市值重回1200亿！华友钴业，熬过“至暗时刻”

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recovery of the non-ferrous metals sector, particularly focusing on Huayou Cobalt, which has emerged from a downturn due to rising prices of cobalt and nickel, driven by market demand and technological advancements in solid-state batteries [4][6]. Group 1: Market Performance - Huayou Cobalt's market capitalization has reached 125.1 billion yuan after a significant stock price increase, marking a recovery from a previous decline where its market value had shrunk by over 80% [4]. - The company reported a revenue of 372 billion yuan in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of 23.78%, and a net profit of 27.11 billion yuan, up 62.26% [13]. - The stock price of Huayou Cobalt has surged by 54.32% over the past three months, reflecting strong market performance [13]. Group 2: Historical Context - Huayou Cobalt was founded in 2002, initially focusing on cobalt resources, and has since expanded its operations internationally, becoming a major player in the cobalt refining industry [8]. - The company has experienced three significant cyclical fluctuations, with the first occurring from 2015 to 2017, where cobalt prices surged due to demand from the smartphone and electronics sectors, followed by a sharp decline [10]. - The second cycle from 2019 to 2022 saw a drastic drop in profits due to adjustments in the new energy battery industry, prompting Huayou Cobalt to diversify its operations [11]. Group 3: Price Dynamics - Cobalt prices have shown a clear cyclical pattern, with a notable recovery beginning in early 2023 after a significant drop earlier in the year, influenced by supply constraints from the Democratic Republic of Congo [13][15]. - Nickel, which has become a core revenue source for Huayou Cobalt, has also seen a substantial increase in revenue, with a reported 128.4 billion yuan in the first half of the year, accounting for 34.51% of total revenue [15]. - The development of solid-state battery technology is expected to further boost nickel demand, as it is a critical component in these advanced batteries, with commercial production anticipated between 2027 and 2030 [16].