Shenwan Hongyuan Securities·2025-08-24 14:14Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the petrochemical industry, particularly highlighting the potential recovery in China's refining sector due to planned capacity reductions in South Korea [5][12]. Core Insights - South Korea plans to cut up to 25% of its naphtha cracking capacity, which is expected to accelerate the recovery of China's refining sector. This decision comes as South Korean petrochemical companies face significant profit declines due to increased competition from Chinese production and weak demand in recent years [5][6]. - The report indicates that the operating rates of South Korea's petrochemical industry have fallen to historically low levels, necessitating urgent measures to address the oversupply issue [5][8]. - The report emphasizes that the reduction in South Korean supply could lead to tighter imports of refined products in China, particularly aromatic products, thereby enhancing the recovery prospects for the domestic refining industry [12]. Summary by Sections Upstream Sector - Brent crude oil prices increased to $67.73 per barrel, reflecting a week-on-week growth of 2.85%. WTI prices also rose to $63.66 per barrel, up 1.37% [17]. - As of August 15, U.S. commercial crude oil inventories stood at 421 million barrels, a decrease of 6.01 million barrels from the previous week, indicating a tighter supply situation [19]. Refining Sector - The integrated margin for Singapore's refining products decreased to $12.99 per barrel, down by $2.09 from the previous week, indicating pressure on refining profitability [50]. - The report notes that while refining margins have improved slightly, they remain at low levels, with expectations for gradual recovery as economic conditions improve [5][47]. Polyester Sector - The report highlights a recovery expectation for the polyester sector, with potential upward movement in profitability as supply-demand dynamics improve. Key companies to watch include Tongkun Co. and Wankai New Materials [12]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on leading companies in the polyester sector such as Tongkun Co. and Wankai New Materials, as well as high-quality refining companies like Hengli Petrochemical and Rongsheng Petrochemical, which are expected to benefit from improved competitive dynamics [12].