Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the content Core Viewpoints - Supply-side PDH device maintenance information keeps releasing, leading to a phased tightening of propylene supply and expected alleviation of supply pressure. Demand-side downstream rigid demand persists, but demand follow-up may be limited after price hikes. Cost-side raw material cost support remains. Under the improvement of supply and demand and sentiment boost, propylene prices continue to be strong. Follow-up attention should be paid to cost changes and PDH device maintenance implementation [3]. - For the strategy, it is recommended to cautiously buy on dips for hedging. The supply and demand structure has slightly improved, but the easing of geopolitical disturbances has caused oil prices to fall from highs, and the short-term upward trend of the propylene market may slow down [4]. Summary by Directory 1. Propylene Basis Structure - Propylene basis structure is presented through figures such as the closing price of the propylene main contract, East China basis, Shandong basis, 03 - 04 contract spread, and PL03 - 05 contract spread, as well as market prices in East China, Shandong, and South China [7][12][15] 2. Propylene Production Profit and Operating Rate - Propylene production profit and operating rate are shown in figures including the difference between China's CFR propylene and Japan's CFR naphtha, propylene capacity utilization rate, PDH production gross profit, PDH capacity utilization rate, MTO production gross profit, methanol - to - olefins capacity utilization rate, naphtha cracking production gross profit, and crude oil refinery capacity utilization rate [18][21][25] 3. Propylene Downstream Profit and Operating Rate - Propylene downstream profit and operating rate are presented in figures such as PP powder production profit and operating rate, propylene oxide production profit and operating rate, n - butanol production profit and capacity utilization rate, octanol production profit and capacity utilization rate, acrylic acid production profit and capacity utilization rate, acrylonitrile production profit and capacity utilization rate, and phenol - acetone production profit and capacity utilization rate [37][43][49] 4. Propylene Inventory - Propylene inventory is shown in figures of propylene in - plant inventory and PP powder in - plant inventory [62]

Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the given content Core Viewpoints of the Report - The downstream follow - up is weak, and the price continues to fluctuate at the bottom. The supply is in a loose pattern, the demand support is weak, and the cost - side support has also weakened. The short - term is mainly in a weak shock, and it is advisable to wait for marginal device maintenance [1][2][3] Summary According to the Directory 1. Propylene Basis Structure - The closing price of the propylene main contract is 5,744 yuan/ton (+0), the spot price of propylene in East China is 5,975 yuan/ton (+0), the spot price of propylene in North China is 6,015 yuan/ton (- 40), the basis of propylene in East China is 231 yuan/ton (+0), and the basis of propylene in North China is 78 yuan/ton (-24) [1] 2. Propylene Production Profit and Capacity Utilization Rate - The propylene capacity utilization rate is 74% (+0%). The production profit and capacity utilization rate of different production methods (PDH, MTO, naphtha cracking) are also involved in relevant figures [1] 3. Propylene Import and Export Profit - The import profit is - 341 yuan/ton (+5) [1] 4. Propylene Downstream Profit and Capacity Utilization Rate - PP powder capacity utilization rate is 40% (-0.89%), production profit is - 215 yuan/ton (+40); epoxy propane capacity utilization rate is 76% (+0%), production profit is 82 yuan/ton (+0); n - butanol capacity utilization rate is 69% (-6%), production profit is 109 yuan/ton (-25); octanol capacity utilization rate is 77% (+1%), production profit is 497 yuan/ton (+36); acrylic acid capacity utilization rate is 80% (+2%), production profit is 358 yuan/ton (+0); acrylonitrile capacity utilization rate is 81% (+0%), production profit is - 684 yuan/ton (+58); phenol - acetone capacity utilization rate is 80% (-3%), production profit is - 952 yuan/ton (+0) [1] 5. Propylene Inventory - The in - plant inventory of propylene is 45,960 tons (-1,930) [1]

Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. Core Viewpoints of the Report - The propylene market maintains a loose pattern, with the 03 contract expected to oscillate between 5,700 - 6,200 yuan/ton. The market is affected by a generally loose fundamental situation and the weak trend of PP. Although the supply - demand gap has improved compared to October, enterprise inventories remain high. The continuous decline of PP prices and the significant compression of its price difference with propylene also suppress the propylene market [2][3][5]. Summary by Relevant Catalogs Chapter 1: Core Contradictions and Strategy Recommendations 1.1 Core Contradictions - The "anti - involution" issue may be repeatedly submitted, affecting market expectations, but there is no actual progress. The overall chemical sentiment was weak this week, with prices falling again after a slight rebound last week [2]. - Spot prices are easily affected by individual device fluctuations. Although the supply - demand difference changed little this week, spot prices remained stable due to the postponed restart of some devices. In the Shandong region, Hengtong restarted this week, and Binhua is expected to restart in mid - December, increasing the overall supply expectation [2]. - The main downstream product, PP, has sufficient supply. The price difference between PP and propylene has significantly shrunk recently, with some PP devices entering maintenance, but overall PP operation remains at a high level, providing demand support while also suppressing the propylene market [2]. - The price of external propane at a low level rebounded with crude oil, and the premium has strengthened significantly recently. The calculated cost is around 6,250 - 6,500 yuan/ton, and the PDH profit continues to show losses. Attention should be paid to the negative feedback from the profit, but there are currently no more maintenance plans [2]. 1.2 Trading Strategy Recommendations - **Market Positioning**: The market is expected to be weakly oscillating, with the PL03 price range between 5,700 - 6,200 yuan/ton. The overall trend remains weakly oscillating. In the short term, it gets some support from the significant increase in costs, but the upward potential is limited. The negative feedback from the PDH end should be monitored, and the market is regarded as weak until more negative feedback emerges [16]. - **Basis, Calendar Spread, and Hedge Arbitrage Strategy Recommendations** - **Basis Strategy**: The basis is expected to oscillate. This week, due to the postponed restart of production, spot prices remained stable, while the futures market was affected by the overall chemical sentiment and the weak PP price, causing the basis to strengthen [17]. - **Calendar Spread Strategy**: Consider reverse arbitrage for the 1 - 3 spread when the price is high [17]. - **Hedge Arbitrage Strategy**: Consider widening the PP - PL spread when the price is low and wait and see; consider widening the PL/PG ratio and wait and see. The price difference between PP pellets and propylene is around 100 yuan/ton, and that between PP powder and propylene is around 600 yuan/ton in the spot market, and it has also compressed to around 440 yuan/ton in the futures market. One can enter the market when the price is low and pay attention to the maintenance situation of the PP end [17]. - **Recent Strategy Review** - The strategy of narrowing the PP01 - PL03 spread (take profit) was proposed on November 7 and took profit on November 20. Currently, wait and see for opportunities to enter the market to widen the spread. - Hold the reverse arbitrage of PL01 - 03, which was entered on December 5. Conduct range - bound operations on PL01 - 03, mainly focusing on reverse arbitrage [17]. 1.3 Industrial Customer Operation Recommendations - **Inventory Management**: For enterprises with high finished product inventories worried about propylene price drops, they can short - allocate propylene futures at high prices according to their inventory to lock in profits. Sell PL2603 futures contracts with a hedging ratio of 50% when the price is between 6,100 - 6,200 yuan/ton. They can also sell call options on PL2603C6200 to collect premiums and reduce costs, with a hedging ratio of 25% and a recommended entry range of 80 - 100 [18]. - **Procurement Management**: For enterprises with low regular procurement inventories that hope to purchase according to orders, they can buy propylene futures at low prices to lock in procurement costs. Buy PL2603 futures contracts with a hedging ratio of 25% when the price is between 5,700 - 5,800 yuan/ton. They can also sell put options on PL2603P5700 to collect premiums and reduce procurement costs, with a hedging ratio of 25% and a recommended entry range of 100 - 120 [18]. Chapter 2: This Week's Important Information and Next Week's Attention Events 2.1 This Week's Important Information - **Positive Information** - The Russia - Ukraine peace talks have no results, and there is still some distance from reaching an agreement, causing a slight increase in the crude oil market [23]. - The probability of the Fed cutting interest rates by 25BP in December is 93% according to Polymarket [23]. - Spot prices are relatively stable [23]. - **Negative Information** Some of the currently shut - down PDH devices will gradually restart. If there is no more negative feedback, the supply side will remain loose [20]. 2.2 Next Week's Important Events to Watch - The Politburo meeting and the Central Economic Work Conference will be held [24]. - The US October PCE price index will be released [24]. - The US FOMC interest rate decision will be announced [24]. Chapter 3: Disk Interpretation 3.1 Price - Volume and Capital Interpretation - **Domestic Market** - **Unilateral Trend and Capital Flow**: This week, the PL03 contract oscillated downward. The net positions of major profitable seats increased, the net positions of the top five long - position holders in the dragon - tiger list remained unchanged, the top five short - position holders significantly increased their positions, the net long positions of profitable seats slightly increased, the net long positions of foreign capital slightly decreased, and the net short positions of retail investors slightly increased [22]. - **Technical Analysis**: The PL03 contract was generally weakly oscillating this week. The daily - line middle track still exerted pressure, and currently, there seems to be support around 5,800 yuan/ton [22]. - **Basis and Calendar Spread Structure** - This week, the basis of propylene 03 was 172 yuan/ton, an increase of 112 yuan/ton compared to last week. Spot prices remained stable while futures prices declined. The 01 - 03 calendar spread of propylene was + 126 yuan/ton, an increase of 69 yuan/ton compared to last week [27]. Chapter 4: Valuation and Profit Analysis 4.1 Up - Mid - Downstream Profit Tracking in the Industrial Chain - **Upstream Profit**: This week, the gross profit of major refineries was 593 yuan/ton (- 29 yuan/ton), and that of Shandong local refineries was 232 yuan/ton (+ 59 yuan/ton). The cracking end has been relatively stable recently due to the resumption of production at Zhenhai [29]. - **Mid - stream Profit**: The propane cracking profit has significantly declined, reducing the economic viability of LPG cracking. The PDH profit based on FEI as the cost was - 350 yuan/ton (+ 80 yuan/ton), and that based on CP as the cost was - 505 yuan/ton (+ 47 yuan/ton). The PDH profit remains in a loss state [31]. - **Down - stream Profit** - The price difference between PP拉丝 and propylene is 100 yuan/ton (- 75 yuan/ton), and that between PP powder and propylene is 60 yuan/ton (- 75 yuan/ton), with the spread compressed to a low level [35]. - The profit of epoxy propane PO/SM is 1,365 yuan/ton (+ 126 yuan/ton), the HPPO profit is - 834 yuan/ton (+ 61 yuan/ton), and the chlorohydrin method profit is 178 yuan/ton (- 106 yuan/ton) [35]. - The acrylonitrile profit is - 1,189 yuan/ton (+ 58 yuan/ton), oscillating this week but with large overall losses [35]. - The acrylic acid profit is - 78 yuan/ton (- 18 yuan/ton), with the profit weakening, and attention should be paid to the subsequent operation situation [35]. - The butanol profit is + 182 yuan/ton (+ 657 yuan/ton), with a significant improvement in profit [35]. - The octanol profit is + 702 yuan/ton (+ 607 yuan/ton), with the profit recovering from a low level as the supply decreases [35]. - The phenol - acetone profit is - 990 yuan/ton (- 367 yuan/ton), with the profit weakening. Currently, PO, butanol, and octanol have some profits, while others are mostly in a loss state [35][36]. 4.2 Import - Export Profit Tracking The price difference between Chinese and South Korean propylene has recently increased slightly, with CFR China at 745 US dollars (+ 10 US dollars) [45]. Chapter 5: Supply - Demand and Inventory Deduction 5.1 Supply - Demand Balance Sheet Deduction in the Shandong Market This week, both supply and demand in the Shandong market increased, and spot prices slightly rose. The increase in supply mainly came from the resumption of production at Hengtong, and the increase in demand came from the resumption of production and increased operation of devices such as PO and acrylic acid. In the future, supply will slightly increase with the resumption of production at Binhua [47]. 5.2 Market Supply Side and Deduction This week, there were both start - ups and shut - downs. The overall propylene operation rate was 74.06% (- 0.06%), still at a high level [50]. 5.3 Demand Side and Deduction - **PP**: This week, the price difference between PP pellets and powder and propylene continued to shrink, and the overall operation rate declined, but there were not many maintenance plans. The price difference between PP powder and propylene has compressed to a low level, and maintenance has increased [62][70]. - **Epoxy Propane**: This week, the price of epoxy propane declined, the profit of the chlorohydrin method decreased, but the inventory was still in a destocking state. This week, Shandong Xinyue and Qixiang Tengda increased their operation rates, while Shandong Binhua, Zhonghai Jingxi, and Shandong Minxiang slightly decreased their operation rates, and the overall operation rate slightly increased [71]. - **Acrylonitrile**: There was little change [73]. - **Butanol and Octanol** - Ningxia Jiuhong restarted and increased its operation rate. The 450,000 - ton device of Tianjin Bohua is expected to start operation at the end of December, and the 140,000 - ton device of Jiangsu Huachang is expected to start operation in mid - to - late December [78][80]. - **Acrylic Acid**: Shanghai Huayi slightly decreased its operation rate, Wanhua slightly increased its operation rate, Binhai Chemical stopped for maintenance, and Qixiang Tengda recently restarted [84]. - **Phenol - Acetone**: Taihua Xingye is expected to conduct maintenance for about one and a half months [86]. - **Shandong Regional Demand**: Demand in the Shandong region increased this week. The increase mainly came from the resumption of production and increased operation of PP, PO, acrylonitrile, and octanol [87].

Core Viewpoint - The main focus of the article is the recent surge in propylene futures prices, with a peak reaching 6013.0 yuan, and the subsequent analysis from various institutions regarding future market trends and price expectations [1]. Group 1: Market Analysis - On December 1, propylene futures experienced a rapid increase, with the main contract reported at 5962.0 yuan, reflecting a rise of 1.69% [1]. - New Lake Futures indicates that short-term propylene prices will follow fluctuations in raw material prices, noting a decrease in overall propylene load and a slowdown in upstream company shipments [1]. - The current spot price for propylene in East China is 5950 yuan per ton, while in Shandong it is 6000 yuan per ton, with downstream production profits under pressure [1]. Group 2: Future Price Expectations - Huatai Futures predicts that propylene prices may continue to experience weak fluctuations through 2026, with the fundamental market conditions remaining under pressure [1]. - The refinery profits are expected to remain compressed, and the profit margins for PDH (Propane Dehydrogenation) are also gradually shrinking, indicating limited short-term downward space [1]. - The anticipated increase in propylene demand from downstream production in 2026 is expected to exceed the production capacity, particularly concentrated in Q4, while the first half of the year is expected to maintain a loose supply-demand balance [1].

1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Unilateral: Neutral; PDH propylene supply is expected to tighten, but downstream profits are under pressure and follow - up may be limited. Pay attention to device dynamics. - Inter - period: None. - Inter - variety: None. [2] 2. Core Viewpoints - The expected de - capacity of the South Korean petrochemical industry's naphtha cracking boosts propylene prices. South Korea's propylene capacity accounts for 6% of the global total. From January to July this year, China imported 863,000 tons of propylene from South Korea, accounting for 67.6% of total imports, and 73.7% in 2024. South Korea's petrochemical de - capacity may support overseas propylene prices. - On the supply side, the maintenance of Shandong Zhenhua PDH continues, and Qingdao Jinneng and Wanhua Penglai PDH are shut down for maintenance. The PDH start - up rate has declined month - on - month, and the external release of propylene has tightened, which supports the price in the short term. However, downstream profits are under pressure at high prices, and procurement is cautious, so the upward space for propylene prices may be limited. - On the demand side, the overall downstream start - up rate has rebounded. The start - up rate of octanol has increased significantly, and the PP start - up rate has increased slightly. The start - up rate of acrylic acid has declined significantly. In the short term, demand is supported, but its sustainability is questionable. - On the cost side, the crude oil price has stopped falling and then fluctuated upward, and the landed price of the propane outer market has rebounded, so the cost - side support has shifted upward. [2] 3. Summary by Directory 3.1 Propylene Basis Structure - The closing price of the propylene main contract is 6491 yuan/ton (+21), the spot price of propylene in East China is 6450 yuan/ton (+25), the spot price of propylene in North China is 6455 yuan/ton (-45), the basis of propylene in East China is - 41 yuan/ton (+4), and the basis of propylene in North China is - 36 yuan/ton (-66). [1] 3.2 Propylene Production Profit and Start - up Rate - The propylene start - up rate is 75% (+1%), China's propylene CFR - Japanese naphtha CFR is 193 US dollars/ton (-3), and propylene CFR - 1.2 propane CFR is 97 US dollars/ton (+1). [1] 3.3 Propylene Import and Export Profits - The propylene import profit is - 263 yuan/ton (+3). [1] 3.4 Propylene Downstream Profits and Start - up Rates - PP powder start - up rate is 40% (+1.29%), production profit is - 55 yuan/ton (+75); epoxy propane start - up rate is 74% (+2%), production profit is - 383 yuan/ton (-86); n - butanol start - up rate is 89% (+0%), production profit is 336 yuan/ton (+589); octanol start - up rate is 92% (+6%), production profit is 430 yuan/ton (-18); acrylic acid start - up rate is 70% (-5%), production profit is 446 yuan/ton (-18); acrylonitrile start - up rate is 73% (+1%), production profit is - 572 yuan/ton (+56); phenol - acetone start - up rate is 78% (+1%), production profit is - 727 yuan/ton (+0). [1] 3.5 Propylene Inventory - The in - plant inventory is 40,320 tons (+3470). [1]