Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry analyzed [2]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the focus on "supply-side optimization" and "anti-involution" competition, with potential policy implementations expected in the second half of the year [3][8]. - Key industries identified for "anti-involution" include those with high inventory, high CAPEX, low capacity utilization, and low price levels, particularly in sectors such as chemicals, non-ferrous metals, coal, steel, and various manufacturing and consumer goods [3][11][13]. - The report outlines five perspectives for identifying potential beneficiaries of the "anti-involution" policies, including state-owned enterprise (SOE) share, industry concentration, tax revenue impact, labor intensity, and price elasticity post-capacity reduction [5][6]. Summary by Relevant Sections Policy Focus - The report highlights that the Central Financial Committee meeting on July 1 emphasized supply-side optimization and "anti-involution" competition, referencing past supply-side reforms from 2015-2016 as a model for future policy actions [3][8]. Key Industry Characteristics - Industries with high inventory, high CAPEX, low capacity utilization, and low price levels are targeted for policy intervention. These include: - Cyclical industries: Chemicals (chemical products, rubber, non-metallic materials), non-ferrous metals (energy metals), coal, and steel (common steel, steel raw materials) [3][11]. - Manufacturing: Electric new (motors, grid equipment, batteries, photovoltaics), machinery (automation equipment), automotive (passenger vehicles), military electronics, and construction [3][11]. - Consumer goods: Home appliances (appliance components), food and beverage (food processing, liquor, snacks) [3][11]. Five Perspectives for Industry Selection - **State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Share**: Industries with higher SOE shares are expected to have stronger policy execution efficiency, including coal, common steel, cement, glass, and consumer sectors like liquor [3][5]. - **Industry Concentration**: Higher concentration industries are more likely to achieve supply clearing through stronger pricing power and quicker policy response, particularly in energy metals, non-metallic materials, and consumer goods like liquor [3][5]. - **Tax Revenue Impact**: Industries with lower tax revenue contributions will have a smaller impact on local finances during capacity reduction, focusing on sectors like glass, energy metals, and common steel [3][5]. - **Labor Intensity**: Industries with lower labor intensity will have a reduced impact on employment during capacity reduction, including non-metallic materials, chemical products, and energy metals [3][5]. - **Price Elasticity Post-Capacity Reduction**: Industries with a strong correlation between asset turnover and gross margin are expected to see greater price and margin expansion post-capacity reduction, including glass, chemical products, and energy metals [3][5]. Potential Beneficiary Industries - The report identifies several industries as potential beneficiaries of the "anti-involution" policies based on the five perspectives, including: - Coal mining, common steel, precious metals, glass fiber, coke, energy metals, steel raw materials, cement, chemical products, non-metallic materials, and various manufacturing sectors [6][7].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the implementation of ultra-long-term special government bonds will accelerate equipment upgrades in the petrochemical industry, optimizing the supply side and clearing out outdated capacity, benefiting leading enterprises with financial and technological advantages [1] - Domestic policies frequently emphasize supply-side requirements, while overseas, rising raw material costs and capacity shocks in Asia have led to shutdowns and capacity exits among European and American chemical companies [1] - In the short term, geopolitical tensions increase uncertainty in overseas chemical supply; however, in the long term, China's chemical industry has a clear competitive advantage, rapidly filling gaps in the international supply chain and potentially reshaping the global chemical industry landscape [1] Group 2 - The leading companies in the chemical sector are expected to benefit from a virtuous cycle in the domestic supply chain, driven by enhanced R&D and innovation capabilities of leading enterprises in the consumer electronics field, stimulating high-end development in materials [1] - The overall self-sufficiency rate of new chemical materials is approximately 56%, indicating that the industry is entering a period of accelerated development opportunities [1] - The chemical leader ETF tracks a segmented chemical index compiled by China Securities Index Co., which reflects the overall performance of listed companies in the chemical raw materials and products sectors, focusing on various segments of the chemical industry chain [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent "anti-involution" measures being implemented across various industries in China, particularly in steel, photovoltaic, and cement sectors, aimed at addressing excessive competition and promoting high-quality development [1][2][3]. Group 1: Industry Actions - Major photovoltaic glass companies have collectively decided to reduce production by 30% starting in July to alleviate "involution" competition [1]. - The China Cement Association has issued guidelines to further promote "anti-involution" and stabilize growth in the cement industry [1]. - Some steel mills have received notifications for production cuts, indicating a proactive approach to managing supply and demand [1]. Group 2: Market Response - The market has responded positively to the proactive production cuts across various industries, with analysts noting that the photovoltaic sector is facing weakening demand and price pressures [1]. - Open-source securities research indicates that prices for multiple products in the photovoltaic industry have fallen below cash cost levels, necessitating the production cuts to improve supply-demand dynamics [1]. Group 3: Policy and Regulatory Framework - The recent "anti-involution" measures are part of a broader governmental strategy to regulate excessive competition, with the Central Economic Committee emphasizing the need for orderly exit of outdated production capacity [2][3]. - The new revisions to the Anti-Unfair Competition Law aim to address "involution" competition, indicating a shift towards legal regulation of market practices [2]. - The focus of the current "anti-involution" initiative is on enhancing policy and market mechanisms, with an emphasis on industry self-discipline and the promotion of high-quality development through technological upgrades [2][3]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The current round of "anti-involution" is expected to lead to a shift from low-cost, homogeneous competition to high-end, differentiated competition in manufacturing [3]. - There is an anticipation of more targeted "anti-involution" policies being introduced, which could provide a turning point for supply-side adjustments in industries like photovoltaic, steel, and cement [3].

PVC Market Overview - The domestic PVC powder market has seen price increases, with varying growth rates across regions. The PVC futures market is on the rise, but trade merchants report little change in basis quotes, leading to weak spot market transactions [1] - The mainstream cash prices for 5-type calcium carbide PVC are reported as follows: East China at 4730-4860 CNY/ton, South China at 4800-4860 CNY/ton, Hebei at 4500-4630 CNY/ton, and Shandong at 4640-4720 CNY/ton [1] PVC Production and Inventory - As of June 26, the overall operating rate for PVC powder is 76.81%, a slight increase of 0.07 percentage points from the previous period. The operating rate for calcium carbide PVC is 80.43%, while ethylene PVC stands at 67.38% [2] - The social inventory of PVC has increased by 1.03% to 575,200 tons compared to the previous period, but shows a year-on-year decrease of 38.06%. East China holds 523,700 tons, while South China has 51,500 tons [2] PVC Market Outlook - Policy signals aimed at optimizing supply-side dynamics are expected to positively influence the long-term supply-demand imbalance in the PVC market. However, short-term supply-demand issues remain prominent due to the slow clearance of upstream capacity and ongoing demand constraints from the real estate sector [3] - The postponement of the BIS decision until the end of the year may lead to a decline in export volumes in the third quarter, with upcoming anti-dumping tax rulings in July potentially impacting future exports [3] - While the year-on-year inventory situation for PVC shows limited contradictions, the combination of basis and warehouse receipts indicates a fundamental basis for a rebound in PVC prices. However, caution is advised regarding short-term price movements, with long-term prospects dependent on the implementation of policy signals [3]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the steel industry is Neutral, maintained [7] Core Insights - The steel prices have been fluctuating within a range since Q4 2024, supported by low inventory levels, while the dual coke prices have weakened rapidly under expectations of supply easing, which has been a key factor for steel companies' rebound [2][4] - The industry is experiencing a decline in revenue, with a projected year-on-year decrease of 10.0% in 2024 and 10.3% in Q1 2025, alongside a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 4.8% [2][4] - Cost pressures are easing, with costs expected to decrease by 8.7% year-on-year in 2024 and 12.1% year-on-year in Q1 2025, along with a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 6.1% [2][4] - Profitability is showing signs of recovery, with a rebound in net profit in Q1 2025, turning from losses in the previous year [2][4] - The return on equity (ROE) is projected to drop to -1.63% in 2024 but is expected to rebound to 2.12% in Q1 2025 [2][4] Summary by Sections Cost Pressure Easing and Profitability Improvement - The steel price decline is driven by weak demand and easing cost pressures, leading to a projected revenue decline of 10.0% in 2024 and 10.3% in Q1 2025 [2][4] - The cost of production is expected to decrease, with a year-on-year decline of 8.7% in 2024 and 12.1% in Q1 2025, alongside a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 6.1% [2][4] - The industry is experiencing a significant recovery in profitability, with a projected gross profit increase of 30% year-on-year in Q1 2025 [2][4] Investment Strategy - The report suggests focusing on undervalued leading companies in the steel sector, such as Baosteel and Nanjing Steel, which are expected to enhance shareholder returns [4] - It also highlights the potential of quality new materials in sectors like military and automotive, indicating a favorable investment environment as the industry transitions from valuation recovery to fundamental recovery [4]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Leading the Market-A" [5] Core Viewpoints - Recent price increases in cement across various regions are expected to benefit from increased infrastructure investment [1][10] - The demand for cement is recovering, supported by effective peak-shifting production strategies and low inventory levels, leading to rising prices [3][10] - The cement industry is experiencing a gradual recovery in profitability due to strategic changes among leading companies and improved market conditions [8][10] Summary by Sections Price Increases - Multiple regions have announced price hikes for cement, with increases ranging from 10 to 100 CNY per ton in various areas [1] - As of April 4, 2025, the average prices for PO42.5 bulk cement (including tax) in different regions were reported, showing increases compared to previous lows [2] Demand and Supply Dynamics - National cement production in January-February 2025 was 171 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 5.7%, but the decline is less severe compared to 2024 [3] - The operating rate of cement kilns in March was reported at 40.1%, a month-on-month increase of 12.5 percentage points, indicating improved production efficiency [3] Cost Factors - The average price of thermal coal has been declining, which supports improved profitability for cement companies as cement prices rise [3] Future Outlook - The cement demand is expected to continue recovering due to increased infrastructure investment and supportive government policies [9][10] - The industry is likely to see ongoing supply-side optimization policies that will help alleviate supply-demand imbalances and support price increases [9][10]