Datong Securities·2026-03-10 10:24Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" [1] Core Viewpoints - The paper industry is experiencing a price increase trend, with corrugated paper prices rising by 70 CNY/ton and white cardboard prices slightly increasing by 3 CNY/ton. Major paper companies are collaborating to raise prices, indicating a strong recovery in profitability [2][5] - The inventory of pulp has increased to 154,300 tons, with a closing price of 5,260 CNY/ton, which supports cost stability for paper companies [2][11] - The appreciation of the RMB is expected to lower the import costs of pulp, contributing to an improvement in industry conditions. The operating rates of paper companies are recovering, and inventory levels are decreasing, indicating a shift towards high-quality development in the industry [2][4] - The current phase is critical for profitability recovery, suggesting a focus on "price elasticity and cost benefits" for investment strategies. Short-term tracking of price increases for white cardboard and white board paper is recommended, along with monitoring the recovery of demand [2][27] Summary by Sections Industry News - The paper industry is showing signs of recovery, with companies issuing price increase notices and a heightened focus from institutions. However, demand remains under pressure, making it difficult to predict a full industry turnaround [3] - In January and February, major price increases were announced for white cardboard and household paper, with a unified increase of 200 CNY/ton for white cardboard and 100 CNY/ton for household paper, effective from March 1 [3][5] Price Trends - The recent price increase cycle in the paper industry has seen major companies raise prices across various product categories, with increases ranging from 50 CNY/ton to 300 CNY/ton [5][9] - The price of white cardboard is currently around 4,560 CNY/ton, while the price of corrugated paper is approximately 3,460 CNY/ton, reflecting a stable market with some upward movement [18] Company Developments - The successful operation of the third plant at Chenming's Zhanjiang base marks a significant step in capacity recovery, with an annual production capacity of 190,000 tons for cultural paper [22] - Wuzhou Special Paper Industry announced a major expansion project in Jiangxi, with an investment of approximately 5.44 billion CNY, aiming to produce high-end information paper and other products [26]