周期底部蓄势，成长动能延续：基础化工行业2026年投资策略

Core Insights - The macroeconomic environment is steadily recovering, establishing a bottoming trend for the chemical industry. Since 2025, macro price indices have shown continuous improvement, with CPI expected to return to positive territory by Q4 2025 and PPI's year-on-year decline expected to narrow gradually. The chemical product price index is anticipated to stabilize, indicating that the industry is entering a phase of bottom consolidation [3][10][15]. - The chemical industry is currently experiencing low PB valuations, suggesting potential for profit recovery. The PE valuation is relatively high, reflecting market expectations for future recovery, while the PB valuation is close to historical lows, indicating significant upside potential for the industry [3][15][19]. - The agricultural chemicals sector is performing relatively well, with high prices for phosphate and potash expected to persist. The pesticide industry is entering a phase of recovery, while the MDI sector, despite low prices, is maintaining stable profits through effective shipment management by leading companies [3][41][42]. Group 1: Macroeconomic Data and Industry Trends - The CPI is expected to turn positive, and the PPI's decline is narrowing, indicating a gradual improvement in the overall supply-demand landscape for chemical products [10][15]. - The chemical industry’s capacity utilization rate is at a historical low of 72.5%, with a slight recovery in gross profit margins observed [19][20]. - The chemical industry is entering a replenishment phase after a prolonged destocking period, with inventory levels expected to rise as demand recovers [23]. Group 2: Sector-Specific Insights - The agricultural chemicals sector is seeing sustained high prices for phosphate rock, with domestic prices around 1017 CNY/ton as of October 27, 2025, supported by tight supply and increasing demand for new applications [42][44]. - The MDI sector is characterized by stable profitability despite low prices, with leading companies effectively managing their shipment schedules [41]. - The lithium battery materials sector is experiencing a recovery in profitability due to strong terminal demand and orderly expansion by leading companies [3][41]. Group 3: Policy and Investment Outlook - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has launched a growth stabilization plan for the petrochemical industry, targeting an average annual growth of over 5% from 2025 to 2026 [3][36]. - The chemical industry is expected to benefit from reduced capital expenditures, with fixed asset investments declining by 5.6% in the first nine months of 2025, indicating a shift towards improved supply-demand dynamics [31][32]. - The report suggests focusing on leading companies with strong cost control capabilities in sectors such as phosphate chemicals, potash, pesticides, MDI, titanium dioxide, and lithium battery materials [3][41].