收紧出口，全球停摆！作为反制重点，稀土ETF是不是被低估了？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the restructuring of the global rare earth supply chain and the geopolitical implications following China's export controls on certain rare earth elements, which have significant impacts on various industries worldwide, particularly in the automotive and military sectors [2][4][9]. Group 1: Impact of Export Controls - Following China's export controls on seven types of medium and heavy rare earths, companies like Suzuki in Japan have been forced to halt production due to shortages [3]. - Major automotive groups in India, such as Tata and Mahindra, are urging the Indian government to negotiate with China for the lifting of rare earth export restrictions to avoid halting the entire automotive industry [3]. - The U.S. Treasury Secretary has made multiple attempts to persuade China to ease export controls, which have severely affected the U.S. military supply chain, leading to significant price increases in rare earth materials in international markets [4]. Group 2: China's Dominance in Rare Earths - China holds over one-third of the world's rare earth reserves and has historically contributed more than 80% of global extraction, maintaining a dominant position in the separation and purification processes, controlling over 90% of global capacity [7]. - Despite other countries attempting to restart rare earth mining, the global supply structure remains largely unchanged, with China's processing capabilities providing a competitive edge [7]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Profitability - The strategic value of rare earths is being redefined, with a projected global supply-demand gap expected to widen to 300,000 tons, creating long-term value support for upstream resource companies [10]. - The profit distribution within the rare earth industry is shifting, with the separation and smelting segments seeing a 3-5 percentage point increase in gross margins, while the magnetic material manufacturing segment maintains over 30% gross margins due to high-end product premiums [11][14]. Group 4: Emerging Demand and Future Trends - The demand for rare earths is primarily driven by the electric vehicle sector, with an expected annual growth rate of 5.4% due to increasing penetration of electric vehicles [15]. - New markets, such as humanoid robots, are anticipated to add significant demand, with projections of 2,000 to 4,000 tons of high-end rare earths needed by 2030 [15]. - The shift towards permanent magnet direct-drive wind turbines, driven by China's carbon neutrality goals, is expected to increase rare earth usage by approximately 40% compared to traditional technologies [15]. Group 5: ETF Performance and Market Valuation - The article highlights the performance of rare earth ETFs, noting a significant decline of 55% from September 2021 to February 2024, followed by a recovery of approximately 47.7% since September 2024 [18][21]. - The current price-to-earnings ratio of the rare earth industry index is at 30 times, with a historical low of 21.6 times, indicating that the sector may still be undervalued [31]. Group 6: Future Outlook - The article suggests that if the performance of rare earth companies continues to improve and consolidation occurs among major players like Northern Rare Earth and China Rare Earth, the industry may warrant a more favorable outlook [34].