——煤炭开采行业周报：年末供应下滑，坑口挺价意愿增强-20251221

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" rating for the coal mining industry [1] Core Views - The coal mining industry is experiencing a tightening supply due to some mines completing their annual production tasks and reducing output, while demand remains relatively stable, leading to a potential stabilization in coal prices [6][68] - The report highlights the long-term upward trend in coal prices driven by factors such as rising labor costs, increased safety and environmental investments, and higher taxation by local governments [68] Summary by Sections 1. Thermal Coal - As of December 19, the price of thermal coal at northern ports is 703 RMB/ton, a decrease of 42 RMB/ton week-on-week [3][13] - Production capacity utilization in the Sanxi region decreased by 1.94 percentage points to 88.3% as of December 17, primarily due to some mines reducing output after meeting annual production targets [13][19] - The daily consumption of the six major power plants decreased by 0.6 thousand tons week-on-week [13][21] - The inventory of the six major power plants is 13.746 million tons, down 237 thousand tons year-on-year [13][31] - Northern port inventories increased by 632 thousand tons week-on-week, indicating a tightening supply situation [13][26] 2. Coking Coal - The utilization rate of sample coal mines for coking coal decreased by 0.27 percentage points to 83.0% from December 10 to December 17 [4][67] - The price of main coking coal at ports rose to 1,740 RMB/ton, an increase of 110 RMB/ton week-on-week [4][36] - The average daily customs clearance at the Ganqimaodu port remains high, with a seven-day average of 1,473 trucks, although it decreased by 5 trucks week-on-week [4][38] 3. Coke - The coke market is currently weak, with the third round of price reductions initiated, indicating a potential for further price adjustments [5][67] - The production rate of independent coking plants decreased to 70.48%, reflecting a seasonal decline in iron and steel production [5][50] - The average profit per ton of coke has decreased by 28 RMB/ton week-on-week, indicating pressure on profitability [5][49] 4. Investment Opportunities - The report suggests focusing on stable companies such as China Shenhua, Shaanxi Coal, and China Coal Energy, as well as companies with higher elasticity in thermal coal like Yanzhou Coal and Jin控煤业 [6][68] - The report emphasizes the strong cash flow and high asset quality of leading coal companies, which are characterized by high profitability, high cash flow, high barriers to entry, high dividends, and high safety margins [68]