Orient Securities·2025-11-23 01:42Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" outlook on the utility sector, indicating a favorable investment environment for utility assets [7]. Core Insights - The high growth in electricity consumption is expected to continue, with a significant increase in electricity generation from thermal power, which has turned from negative to positive growth [10][19]. - The report highlights the need for further market reforms to support the integration of renewable energy into the power system, emphasizing the importance of pricing mechanisms for various electricity attributes [7]. - The report suggests that utility assets at low valuations are worth considering for investment, given their defensive characteristics in the current market environment [7]. Summary by Sections Electricity Consumption and Generation - In October 2025, total electricity consumption increased by 10.4% year-on-year, significantly higher than the previous month's growth of 5.9% [10]. - The growth in electricity consumption was driven by temperature factors and a low base from the previous year, with notable increases across various sectors [10]. - In October 2025, the generation from thermal power increased by 7.3% year-on-year, marking a recovery from previous declines, while hydropower generation saw a substantial increase of 28.2% [19]. Market Dynamics - The report notes that the coal prices at ports remained stable, while prices at production sites saw slight increases, indicating a stable supply environment [31]. - The average electricity market clearing price in Guangdong decreased by 31.8% year-on-year, reflecting market pressures [27]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on utility stocks, particularly in thermal and hydropower sectors, due to their strong dividend potential and improving business models [7]. - Specific stocks mentioned for thermal power include Guodian Power (600795), Huadian International (600027), and Huaneng International (600011) [7]. - For hydropower, recommended stocks include Yangtze Power (600900) and Sichuan Investment Energy (600674) [7]. Performance Overview - The utility sector underperformed the broader market indices, with the Shenwan Utility Index declining by 4.3% during the week, slightly lagging behind the CSI 300 Index [56]. - Among sub-sectors, hydropower showed the least decline, while solar power experienced the most significant drop [58].