Group 1: Report Overview - Report Name: "Soda Ash and Glass Daily Report" [1] - Date: July 18, 2024 [2] - Research Team: Energy and Chemical Research Team [4] Group 2: Industry Investment Rating - No information provided Group 3: Core Viewpoints - For soda ash, in the short - term, the market will follow the overall commodity trend and fluctuate strongly, but in the long - term, it is bearish due to supply - demand contradictions. For glass, in the short - term, it will fluctuate with the overall commodity trend, and in the long - term, the fundamental driving force is weak [8][10] Group 4: Soda Ash and Glass Market Review and Operation Suggestions Soda Ash - On July 17, the main futures contract SA509 of soda ash turned from a decline to a rise, with a closing price of 1,225 yuan/ton, a rise of 14 yuan/ton, a gain of 1.15%, and a daily reduction of 39,415 lots [7] - In terms of fundamentals, supply and demand both increased, and inventory accumulation still existed. The weekly output was 733,200 tons, a week - on - week increase of 3.42%, and the weekly capacity utilization rate was 84.10%, a week - on - week increase of 2.78%. The enterprise shipment volume was 691,000 tons, a week - on - week increase of 5.48%, and the total inventory of manufacturers was 1.9056 million tons, a week - on - week increase of 2.26% [8] Glass - In terms of supply, the daily melting volume of photovoltaic glass decreased, and the supply of float glass also declined, increasing inventory pressure. The mid - stream inventory was at a high level, and the process of capacity reduction was slow, leading to potential further inventory accumulation [9] - In the downstream, the domestic real estate completion stage has not improved substantially, and the industry's downward trend continues. The policy orientation needs further observation [10] Group 5: Data Overview - The report presents multiple data charts, including the price trends of active contracts for soda ash and glass, the weekly output and enterprise inventory of soda ash, the market price of heavy soda ash in Central China, and the output of flat glass [12][13][17]

Group 1 - The steel sector experienced a strong rally on July 4, with notable stock performances including Lingang Co. hitting the daily limit, Liugang Co. achieving four consecutive limit-ups, and Angang Steel rising over 6% [1] - Liugang Co. has not identified any media reports or market rumors that could impact its stock price, and its fundamentals remain unchanged, with major shareholders holding 83.01% of the company [1] - The Central Financial Committee emphasized the need to promote the orderly exit of outdated production capacity and improve product quality, which may positively influence the steel sector's profitability [2] Group 2 - There are reports of increased environmental restrictions and production cuts in Tangshan, with approximately half of the steel mills indicating they have received notifications regarding these measures [1] - The steel sector's profitability is expected to recover to historical average levels, and the price-to-book ratio (PB) of steel stocks may also improve as a result [2]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint emphasizes the need for the orderly exit of backward production capacity as a fundamental guarantee for smooth economic circulation both domestically and internationally [1][6] - The recent Central Financial Committee meeting highlighted the importance of creating a unified market system to combat low-price disorderly competition and internal competition, which reflects the ongoing issues of insufficient effective demand in the economy [2][3] - The exit of backward production capacity is crucial for achieving marginal balance in supply and demand, allowing competition to shift from price wars to enhancing product quality and consumer surplus [3][4] Group 2 - To facilitate the orderly exit of backward production capacity, it is essential to eliminate systemic barriers that hinder the operation of the Bankruptcy Law and improve market exit mechanisms [3][4] - Effective risk prevention measures must be implemented, including stress testing for industry risks and requiring companies to disclose their risk assessments regularly [4][5] - Misunderstanding of risks is a significant barrier to the exit of backward production capacity; recognizing and pricing risks through market mechanisms is vital for orderly exits [5][6]

Summary of Key Points from Conference Call Records Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the economic governance and policy changes in various industries, particularly focusing on the steel, non-ferrous metals, coal, and engineering machinery sectors [1][5][6][13]. Key Insights and Arguments Economic Governance and Policy Changes - The Central Financial Committee emphasizes the need to regulate low-price disorderly competition and promote the orderly exit of backward production capacity, which is crucial for building a unified national market [1][3][4]. - Current economic policies have shifted from controlling high prices to managing low prices, reflecting a focus on high-quality development rather than mere scale expansion [5][6]. - The governance approach has transitioned from anti-monopoly to addressing disorderly competition, indicating a response to insufficient total demand and low-price competition [5][6]. Steel Industry - The steel industry is experiencing a demand downturn due to real estate sector weaknesses, with manufacturing demand now accounting for over 50% of total demand [1][16]. - The average net profit of listed companies in the steel sector has turned negative for three consecutive years, indicating a supply-side contraction [1][17]. - The steel demand cycle is gradually bottoming out, with exports performing better than expected [1][16]. - Future steel prices are expected to rebound as demand stabilizes and supply contracts, with a projected upturn in the industry over the next two to three years [19]. Non-Ferrous Metals - The non-ferrous metals market is characterized by resource scarcity and the interplay of U.S.-China liquidity cycles, with a focus on tin and copper due to their technological applications [21][22]. - Tin demand is expected to rise due to its applications in technology, despite a temporary increase in supply from the resumption of production in certain regions [21][22]. - Copper prices are anticipated to reach historical highs driven by U.S. debt relief and seasonal demand [22]. Coal Market - The coal market is showing signs of price stabilization, with overall coal prices slowly rising after a challenging first half of 2025 [23][24]. - The relationship between electricity consumption and GDP is expected to remain stable, with new policies reducing the expected returns on renewable energy installations [23][24]. - Future coal supply is likely to decrease, particularly in Xinjiang, impacting China's overall coal production landscape [25][26]. Engineering Machinery - The engineering machinery sector is facing severe internal competition, but leading companies are beginning to raise product prices, which may improve profit margins [29][30]. - Domestic sales are projected to grow by 15%-20% this year, with exports performing better than initially expected [31][32]. - The cyclical growth in the machinery industry is expected to continue for the next three to five years, benefiting major manufacturers [34][35]. Other Important but Overlooked Content - The governance of low-price competition and the orderly exit of backward production capacity are seen as critical to addressing the internal competition and ensuring sustainable economic growth [3][4][6]. - The focus on high-quality development and the regulation of local government behaviors are essential for stabilizing the market and fostering investment opportunities in various sectors [5][6][12]. - The anticipated structural investment opportunities arising from the exit of underperforming companies in the manufacturing sector could lead to a healthier market environment [12][13].