GUOTAI HAITONG SECURITIES·2025-09-29 06:04Investment Rating - The report rates the coal industry as "Overweight" [4]. Core Viewpoints - Coal prices are expected to rebound in the off-season, with pressure anticipated in the first half of 2026, but the year-on-year decline compared to 2025 will ease. It is projected that coal prices could exceed 800 RMB/ton in the second half of 2026 [2]. Summary by Sections Investment Highlights - The report recommends maintaining positions in key companies such as China Shenhua, Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry, and China Coal Energy, while also continuing to recommend Yanzhou Coal Mining and Jinneng Holding. The investment opportunities arising from state-owned enterprise reforms should be emphasized, which may create a sector-wide effect [4]. - The demand side shows a significant recovery, with total electricity consumption in August growing by 4.6%, compared to only 2.5% in Q1, and is expected to exceed a 5% growth rate for the year. This contradicts previous market pessimism [4]. - On the supply side, the output of raw coal in August was 390 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 3.2%, but a month-on-month increase of 10 million tons. The total coal production for the year is expected to be stable at around 475-480 million tons, with a slight decline in H2 due to "overproduction checks" [4]. Coal Price Tracking - As of September 26, 2025, the price of Q5500 coal at Huanghua Port was 713 RMB/ton, up 0.6% from the previous week. The price of Q5000 coal at the same port was 622 RMB/ton, up 0.5% [7][10]. - The price of coking coal at Jingtang Port was 1710 RMB/ton, an increase of 6.2% from the previous week [35]. Inventory and Supply Chain - The inventory at Qinhuangdao decreased by 12.2% to 5.4 million tons as of September 25, 2025. The total inventory at northern ports was 29.64 million tons, down 0.9% [20]. - The report notes a decrease in both port and steel mill inventories, indicating a tightening supply situation [54][56]. International Coal Prices - The report highlights that Australian Newcastle coal prices have decreased, with the price of Q5500 coal at Newcastle being 71 USD/ton, up 1 USD (1.3%) from the previous week. The cost of domestic coal is lower than that of Australian imports by 7 RMB/ton [18][19].