Core Viewpoint - The surge in tungsten prices and stocks of tungsten companies in A-shares is driven by ongoing global conflicts, positioning tungsten as a "war metal" and leading to significant stock price increases for companies like Zhanyuan Tungsten Industry [1][2][19]. Group 1: Stock Performance - From January 5 to March 2, 2026, the stock price increases for major tungsten companies were substantial, with Zhanyuan Tungsten Industry rising by 226% and Xiamen Tungsten Industry by 95% [1]. - Zhanyuan Tungsten Industry's stock price reached a peak of 46.2 yuan per share, marking an increase of 8.18 times from its lowest point of 5.65 yuan per share in April 2025 [5][24]. - Despite a collective drop in stock prices on March 3, 2026, where Zhanyuan Tungsten Industry fell by 5.26%, the overall market sentiment remains focused on the potential for further gains in the tungsten sector [1][22]. Group 2: Company Fundamentals - Zhanyuan Tungsten Industry has a comprehensive supply chain covering exploration, mining, refining, and deep processing, which enhances its competitive edge in the market [6][8]. - The company holds significant mining rights, with a tungsten resource reserve of 79,400 tons, allowing it to maintain a strong position during price surges [6][19]. - The demand for tungsten in military applications is increasing due to geopolitical tensions, which is expected to sustain high prices and benefit companies like Zhanyuan Tungsten Industry [19][20]. Group 3: Price Dynamics and Challenges - Tungsten prices have seen dramatic increases, with tungsten powder rising from 315 yuan per kilogram to 1,800 yuan per kilogram, reflecting a more than 470% increase [23]. - Despite the price increases, Zhanyuan Tungsten Industry faces challenges in translating these gains into profits due to rising procurement costs and high inventory levels [24][26]. - The company’s net profit is projected to increase by only 86% despite tungsten prices rising over 200% in 2025, indicating pressure on profit margins [24][25]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The supply-demand dynamics for tungsten are expected to remain tight, with a projected global supply gap of 18,500 tons by 2028, suggesting sustained high prices [27]. - Zhanyuan Tungsten Industry's strategic positioning in the military supply chain and its focus on high-end products are likely to enhance its profitability if it can manage inventory and receivables effectively [27][28]. - The long-term demand for tungsten is anticipated to grow due to its strategic value in high-end manufacturing and military applications, despite potential short-term corrections in stock valuations [30][31].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the concept of "war metals," highlighting the historical price trends of metals such as chromium, manganese, tungsten, titanium, uranium, silver, and tin, and draws parallels between the current geopolitical climate and that of the 1970s and 1980s [1][3][4]. Group 1: Historical Context and Comparisons - The current era shares significant similarities with the 1970s and 1980s, characterized by geopolitical tensions and technological advancements that drive demand for certain metals [3][4]. - The period from the 1960s to the 1980s saw a stagnation in productivity in the U.S., similar to the current global trend of de-globalization and rising geopolitical tensions [3][4]. - The article emphasizes that the dual attributes of metals—strategic and productivity-related—are crucial in understanding their price volatility [7][10]. Group 2: Price Volatility and Market Dynamics - The price of strategic metals experienced extreme fluctuations during the 1970s and 1980s due to geopolitical factors, with examples such as cobalt rising from approximately $5.62 per pound in 1977 to a peak of $32.83 per pound in 1979 [9][10]. - The article notes that after 1980, despite technological advancements in sectors like computing and semiconductors, metal prices generally declined, indicating that new industrial demand does not always correlate with sustained price increases [10][11]. - The current market dynamics are influenced by financial derivatives and leverage, making the discussion of strategic metals relevant to a broader audience compared to past decades [8][10]. Group 3: Geopolitical Influences - Historical geopolitical tensions, such as the Cold War, significantly impacted the supply and demand of strategic metals, with the Soviet Union and the U.S. engaging in strategic stockpiling and market manipulation [12][13]. - The article highlights that geopolitical conflicts often lead to panic buying and supply shortages, which exacerbate price volatility in the metals market [14][15]. - The potential for a shift in geopolitical relations, akin to the thawing of U.S.-Soviet tensions in the 1980s, could significantly alter the current market landscape for these metals [19].