EBSCN·2025-12-28 13:20Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the copper industry [6]. Core Viewpoints - The report is optimistic about the upward trend in copper prices, expecting continued price increases due to tightening supply and improving demand [4][10]. - As of December 26, 2025, SHFE copper closed at 98,720 CNY/ton, up 5.95% from December 19, and LME copper closed at 12,133 USD/ton, up 3.37% [1][18]. - The National Development and Reform Commission emphasizes the need for enhanced management and optimization of the copper smelting industry [1]. Supply and Demand Summary - Supply: Domestic copper concentrate production in October 2025 was 130,000 tons, down 8.1% month-on-month and down 12.1% year-on-year. The domestic port copper concentrate inventory as of December 26, 2025, was 775,000 tons, up 5.9% from the previous week [2][50]. - Demand: The cable industry, which accounts for approximately 31% of domestic copper demand, saw a decrease in operating rates to 60.75%, down 5.96 percentage points from the previous week. Air conditioning production for January 2026 is expected to increase by 11% year-on-year [3][88]. Inventory Summary - Domestic copper social inventory increased by 16.8% week-on-week, while LME copper inventory decreased by 4.3% [2][27]. - As of December 19, 2025, global copper inventory across the three major exchanges totaled 716,000 tons, up 1.4% from December 12 [2][27]. Futures Market Summary - The active SHFE copper contract saw a 2% increase in open interest, reaching 252,000 contracts as of December 26, 2025 [4][34]. - COMEX non-commercial net long positions were at 65,000 contracts, up 3.8% week-on-week, indicating strong market sentiment [4][34]. Company Profit Forecasts and Valuation - Key companies in the copper sector are projected to have the following earnings per share (EPS) and price-to-earnings (PE) ratios: - Western Mining (601168.SH): EPS of 1.72 for 2025E, PE of 16 [5]. - Zijin Mining (601899.SH): EPS of 1.94 for 2025E, PE of 17 [5]. - Luoyang Molybdenum (603993.SH): EPS of 0.89 for 2025E, PE of 22 [5]. - Jincheng Mining (603979.SH): EPS of 3.61 for 2025E, PE of 23 [5].