金属行业2026年度展望（）：弱供给周期下的行业配置属性再探讨：工业金属

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the non-ferrous metals industry, indicating it is in a high prosperity cycle [9][10]. Core Viewpoints - The global metal industry is entering a weak supply cycle, with exploration investments expected to decline further in 2025, reflecting a rigid supply characteristic [5][6]. - The supply growth rate of global mining is significantly lower than the output growth rate of metals, indicating a strong rigidity in supply [6][24]. - The demand for metals is expected to remain resilient due to the growth in new energy sectors and infrastructure development in China [10][68]. Summary by Sections 1. Supply and Demand Dynamics - The metal industry is currently in a weak supply cycle, with exploration investments projected to decrease by 0.64% to $12.4 billion in 2025, following a 3% decline in 2024 [5][23]. - The average supply growth rate for global mining has dropped from 6.35% to 2.22%, which is only 49.8% of the average growth rate over the past 30 years [6][24]. - The supply rigidity is spreading from the mining sector to the smelting sector, with China's non-ferrous metal production growth rate declining significantly [6][24]. 2. Metal Types and Future Supply - The exploration budget for gold and copper is increasing, while budgets for lithium and nickel are decreasing, indicating a shift in focus towards more traditional metals [7][25]. - The supply structure for copper is showing signs of structural weakness, while demand remains robust due to various industrial applications [10][74]. 3. Inventory and Pricing Trends - Global metal inventories are at a near 35-year low, with significant signs of destocking observed [8][52]. - The average return on equity (ROE) in the metal industry has increased from 8.34% to 10.60%, indicating improved profitability [8][9]. 4. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that the non-ferrous metals industry is likely to continue its high prosperity cycle, with an increasing allocation of public funds to the sector [9][10]. - The investment attributes of the industry are expected to strengthen, particularly in response to tightening supply and resilient demand [9][10].