Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Recommended (Maintain)" [1] Core Insights - The geopolitical situation in Iran is escalating, which may impact the supply expectations and fundamentals of related chemical products. Methanol and urea may face supply disruptions, as Iran's methanol production capacity is significant, accounting for 59.78% of the Middle East's total capacity and 22.86% of international capacity (excluding China) as of February 2026. Urea exports from Iran are projected to be around 4.5 million tons in 2024, making it the third-largest exporter globally [3][4] - Major chemical companies are raising prices for MDI and TDI products, indicating potential price increases in traditional peak seasons. For instance, Hunstman announced a price increase of $260 per ton for MDI in the U.S. market, effective immediately [3][4] - The U.S. government has signed an executive order to protect the supply of phosphorus and glyphosate, which may lead to a revaluation of phosphate resources. This strategic resource is expected to maintain high demand and price stability [3][4] - The chemical industry is anticipated to experience a cyclical recovery and industrial upgrade in 2026, driven by domestic growth policies and a potential easing of monetary policy by the Federal Reserve. This may lead to a moderate recovery in traditional chemical demand [5][6] Summary by Sections Geopolitical Impact - The Iranian geopolitical situation is causing concerns over supply disruptions for chemical products like methanol and urea, with significant production capacities in Iran [3] - Sulfur and aluminum carbonate, which have high import dependencies, may also be affected by geopolitical factors, leading to potential price increases [3] Price Trends - The price of TMP has continued to rise due to tight supply conditions, with a reported price of 12,750 RMB per ton as of February 27, 2026, reflecting a 6.3% increase week-on-week [8] - Prices for refrigerants are expected to rise due to supply constraints and increased demand post-holiday, with notable price increases reported for various refrigerants [4][8] Long-term Investment Recommendations - The chemical industry is expected to benefit from a cyclical recovery and industrial upgrades in 2026, with a focus on sectors like pesticides and tire manufacturing, which may see increased pricing opportunities due to trade barriers [5] - Emerging industries such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and lithium battery materials are projected to grow significantly, driven by global decarbonization policies [5][6]

Group 1 - The chemical raw materials sector is experiencing a correction, with the CSI sub-industry index down by 0.82% as of 10:28 on February 13, 2026, despite some stocks like Enjie and Tianci Materials showing gains of 4.65% and 3.10% respectively [1] - Sub-sectors such as dyes, PVA, and vitamins are seeing an upward trend, with leading dye companies raising prices due to tight supply of core intermediates, and PVA prices increasing due to extreme weather affecting overseas facilities [1] - The chemical industry is expected to benefit from a dual opportunity of cyclical recovery and industrial upgrading in 2026, with traditional demand anticipated to recover moderately as domestic growth policies are expected to take effect [1] Group 2 - As of January 30, 2026, the top ten weighted stocks in the CSI sub-industry chemical index account for 44.82% of the index, including companies like Wanhua Chemical and Yalv Co [2] - The chemical ETF managed by Harvest (159129) closely tracks the CSI sub-industry chemical index, focusing on the new round of prosperity cycle under the "anti-involution" backdrop [2] - Investors can also consider the chemical ETF linked fund (013527) to explore investment opportunities in the chemical sector [3]