南华期货镍&不锈钢2026年度展望：供需结构调整周期，随势而动

Report Title - Nanhua Futures' Outlook for Nickel & Stainless Steel in 2026: Adapting to the Supply-Demand Structural Adjustment Cycle [1] Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided Core Views - In 2025, the nickel market first rose and then declined. The price was mainly influenced by demand fluctuations and sentiment changes, lacking fundamental factors for a trend reversal. The annual price performance was weaker than previous years [2][3]. - In 2026, the focus of the nickel market remains on the progress of supply-demand structural adjustments. The demand for stainless steel is expected to remain stable, while the demand for nickel in the new energy sector is likely to be moderate. The Indonesian government's policies will continue to affect the market, and the supply surplus situation may improve marginally [4][5][6]. - The report predicts that in 2026, the main contract range for nickel will be between 118,000 - 130,000 yuan, and for stainless steel, it will be between 12,100 - 13,000 yuan [6]. Summary by Directory 2025 Annual Market Review - First Quarter: The nickel price showed a volatile and upward - trending pattern, with the price center rising to the range of 125,000 - 136,000 yuan/ton. The main influencing factors were Indonesian policy adjustments and the contradiction between short - term cost support and long - term oversupply [9]. - Second Quarter: The nickel - stainless steel market showed a volatile and downward - trending pattern. Factors such as the US tariff policy, rising LME nickel inventories, and weak terminal demand led to the decline of nickel and stainless steel prices [11]. - Third Quarter: The market showed a range - bound and slightly upward - trending pattern, mainly driven by news and policy expectations. However, high inventories and weak demand restricted the upward space of prices [12]. - Fourth Quarter: The market was mainly affected by Indonesian policy disturbances and macro - expectations. Although there were short - term price rebounds, the overall supply surplus situation remained unchanged, and the price fluctuations were mainly due to market sentiment and capital speculation [13]. Industrial Chain Performance Nickel Ore - In 2025, the supply of the nickel ore market was affected by policies and seasons. The supply was tight in the first half of the year and then eased. The demand was mainly suppressed by downstream smelting profits, showing cost - sensitivity characteristics [16][19]. - In 2026, the nickel ore market will be in a cycle of strong policy supervision and rational return of production capacity. The Indonesian government's policies will lead to a certain degree of supply contraction, and the price is expected to remain stable with a slight upward trend [22][23]. Ferronickel - In 2025, the supply of the ferronickel market showed regional differentiation and structural substitution characteristics. The supply was tight in the first half of the year and then increased. The demand was mainly suppressed by the weak profits of downstream stainless steel [25][29]. - In 2026, the ferronickel market will also enter a cycle of policy supervision and rational return of production capacity. The growth rate of effective production capacity is expected to slow down, and the price center will likely be affected by the demand of downstream steel mills [30][31]. Nickel Sulfate and Intermediates - In 2025, the supply of global nickel intermediates was mainly from Indonesia. The production of MHP increased significantly, while the production of nickel sulfate decreased. The demand was affected by the differentiation of technical routes, and the pricing system was adjusted [33][35]. - In 2026, the supply of nickel sulfate intermediates will show a structural increase, while the demand in the Chinese battery sector will slow down. The market may enter a cycle of processing fee control and raw material coefficient game [37][38]. Stainless Steel - In 2025, the supply of stainless steel showed a pattern of marginal slowdown in total growth, internal structural differentiation, and intensified extrusion from overseas capacity. The demand was affected by the weakening of traditional growth engines and the challenges of the external market [42][46][47]. - In 2026, the stainless steel market may enter a cycle of supply - demand re - balance. The supply side will see further elimination of high - cost production capacity, and the demand side may have a marginal improvement, especially in high - end special stainless steel [50][52]. 2026 Annual Balance Deduction - In 2026, the core trading logic of the nickel market will shift to the joint action of supply - demand structural optimization and integrated cost rigid support. The supply surplus situation will be alleviated but not reversed [54]. - The demand for nickel in the stainless steel industry will be the core anchor point. The new energy vehicle battery sector will face pressure from the penetration of lithium iron phosphate, and the nickel market surplus will continue in 2026 [54][55].