黑色年报：钢材供应成关键变量成材与原料强弱分化

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - In 2026, the macro - atmosphere is generally warm. The Fed's interest - rate cut cycle is in the "second half", and China's policies are expected to be positive as it is the beginning of the "15th Five - Year Plan". However, demand still lacks highlights, and supply becomes the key variable. Raw materials face downward pressure, steel prices will fluctuate within a range, and there will be a differentiation between finished products and raw materials [1][2]. 3. Summary According to the Directory 2025 Review 1.1 Market Review - Steel prices fluctuated in a "down - up - down" pattern with a small amplitude. The first decline was due to overseas tariff policies and cost reduction, the rise in July was from anti - involution, and the second decline was from the game between strong expectations and weak reality. The spread between the high and low points of the weighted closing prices of rebar and hot - rolled coils was only about 500 yuan [5]. - The average prices of coking coal and coke dropped significantly, with an annual average decline of over 25%. The average price of iron ore decreased by 8 US dollars/ton (6.88% decline), and the average prices of rebar and hot - rolled coils decreased by about 300 yuan/ton (about 8.5% decline). The cost center of steel products moved down [9]. 1.2 Industrial Pattern - Demand: Domestic consumption of crude steel continued to decline, but steel and billet exports maintained high growth. From January to October, the cumulative apparent demand for crude steel decreased by 6.51% year - on - year, steel exports increased by 6.6% year - on - year, and net exports increased by 653 tons. The cumulative export of billets from January to October was 11.9 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 7.27 million tons [15]. - Supply: The consumption of scrap steel and the output of crude steel declined. From January to October, the cumulative year - on - year growth rates of pig iron and crude steel output were - 1.8% and - 3.9% respectively. The consumption of scrap steel decreased by 13.3% year - on - year. The output of rebar decreased by 4.8 million tons ( - 2.0% growth rate), and the output of hot - rolled coils increased by 9.8 million tons (5.30% growth rate) [19][23][27]. - Raw Materials: The supply of iron ore and coking coal slightly declined, and inventories decreased slightly compared to the beginning of the year. From January to October, the output of iron ore concentrate decreased by 3.70%, and imports increased by 0.62%. The supply of coking coal changed little year - on - year, with domestic production increasing by 1.17% and imports decreasing by 4.73%. The combined inventory of 247 sample steel mills and port trading mines decreased by about 10.65 million tons compared to the beginning of the year, and the coking coal and coke inventory decreased by about 5.5 million tons [31][32]. 2026 Outlook 2.1 Overseas Macroeconomy - The Fed's interest - rate cut cycle is in the "second half". After restarting rate cuts in September and October 2025, it is expected to cut rates again in March and June 2026, bringing the federal funds rate to 3% - 3.25%, providing more room and autonomy for China's monetary policy [40]. 2.2 Domestic Macroeconomy - 2026 is the beginning of the "15th Five - Year Plan", with expected positive policy tones. Boosting consumption and expanding domestic demand may be the key focus [45]. 2.3 Infrastructure Demand - Since the second half of 2025, infrastructure investment growth has declined significantly. Policy tools such as new policy - based financial instruments and increased local government debt quotas have been introduced. Policy effects may be gradually released at the end of 2025 and early 2026, and infrastructure investment is expected to remain stable in 2026 [49]. 2.4 Real Estate Demand - In 2025, real estate data continued to decline. The real estate development model is changing from an incremental to a stock market. In 2026, real estate is expected to remain weak, with an estimated 10% decline in real estate investment and a continued decline in steel consumption for real estate [54]. 2.5 Manufacturing Demand - Since the second half of 2025, the monthly investment growth rate in the manufacturing industry has turned negative, with significant industry differentiation. In 2026, manufacturing investment is still under pressure, but industry differentiation will be severe [58]. 2.6 Import and Export Demand - In 2025, despite anti - dumping and trade wars, steel exports maintained growth due to changes in export destinations and varieties. In 2026, although challenges remain, steel exports are expected to remain high due to corporate expansion overseas and adjustment of export structures [60][62]. 2.7 Supply - In 2026, policy influence on the steel supply side may increase. The "15th Five - Year Plan" emphasizes carbon emission control, and it is possible to restrict steel production through carbon emissions, which may become the main trading logic in the market [66][69]. 2.8 Raw Materials - Coking Coal: In 2026, domestic coking coal production may be regulated according to demand. Mongolian coking coal imports are expected to increase by about 7 million tons [74]. - Iron Ore: Overseas iron ore supply is expected to increase by about 72 million tons in 2026, while domestic production will remain stable. The supply of overseas iron ore projects is progressing faster than domestic ones [87]. 3. Outlook - Macroscopically, the Fed's interest - rate cut is in the "second half", and China's policies are expected to be positive. Industry - wise, demand lacks highlights, supply is the key variable, and raw materials face downward pressure. Steel prices will fluctuate within a range, and there will be a differentiation between finished products and raw materials. Opportunities in going long on steel and short on iron ore can be considered [88][89][91].