Group 1 - The core theme for A-share pricing in 2026 revolves around AI and geopolitical factors, reflecting the U.S. focus on technology for growth and geopolitical strategies for elections, while another underpriced theme is "anti-involution," corresponding to China's push for reform-driven momentum [1][8] - Since the beginning of 2026, the A-share market has shown a "good start" with a cumulative increase of 5.2% in the Wind All A index and an average daily trading volume exceeding 3 trillion yuan, with the Sci-Tech 50, CSI 500, and National 2000 indices leading the gains at 11.9%, 11.3%, and 9.6% respectively [2] - The leading sectors include media, computer, non-ferrous metals, and military industries, with year-to-date increases of 16.0%, 14.0%, 14.0%, and 9.0%, indicating that the current market focus is on "AI and geopolitical" themes [2] Group 2 - The impact of AI is evident not only in the A-share market but also in marginal changes in the macro economy, with the PPI in December 2025 rising by 0.2% month-on-month, marking the highest increase since 2024, driven in part by AI's contribution to price improvements in non-ferrous and technology sectors [5][8] - In December 2025, prices in the non-ferrous metal mining and smelting industries rose by 3.7% and 2.8% respectively, with AI-driven electricity demand significantly boosting prices for metals like copper, silver, lithium, and cobalt [5] - The prices of external storage devices and integrated circuits increased by 15.3% and 2.4% respectively in December 2025, with high-end AI chips occupying advanced process resources, leading to structural tensions in chip availability [7] Group 3 - The improvement in PPI reflects strategic choices made by China and the U.S. in the current global macro context, which are expected to become two main pricing themes for A-shares in 2026: "AI and geopolitics" and "anti-involution" [8] - The "anti-involution" theme is entering a new phase in 2026, with recent discussions emphasizing the need to address malicious low-price dumping and promote healthy competition [9] - Recent policy changes indicate a clearer execution strategy for "anti-involution," focusing on "quality over price" in industries like photovoltaics and energy storage, with regulatory bodies emphasizing quality standards and price monitoring [10][12] Group 4 - The cancellation of export tax rebates for photovoltaic products and the reduction of tax rates for battery products reflect the national-level implementation of "anti-involution," aimed at allowing competitive companies to raise prices and retain funds for domestic investment [11] - Local governments are shifting their competitive advantages from unsustainable policy incentives to sustainable business environments and professional service capabilities, indicating a broader commitment to "anti-involution" practices [12] - Strengthened regulatory enforcement against monopolistic and unfair competition behaviors signals an acceleration of "anti-involution," aiming to enhance market order and promote a virtuous cycle of quality and pricing in the industry [12]

Core Viewpoint - The main pricing themes for A-shares in 2026 are centered around AI and geopolitical factors, reflecting the U.S. focus on technology for growth and geopolitical selection, while another theme that has not been fully priced in is "anti-involution," corresponding to China's pursuit of reform for momentum [2][9]. Market Performance - Since the beginning of 2026, the A-share market has shown a "good start" with a cumulative increase of 5.2% in the Wind All A index and an average daily trading volume exceeding 3 trillion yuan. The Sci-Tech 50, CSI 500, and National 2000 indices have led the gains with increases of 11.9%, 11.3%, and 9.6% respectively, indicating that technology and small-cap stocks are outperforming large-cap stocks [4]. - The leading sectors include media, computer, non-ferrous metals, and military industries, with year-to-date increases of 16.0%, 14.0%, 14.0%, and 9.0% respectively, reflecting the current market's focus on "AI and geopolitics" [4]. AI Impact on Economy - AI's influence is evident in both the A-share market trends and marginal changes in the macro economy. In December 2025, China's PPI rose by 0.2% month-on-month, marking the highest monthly increase since 2024, with AI contributing to improvements in PPI, particularly in non-ferrous and technology sectors [6][9]. - In December 2025, prices in the non-ferrous metal mining and smelting industries increased by 3.7% and 2.8% respectively, driven by AI-related electricity demand, which significantly boosted prices of metals like copper, silver, tungsten, tantalum, aluminum, lithium, cobalt, and nickel [6]. Pricing Dynamics - In December 2025, prices for external storage devices and integrated circuits rose by 15.3% and 2.4% respectively, with AI-related high-end chips occupying advanced process resources, leading to structural tensions in chip availability. Samsung and SK Hynix plan to raise server DRAM prices by 60%-70% in Q1 2026, significantly higher than previous cycles [8]. - The implementation of "anti-involution" has also contributed to the month-on-month recovery of PPI, with lithium-ion battery manufacturing prices increasing by 1.0% and the price of complete new energy vehicles turning from a decline of 0.2% to an increase of 0.1% [8]. Strategic Choices - The improvement in PPI reflects strategic choices made by China and the U.S. in the current global macro context, which are expected to become the two main pricing themes for A-shares in 2026. The "AI and geopolitics" theme corresponds to the U.S. seeking new productive forces in a stagflation environment, while the "anti-involution" theme aligns with China's push for reform to drive momentum through fiscal and income distribution reforms [9]. Anti-Involution Developments - The "anti-involution" theme is entering a new phase in 2026, as highlighted by recent policy discussions emphasizing the need to address malicious low-price dumping and promote healthy competition [10]. - The core of "anti-involution" in the industry is "quality over price," with regulatory bodies emphasizing compliance in price competition within the photovoltaic industry and addressing irrational competition behaviors [11]. - Recent policy changes, such as the cancellation of export tax rebates for photovoltaic products, reflect the national-level commitment to "anti-involution," allowing leading companies to raise prices to absorb costs and redirect funds to domestic consumption [12][13]. Regulatory Environment - Strengthened anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition regulations signal an acceleration of "anti-involution," with the market regulator engaging with leading companies in the silicon material and photovoltaic sectors to prevent collusion and ensure fair competition [14].

Report Title - "Cycle, Technology, and Geopolitics: A Triple - Drive for the Non - Ferrous Metals Market" [1] Report Date and Researcher - Date: October 29, 2025 - Researcher: Ma Yun, mayun@cmschina.com.cn, contact number: 18682466799, qualification certificate number: Z0018708 [2] Table of Contents - 01 Cycle: Supply, Demand, and Liquidity - 02 Technology: Applications of Metals in Emerging Fields - 03 Geopolitics: Strategic Materials in the Context of Great - Power Rivalry - 04 Summary: A Triple - Hit under the Metal Pricing Framework [4] Core Views - The non - ferrous metals market is driven by the triple factors of cycle, technology, and geopolitics. The cycle affects the market from aspects of liquidity, supply, and demand; technology brings new demand through metal applications in emerging fields; geopolitics impacts metal prices through strategic material status and currency - related factors [1] Section Summaries Cycle: Supply, Demand, and Liquidity Liquidity - The Federal Reserve is in a rate - cutting cycle, and major economies are in a fiscal expansion period. For example, the U.S. has passed the Big Beautiful Act, discussing the end of balance - sheet reduction and facing a mid - term election next year; the EU Commission predicts that the EU's fiscal deficit rate will rise to 3.3% in 2025 and remain at this level in 2026, with the debt - to - GDP ratio rising from 83.2% in 2025 to 84.5% in 2026; Japan is preparing an economic stimulus plan of over 13.9 trillion yen, and advancing the defense - spending target; China is implementing fiscal expansion, shifting from loose money to loose credit [5][8][10] Supply - There is insufficient capital expenditure in the mining industry, natural decline in mine grades, and depletion of mine resources. This phenomenon is not limited to copper enterprises, and different metal varieties have different investment cycles [11][12] Demand - China provides the beta for metal demand, while emerging countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia provide the alpha. The demand for metals in new energy fields such as photovoltaic and new - energy vehicles is also increasing [14][21][23] Technology: Applications of Metals in Emerging Fields - The report does not provide specific content in the given text Geopolitics: Strategic Materials in the Context of Great - Power Rivalry - The U.S. has updated its key mineral list several times. In 2025 (expected), it plans to add 6 minerals such as copper, potassium, silicon, and silver, and consider removing arsenic and tellurium. Some countries have high concentrations in metal production, like Chile and Peru accounting for about 40% of global copper production, and Congo accounting for 75% of global cobalt production. China has a high degree of dependence on most metals except rare earths. Also, the pricing currency hegemony is being challenged, leading to a decline in the trust of global fiat currencies and a re - evaluation of physical assets [24][27] Summary: A Triple - Hit under the Metal Pricing Framework - The report provides a metal pricing framework including factors such as stock price formula, metal price fluctuation formula, and considerations from macro, supply - demand, valuation, and market - behavior aspects, and finally gives trading strategies based on the analysis results [29]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article indicates that the US dollar index (DXY) is experiencing fluctuations at high levels due to uncertainties surrounding the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, global risk capital flows, and de-dollarization actions by various central banks [2] - The three main factors supporting the dollar—relative interest rate advantages, US economic resilience, and safe-haven buying—are facing challenges this year [3] Group 2 - The Federal Reserve has maintained interest rates in the range of 5.25% to 5.5% since December of last year, with market expectations shifting towards potential rate cuts in September or November, which diminishes the dollar's upward momentum [4] - Recent US economic data shows signs of weakening, with initial jobless claims exceeding expectations, raising concerns about the impact of high interest rates on the real economy [5] Group 3 - The competitive landscape for global currencies is changing, with the dollar's strong position being challenged [6] - The European Central Bank's potential slow pace of rate cuts due to persistent inflation may lead to a temporary decline in the dollar against the euro [7] - The Bank of Japan may end its negative interest rate policy, which could result in a strong rebound of the yen against the dollar [8] - The Chinese yuan and emerging market currencies are showing resilience due to supportive policies and capital inflows [9] Group 4 - Technical analysis indicates key support levels for the dollar index at 104.20 and 103.50, with resistance levels at 106.00 and 107.10 [10] - Market sentiment is characterized by reduced bullish positions on the dollar, with increased implied volatility in the options market, suggesting intense competition between bulls and bears [11] Group 5 - Short-term strategy suggests a cautious approach with a focus on upcoming economic data, particularly the non-farm payroll and CPI data in July, which could influence the dollar's trajectory [12] - A diversified currency portfolio is recommended to hedge against dollar volatility, focusing on currencies like the euro, yen, and yuan [13] Group 6 - The upcoming US non-farm payroll data is critical, with expectations of a slowdown in job growth and a potential rise in the unemployment rate, which could impact the Federal Reserve's rate cut decisions [16][17]