aluminum (601702) and Platinum New Materials (300811) due to their strategic positioning in the market [13][14]. Steel Industry - The report discusses the short-term fluctuations in steel profitability under the "anti-involution" policy, with expectations for stabilization and recovery in the medium term [15]. - It notes a decrease in rebar consumption, with a reported 190 million tons consumed this week, reflecting a 9.89% week-on-week decline [15][20]. - The report indicates that steel prices are expected to rise in the future, supported by the "anti-involution" policy [32]. New Energy Metals - The report states that lithium production in July 2025 saw a significant year-on-year increase of 28.33%, indicating strong supply growth in the new energy sector [39]. - It highlights the high growth in the production and sales of new energy vehicles, with a 24.11% year-on-year increase in production in June 2025 [43]. - The report mentions rising prices for lithium, cobalt, and nickel, with lithium carbonate prices reaching 83,000 yuan per ton, reflecting an 18.57% week-on-week increase [48][49]. Industrial Metals - The report notes that global refined copper production increased by 2.88% year-on-year in May 2025, although supply growth is not keeping pace with demand [57][59]. - It highlights a significant rise in the import volume of scrap copper, which increased by 19.05% month-on-month in June 2025 [61].