Zhongyuan Securities·2026-02-12 10:24Investment Rating - The report maintains an investment rating of "Outperform the Market" for the lithium battery industry [1][6]. Core Insights - The lithium battery sector showed a strong performance in January 2026, with the lithium battery index rising by 3.31%, outperforming the Shanghai Composite Index by 1.66 percentage points [3][10]. - In January 2026, China's new energy vehicle sales slightly increased to 945,000 units, a year-on-year growth of 0.11%, while the monthly sales accounted for 40.28% of total vehicle sales [6][16]. - The report highlights a general increase in upstream raw material prices, with battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide prices rising by 19.17% and 26.67%, respectively, as of February 12, 2026 [6][44]. - The overall industry outlook remains positive, with expectations of continued growth in the new energy vehicle and lithium battery sectors, despite potential fluctuations in sales growth rates due to policy changes and market conditions [20][23]. Summary by Sections 1. Market Review - The lithium battery index outperformed the Shanghai Composite Index in January 2026, with a 3.31% increase compared to the 1.65% rise of the latter [3][10]. - Among individual stocks, 55 lithium battery-related stocks rose, while 49 fell, with a median increase of 0.87% [10]. 2. New Energy Vehicle Sales and Industry Prices - In January 2026, new energy vehicle sales in China reached 945,000 units, showing a slight year-on-year increase of 0.11% [6][16]. - The report notes that the sales of new energy vehicles are expected to maintain a high growth trajectory, with exports also showing significant increases [20][26]. 3. Industry and Company News - The report mentions significant developments in the industry, including strategic partnerships and advancements in battery technology, which are expected to enhance the competitive landscape [58].