EBSCN·2026-03-01 13:06Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the copper industry [6]. Core Viewpoints - The report is optimistic about the upward trend of copper prices in 2026, with SHFE copper closing at 103,920 CNY/ton and LME copper at 13,296 USD/ton, reflecting increases of 1.55% and 2.56% respectively [1][15]. - Supply-demand dynamics remain tight, with expectations for copper prices to continue rising due to supply constraints and improving demand [4]. Summary by Sections Inventory - Domestic copper social inventory increased by 50.4% compared to February 12, 2026, while LME copper inventory rose by 5.0% [2][23]. - As of February 27, 2026, global inventory across major exchanges totaled 1.247 million tons, up 48.3% from February 13, 2026 [2][23]. Supply - China's electrolytic copper production in February 2026 was 1.1424 million tons, down 3.1% month-on-month but up 8.0% year-on-year [3][59]. - The price difference between refined copper and scrap copper was 2,689 CNY/ton, down 410 CNY/ton from February 13, 2026 [2][53]. Demand - Cable manufacturing utilization rate increased by 11.5 percentage points week-on-week, reaching 27.72% [3][70]. - Air conditioning production for March to May 2026 is projected to decrease by 6.1%, followed by increases of 2.9% and 4.9% in subsequent months [3][70]. Futures - SHFE copper active contract positions increased by 46% compared to February 13, 2026, with a total of 204,000 contracts [4][29]. - The report recommends stocks such as Zijin Mining, Western Mining, and Luoyang Molybdenum for investment [4].