Changjiang Securities·2025-12-28 15:40Investment Rating - The investment rating for the industry is "Positive" and maintained [7] Core Insights - The annual electricity price expectations are gradually becoming clearer, with multiple factors constraining electricity price levels. The average transaction price for Guangdong's annual electricity trading in 2026 has reached the lower limit of the medium to long-term trading price, indicating a downward price expectation [2][6] - Despite the clear downward expectation for electricity prices, the thermal power sector has shown relative stability, outperforming the hydroelectric sector, which is less impacted by price fluctuations [2][6] - The recent decline in coal prices and the expected increase in capacity prices for 2026 are expected to provide a buffer against the downward trend in long-term contract prices, supporting market expectations for thermal power company profitability [2][6] Summary by Sections Electricity Price Expectations - The electricity supply and demand situation is at risk of deterioration, and there are non-seasonal risks associated with coal prices. The market's expectation for the 2026 annual electricity price has been negatively impacted by weak monthly and spot electricity prices in some provinces [2][7] - The average monthly prices for Guangdong and Jiangsu this year were 373 and 377 cents/kWh, respectively, down by 47 and 52 cents/kWh year-on-year. The announcement of the annual trading results has confirmed the market's previous pessimistic expectations [2][6] Thermal Power Sector Performance - The thermal power sector has shown resilience despite the downward price expectations, driven by two main factors: a significant "inverted V" trend in coal prices since October and the expected stepwise increase in capacity prices for 2026 [2][6] - The price of Qinhuangdao Q5500 thermal coal peaked at 834 yuan/ton in late November but has since dropped to 672 yuan/ton by December 26, a decrease of 162 yuan/ton [2][6] - The expected increase in capacity prices by approximately 65 yuan/year·kW across provinces is anticipated to enhance the profitability stability of thermal power companies [2][6] Investment Recommendations - Recommended companies include Huaneng International, Datang Power, Guodian Power, Huadian International, China Power, China Resources Power, and Funiu Co., as well as Inner Mongolia Huadian, which represents "coal-electricity integration" thermal power [2][12][13] - For the hydroelectric sector, recommended companies include Yangtze Power, Guotou Power, Chuan Investment Energy, and Huaneng Hydropower [2][12][14] - In the renewable energy sector, companies such as Longyuan Power H, Xintian Green Energy H, China Nuclear Power, and Zhongmin Energy are recommended due to their potential for growth [2][12][15]