Guotou Securities·2026-01-06 13:35Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy-A" rating for the chemical industry, indicating a positive outlook for investment opportunities in this sector [1]. Core Insights - The chemical industry is currently at the bottom of a four-year down cycle, with multiple indicators suggesting it has nearly bottomed out. The year 2026 is anticipated to be a turning point for the cycle [2]. - The China Chemical Product Price Index (CCPI) was reported at 3930 points on December 31, 2025, a 39% decrease from the peak in 2021, indicating the industry is in a historically low range [2]. - The basic chemical sector achieved a net profit of 112.7 billion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 7.5%, suggesting initial stabilization [2]. - Capital expenditure in the industry has decreased by 18.3% year-on-year, marking seven consecutive quarters of negative growth since Q4 2023, indicating the end of the supply expansion phase [2]. Summary by Sections Chemical Cycle Turning Point - The report confirms the turning point of the chemical capacity cycle, with indicators showing that the industry is at the bottom of a down cycle and is expected to recover in 2026 [12]. - The capital expenditure to revenue ratio and the ratio of construction projects to fixed assets are both declining, further indicating the end of the supply expansion phase [12][10]. Changing Landscape of the Chemical Industry - The chemical landscape is shifting from West to East, with European chemical companies facing high energy costs and regulatory pressures leading to capacity reductions. For instance, Europe has shut down 11 million tons of ethylene capacity, nearly 10% of its total capacity [3]. - In contrast, Chinese companies are rapidly gaining market share due to their scale and cost advantages, with 60% of monitored chemical products showing high export volumes [3][20]. Upstream Resource Value Reassessment - The report highlights three categories of assets to focus on: cyclical assets (e.g., phosphorus, sulfur, chromium), value assets (e.g., potassium, titanium), and dividend assets (e.g., crude oil) [3][7]. - Phosphorus and sulfur are expected to see sustained demand due to their strategic importance in new energy and battery technologies [3]. New Cycle Observations - The report discusses the proactive and reactive measures in the industry to combat "involution," suggesting that sectors with high concentration and low profitability are more likely to see effective self-regulation [5][7]. - The focus on new productive forces is emphasized, with significant investment opportunities in green energy, advanced manufacturing, and consumption upgrades [6][7]. Key Companies to Watch - The report identifies several leading companies in the chemical sector that are positioned favorably due to their cost advantages and market positioning, including Wanhua Chemical, Hualu Hengsheng, and others [7][50].