Shenwan Hongyuan Securities·2026-02-09 11:17Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive investment outlook for the polyester sector, particularly recommending high-quality companies in the polyester filament and bottle chip segments [6][13]. Core Insights - The report highlights that the cost support for polyester filament remains solid, with expectations for inventory replenishment post-holiday. The operating rate of polyester filament has significantly decreased, laying a foundation for recovery after the Spring Festival [6][7]. - Polyester filament inventory has been consistently declining since the beginning of 2026, with downstream textile raw material inventory also at low levels, indicating a strong demand for replenishment after the holiday [7][11]. - The price spread of polyester filament has improved significantly, with cost support expected to remain strong due to stable raw material prices and proactive supply adjustments [11][13]. Summary by Sections Supply and Demand Dynamics - The operating rate of polyester filament has dropped to 79.65%, down approximately 16 percentage points from previous highs, as companies conduct maintenance ahead of the holiday [6]. - Downstream textile operating rates have fallen to 25.15%, marking a low for the year, which is expected to lead to a rigid demand for inventory replenishment post-holiday [6][7]. Price Trends - As of February 6, 2026, the price spreads for polyester filament POY, FDY, and DTY are 1375, 1575, and 2475 CNY/ton respectively, indicating a recovery in price spreads since late January 2026 [11]. - The PTA price, a key raw material for polyester filament, remains high, with limited downward pressure expected, providing solid support for filament prices throughout the year [11][13]. Company Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on high-quality companies in the polyester filament sector such as Tongkun Co., Ltd. and in the bottle chip sector like Wankai New Materials. It also suggests monitoring leading refining companies such as Hengli Petrochemical and Rongsheng Petrochemical due to expected improvements in cost structures [13][15].