Shenwan Hongyuan Securities·2026-02-01 13:51Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the oil and petrochemical industry, indicating a "Buy" rating due to the current geopolitical risks and potential for price recovery in the medium to long term [1]. Core Insights - The report highlights that the recent surge in oil prices reflects geopolitical risk premiums, particularly due to ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which significantly impact global oil supply security [4][7]. - It is anticipated that oil prices will exhibit characteristics of being "geopolitically driven with fundamental support" around the Chinese New Year, with potential further increases if conflict expectations materialize [7]. - The medium to long-term outlook suggests a return to fundamental pricing logic as the oil supply-demand balance is expected to loosen, limiting upward price movement without sustained geopolitical conflict [7]. Summary by Sections Upstream Sector - As of January 30, Brent crude oil futures closed at $70.69 per barrel, a 7.30% increase from the previous week, while WTI futures rose by 6.78% to $65.21 per barrel [15]. - U.S. commercial crude oil inventories decreased to 424 million barrels, down 2.296 million barrels week-on-week, which is 3% lower than the five-year average [17]. - The report notes a trend of increasing oil service activity, with drilling day rates remaining stable despite low levels, indicating potential for future increases as global capital expenditures rise [15][35]. Refining Sector - The Singapore refining margin for major products fell to $9.40 per barrel, a decrease of $2.69 from the previous week [54]. - The report indicates that while refining profitability has improved, the current product price differentials remain low, with expectations for gradual improvement as economic recovery progresses [51]. Polyester Sector - The report observes an increase in PTA profitability, with prices rising to 5,271.4 CNY per ton, a 4.66% increase week-on-week [1]. - The overall performance of the polyester industry is deemed average, with a need to monitor demand changes closely [1]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on high-quality companies in the polyester sector, such as Tongkun Co. and Wankai New Materials, as well as large refining companies like Hengli Petrochemical and Rongsheng Petrochemical due to expected improvements in cost structures and competitive advantages [1][10]. - It also suggests maintaining a neutral outlook on oil companies, with a focus on those offering high dividend yields, such as China National Petroleum and China National Offshore Oil [10].