Minsheng Securities·2025-10-12 05:11Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" recommendation for several steel companies, including Hualing Steel, Baosteel, Nanjing Steel, and others in the special steel and pipe sectors [5]. Core Viewpoints - Steel mill profits are under pressure due to rising inventory levels and escalating overseas trade frictions, with production remaining high during the National Day holiday [5]. - The EU has proposed to cut tax-free steel import quotas by 47% to 18.3 million tons per year, increasing tariffs on excess imports from 25% to 50%, which may suppress steel exports from China and the US [5]. - Long-term capacity regulation is expected to be a key theme, with potential recovery in profitability for steel companies under precise control measures [5]. Price Trends - As of October 10, steel prices have increased, with rebar prices at 3,260 CNY/ton (up 50 CNY), hot-rolled prices at 3,400 CNY/ton (up 60 CNY), and cold-rolled prices at 3,810 CNY/ton (up 10 CNY) [3][12]. - The overall steel inventory has risen, with total social inventory increasing by 691,100 tons to 11,268,900 tons [4]. Production and Inventory - Total production of major steel products decreased to 8.63 million tons, a reduction of 37,600 tons week-on-week, with rebar production down to 2.034 million tons [4]. - The apparent consumption of rebar fell to 1.4601 million tons, a decrease of 950,600 tons week-on-week [4]. Profitability - Steel margins have declined, with long-process rebar, hot-rolled, and cold-rolled margins decreasing by 11 CNY/ton, 10 CNY/ton, and 15 CNY/ton respectively [3][5]. Key Company Forecasts and Valuations - Hualing Steel (EPS: 0.29 CNY, PE: 22), Baosteel (EPS: 0.34 CNY, PE: 21), and Nanjing Steel (EPS: 0.37 CNY, PE: 15) are highlighted as recommended stocks [5].