钢铁12月数据跟踪：需求前高后低，材钢比持续扩大

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for key steel companies, indicating a positive outlook for their stock performance in the coming months [10]. Core Insights - The steel industry has experienced a fluctuating demand pattern, with a peak in early 2025 followed by a decline, leading to an increase in the material-to-steel ratio, which reached 1.69 in December [2]. - China's apparent steel consumption grew by 2.9% year-on-year in 2025, although December saw a 5.0% decline compared to the previous year [2]. - The net export of steel in 2025 reached 11.296 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 8.7%, driven by strong exports in the automotive and home appliance sectors [3]. - The report highlights a shift in economic drivers from investment to consumption, with fixed asset investment declining by 3.8% year-on-year, while retail sales increased by 3.7% [2]. Summary by Sections Steel Production and Consumption - In December 2025, crude steel production was 68.18 million tons, a 10.3% year-on-year decrease, with an annual total of 960.81 million tons, down 4.4% [6]. - Steel production in December was 115.31 million tons, a 3.8% year-on-year decrease, while the annual total was 1,446.12 million tons, up 3.1% [6]. Export and Import Dynamics - December steel exports were 11.30 million tons, up 16.2% year-on-year, with total exports for the year at 11.902 million tons, a 7.5% increase [6]. - Steel imports in December were 520,000 tons, down 16.3% year-on-year, with total imports for the year at 6.06 million tons, down 11.1% [6]. Economic Context and Policy Implications - The report notes that the Chinese economy is transitioning to a more stable phase, with GDP growth projected at 5% for 2025, reflecting a pattern of high demand followed by a decline [2]. - Recent structural interest rate cuts by the central bank are expected to support credit flow to specific industries, indicating a potential for economic stabilization [8]. - The valuation of the steel sector has improved, moving from absolute undervaluation to a moderately low position, suggesting room for further gains [8]. Recommended Stocks - The report recommends several stocks, including: - Hualing Steel (华菱钢铁) [10] - Nanjing Steel (南钢股份) [10] - Baosteel (宝钢股份) [10] - New Steel (新钢股份) [10] - Jiuli Special Materials (久立特材) [10] - Yongjin Co., Ltd. (甬金股份) [10] - Changbao Steel (常宝股份) [10]