Investment Rating - The report rates the cobalt industry as "Overweight," indicating an expectation for the industry to outperform the overall market [3][12]. Core Insights - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the primary supplier of cobalt globally, and since February 2025, it has implemented an export ban on cobalt products, significantly disrupting supply [3]. - The DRC's export ban has led to a noticeable decline in China's cobalt imports from June to August 2025, with import volumes dropping by 61.62%, 27.26%, and 62.05% respectively [3]. - It is projected that global effective cobalt supply will decrease by 34% from 282,000 tons to 185,000 tons in 2025 due to the DRC's export restrictions [3]. - Demand for cobalt is expected to grow steadily, particularly in the battery sector, with a projected increase of 5.06% in cobalt demand to 210,900 tons in 2025 [3]. - Cobalt prices have risen from a historical low of 159,000 yuan/ton to 277,000 yuan/ton since the DRC's export restrictions began, with expectations for continued price increases in the short term [3]. Summary by Sections Supply and Demand Dynamics - The DRC's export ban is expected to tighten supply, leading to a projected global cobalt supply of 185,000 tons in 2025, down from 282,000 tons [3][6]. - The demand for cobalt in the battery sector is anticipated to grow, with total cobalt demand reaching 210,900 tons in 2025, driven by applications in drones and consumer electronics [3][6]. Price Outlook - Cobalt prices are expected to continue rising due to supply constraints, with a strong long-term price support anticipated from the DRC's government policies [3][6]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on companies with profit elasticity in the cobalt sector, including Huayou Cobalt, Tongyuan Cobalt, Luoyang Molybdenum, Liqin Resources, and Hanrui Cobalt [3][7].
钴行业更新点评:钴进口环比明显回落,钴价预期持续上行