光大证券研究·2025-03-13 09:05Core Viewpoint - The lithium industry is entering a clearing phase, with potential for price increases due to production cuts and supply-demand improvements [2][3]. Group 1: Market Trends - Historical data shows that during the last lithium cycle, stock prices generally trended upward despite fluctuations, with Ganfeng Lithium's stock rising by 162.3% over a 15-month clearing period [2]. - As of January 2024, six Australian mines have announced production cuts or delays, indicating a potential for further reductions in 2025, which could enhance the supply-demand balance [2]. Group 2: Valuation Methods - The lithium sector lacks a clear valuation anchor, with companies experiencing extreme fluctuations in price-to-earnings (PE) ratios, sometimes exceeding hundreds of times during upswings and dropping below 10 times after peaks [3]. - Alternative valuation methods, such as the replacement cost method, may provide a more accurate reflection of asset values, especially given the volatility of lithium prices [3]. Group 3: Replacement Cost Calculation - The replacement cost method assesses the total cost required to acquire or construct a new asset under current conditions, including intangible assets like mining rights and fixed assets such as lithium refining and mining facilities [4]. - The calculation of replacement costs involves determining the value of lithium resources per ton and applying it to the resource quantities of various lithium mines, as well as estimating the investment costs for refining and mining operations [4]. Group 4: Current Valuation Status - Based on replacement cost calculations, companies like Ganfeng Lithium, Tianqi Lithium, Shengxin Lithium, and Yahua Group are already trading below their replacement costs, indicating potential undervaluation [5]. - Other companies, while having lower replacement costs than their current market values, may still be undervalued due to uncalculated non-lithium business assets [5].