Guoxin Securities·2026-01-04 08:37Core Insights - The petrochemical industry is currently facing significant "involution" competition, leading to a decline in profit margins from 8.03% in 2021 to 4.85% in 2024, with a slight recovery in net profit by 10.56% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2025 [15][16][18] - The report recommends investment in refining and chemical, potash fertilizer, phosphorus chemicals, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sectors due to expected improvements in supply-demand dynamics and profitability [15][18] Supply Side - The cumulative fixed asset investment in the chemical raw materials and products manufacturing sector turned negative in June 2025, indicating the end of the current expansion cycle [15] - Policies aimed at stabilizing growth in the petrochemical industry have been introduced to combat low-price competition and promote the orderly exit of outdated capacities [15][16] - The approval for new chemical product capacities is expected to tighten, alleviating the oversupply issue in the petrochemical industry [15][18] Demand Side - Traditional demand is anticipated to recover moderately due to global central banks entering a rate-cutting cycle, supported by monetary and fiscal policy stimuli [2] - Emerging demands from sectors such as renewable energy, SAF, and AI are expected to drive the need for key chemical materials [2] - China's chemical product sales account for over 40% of the global market, and the domestic industry is expected to gain market share as overseas capacities are cleared [2][18] Oil Prices and Market Trends - Brent crude oil averaged around $69.15 per barrel and WTI at $65.87 per barrel in 2025, with prices fluctuating due to various geopolitical and economic factors [3][17] - The overall cost for refining and chemical industries is expected to decrease, leading to a recovery in profitability [18] Investment Recommendations - The report highlights specific companies for investment: - China Petroleum: A leading comprehensive energy company with a strong position in the natural gas sector [20] - Rongsheng Petrochemical: Expected to see profit recovery with sulfur providing performance increments [20] - Yaka International: A rare potash fertilizer producer with ongoing capacity expansion [20] - Chuanheng Co.: Strong foundation in phosphate with significant resource increments [20] - CNOOC: A well-managed offshore oil and gas giant [20] - Zhuoyue New Energy: A leader in the domestic biodiesel sector focusing on SAF [20] Key Industry Research - The refining and chemical sector is expected to see continuous improvement in supply-demand dynamics, with profitability likely to recover due to policy and self-regulation measures [21][22] - The PTA industry is transitioning from "involution" competition to "high-quality development," with expectations for product price recovery [29][40] - The polyester bottle chip market is projected to stabilize with steady demand growth, despite recent price pressures [34][40]