GUOTAI HAITONG SECURITIES·2026-01-04 14:14Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Increase" [6] Core Insights - The average price of liquid argon has doubled year-on-year, while the average price of rare gases remains low and fluctuating [2][6] - The operating load rate of China's industrial gas sector has decreased on a month-on-month basis, averaging 66.73% as of December 31, 2025, down by 1.88 percentage points [4][8] - Hangyang Group has joined the Controlled Nuclear Fusion Innovation Consortium, adding 42,000 Nm³/h of industrial gas services [4][6] Price Trends - Liquid argon price: 1,193 RMB/ton, up 3.56% month-on-month and up 106.35% year-on-year [6] - Liquid oxygen price: 346 RMB/ton, down 1.7% month-on-month and down 7.5% year-on-year [6] - Liquid nitrogen price: 367 RMB/ton, down 1% month-on-month and down 6% year-on-year [6] - Rare gases prices: - High-purity helium (cylinder): 89.17 RMB/m³, down 2.01% month-on-month and down 8.54% year-on-year [6] - Xenon: 21,250 RMB/m³, down 1.16% month-on-month and down 27.97% year-on-year [6] - Krypton: 196.67 RMB/m³, down 4.73% month-on-month and down 43.81% year-on-year [6] - Neon: 110 RMB/m³, unchanged month-on-month and down 12% year-on-year [6] Company Recommendations - Recommended stocks include Hangyang Co. and Shandong Energy Group, with related stocks being Zhengfan Technology, Fostar, and Zhongtai Co. [6][7]