Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. Core Viewpoints - In 2025, copper prices reached new highs driven by both macro and fundamental factors. The easing of Sino-US trade frictions was positive, and the continuation of the Fed's interest rate cut cycle boosted copper prices. In 2026, the tightness of copper mine supply is expected to intensify, and in the long term, the demand for new energy, power, and AI data center construction will increase steadily. Therefore, the upward momentum of copper prices remains strong. However, due to the suppression of downstream demand by high copper prices, copper prices may show a pattern of rising periodically and then oscillating and correcting [5][82]. Summary by Directory 1. Market Review - In 2025, copper prices rose under the influence of overseas interest rate cuts and copper mine shortages, with strong support from new energy, power, and AI computing power demand. Although tariff disturbances periodically suppressed copper prices, copper prices still reached new highs under the impetus of favorable macro factors and strong supply - demand fundamentals [9]. - Q1: Copper prices oscillated upward. Overseas interest rate cuts, tight raw material supply, and positive domestic policy expectations pushed up copper prices. However, factors such as Trump's tariff policy, the Fed's hawkish stance, and the Altonorte smelter incident affected the price trend, resulting in a high - level oscillation pattern with limited gains [11]. - Q2: Copper prices first fell sharply and then rebounded. Trump's tariff policy shocked the market, but the tight supply and strong demand of copper fundamentals supported the price rebound. Events such as the Kakula mine shutdown, the cease - fire agreement between Israel and Palestine, and Sino - US economic and trade talks also influenced the price [12]. - Q3: Copper prices were generally strong. In July, copper prices first rose and then fell due to factors such as supply tightening expectations and Trump's copper tariff implementation. In August and September, positive factors such as the easing of Sino - US trade frictions, the Fed's dovish remarks, and domestic policy expectations boosted copper prices. The shutdown of the Grasberg mine due to a mudslide also pushed up copper prices [13]. - Q4: Copper prices reached new highs. The Sino - US summit and trade consultations brought confidence to the market. The Fed's interest rate cuts and the continuous tight supply of copper mines supported the price increase [14]. 2. Macro Analysis (1) Overseas - Global economic growth slowdown: In 2025, due to uncertainties such as overseas anti - globalization tariff policies, the global trade pattern was reshaped, and the economic growth rate was expected to slow down. According to the IMF, the global economic growth rate in 2025 was 2.8%, a 40 - basis - point reduction from the previous forecast [15]. - US economic situation: - Manufacturing and service industries: The US manufacturing PMI was relatively low, with the November 2025 ISM manufacturing PMI at 48.2, remaining below the boom - bust line for nine consecutive months. The service industry continued to expand, with the October ISM services PMI reaching 52.4, the highest in eight months [17]. - GDP: The US Q2 real GDP annualized quarterly - on - quarterly rate was revised up to 3.3%, mainly driven by improved business investment and a significant boost in trade. Net exports contributed nearly 5 percentage points to GDP growth, and consumer spending was also robust [18]. - Inflation: US inflation increased slightly and was generally moderate. In September, the CPI increased by 3% year - on - year, and the core inflation rate increased by 0.2% month - on - month. The PCE price index was in line with expectations, which further promoted the Fed's interest rate cut in December [19]. - Employment: The US labor market cooled down. The unemployment rate rose from 4% at the beginning of the year to 4.4% in September. The ADP employment number decreased by 32,000 in November, and the Fed's interest rate cut probability continued to increase [25]. (2) Domestic - Social financing and price levels: - Social financing: The growth rate of China's social financing scale slowed down in the second half of 2025. From January to October, the cumulative social financing scale increment was 30.9 trillion yuan, but the increment in October was the lowest since August 2024. The M2 - M1 gap widened, indicating a decline in the willingness of enterprises and residents to consume and invest [26]. - Inflation: The improvement of China's CPI was still moderate. In October, CPI turned positive year - on - year, mainly driven by food, service, and gold prices. PPI increased month - on - month for the first time this year, and the year - on - year decline narrowed [28]. - Economic growth: In 2025, China's economic growth faced mild downward pressure due to insufficient domestic demand and overseas tariff policies. The manufacturing PMI was below the boom - bust line for seven consecutive months, but the service industry was generally expanding. From January to October, the added value of large - scale industries increased by 6.1% year - on - year. The economic growth pressure was more prominent in the fourth quarter, but the full - year 5% growth target could still be achieved [30][31]. - Policy: China proposed "strengthening unconventional counter - cyclical regulation" this year. In May, the central bank cut the reserve requirement ratio and interest rates. The 14th Five - Year Plan suggestions provided guidance for future economic development. In 2026, as the first year of the 15th Five - Year Plan, policies are expected to be more proactive to ensure a stable economic start [34][35]. 3. Supply - Demand Fundamental Analysis (1) Supply Side - Copper mines: - Overseas mine disruptions: In 2025, global copper mine accidents frequently occurred, such as the Kakula mine earthquake in Congo, the El Teniente mine collapse in Chile, and the Grasberg mine mudslide in Indonesia. The ICSG lowered the mine supply growth rate from 2.3% to 1.4%. The global copper concentrate supply increment was less than expected, and the copper concentrate TC was at a historical low [36][38]. - Domestic imports and inventory: From January to October, China imported 22.684 million tons of copper ore, a year - on - year increase of 7.58%. As of November 28, the copper concentrate port inventory was 674,000 tons, a year - on - year decrease of 27.14%, indicating a tight supply [39]. - Electrolytic copper: - Global production: Some large mining companies lowered their copper production targets due to mine accidents. The ICSG predicted a 150,000 - ton global copper supply shortage in 2026. Global new smelting capacity exceeded copper ore supply, and some overseas smelters stopped production due to various reasons [40][42]. - Domestic production: From January to November, SMM China's electrolytic copper production increased by 11.76% year - on - year. However, since September, production has decreased month - on - month due to raw material shortages and smelter overhauls. The price increase of by - product sulfuric acid alleviated the smelting pressure [43]. - Recycled copper: - Import: China's recycled copper imports were stable. Although imports from the US decreased due to tariffs, imports from Southeast Asia and other regions increased. The country's policies support the development of the recycled copper industry, and the demand for recycled copper imports is expected to be stable in 2026 [45][47]. - Downstream industry: The operating rate of recycled copper rods was at a low level. Factors such as tight supply of recycled copper raw materials, weak downstream orders, and policy uncertainties led to a low operating rate [48]. - Imports and exports: - Imports: China is a net importer of electrolytic copper. In 2025, the import profit window was mostly closed. From January to October, the cumulative import of electrolytic copper decreased by 6.34% year - on - year [49][51]. - Exports: The export window opened in June, and the export volume increased significantly in October. From January to October, the cumulative export of electrolytic copper increased by 29.44% year - on - year [51]. (2) Demand Side - New energy and power investment: - New energy installation: As of October, the total installed power generation capacity in China increased by 17.3% year - on - year, with significant growth in solar and wind power. The "抢装潮" in the first half of the year affected the new installation volume in the second half, but the annual new installation volume of photovoltaic and wind power still increased steadily. The new installation scale of new energy is expected to reach a new high during the 15th Five - Year Plan period [55][56]. - Grid investment: The grid investment scale reached a new high this year, driving copper demand. The investment in the power grid and energy storage is expected to increase during the 15th Five - Year Plan period to support the development of new energy [57]. - Real estate: The real estate market was at the bottom - grinding stage. From January to October, real estate development investment, new construction area, and sales area all decreased year - on - year. Although the 15th Five - Year Plan suggestions aim to promote the high - quality development of the real estate market, the market's recovery still depends on subsequent policies [59][60]. - Automobiles: - Domestic market: From January to October, China's automobile production increased by 11% year - on - year, and new energy vehicle production and sales maintained high growth. The penetration rate of new energy vehicles has been above 50% since March [64][65]. - Global market: Global new energy vehicle sales increased steadily. China is the world's largest exporter of new energy vehicles, but exports may be restricted by tariffs in 2026. With policy support, the production and sales of new energy vehicles in China are expected to remain high in 2026 [67][68]. - Home appliances: The "two - new" policies promoted the stable growth of home appliance production and sales. Since the second quarter of 2025, the domestic home appliance market has seen a trend of strong domestic sales and weak exports. Although the policy effectiveness has declined, the production and sales growth of home appliances is expected to remain stable in 2026 with the continuous strengthening of consumption - boosting policies [69][72]. 4. Inventory and Supply - Demand Balance - Domestic inventory: Since March 2025, domestic copper inventory has been decreasing. Although there was a slight increase in inventory in the second half of the year due to high copper prices, the inventory decreased again with the price correction. As of December 5, the Shanghai Futures Exchange copper inventory and domestic copper social inventory were at low levels in recent years [73]. - Overseas inventory: Overseas copper smelting capacity shrank due to tight copper concentrate supply and negative processing fees. The LME inventory decreased, and the COMEX inventory increased. The global visible inventory decreased, but it increased in the second half of the year due to the opening of the LME - COMEX arbitrage window [73][74]. - Supply - demand balance: The global refined copper production continued to grow, but the growth rate slowed down year by year. There were regional shortages and supply - demand mismatches in overseas copper. The supply - demand balance of domestic refined copper is expected to show that consumption growth is higher than production capacity release [76]. 5. 2026 Outlook - Macro factors: The easing of Sino - US trade frictions is positive, and the Fed's interest rate cut cycle continues, which is beneficial to copper prices. However, attention should be paid to the Fed's interest rate cut rhythm in 2026 and the potential impact of the US's additional tariffs on refined copper [78]. - Supply: The supply of copper mines is expected to be tighter in 2026. The ICSG predicts a 150,000 - ton supply shortage. The copper concentrate TC is at a historical low, and the long - term contract copper supply premium of Codelco has increased significantly. Under the influence of raw material shortages and anti - involution measures, refined copper production may shrink [79][80]. - Demand: The demand for copper is expected to grow steadily. The 15th Five - Year Plan focuses on new energy, power, and AI data center construction, which will drive copper demand. Policies to promote consumption will also boost the production and sales of new energy vehicles and home appliances [81]. - Price trend: Copper prices are expected to have strong upward momentum, but may show a pattern of rising periodically and then oscillating and correcting due to the suppression of downstream demand by high prices [82].
铜2026年度策略：宏观为翼产业托举，铜价屡攀新高仍可期
Chang Jiang Qi Huo·2025-12-08 12:54