Guoxin Securities·2025-12-22 13:01Investment Rating - The investment rating for the copper industry is "Outperform the Market" (maintained) [2][7]. Core Views - The benchmark processing fee for copper concentrate long-term contracts has been set to zero for 2026, down from $21.25 per ton in 2025, indicating a significant shift in the copper smelting industry dynamics [3][4]. - The reduction to zero processing fees is attributed to a mismatch in supply and demand between copper mines and smelting, as well as historically high levels of by-product and recovery rate revenues [3][8]. - The competitive advantage of Chinese copper smelting plants is highlighted by their leading technology and cost control, which is expected to improve the industry landscape as capacity control measures are likely to be implemented [21]. Summary by Sections Processing Fees and Market Dynamics - The processing fee for copper concentrate long-term contracts has dropped to $0 per ton for 2026, compared to $21.25 per ton in 2025, reflecting a challenging negotiation environment this year [3][4]. - The long-term contract processing fee is crucial for smelting profitability, with many large smelting plants seeing a decline in the proportion of long-term contracts due to tight copper concentrate supply [6][8]. Recovery Rates and By-Product Revenues - The recovery rate for copper smelting in China is significantly higher than the industry standard, leading to additional revenue from copper prices [8][9]. - Sulfuric acid by-product revenues have surged, with current prices nearing historical highs, contributing to the overall profitability of smelting operations [8][9]. Industry Outlook and Recommendations - The zero processing fee scenario is expected to prompt regulatory measures to control copper smelting capacity, potentially leading to a more favorable industry structure [13][21]. - Key companies in the copper smelting sector include Tongling Nonferrous Metals, Jiangxi Copper, and Yunnan Copper, which are well-positioned to benefit from these industry changes [21][16][17].