Group 1 - Global thermal coal prices have dropped to a four-and-a-half-year low, now only one-fourth of the peak during the 2022 energy crisis, due to oversupply and inventory surges, particularly from record-high domestic coal production in China and increased inventories in India [1] - Analysts warn that further declines in coal prices may still be ahead, as the current supply-demand balance is loose, primarily due to weak demand expectations from high coal-consuming sectors like real estate and infrastructure [1] - However, rising temperatures may lead to increased coal demand, and with recent reductions in domestic coal production enthusiasm and a shift from increasing to decreasing coal imports, coal prices may find new support [1] Group 2 - The domestic economy is currently weak, and with the U.S. in a rate-cutting cycle and domestic interest rates also declining, coal remains a stable investment option, particularly for insurance funds that have begun new allocation periods [2] - Following the March Two Sessions, both thermal and coking coal prices are at low levels, and with ongoing improvements in supply-demand fundamentals, both types of coal are expected to stabilize and rebound [2] - The macroeconomic policies have shown significant strength, and the market anticipates real effects on demand following policy implementation, with coal demand and prices expected to trend upwards after the 2025 Two Sessions and the arrival of the spring construction season [2] Group 3 - Related Hong Kong-listed coal companies include Yanzhou Coal Mining Company (01171), China Coal Energy Company (01898), China Shenhua Energy Company (01088), and Yancoal Australia (03668) [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Synchronize with the Market" rating for the coal industry [1][5][42] Core Viewpoints - The coal supply growth rate has slowed down, with a cumulative production of 1.585 billion tons from January to April 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 6.6%, but the growth rate is declining [3][13] - Demand is supported by infrastructure investment, with fixed asset investment increasing by 4.0% year-on-year in the same period, while the real estate sector continues to show negative growth [4][17] - Coal imports have shown a negative growth trend, with a cumulative import volume of 15.267 million tons from January to April 2025, down 5.3% year-on-year [24] - Coal prices, particularly for thermal and coking coal, have been under pressure, with prices for Shanxi premium mixed 5500 thermal coal decreasing since the beginning of 2025 [26][38] Summary by Sections Supply Side - The growth rate of raw coal supply has significantly decreased, with April's production at 389 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 3.8%, marking a substantial decline from the previous month [3][13] Demand Side - The terminal demand from January to April 2025 is supported by infrastructure, with non-electric demand performing better than electric demand. The cumulative growth rate for thermal power is -4.1%, while coking coal and pig iron show positive growth [4][20] Import Coal - The coal import growth rate remains negative, with April's imports at 3.783 million tons, down 16.4% year-on-year [24] Price and Profit Performance - Coal prices have been under pressure, with the average price of Shanxi premium mixed 5500 thermal coal decreasing since the start of 2025 [26][38] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on undervalued companies with strong performance support, particularly those with a small proportion of non-coal business such as Xinjie Energy and Huahua Energy, as well as those with a large proportion like Shaanxi Energy and Electric Power Investment Energy [5][38]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the coal mining sector, indicating a positive outlook for the industry in the near term [5]. Core Insights - Non-electric demand for coal remains high, with a focus on the recovery of thermal coal demand during the peak season. The average daily pig iron output from 247 blast furnaces reached 2.4442 million tons, up 1.8% week-on-week and 6.8% year-on-year, marking the highest level for the same period in the past five years [1]. - Cement clinker capacity utilization is at 58.2%, up 9.6 percentage points year-on-year, significantly higher than the same period last year [1]. - The Ministry of Finance has arranged for a total of 1.3 trillion yuan in ultra-long special bonds this year, an increase of 300 billion yuan compared to 2024, with 800 billion yuan allocated for greater support of "two heavy" projects, suggesting that infrastructure investment growth will remain high, supporting non-electric coal demand [1]. Summary by Sections Coal Price Trends - The average closing price of thermal coal at Qinhuangdao Port (5500 kcal weekly average) was 658 yuan/ton, down 6 yuan/ton (-0.90%) week-on-week [2]. - The average price of mixed thermal coal at the pit in Yulin, Shaanxi (5800 kcal) was 521 yuan/ton, down 11 yuan/ton (-2.07%) week-on-week [2]. - The FOB price of thermal coal in Newcastle, Australia (5500 kcal weekly average) was 71 USD/ton, up 0.11% week-on-week [2]. Production and Utilization Rates - The operating rate of 110 sample coal washing plants (approximately 50% of national washing capacity) was 63.0%, up 1.1 percentage points week-on-week but down 4.1 percentage points year-on-year, remaining at a low level for the same period in five years [3]. - The capacity utilization rate of 247 blast furnaces was 91.60%, up 1.45 percentage points week-on-week and 6.07 percentage points year-on-year [3]. Inventory Levels - As of April 25, coal inventory at Qinhuangdao Port was 6.89 million tons, up 0.58% week-on-week and up 35.63% year-on-year, remaining at a high level for the same period [4]. - The total coal inventory at ports in the Bohai Rim was 31.099 million tons, down 2.66% week-on-week but up 32.63% year-on-year [4]. Investment Recommendations - Given the recent significant declines in oil and gas prices, coal prices have shown resilience. The report suggests that the further downside for port thermal coal prices is limited, considering that the current port spot prices are below long-term contract prices. It is recommended to adopt a defensive approach towards the sector, favoring companies with high long-term contract ratios and stable profitability, such as China Shenhua and China Coal Energy [4].