Report Information - Report Title: "Ribbed Bar & Hot-Rolled Coil Weekly Report" [1] - Analyst: Li Yafei [2] - Date: January 18, 2026 [2] 1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the content 2. Report's Core View - The prices of ribbed bars and hot-rolled coils are facing resistance from previous highs, and chasing the rise should wait until the prices break through [3][5] 3. Summary Based on Directory Macro and Fundamental Analysis - **Macro Environment**: Domestic macro environment is generally positive. The Central Economic Work Conference mentioned "anti-involution", and an article in Qiushi Journal aimed to improve and stabilize the real estate market expectations [5][8] - **Black Industry Chain**: Coking coal supply is facing tightening disturbances, and coal and coke prices are strong. Iron ore prices are fluctuating at high levels due to the expected resumption of hot metal production and steel mills' winter storage replenishment. The supply and demand pattern of steel is loose, but costs support the rebound of the futures price. Steel mills' profits continue to be compressed [5] - **Upside Drivers**: The upward breakthrough of black commodities depends on cost-push factors, such as policy constraints on coal supply contraction or sudden disturbances in the iron ore supply end. Relying on steel demand alone cannot form a smooth positive feedback market [5] - **Downside Drivers**: After the resumption of production, the accumulation of steel contradictions may trigger a negative feedback in the industrial chain. The release of high inventory liquidity of iron ore may lead to the decline of the spot price leading the futures price [5] Ribbed Bar Fundamental Data - **Basis and Spread**: The basis and spread of ribbed bars show a pattern of weak current situation and strong expectations, suitable for reverse arbitrage. Last week, the Shanghai ribbed bar spot price was 3300 (+10) yuan/ton, the 05 contract price was 3163 (+19) yuan/ton, the 05 contract basis was 137 (-9) yuan/ton, and the 05 - 10 spread was -49 (+3) yuan/ton [14][18] - **Demand**: New home sales remain at a low level, indicating weak market confidence. Traditional off - season leads to a decline in demand [19][22][23] - **MS Weekly Data**: Supply and demand are both weak, and inventory is at a healthy level. Long - and short - process supply and inventory data show different trends [24][26] - **Production Profit**: With the expected resumption of steel mills' production and inventory replenishment, the on - screen profit of ribbed bars is shrinking. Last week, the spot profit was 165 (+10) yuan/ton, the main contract profit was 137 (+34) yuan/ton, and the East China ribbed bar valley - electricity profit was 197 (-15) yuan/ton [28][31] Hot - Rolled Coil Fundamental Data - **Basis and Spread**: Similar to ribbed bars, the basis and spread of hot - rolled coils also show a pattern of weak current situation and strong expectations, suitable for reverse arbitrage. Last week, the Shanghai hot - rolled coil spot price was 3300 (+30) yuan/ton, the 05 contract futures price was 3315 (+21) yuan/ton, the 05 contract basis was -15 (+9) yuan/ton, and the 05 - 10 spread was -21 (+3) yuan/ton [33][37] - **Demand**: Demand is flat during the traditional off - season. However, exports remain at a high level through price - for - volume strategy [38][39] - **MS Weekly Data**: Hot - rolled coil inventory is relatively high, and production cuts are needed to reduce inventory. Production is maintained at a low level [46][47] - **Production Profit**: With the expected resumption of steel mills' production and inventory replenishment, the on - screen profit of hot - rolled coils is shrinking. Last week, the spot profit was 2 (+30) yuan/ton, and the main contract profit was 139 (+36) yuan/ton [49][52] Variety Regional Difference - The report shows the regional price differences of ribbed bars, cold - rolled coils, hot - rolled coils, and medium - thick plates, including differences between cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, Beijing, and Guangzhou [59][60][62][63][65] Cold - Rolled Coil and Medium - Thick Plate Supply, Demand, and Inventory Data - The report provides seasonal data on the total inventory, production, and apparent consumption of cold - rolled coils and medium - thick plates [66][67]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for key companies in the logistics and transportation sector, including SF Holding and Jitu Express [6]. Core Insights - The strategic alliance between Jitu Express and SF Holding aims to enhance cross-border logistics and network expansion, leveraging each company's strengths for better collaboration and market reach [1][3]. - The oil shipping market is experiencing a rise in freight rates due to geopolitical risks and optimistic sentiment among shipowners, with a focus on companies like China Merchants Energy and COSCO Shipping Energy [2][12]. - The express delivery sector is expected to see significant growth, with a projected 8% increase in business volume in 2026, driven by overseas e-commerce growth and the strategic partnership between Jitu and SF [3][17]. Summary by Sections Weekly Insights and Market Review - The transportation sector index fell by 0.94% in the week of January 12-16, 2026, underperforming the Shanghai Composite Index by 0.49 percentage points [1][18]. - The top-performing segments included shipping, public transport, and express delivery, with respective gains of 1.51%, 1.42%, and 0.93% [18]. Aviation - The aviation sector is expected to benefit from low supply growth and recovering demand, with a focus on business travel and international flight recovery [11][26]. Shipping and Ports - VLCC freight rates have significantly increased due to concentrated shipments from the Middle East and West Africa, with rates reaching $99,627 per day [2][12]. - The dry bulk shipping market is facing a decline in rates, particularly for Cape-sized vessels, due to slow recovery in demand [13][14]. Logistics - The express delivery sector is highlighted with two main investment themes: international expansion through the Jitu and SF partnership and the internal competition dynamics among leading express companies [3][17]. - The express delivery business volume is projected to grow by approximately 8% in 2026, despite a slowdown in growth rates due to market saturation and price increases [17].

Core Insights - The electric vehicle (EV) industry in China is transitioning from reliance on government policies to market-driven growth, marking the end of the "policy infusion" era and the beginning of "self-sustaining" operations [2][4][17] Group 1: Market Dynamics - In 2025, the penetration rate of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China surpassed 50%, reaching 59.5% by November, indicating a significant shift towards electric vehicles [5][25] - The charging infrastructure has improved significantly, with a total of 19.32 million charging points by the end of November 2025, a 52% year-on-year increase, and over 5,000 battery swap stations established [5][25] - The competition landscape has changed, with Tesla's retail sales in China declining by 4.8% to 625,698 units, while domestic brands like BYD, Geely, and Changan have seen substantial growth [5][27] Group 2: Sales Performance - BYD led the NEV sales in 2025 with 3.48 million units sold, despite a 6.3% year-on-year decline, holding a market share of 27.2% [6][27] - Geely and Changan reported significant sales increases of 81.3% and 26.8%, respectively, with Geely selling 1.56 million units and Changan 789,141 units [6][27] - New entrants like Leap Motor and Xiaomi have emerged as strong competitors, with Leap Motor's sales increasing by 86.3% to 529,503 units and Xiaomi entering the rankings with 411,837 units, a 200.9% increase [6][27] Group 3: Technological Advancements - The focus on "intelligent driving" has intensified, with companies like BYD, NIO, and Xpeng launching advanced driver-assistance systems and AI-driven models [11][32] - Despite advancements, there remains a gap between technology and user experience, with consumers expressing concerns over the reliability of intelligent driving systems [11][35] - The industry is witnessing a shift towards more comprehensive AI models that aim to enhance decision-making capabilities in complex driving scenarios [12][33] Group 4: Future Outlook - Starting in 2026, the EV industry will face new challenges as the government reduces subsidies, shifting the focus to market-driven strategies and user experience [15][38] - The competitive landscape is expected to evolve with a mix of pure electric, hybrid, and range-extended vehicles, as traditional automakers and new entrants adapt to changing consumer preferences [19][40] - Companies are increasingly looking to expand internationally, marking a new phase of competition that emphasizes technology depth, cost efficiency, and brand loyalty [20][41]

Core Insights - In 2025, China's automotive industry achieved record production and sales figures, with 34.53 million vehicles produced and 34.40 million sold, marking year-on-year growth of 10.4% and 9.4% respectively, showcasing resilience and vitality in the sector [1] - The year marked a significant shift in the market, with new energy vehicles (NEVs) surpassing 50% of domestic new car sales, indicating their transition from niche products to mainstream market leaders [2][3] - The automotive export volume exceeded 7 million units, with NEV exports reaching 2.615 million units, reflecting a robust growth trajectory and the establishment of overseas markets as new growth drivers [2][11] New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) as Market Leaders - NEVs accounted for 50.8% of domestic new car sales in 2025, with production and sales reaching 16.626 million and 16.49 million units respectively, representing year-on-year growth of 29% and 28.2% [3] - The competitive landscape has shifted, with domestic brands capturing nearly 70% of the passenger car market share, marking a significant reversal against joint venture brands [3][4] Technological and Policy Support - The growth of NEVs is attributed to supportive policies, technological advancements, and a well-structured supply chain, with over 11.5 million vehicles replaced under the trade-in policy, contributing to a sales boost of over 1.6 trillion yuan [5] - Innovations in technology have led to improved vehicle performance, with average electric vehicle ranges reaching around 500 kilometers and significant reductions in battery costs and charging times [6] Smart Driving Developments - The approval of the first L3-level conditional autonomous driving vehicles in December 2025 marks a pivotal moment in China's autonomous driving sector, transitioning from technology validation to mass production [7][9] - The penetration rate of vehicles equipped with L2-level driving assistance features reached 64% in the first three quarters of 2025, driven by decreasing costs and increased availability in lower-priced models [9] Global Expansion and Localization - China's automotive exports reached 7.098 million units in 2025, with a year-on-year increase of 21.1%, highlighting the importance of overseas markets for growth [11] - Localization efforts are intensifying, with over 20 Chinese automotive brands establishing manufacturing facilities in Thailand and Brazil, enhancing local production capabilities and supply chain integration [12] Market Competition Restructuring - The introduction of compliance guidelines aims to curb price wars and establish a more orderly competitive environment, shifting focus from price competition to quality and service [13][15] - The automotive industry is transitioning from a phase of scale expansion to one of quality enhancement, necessitating a comprehensive approach to governance and market regulation [15][16]

Core Insights - The article discusses the investment outlook for 2026 as presented by Xia Junjie, founder and investment director of Renqiao Asset, highlighting five major investment opportunities and three significant risks [1][2]. Investment Opportunities - **Systematic Revaluation of Low-Valuation Stocks**: The article notes that low-valuation stocks are expected to undergo a systematic revaluation due to the rapid decline in China's risk-free interest rates over the past three years. With a significant amount of residents' fixed deposits maturing in 2026, some funds may flow into low-valuation sectors, similar to the valuation recovery seen in the South Korean stock market [2]. - **AI Sector Transition**: The AI sector is anticipated to shift from a focus on computing power to applications and edge computing. The article suggests that while the computing power segment may face performance and cash flow pressures, opportunities in autonomous driving and AI healthcare will be pursued [2][3]. - **Stabilization of Consumer Spending**: Consumer spending is expected to stabilize in 2026 as the impact of real estate declines diminishes. The growth in deposits and other asset classes is projected to offset wealth losses in real estate, with signs of recovery in high-end consumption and luxury goods [2]. - **Selective Opportunities in "Anti-Competition" Trends**: The article emphasizes the need to select industries with simple competitive landscapes and fewer players, as opposed to sectors with many competitors and significant cost differences, where "anti-competition" effects may lag [3]. - **Local Market Development for Export Companies**: Companies that focus on local market service and job creation in regions like Southeast Asia are expected to achieve sustainable growth, given the demographic and cost advantages of these markets [3]. Risks - **Reversal of AI Trends**: The article identifies the potential reversal of trends in the AI industry as the largest risk for 2026. If application development does not progress, the investment logic in computing power may collapse, leading to significant volatility in global tech stocks [3]. - **Valuation Reversion in Small and Micro-Cap Stocks**: There is a risk of valuation reversion in small and micro-cap stocks, which currently have a transaction share far exceeding international norms. This could lead to concentrated releases of valuation pressure in the future [3]. - **Exchange Rate Fluctuation Risks**: The article warns of potential increases in exchange rate volatility among major global currencies in 2026, which could erode returns from overseas investments due to currency losses [3]. Investment Strategy Evolution - **Balanced Investment Approach**: The company emphasizes a balanced approach between "logic-driven" and "bottom-up" investment strategies to enhance portfolio resilience amid market fluctuations [4]. - **Revised Evaluation of State-Owned Enterprises**: The evaluation criteria for state-owned enterprises are being adjusted to prioritize companies with reasonable valuations and better governance, particularly distinguishing between strong and weak cyclical assets [5]. - **Commitment to Contrarian Investment**: The company remains committed to contrarian investment strategies, focusing on uncovering mispriced opportunities while avoiding sectors that may face disruption or high leverage risks [5].

Core Insights - In 2025, China's automotive industry achieved record production and sales figures, with 34.53 million vehicles produced and 34.40 million sold, marking year-on-year growth of 10.4% and 9.4% respectively, showcasing resilience and vitality in the sector [1] - The year marked a significant shift in the market, with new energy vehicles (NEVs) accounting for over 50% of domestic new car sales, indicating a transition from niche to mainstream [2][3] - The automotive export volume exceeded 7 million units, with NEV exports reaching 2.615 million units, reflecting a robust international market presence [11] New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) as Market Leaders - NEVs accounted for 50.8% of new car sales in 2025, with production and sales figures of 16.626 million and 16.49 million respectively, representing year-on-year growth of 29% and 28.2% [3] - The competitive landscape has shifted, with domestic brands capturing nearly 70% of the passenger car market share, reversing the dominance of joint venture brands [3][4] Technological Advancements and Policy Support - The growth of NEVs is attributed to supportive policies, technological innovations, and a robust supply chain, with over 11.5 million vehicles exchanged under the trade-in program, contributing to over 1.6 trillion yuan in new car sales [5] - Significant advancements in battery technology have led to a 30% reduction in battery costs and a 40% increase in battery lifespan, enhancing product competitiveness [6] Smart Driving Developments - The approval of the first L3-level conditional autonomous driving vehicles marks a pivotal moment in China's smart driving sector, transitioning from technology validation to mass production [7] - The penetration rate of L2-level vehicles with combined auxiliary driving functions reached 64% in the first three quarters of 2025, driven by decreasing costs and increased accessibility [9] Global Expansion and Localization - China's automotive exports reached 7.098 million units in 2025, with a 21.1% year-on-year increase, highlighting the importance of overseas markets as growth drivers [11] - Localization efforts are intensifying, with over 20 Chinese automotive brands establishing manufacturing facilities in Thailand and Brazil, enhancing local production capabilities [12] Market Competition and Regulation - The introduction of compliance guidelines aims to curb price wars and establish a more orderly competitive environment, shifting focus from price competition to quality and service [13] - The automotive industry is transitioning from a phase of scale expansion to one of quality enhancement, necessitating a comprehensive approach to regulate competition and promote sustainable growth [15]

Economic Outlook - China's economy is currently facing a critical period of adjustment, with old problems and new challenges intertwining, necessitating more proactive fiscal policies and moderately loose monetary policies to stimulate domestic demand and promote stable economic growth [1][7][8] - 47% of economists believe that GDP growth in Q4 2025 will be between 4.7% and 4.9%, while 65% expect 2026 growth to be in the range of 4.8% to 5.0% [1][7] Real Estate Market - The real estate market shows signs of stabilization but remains in a deep adjustment phase, with 79% of economists believing that the decline in the real estate market will slow down in 2026, although it has not yet bottomed out [1][16] - 53% of economists predict that housing prices in first- and second-tier cities will drop by 5% to 15% in 2026, while 58% expect a similar decline in third- and fourth-tier cities [16] Investment Trends - Investment remains a key support for economic recovery, with 31% of economists forecasting fixed asset investment growth of 1.6% to 2.0% in 2026, and 42% of investment is expected to focus on technology [15][29] - The report indicates that the real estate market is approaching a critical point of stabilization, with policies aimed at maintaining expectations and improving the quality of housing supply [15][18] Debt and Financial Risks - Local government debt remains a significant concern, with risks stemming from reduced land revenue due to the ongoing downturn in the real estate market [8][9] - 59% of economists anticipate a substantial increase in the government debt-to-GDP ratio globally in 2026, highlighting the need for careful management of local government debt [1][24] Consumer Demand and Employment - There is a pressing need to stimulate consumer demand, with 36% of economists suggesting increasing residents' income as a priority, followed by improving the social security system [30][31] - The unemployment rate among urban youth is rising, with significant pressure on job opportunities for recent graduates in 2026 [31] Global Economic Factors - Geopolitical tensions are viewed as the largest potential disruptor to the global economy in 2026, with 48% of economists identifying this as a key concern [33] - The combination of fiscal expansion to boost demand and monetary policy aimed at reducing costs is expected to dominate macroeconomic policy discussions in 2026 [33][34]

Core Insights - The company anticipates five major investment opportunities for 2026, including undervalued stock revaluation, AI application expansion, consumer recovery, structural opportunities amid "anti-involution," and local market penetration by outbound enterprises [1][3][4] - The company also warns of three significant risks: a potential reversal in AI trends, valuation regression in small-cap stocks, and increased currency volatility affecting overseas investments [1][4] Investment Opportunities - **Undervalued Stock Revaluation**: The company believes that low-valued stocks are due for a systematic revaluation, as the risk-free rate in China has declined significantly over the past three years, and funds may flow into these stocks as deposit maturities approach [3] - **AI Application Expansion**: The focus will shift from AI computing power to applications and end-user devices, with investments in autonomous driving and AI healthcare, while also exploring opportunities in new terminal devices like smart glasses [3][4] - **Consumer Recovery**: With the real estate sector's decline impacting household wealth in 2025, a rebound is expected in 2026 as other asset classes grow, supported by policy measures. High-end consumption and luxury goods are showing early signs of recovery [3] - **"Anti-Involution" Opportunities**: The company suggests selecting industries with simple competitive landscapes and fewer players, while being cautious of sectors with high player counts and cost disparities [4] - **Local Market Penetration by Outbound Enterprises**: Companies that focus on local market services and job creation in regions like Southeast Asia are expected to achieve sustainable growth [4] Risks - **AI Trend Reversal Risk**: The company identifies a potential risk in the AI sector, where failure to open application markets could lead to significant volatility in global tech stocks [4] - **Small-Cap Valuation Regression Risk**: There is a concern that the current high trading volume of small-cap stocks in A-shares may lead to a long-term valuation regression [4] - **Currency Volatility Risk**: Increased fluctuations in global currency exchange rates in 2026 may pose risks to overseas investments, potentially eroding returns [4]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that China will implement a resident income increase plan during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, focusing on enhancing property income and consumer willingness and capacity [1] - The current fiscal policy space allows for an expansionary approach, with suggestions to increase central government debt to support both "investment in goods" and "investment in people" [1] - Recommendations include innovative policy tools to change marginal consumption tendencies, such as issuing consumption vouchers and increasing rural pension standards [1] Group 2 - The recent announcement by the central bank to lower re-lending and rediscount rates by 0.25 percentage points is expected to help repair residents' balance sheets [2] - Structural "rate cuts" can lower financing costs for small and micro enterprises, which account for over 80% of employment, thereby promoting business expansion and increasing employment demand [2] - The push for "anti-involution" policies and support for enterprises going abroad can improve corporate profits and income distribution, ultimately enhancing consumer spending [2] Group 3 - Suggestions to stabilize and recover the real estate market include a new model that utilizes social capital, involving a tripartite reform of housing provident funds, rental housing, and REITs [3] - The establishment of a "real estate mother fund" with participation from market institutions and financial institutions is proposed to facilitate rental housing construction and acquisition [3] - The aim is to create a closed-loop financing model that includes development, nurturing, exit, and redevelopment of rental housing [3]

Group 1 - The core theme for A-share pricing in 2026 revolves around AI and geopolitical factors, reflecting the U.S. focus on technology for growth and geopolitical strategies for elections, while another underpriced theme is "anti-involution," corresponding to China's push for reform-driven momentum [1][8] - Since the beginning of 2026, the A-share market has shown a "good start" with a cumulative increase of 5.2% in the Wind All A index and an average daily trading volume exceeding 3 trillion yuan, with the Sci-Tech 50, CSI 500, and National 2000 indices leading the gains at 11.9%, 11.3%, and 9.6% respectively [2] - The leading sectors include media, computer, non-ferrous metals, and military industries, with year-to-date increases of 16.0%, 14.0%, 14.0%, and 9.0%, indicating that the current market focus is on "AI and geopolitical" themes [2] Group 2 - The impact of AI is evident not only in the A-share market but also in marginal changes in the macro economy, with the PPI in December 2025 rising by 0.2% month-on-month, marking the highest increase since 2024, driven in part by AI's contribution to price improvements in non-ferrous and technology sectors [5][8] - In December 2025, prices in the non-ferrous metal mining and smelting industries rose by 3.7% and 2.8% respectively, with AI-driven electricity demand significantly boosting prices for metals like copper, silver, lithium, and cobalt [5] - The prices of external storage devices and integrated circuits increased by 15.3% and 2.4% respectively in December 2025, with high-end AI chips occupying advanced process resources, leading to structural tensions in chip availability [7] Group 3 - The improvement in PPI reflects strategic choices made by China and the U.S. in the current global macro context, which are expected to become two main pricing themes for A-shares in 2026: "AI and geopolitics" and "anti-involution" [8] - The "anti-involution" theme is entering a new phase in 2026, with recent discussions emphasizing the need to address malicious low-price dumping and promote healthy competition [9] - Recent policy changes indicate a clearer execution strategy for "anti-involution," focusing on "quality over price" in industries like photovoltaics and energy storage, with regulatory bodies emphasizing quality standards and price monitoring [10][12] Group 4 - The cancellation of export tax rebates for photovoltaic products and the reduction of tax rates for battery products reflect the national-level implementation of "anti-involution," aimed at allowing competitive companies to raise prices and retain funds for domestic investment [11] - Local governments are shifting their competitive advantages from unsustainable policy incentives to sustainable business environments and professional service capabilities, indicating a broader commitment to "anti-involution" practices [12] - Strengthened regulatory enforcement against monopolistic and unfair competition behaviors signals an acceleration of "anti-involution," aiming to enhance market order and promote a virtuous cycle of quality and pricing in the industry [12]