Report Summary 1. Industry Investment Rating - The rating for both unilateral and arbitrage strategies is neutral [6] 2. Core View - Domestic apparent consumption of zinc maintains high - speed growth but cannot offset supply pressure, leading to continuous expansion of social inventory. Zinc prices show a weak and volatile trend, with the spot discount widening. There is a contradictory situation between domestic and overseas markets, with overseas inventory continuously decreasing and domestic inventory increasing. The domestic fundamentals are still weak, but overseas factors provide favorable price support [5] 3. Summary by Related Catalogs Important Data - **Spot**: LME zinc spot premium is $16.46 per ton. SMM Shanghai zinc spot price is 22,190 yuan per ton, with a change of 50 yuan per ton from the previous trading day and a spot premium of - 65 yuan per ton. SMM Guangdong zinc spot price is 22,160 yuan per ton, with a change of 40 yuan per ton and a spot premium of - 95 yuan per ton. Tianjin zinc spot price is 22,170 yuan per ton, with a change of 40 yuan per ton and a spot premium of - 85 yuan per ton [2] - **Futures**: On September 9, 2025, the main contract of SHFE zinc opened at 22,245 yuan per ton and closed at 22,125 yuan per ton, a decrease of 120 yuan per ton from the previous trading day. The trading volume was 100,465 lots, and the open interest was 108,199 lots. The highest price was 22,265 yuan per ton, and the lowest was 22,115 yuan per ton [3] - **Inventory**: As of September 9, 2025, the total inventory of SMM seven - region zinc ingots was 152,100 tons, a change of 3,200 tons from the previous period. As of the same date, LME zinc inventory was 51,025 tons, a change of - 2,050 tons from the previous trading day [4] Market Analysis - Domestic consumption growth is high - speed but can't counter supply pressure, resulting in continuous inventory build - up. The domestic fundamentals are weak, with domestic TC slightly decreasing in September but still having cost - effectiveness, and import TC expected to rise. Domestic smelting profit exists, and supply pressure is large, with an 28% year - on - year increase in zinc ingot production in August. In the consumption peak season, inventory build - up is likely. Overseas, the macro - environment is positive, zinc supply contracts, consumption is stable, inventory is decreasing, the discount is narrowing, and there is a risk of a short squeeze [5] Strategy - Unilateral strategy: Neutral [6] - Arbitrage strategy: Neutral [6]

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Unspecified in the provided content. 2. Core Views - The spot premium and discount of zinc are difficult to improve. The zinc price is under significant pressure due to the supply - demand imbalance, with a cautious bearish view on unilateral trading and a neutral view on arbitrage [1][5][6]. 3. Summary by Related Catalogs Important Data - **Spot**: The LME zinc spot premium is -$13.16 per ton. The SMM Shanghai zinc spot price is 22,330 yuan per ton, with a premium and discount of -20 yuan per ton; the SMM Guangdong zinc spot price is 22,290 yuan per ton, with a premium and discount of -60 yuan per ton; the Tianjin zinc spot price is 22,310 yuan per ton, with a premium and discount of -40 yuan per ton [2]. - **Futures**: On August 6, 2025, the SHFE zinc main contract opened at 22,360 yuan per ton and closed at 22,380 yuan per ton, up 65 yuan per ton from the previous trading day. The trading volume was 89,569 lots, and the open interest was 94,254 lots. The highest price during the day was 22,415 yuan per ton, and the lowest was 22,250 yuan per ton [3]. - **Inventory**: As of August 6, 2025, the total inventory of SMM seven - region zinc ingots was 107,300 tons, a change of 4,100 tons from the previous period. The LME zinc inventory was 89,225 tons, a change of -3,050 tons from the previous trading day [4]. Market Analysis - **Spot Market**: Downstream enterprises have sufficient raw material reserves and weak purchasing willingness. The market trading is sluggish, and the overall premium and discount shows a stable - to - weak trend [5]. - **Supply**: In July 2025, China's zinc ingot production was 602,800 tons, a year - on - year increase of 23%. The expected production in August is 620,000 tons, with a year - on - year growth rate of 25%. The supply pressure continues to increase [5]. - **Cost**: There is no interference in overseas mines, the domestic mine TC has increased by 100 yuan per ton, the smelting profit has increased, and the smelting enthusiasm remains high [5]. - **Consumption**: The downstream operating rate shows relative resilience, and the overall consumption is not bad. However, it cannot offset the high growth on the supply side. The social inventory is in an accumulation trend, which is expected to continue in the second half of the year. Currently, it is the consumption off - season, and combined with supply pressure, the zinc price is under great pressure [5]. Strategy - **Unilateral**: Cautiously bearish [6]. - **Arbitrage**: Neutral [6].

Report Summary 1. Investment Rating - Unilateral: Oscillating with a bearish bias. Arbitrage: Neutral [4] 2. Core View - After the overseas short squeeze risk is released, zinc prices are expected to return to fundamental logic. Currently in the off - season for consumption and facing supply pressure, zinc prices are under significant pressure [3] 3. Summary by Content Important Data - As of July 25, 2025, the LME zinc price increased by 3.16% to $2,840.5 per ton from the previous week, and the SHFE zinc main contract increased by 2.65% to 22,885 yuan per ton. The LME zinc spot premium (0 - 3) changed from $4.75 per ton last week to - $1.96 per ton [1] - As of the week ending July 25, the weekly processing fee for domestic zinc concentrates in SMM remained flat at 3,800 yuan per metal ton compared to the previous week. The weekly processing fee index for imported zinc concentrates rose by $2 - 3 per ton to around $76 per ton. The current high - price for imported dollars is $85 per dry ton, generally ranging from $60 - 70 per dry ton, and the latest tender results for domestic mines have not been finalized [1] - In terms of consumption, the operating rate of galvanizing enterprises increased by 0.3% to 59.42% from the previous week, the operating rate of die - casting zinc alloy enterprises decreased by 0.92% to 51.03%, and the operating rate of zinc oxide enterprises decreased by 0.33% to 55.99% [1] - According to SMM statistics, as of July 24, 2025, the total inventory of zinc ingots in seven major regions of SMM was 98,300 tons, an increase of 4,800 tons from the previous week. The warrant inventory increased by 1,928 tons to 13,289 tons from the previous week, and the LME zinc inventory decreased by 3,325 tons to 115,775 tons [1] - As of July 24, 2025, the production profit of smelting enterprises in the industry (excluding by - product income) was about - 140 yuan per ton, and the profit after adding by - product income was about 1,200 yuan per ton [2] Market Analysis - Last week, due to the combined factors of market sentiment explosion and overseas short squeezes, the zinc futures price rose significantly, but the demand in the spot market did not improve, and the spot premium declined rapidly [3] - On the cost side, the new monthly tender price for domestic mines has not been finalized, and the TC for imported mines continues to rise, with the highest offer reaching $85 per ton. The smelting profit is increasing, and the expectation of increased supply remains unchanged. Smelters have sufficient raw material reserves and are not very motivated to purchase from the mine end. It is expected that the TC will continue to rise [3] - On the consumption side, the operating rate of downstream enterprises shows relative resilience, and overall consumption is not bad, but it cannot offset the high growth on the supply side. Social inventory is showing a cumulative trend, and it is expected that this trend will continue in the second half of the year [3]

Report Summary Investment Rating - Unilateral: Cautiously bearish. - Arbitrage: Neutral [4] Core View - The downstream has limited restocking behavior despite the decline in absolute prices. The supply is relatively sufficient, and the spot premium is stable. The import ore TC is rising, and the smelting profit is still high, with an expected supply surplus in the second half of the year. Although downstream consumption shows some resilience, it cannot offset the high growth on the supply side, leading to a trend of inventory accumulation, which may suppress zinc prices [3] Key Data Spot Market - LME zinc spot premium is -$5.61 per ton. SMM Shanghai zinc spot price dropped by 30 yuan to 22,150 yuan per ton, with a stable premium of 30 yuan per ton. SMM Guangdong zinc spot price fell by 30 yuan to 22,080 yuan per ton, with a stable premium of -40 yuan per ton. SMM Tianjin zinc spot price declined by 30 yuan to 22,110 yuan per ton, with a stable premium of -10 yuan per ton [1] Futures Market - On July 15, 2025, the SHFE zinc main contract opened at 22,110 yuan per ton and closed at 22,085 yuan per ton, down 120 yuan per ton. Trading volume was 119,038 lots, a decrease of 17,102 lots from the previous day, and the position was 84,304 lots, a reduction of 9,873 lots. The intraday price fluctuated between 22,040 - 22,195 yuan per ton [1] Inventory - As of July 14, 2025, the total inventory of SMM seven - region zinc ingots was 93,100 tons, an increase of 4,000 tons from the previous week. As of July 15, 2025, LME zinc inventory was 118,600 tons, up 5,200 tons from the previous day [2] Market Analysis - In the spot market, the decline in absolute prices fails to stimulate restocking. The supply is sufficient, and the spot premium is stable. The import ore TC is rising, and smelting profits are high, with an expected supply surplus in the second half of the year. Smelters have sufficient raw material inventory and low procurement enthusiasm. Although downstream consumption shows resilience, it cannot offset the high - growth supply, leading to inventory accumulation, which may suppress zinc prices [3] Strategy - Unilateral: Cautiously bearish. - Arbitrage: Neutral [4]

Investment Rating - Unilateral: Cautiously bearish. Arbitrage: Neutral [4] Core View - The continuous weakening of the US dollar has led to generally strong commodity prices. A strike at a 344,000 - ton zinc smelter in Peru has affected production and boosted zinc prices. However, the spot market has become increasingly冷清, with a significant decline in spot premiums. The operating rate of zinc alloy has dropped significantly, and there may be a negative feedback from hidden inventory. Although the upward space is limited, the zinc price still maintains a strong trend. Consumption shows a marginal decline, and if social inventory continues to increase, it will exert significant downward pressure [3] Summary by Category Important Data - **Spot**: The LME zinc spot premium is -$17.39/ton. SMM Shanghai zinc spot price rose by 60 yuan/ton to 22,260 yuan/ton, with the premium dropping by 65 yuan/ton to 185 yuan/ton. SMM Guangdong zinc spot price rose by 90 yuan/ton to 22,220 yuan/ton, with the premium dropping by 35 yuan/ton to 145 yuan/ton. SMM Tianjin zinc spot price rose by 50 yuan/ton to 22,190 yuan/ton, with the premium dropping by 75 yuan/ton to 115 yuan/ton [1] - **Futures**: On June 26, 2025, the main SHFE zinc contract opened at 22,090 yuan/ton and closed at 22,240 yuan/ton, up 275 yuan/ton. The trading volume was 168,109 lots, an increase of 9,578 lots, and the open interest was 135,638 lots, an increase of 5,773 lots. The intraday price fluctuated between 22,030 - 22,400 yuan/ton [1] - **Inventory**: As of June 26, 2025, the total SMM seven - region zinc ingot inventory was 79,500 tons, a decrease of 100 tons from last week. The LME zinc inventory was 119,850 tons, a decrease of 3,025 tons from the previous trading day [2] Market Analysis - The weakening US dollar and the strike at a Peruvian zinc smelter have pushed up zinc prices. However, the spot market is cold, with a significant decline in premiums. The operating rate of zinc alloy has dropped, and there may be a negative feedback from hidden inventory. TC remains stable, and overseas zinc ore shipments are increasing. Although the upward space is limited, the strong trend remains. There is still smelting profit, and the smelting enthusiasm is high, so the supply pressure remains. Consumption shows a marginal decline, and the increase in social inventory will bring downward pressure [3] Strategy - Unilateral: Cautiously bearish. Arbitrage: Neutral [4]

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided in the document. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - Copper: Despite concerns about demand uncertainty due to macro and geopolitical factors, the strong reality of copper is increasingly strengthening. There is a potential pattern of buying on dips. In the short - term, it is expected to maintain a volatile pattern in the absence of effective resonance between macro and micro factors, with a focus on the 78,000 - 80,000 yuan/ton range [1]. - Aluminum: Alumina shows a tendency of fluctuating upward. The electrolytic aluminum market is in a game between weakening marginal demand and low ingot - casting volume and low - warehouse - receipt squeezing effects. For waste aluminum, there is still cost support, and continuous attention should be paid to the opportunity of rolling to do long on the AD - AL spread [1][2]. - Nickel: In the short - term, the firm raw material prices provide support, but the market lacks confidence. Mid - term demand may still restrict the fundamentals to be bearish. Attention should be paid to the premium of nickel ore and the inventory of primary nickel, as well as the changes in overseas policies [2]. 3. Summary According to Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Research Views - **Copper**: Overnight, LME copper rose 0.65% to $9,727/ton, and SHFE copper rose 0.36% to 78,720 yuan/ton. The import of refined copper and scrap copper in China decreased, and the export window opened. The LME inventory dropped to below 100,000 tons, and the market was worried about extreme market conditions [1]. - **Aluminum**: Alumina fluctuated strongly, with AO2509 closing at 2,937 yuan/ton, up 1.07%. The spot price of alumina declined. The electrolytic aluminum market faced a game between demand and supply - side factors [1][2]. - **Nickel**: Overnight, LME nickel rose 1.14% to $15,075/ton, and SHFE nickel rose 1.19% to 119,490 yuan/ton. The stainless - steel market was in an oversupply state, and the supply and demand of nickel sulfate were both weak [2]. 3.2 Daily Data Monitoring - **Copper**: The price of flat - water copper increased, and the price of waste copper also rose. The LME inventory decreased by 1,200 tons, and the SHFE warehouse receipt decreased by 955 tons [1][3]. - **Lead**: The average price of 1 lead increased by 180 yuan/ton. The lead concentrate price rose, and the LME inventory decreased by 2,125 tons [3]. - **Aluminum**: The price of aluminum in Wuxi and Nanhai changed slightly. The LME inventory decreased by 2,000 tons, and the SHFE warehouse receipt decreased by 1,620 tons [4]. - **Nickel**: The price of Jinchuan nickel increased. The LME inventory increased by 432 tons, and the SHFE nickel warehouse receipt decreased by 222 tons [2][4]. - **Zinc**: The main settlement price rose slightly. The LME inventory decreased by 575 tons, and the social inventory decreased by 0.26 tons [5]. - **Tin**: The main settlement price decreased by 0.4%. The LME inventory decreased by 25 tons, and the SHFE inventory decreased by 142 tons [5]. 3.3 Chart Analysis - **Spot Premium**: The document shows the spot premium trends of copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, lead, and tin from 2019 - 2025 [7][9][12]. - **SHFE Near - Far Month Spread**: It presents the near - far month spread trends of copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, lead, and tin from 2020 - 2025 [15][22][23]. - **LME Inventory**: The LME inventory trends of copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, lead, and tin from 2019 - 2025 are demonstrated [24][26][28]. - **SHFE Inventory**: The SHFE inventory trends of copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, lead, and tin from 2019 - 2025 are shown [31][33][35]. - **Social Inventory**: It includes the social inventory trends of copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, stainless steel, and 300 - series from 2019 - 2025 [37][39][41]. - **Smelting Profit**: The document shows the trends of copper concentrate index, rough copper processing fee, aluminum smelting profit, nickel - iron smelting cost, zinc smelting profit, and stainless - steel 304 smelting profit rate from 2019 - 2025 [43][45][47]. 3.4有色金属团队介绍 - **展大鹏**: A master of science, currently the director of non - ferrous research at Everbright Futures Research Institute, a senior researcher of precious metals, a gold intermediate investment analyst, an excellent metal analyst of the Shanghai Futures Exchange, and the best industrial product futures analyst of Futures Daily and Securities Times. He has more than ten years of commodity research experience [50]. - **王珩**: A master of finance from the University of Adelaide, Australia, currently a non - ferrous researcher at Everbright Futures Research Institute, mainly researching aluminum and silicon [50]. - **朱希**: A master of science from the University of Warwick, UK, currently a non - ferrous researcher at Everbright Futures Research Institute, mainly researching lithium and nickel [51].

Group 1: Report Industry Investment Rating - Unilateral: Cautiously bearish [4] - Arbitrage: Neutral [4] Group 2: Core View of the Report - The spot premium of zinc is moderately weak, and the inventory remains stable. The downstream procurement enthusiasm in the spot market is poor, and the long - term high - growth supply expectation remains unchanged. The consumption performance is unexpectedly strong, and the social inventory of zinc ingots has not shown a trend of cumulative inventory [1][3]. Group 3: Summary by Related Content Important Data - **Spot**: The LME zinc spot premium is -$22.95/ton. The SMM Shanghai zinc spot price drops by 240 yuan/ton to 22,000 yuan/ton, and the premium drops by 20 yuan/ton to 220 yuan/ton. The SMM Guangdong zinc spot price drops by 280 yuan/ton to 21,990 yuan/ton, and the premium drops by 60 yuan/ton to 210 yuan/ton. The SMM Tianjin zinc spot price drops by 230 yuan/ton to 22,000 yuan/ton, and the premium drops by 10 yuan/ton to 220 yuan/ton [1]. - **Futures**: On June 16, 2025, the main SHFE zinc contract opens at 21,745 yuan/ton and closes at 21,840 yuan/ton, down 110 yuan/ton from the previous trading day. The trading volume is 163,962 lots, a decrease of 27,075 lots, and the open interest is 116,264 lots, a decrease of 6,896 lots. The highest price is 21,935 yuan/ton, and the lowest is 21,660 yuan/ton [1]. - **Inventory**: As of June 16, 2025, the total inventory of SMM seven - region zinc ingots is 78,100 tons, a decrease of 3,600 tons from last week. The LME zinc inventory is 130,225 tons, a decrease of 775 tons from the previous trading day [2]. Market Analysis - **Spot Market**: Downstream raw material reserves are relatively sufficient, and the procurement enthusiasm is poor. The spot premium shows a moderately weak trend. The domestic ore TC is temporarily stable, the zinc ore import window is closed, and the overseas Q3 import ore TC is rising. The smelter's raw material inventory is still sufficient, and the long - term upward trend of the ore end remains unchanged. The smelting profit is stable, and the long - term high - growth supply expectation remains unchanged. The consumption performance is unexpectedly strong, the zinc alloy start - up rate is increasing, and the social inventory of zinc ingots has not shown a trend of cumulative inventory, possibly due to the "zinc alloy reservoir" phenomenon. The downstream procurement enthusiasm in the spot market weakens, and the spot premium continues to decline [3]. Strategy - Unilateral: Cautiously bearish [4] - Arbitrage: Neutral [4]

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided in the content. 2. Core Views of the Report - For copper, overnight LME copper rose slightly and then declined. The domestic demand orders may gradually slow down as the peak season turns to the off - season. The Sino - US trade negotiation progress is expected to boost copper prices in the short term. Copper prices are expected to reach the range of 78,000 - 80,000 yuan/ton, but attention should be paid to the downstream acceptance and potential price fluctuations [1]. - For aluminum, alumina and Shanghai aluminum are oscillating strongly. Aluminum ingots continue to show a slight de - stocking state. The short - strong and long - weak pattern of aluminum prices continues. Attention should be paid to the inventory - consumption situation and subsequent tariff negotiation dynamics [1][2]. - For nickel, macro sentiment has improved, and the Philippine nickel ore event has attracted market attention. In the short term, nickel ore is relatively strong, but the overall trend is still oscillating. If domestic primary nickel continues to accumulate inventory, it will put pressure on nickel prices [2]. 3. Summary According to Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Research Views - **Copper**: Trump pressured the Fed Chairman Powell to cut interest rates, and the dollar's V - shaped trend restricted copper price increases. China's April social financing and new RMB loans data and M2 - M1 spread changes were reported. LME copper inventory decreased by 4,075 tons, while COMEX inventory increased by 1,749 tons. Domestic demand orders are relatively stable but may slow down. Sino - US trade progress is expected to boost copper prices, with prices expected to reach 78,000 - 80,000 yuan/ton, but attention should be paid to downstream acceptance and potential price drops [1]. - **Aluminum**: Alumina and Shanghai aluminum are oscillating strongly. Alumina AO2509 closed at 2,979 yuan/ton with a 3.51% increase, and AL2506 closed at 20,255 yuan/ton with a 0.67% increase. Aluminum ingot prices changed from a discount to a premium. Some downstream processing fees changed. Aluminum ingots continued to de - stock slightly. The short - strong and long - weak pattern of aluminum prices continues, and attention should be paid to inventory - consumption and tariff negotiations [1][2]. - **Nickel**: Overnight LME nickel rose 0.35%, and Shanghai nickel rose 0.92%. LME inventory decreased by 84 tons, and domestic SHFE warehouse receipts decreased by 398 tons. Nickel ore prices are strong, and some stainless steel production has decreased, but demand - side inventory has increased. In the new energy sector, raw material supply has recovered, and the demand for ternary precursors has decreased slightly. In the short term, the market sentiment has improved, but overall, it is still oscillating, and attention should be paid to inventory changes [2]. 3.2 Daily Data Monitoring - **Copper**: Price changes of various copper products such as flat - water copper, scrap copper, and downstream products were reported. LME and COMEX inventory changes, as well as other indicators such as LME0 - 3 premium and import profit and loss, were also provided [3]. - **Lead**: The average price and other indicators of lead remained stable, with some minor changes in lead ore prices and processing fees. LME and SHFE inventory changes and import profit and loss were also reported [3]. - **Aluminum**: Aluminum prices, raw material prices, downstream processing fees, and inventory changes in LME, SHFE, and social inventories were reported. Import profit and loss and other indicators were also provided [4]. - **Nickel**: Price changes of various nickel products, including electrolytic nickel, nickel iron, nickel ore, stainless steel, and new energy products, were reported. Inventory changes in LME, SHFE, and social inventories, as well as import profit and loss, were also provided [4]. - **Zinc**: Zinc prices, including the main settlement price, spot price, and alloy price, increased. TC remained stable, and inventory changes in LME, SHFE, and social inventories were reported [5]. - **Tin**: The main settlement price of tin increased, and the price of tin concentrate also rose. Inventory changes in LME and SHFE, as well as import profit and loss, were reported [5]. 3.3 Chart Analysis - **3.1 Spot Premium**: Charts of spot premiums for copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, lead, and tin from 2019 - 2025 were presented [7][8][11]. - **3.2 SHFE Near - Far Month Spread**: Charts of the near - far month spreads for copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, lead, and tin from 2020 - 2025 were presented [12][15][18]. - **3.3 LME Inventory**: Charts of LME inventories for copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, lead, and tin from 2019 - 2025 were presented [20][22][23]. - **3.4 SHFE Inventory**: Charts of SHFE inventories for copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, lead, and tin from 2019 - 2025 were presented [25][27][29]. - **3.5 Social Inventory**: Charts of social inventories for copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, stainless steel, and 300 - series stainless steel from 2019 - 2025 were presented [31][33][35]. - **3.6 Smelting Profit**: Charts of copper concentrate index, rough copper processing fee, aluminum smelting profit, nickel - iron smelting cost, zinc smelting profit, and stainless steel 304 smelting profit margin from 2019 - 2025 were presented [38][40][42]. 3.4有色金属团队介绍 - **展大鹏**: Holds a science master's degree, serves as the director of non - ferrous research at Everbright Futures Research Institute, a senior researcher of precious metals, a gold intermediate investment analyst, an excellent metal analyst of the Shanghai Futures Exchange, and the best industrial product futures analyst of Futures Daily & Securities Times. Has over a decade of commodity research experience, serves many leading spot enterprises, and has published dozens of professional articles in public newspapers and magazines [45]. - **王珩**: Holds a finance master's degree from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Serves as a non - ferrous researcher at Everbright Futures Research Institute, mainly researching aluminum and silicon. Focuses on domestic non - ferrous industry research and new energy industry chain dynamics [45]. - **朱希**: Holds a science master's degree from the University of Warwick, UK. Serves as a non - ferrous researcher at Everbright Futures Research Institute, mainly researching lithium and nickel. Focuses on the integration of non - ferrous metals and new energy and tracks new energy industry chain dynamics [46].

Group 1 - After the Labor Day holiday, Shanghai aluminum futures continued to decline, with the main contract dropping to a low of 19,300 yuan/ton, driven by market uncertainty and expectations of weaker future demand [1] - Analysts indicate that the bearish sentiment in the market is partly due to the transition from the peak consumption season to a period of lower demand, as well as the impact of U.S. tariff policies on exports [1][3] - The supply of electrolytic aluminum remains at historically high levels, while downstream processing rates have begun to decline, leading to an accumulation of nearly 40,000 tons of aluminum ingot and aluminum rod inventory during the holiday [1][3] Group 2 - The average cost of electrolytic aluminum is around 16,500 yuan/ton, influenced by a significant drop in alumina prices, which may exert further downward pressure on aluminum prices amid weakening consumption expectations [3][5] - The macroeconomic environment, including potential monetary easing and the easing of U.S.-China trade tensions, could provide some support for aluminum prices, although concerns about the negative impact of tariffs on global demand persist [4][5] - The market is closely monitoring the performance of inventory and the spot market, as well as the upstream alumina prices, to gauge future trends in aluminum pricing [5]