SINOLINK SECURITIES·2026-02-23 10:45Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the electric power equipment and new energy industry [1] Core Insights - The lithium battery sector is experiencing a price surge, with lithium carbonate prices rising to 170,000 CNY/ton, a 42% increase from the previous month, and lithium hydroxide prices increasing by 62% to 165,000 CNY/ton [1] - In December, the wholesale sales of domestic new energy passenger vehicles reached 1.42 million units, with a year-on-year increase of 26% for the entire year [1] - The report highlights a reversal in the lithium carbonate cycle, driven by domestic energy storage capacity subsidy policies and the explosive growth of global new energy demand [3][32] Summary by Sections Section 1: Research Insights - The lithium carbonate market is at a cyclical turning point, with prices expected to rise significantly, impacting the entire lithium battery supply chain [14][15] - Sodium batteries are emerging as a cost-effective alternative, with a clear long-term cost advantage over lithium iron phosphate batteries [26][30] Section 2: Industry Tracking and Review - The global new energy vehicle market showed strong growth in December, particularly in China and Europe, while the U.S. market faced challenges [34][36] - In December, domestic energy storage installations reached 63 GWh, a 95% year-on-year increase, indicating a shift towards market-driven growth [40] Section 3: Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on companies involved in lithium carbonate, separators, and solid-state battery technologies, including Ningde Times, Yiwei Lithium Energy, and others [7][32]