光大证券研究·2025-09-15 23:04Core Viewpoint - The macroeconomic sentiment is improving, and supply-demand conditions are tightening, leading to an expected rise in copper prices [4]. Group 1: Macroeconomic Factors - As of September 12, 2025, SHFE copper closed at 81,060 CNY/ton, up 1.15% from September 5, while LME copper closed at 10,068 USD/ton, up 1.72% [4]. - The U.S. August CPI increased by 2.9% year-on-year, with the market anticipating a 100% probability of a rate cut in September, contributing to a weaker dollar index [4]. Group 2: Supply and Inventory - Domestic copper social inventory increased by 2.6%, while LME copper inventory decreased by 1.2% [5]. - As of September 12, 2025, domestic mainstream port copper concentrate inventory stood at 693,000 tons, up 0.6% week-on-week [5]. - Global electrolytic copper inventory totaled 543,000 tons as of September 8, 2025, up 5.1% week-on-week [5]. Group 3: Raw Materials - In August 2025, domestic waste copper production decreased by 5% month-on-month but increased by 16% year-on-year [6]. - China's copper concentrate production in May 2025 was 158,000 tons, up 22.7% month-on-month and 11.2% year-on-year [6]. Group 4: Smelting and Processing - In August 2025, SMM China's electrolytic copper production was 1.1715 million tons, down 0.2% month-on-month but up 15.6% year-on-year [7]. - The TC spot price as of September 12, 2025, was -41.42 USD/ton, down 0.9 USD/ton from September 5, remaining at a low level since September 2007 [7]. Group 5: Demand - The cable industry accounts for approximately 31% of domestic copper demand, with the operating rate for cable enterprises at 67.62%, up 0.87 percentage points week-on-week [9]. - Air conditioning accounts for about 13% of domestic copper demand, with production expected to decline by 12%, 22.6%, and 19.7% year-on-year from September to November [9]. Group 6: Futures Market - As of September 12, 2025, SHFE copper active contract positions increased by 5% week-on-week, with a total of 187,000 contracts [9]. - COMEX non-commercial net long positions increased by 6% week-on-week, totaling 27,000 contracts as of September 9, 2025 [9].