Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the coal mining industry [7] Core Viewpoints - High inventory pressure is evident, leading to a further decline in coal prices. As of May 9, coal inventory at the Bohai Rim ports reached 33.051 million tons, up 6.50% week-on-week and 42.15% year-on-year, marking the highest level for the same period [2][5] - The recent week saw a downward trend in port coal prices, with the Qinhuangdao port's thermal coal price averaging 638 RMB/ton, down 14 RMB/ton (-2.18%) compared to the previous week, indicating that downstream pressure is greater than upstream [2][3] - The report suggests that short-term stabilization of coal prices may require a recovery in demand, recommending a defensive approach towards the sector and favoring companies with high long-term contract ratios and stable profits, such as China Shenhua and China Coal Energy [5] Summary by Sections Coal Price Trends - The Qinhuangdao port's thermal coal price (5500 kcal) averaged 638 RMB/ton, down 14 RMB/ton (-2.18%) for the week of May 5-9 [3] - The average price of thermal mixed coal at the Yulin pit in Shaanxi (5800 kcal) was 510 RMB/ton, down 6 RMB/ton (-1.21%) [3] Inventory Levels - As of May 9, coal inventory at Qinhuangdao port was 7.53 million tons, up 8.03% week-on-week and 56.22% year-on-year, also at a record high for the same period [5] - The Bohai Rim port coal inventory reached 33.051 million tons, reflecting a 6.50% increase week-on-week and a 42.15% increase year-on-year [5] Production and Utilization Rates - The operating rate of 110 sample coal washing plants was 62.4%, down 0.5 percentage points week-on-week and 1.7 percentage points year-on-year, remaining at a five-year low [4] - The capacity utilization rate of 247 blast furnaces was 92.09%, up 0.09 percentage points week-on-week and 4.42 percentage points year-on-year, with a daily average pig iron output of 2.457 million tons, up 0.1% week-on-week and 4.7% year-on-year [4] Key Company Financials - China Shenhua (601088.SH) is projected to have an EPS of 2.50 RMB in 2025, with a PE ratio of 16, and is rated "Accumulate" [6] - China Coal Energy (601898.SH) is expected to have an EPS of 1.31 RMB in 2025, with a PE ratio of 8, also rated "Accumulate" [6]

Summary of Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the coal industry, focusing on pricing trends, inventory levels, and market dynamics in both domestic and international contexts [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Key Points and Arguments 1. **Price Trends**: - As of the last week, port prices for coal have dropped to 688, with some prices falling below 686, indicating a continued downward trend [1]. - The price at the pit has seen a slight increase of 2% to 3% after significant previous declines, but overall, prices are still in a phase of gradual bottoming out without a clear upward trend [1][6]. 2. **Inventory Levels**: - High inventory levels at ports are contributing to the downward pressure on prices, with total inventory at northern ports reported at 3,111 million tons, down slightly from 3,158 million tons but still at historically high levels [5]. - Power plants are also experiencing high inventory levels, leading to a lack of purchasing activity [5][6]. 3. **Market Dynamics**: - There is a notable price inversion between pit and port prices, with pit prices around 740 while port prices remain below 690, leading to reduced shipping activity to ports [2]. - Internationally, Australian and Indonesian coal prices are stable or increasing, with Indonesian prices rising nearly 1% to 83.7 USD, but still showing a significant price inversion compared to domestic prices [3]. 4. **Policy and Regulation**: - There are rumors regarding potential restrictions on coal imports, but the likelihood of significant policy changes is considered low due to the ongoing focus on energy security [12][13]. - The discussion includes the impact of stricter inspections on imported coal, which may delay procurement but is not expected to significantly alter overall import volumes [15][16]. 5. **Future Outlook**: - The coal market is expected to remain weak in the short term, with prices likely to continue fluctuating downwards, although there is potential for a bottoming out phase to begin around late April to early May [22][24]. - Long-term investment in coal stocks, particularly in dividend-paying companies like China Shenhua and Northeast Energy, is recommended as a defensive strategy [23][24]. Other Important but Overlooked Content - The call highlights the cautious sentiment among power plants regarding future coal purchases, with expectations that long-term contracts will not be signed aggressively due to current market conditions [17][18]. - The potential for a price rebound is acknowledged, but it is suggested that any significant upward movement in coal prices will take time and may not occur until the market stabilizes [24]. - The focus on maintaining price stability through inventory management strategies by major coal companies is emphasized, indicating a strategic approach to mitigate price volatility [21][22].