Core Viewpoint - The report from CITIC Securities indicates that liquidity easing and supply-side constraints will continue to be the main investment themes in the energy and materials sectors, benefiting precious metals, industrial metals, and certain chemicals like chromium and refrigerants [1] Group 1: Market Overview - From early 2025 to the present, the non-ferrous metal index has significantly outperformed the broader market, primarily due to strong performances in precious and rare metals [2] - Basic chemicals and steel indices have performed similarly to the market, while coal and oil & petrochemical indices have underperformed [2] Group 2: Precious Metals and Copper - Despite a recent high-level pullback in gold prices, the ongoing Fed rate cut cycle is expected to support gold prices, with a projected range of $4,000 to $5,000 per ounce for 2026 [3] - Silver is anticipated to have strong price elasticity due to an expanding supply-demand gap, with a projected price range of $50 to $60 per ounce for 2026 [3] - Copper remains a key investment direction in the metals sector, with a projected price range of $10,000 to $12,000 per ton for 2026, benefiting from liquidity easing and tightening supply [3] Group 3: Supply Constraints and Chemical Products - Supply-side constraints are expected to strengthen, with aluminum supply growth slowing and cobalt prices likely to rise due to severe supply shortages [4] - The projected price for aluminum in 2026 is set at 21,500 RMB per ton, while cobalt is expected to range between 400,000 to 450,000 RMB per ton [4] - Chromium and refrigerants are also expected to see price increases due to tight supply conditions influenced by environmental regulations [4] Group 4: Strategic Metals and US-China Relations - The ongoing US-China geopolitical tensions are enhancing the investment value of strategic metals, particularly rare earths and tungsten, with stable demand growth in defense and advanced manufacturing sectors [5] - The projected price range for praseodymium-neodymium oxide in 2026 is expected to rise to 550,000 to 650,000 RMB per ton, while tungsten is projected to be between 300,000 to 350,000 RMB per ton [5] Group 5: High Demand for Lithium and Potash - Lithium prices are expected to rise due to stronger-than-expected demand from energy storage batteries, with a projected price range of 80,000 to 100,000 RMB per ton for 2026 [6] - Potash prices are also expected to increase, driven by delayed production expansions in major producing regions and strong demand growth in Southeast Asia [6] Group 6: Coal, Steel, Silicon, and Oil - The "anti-involution" policy is expected to support price recoveries in coal, steel, and silicon materials, with projections for slight price increases in thermal coal, coking coal, and silicon materials in 2026 [7] - The steel industry is anticipated to reach a turning point in 2025, with ongoing supply constraints and improved profit distribution trends [7] - Oil supply and demand are expected to shift from a loose to a balanced state, with Brent crude oil prices projected to rise to $65 to $70 per barrel [7]

Core Viewpoint - The cyclical sectors, particularly non-ferrous metals, have shown strong performance in 2023 due to supply-side constraints, expectations of global liquidity easing, and domestic "anti-involution" policies driving demand [7][8]. Factors Driving Cyclical Stock Performance - Domestic economic recovery and potential global monetary easing have positively impacted cyclical assets [8]. - Supply-side constraints and industrial cycle expectations have led to strong performance in non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum [8]. - Strategic small metal varieties, such as rare earths, have seen optimistic market expectations due to policy and supply-side reductions [8]. - Traditional industries like coal, steel, and chemicals have benefited from the "anti-involution" policy, resulting in structural rebounds [8][11]. Valuation and Market Sentiment - Despite significant price increases in non-ferrous metals, valuations remain reasonable, with some stocks still undervalued [12][13]. - The recovery in company earnings has provided a solid foundation for stock price increases, with overall valuations still within a reasonable range [12][13]. - The cyclical industry is in a recovery phase, with many companies experiencing high growth rates from a low base, but not yet at peak profitability [14][15]. Investment Strategy and Focus - The investment strategy is leaning towards a pro-cyclical approach, focusing on sectors with strong demand logic [17]. - Key sectors for investment include industrial metals, small metals, and precious metals, with traditional cyclical leaders also being prioritized [17]. - A balanced approach of defensive and offensive strategies is recommended, with a focus on stocks that have strong fundamentals and reasonable valuations [17][18]. Challenges Ahead - Potential challenges for the cyclical industry include demand-side risks, particularly in sectors like copper and aluminum, which are closely tied to economic expectations [19]. - The recovery pace of midstream industries like steel and chemicals may lag behind due to their dependence on the real estate market and overall demand [19].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" [1] Core Viewpoints - The report emphasizes the anticipation of supply-side constraints being implemented, which is expected to impact the steel industry positively [1] Price Data Summary - The SW Steel Index is at 2,169, with a weekly increase of 1.8% and a year-to-date increase of 3.2% [3] - The price of rebar (HRB400 20mm) is 3,150 CNY/ton, showing a weekly decrease of 1.6% and a year-to-date decrease of 7.6% [3] - The price of hot-rolled coil is 3,200 CNY/ton, with a weekly decrease of 1.2% and a year-to-date decrease of 6.4% [3] - The iron ore price index is at 98 USD/ton, reflecting a weekly increase of 1.1% and a year-to-date decrease of 2.0% [3] Inventory Summary - The total social inventory of five major steel products is 1,032 million tons, with a weekly decrease of 4.7% and a year-to-date increase of 1.36% [5] - The total inventory at steel mills is 443 million tons, with a weekly decrease of 1.6% and a year-to-date increase of 26.5% [5] - The port inventory of iron ore is 14,235 million tons, with no weekly change and a year-to-date increase of 4.2% [5] Supply and Demand Summary - The weekly output of five major steel products is projected to be 1,000 million tons [9] - The average daily molten iron production is expected to be around 230 million tons [9]