Investment Rating - The report rates the coal industry as "Overweight" [4] Core Views - The coal industry has shown a clear trend of recovery in Q3 2025, confirming that the bottom was reached in Q2 2025. It is expected that Q4 will see a full recovery to the levels seen at the beginning of the year [2][7] - The report recommends leading companies such as China Shenhua, Shaanxi Coal, and China Coal Energy, while also continuing to recommend Yanzhou Coal and Jinneng Holding [4][10] Summary by Sections Investment Highlights - In Q3 2025, the thermal coal sector exhibited a clear trend of revenue performance improvement, with net profit increasing by over 30% quarter-on-quarter. The bottom of the sector cycle was confirmed in Q2 2025 [7] - For the first three quarters of 2025, the electricity generation from thermal power accounted for 64.7% of total generation, remaining the primary source. Total electricity consumption reached 7.8 trillion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 4.6% [7][14] - National coal production in the first three quarters of 2025 increased by 2% year-on-year, with raw coal production at 3.57 billion tons [7][26] - The average price of thermal coal (Q5500) at Huanghua Port was 683.7 RMB/ton, a year-on-year decrease of 21.9% [7][33] Industry Review - Q2 2025 marked the official bottom of the current coal price decline cycle, with a narrowing of price declines in Q3. The total coal production for 2025 is expected to remain stable, with a slight year-on-year decrease in Q4 due to "overproduction" checks [13] - The report indicates that the demand for thermal coal is recovering, with Q3 showing a significant increase in electricity consumption and generation [14] Performance Analysis - In Q3 2025, the coal industry achieved revenues of 638.5 billion RMB, a quarter-on-quarter increase of 3.9% but a year-on-year decrease of 17.6%. Total profit was 77.28 billion RMB, down 45.8% year-on-year but up 12.4% quarter-on-quarter [8][51] - The coal sector's performance improved in Q3 2025, with a revenue of 297.9 billion RMB, a year-on-year decline of 16.5% but a quarter-on-quarter increase of 1.5% [8][53] Financial Analysis - The report notes that the operating cash flow of the coal sector has decreased significantly year-on-year, but there has been an improvement compared to H1 2025. The debt ratio of the coal sector has been continuously optimized, decreasing from 49.2% in 2020 to 46.8% in Q3 2025 [9][40] Outlook for 2026 - The report expresses optimism for a new upward cycle in the coal industry starting in 2026, driven by demand growth and stable supply. It predicts that coal prices may return to above 800 RMB/ton in the second half of 2026 [10][11]