EBSCN·2025-10-19 12:43Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the copper industry [6]. Core Viewpoints - The report expresses optimism for copper prices to rise in the future due to tightening supply and improving demand [4]. - Trade conflicts are currently suppressing copper prices, but a rebound is expected as downstream demand recovers [1][4]. Summary by Sections Inventory - Domestic copper social inventory increased by 6.7% week-on-week, while LME copper inventory decreased by 1.5% [2]. - As of October 17, 2025, domestic port copper concentrate inventory stood at 681,000 tons, up 3.1% from the previous week [2]. - Global electrolytic copper inventory across the three major exchanges reached 589,000 tons, a 4.9% increase from September 30 [2]. Supply - The price difference between refined copper and scrap copper decreased by 840 yuan/ton this week [2]. - In July 2025, China's copper concentrate production was 138,000 tons, down 6.3% month-on-month and 1.6% year-on-year [2]. - Global copper concentrate production in July 2025 was 2.012 million tons, up 7.2% year-on-year and 4.7% month-on-month [2]. Smelting - The current TC (treatment charge) is -40.8 USD/ton, unchanged from the previous week [3]. - In September 2025, China's electrolytic copper production was 1.121 million tons, down 4.3% month-on-month but up 11.6% year-on-year [3]. - In August, electrolytic copper imports increased by 6% year-on-year, while exports rose by 19% [3]. Demand - The cable industry's operating rate increased by 3.4 percentage points week-on-week [3]. - The cable sector accounts for approximately 31% of domestic copper demand, with the operating rate for cable enterprises at 61.91% as of October 16, 2025 [3]. - Air conditioning accounts for about 13% of domestic copper demand, with production expected to improve in the fourth quarter [3]. Futures - As of October 17, 2025, the active contract position for SHFE copper increased by 6.8% week-on-week, reaching 216,000 lots [4]. - The report notes that the current position is at the 64th percentile since 1995 [4]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends stocks such as Zijin Mining, Western Mining, Luoyang Molybdenum, and Jincheng Mining, while keeping an eye on Tongling Nonferrous Metals [4].