1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the content 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - In the short term, methanol is expected to fluctuate at a high level, with limited upside and downside potential [2][4]. - Macro - level factors include Trump's agreement information reducing the probability of geopolitical conflicts, and the nomination of Wash as Fed Chair causing a decline in precious metals and a weak overall macro - sentiment. However, strong international energy prices support the downside of methanol [4]. - Fundamentally, the short - term supply - demand pattern of methanol is weak, and high port inventories suppress the upside of prices [4]. - In terms of valuation, the MTO fundamentals are weak, and the production profit is continuously compressed. The range of 2300 - 2350 yuan/ton is a strong fundamental resistance level. The cash - flow cost line of coal - based methanol plants in Henan provides support for the lower valuation of methanol [4]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 This Week's Methanol Summary (Supply, Demand, Inventory) Supply - From January 23 - 29, 2026, China's methanol production was 2,037,735 tons, an increase of 28,820 tons from last week, and the plant capacity utilization rate was 91.21%, a 1.43% week - on - week increase. Next week, production is expected to be about 2.0771 million tons, and the capacity utilization rate is expected to be about 92.98%, higher than the current level [4]. Demand - Olefins: The operating rate of the MTO industry increased slightly as the load of Ningbo Fude's MTO plant increased [4]. - Traditional downstream: For dimethyl ether, the Xinxiang Xinlianxin plant is expected to shut down next week, reducing supply and potentially lowering the overall capacity utilization rate. For glacial acetic acid, there are no planned maintenance activities next week, and the capacity utilization rate is expected to increase slightly. For formaldehyde, plants such as Xinxing Chemical and Gushi Huanyu are expected to shut down for maintenance, and plants like Shandong Lianyi may continue to reduce their loads, so supply is expected to decrease and the capacity utilization rate may decline. For chlorides, there is no clear shutdown plan for the next period, and some plants may restart, so the domestic methane chloride capacity utilization rate is expected to continue rising, but attention should be paid to the recovery of load - reducing plants and the impact of high liquid chlorine prices on production facilities [4]. Inventory - As of 11:30 on January 28, 2026, the inventory of China's methanol sample production enterprises was 424,100 tons, a decrease of 14,200 tons from the previous period, a 3.24% week - on - week decrease; the orders to be delivered of sample enterprises were 265,700 tons, an increase of 27,400 tons from the previous period, an 11.50% week - on - week increase [4]. - As of January 28, 2026, the inventory of China's methanol port samples was 1.4721 million tons, an increase of 14,600 tons from the previous period, a 1.00% week - on - week increase. Port inventories continued to accumulate, mainly in East China. 191,400 tons of foreign vessels were unloaded in East China during the period. In Jiangsu's main storage areas along the Yangtze River,提货 decreased, and although an olefin plant in Zhejiang restarted, inventories still accumulated due to the supply of foreign vessels. In South China, only a small amount of domestic trade replenishment was available in Guangdong, and the main storage areas'提货 decreased. Since there was no supply from foreign vessels, inventories decreased. In Fujian, there was no unloading during the week, and inventories also decreased [4]. 3.2 Price and Spread - The report presents multiple charts showing the trends of basis, monthly spreads, warehouse receipts, domestic and international spot prices, and port - inland price differences of methanol from 2020 - 2026 [7][8][9][12][16][20] 3.3 Supply - The report shows the trends of methanol production, capacity utilization rates by region and process, import - related data (import volume, cost, arrival volume, and profit), production costs, and production profits from 2018 - 2026 [25][27][35][39][42] 3.4 Demand - The report shows the trends of capacity utilization rates of methanol downstream industries (such as MTO, dimethyl ether, formaldehyde, etc.), production profits of downstream industries, and procurement volumes and inventories of downstream industries from 2018 - 2026 [47][55][63][73] 3.5 Inventory - The report shows the trends of methanol factory inventories (by region) and port inventories (by region) from 2018 - 2026 [78][83] 3.6 Strategies - Unilateral: Short - term high - level fluctuations, with resistance at 2350 - 2400 yuan/ton for the 05 contract and support at 2150 - 2180 yuan/ton [4]. - Inter - period: The 5 - 9 monthly spread may show a positive spread pattern [4]. - Inter - variety: The spread between MA and PP is in a fluctuating pattern [4].

Core Viewpoint - Methanol prices have shown a strong performance since the New Year, driven by geopolitical disturbances in Iran leading to reduced imports, although downstream MTO profit compression limits price increases [1][5]. Group 1: Supply Dynamics - Domestic supply remains high due to sustained operating rates of coal-based methanol plants, while natural gas-based plants are experiencing seasonal shutdowns, leading to a temporary reduction in supply [2]. - Overseas supply has significantly decreased, particularly due to the shutdown of Iranian methanol plants since late November, resulting in a continuous decline in overseas operating rates [2]. - Currently, only a few Iranian methanol plants are operational, with daily production at low levels, and a notable decrease in Iranian shipments since December, indicating a significant reduction in domestic imports expected in Q1 [2]. Group 2: Demand Trends - Demand is currently weak, primarily due to traditional demand being in the off-season and profit compression in olefins leading to expected shutdowns of some facilities [3]. - Although the overall operating rate remains relatively high, terminal demand is weak, resulting in low inventory replenishment willingness among downstream players [3]. - The reduction in olefin demand, which accounts for over half of methanol demand, is expected to significantly limit methanol price increases [3]. Group 3: Inventory Changes - Recent domestic methanol inventory shows divergence, with port inventories gradually decreasing while inland inventories are accumulating [4]. - Port inventories have started to decline since December, primarily due to reduced imports and increased replenishment by olefin companies post-holiday [4]. - Inland inventory pressures have emerged due to high domestic production levels and declining traditional demand, leading to a gradual accumulation of inventory [4]. Group 4: Market Outlook - Short-term methanol prices are expected to remain strong, primarily due to market speculation regarding geopolitical factors affecting imports, although downstream demand reduction may suppress price increases [5]. - The majority of Iranian methanol plants are currently shut down, maintaining low daily production, with expectations of a significant reduction in domestic imports in Q1 [5]. - The market will closely monitor further developments in geopolitical situations and the dynamics of coastal MTO facilities, with methanol prices anticipated to maintain a strong oscillating trend [5].

1. Report Industry Investment Rating There is no information about the report industry investment rating in the provided content. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report In the short - term, the biggest contradiction in methanol lies in the improvement of the willingness to hold goods. Despite high port inventories, the negotiable inventory is limited. With the slow unloading speed, the methanol port has become a market of stock - based competition. The concentration of cargo rights has led to an increase in port basis, and the strong inland demand has continuously relieved the pressure on the port. In the medium - term, port contradictions will gradually ease. The slow arrival of goods will stretch the inventory accumulation slope, and the pressure of high supply at the port will gradually decrease. From the perspective of port inventories alone, the 05 contract is in a process of gradual inventory reduction. Inland, after the commissioning of Lianhong, traders' bullish sentiment was strong, especially with the maintenance of Jiutai, bringing a prosperous period. However, with Jiutai's resumption, there are signs of weakness. In the long - run, the inland supply - demand situation is still relatively healthy. As an intermediate product, methanol needs to consider the valuation of its upstream and downstream industries. From the perspective of coal and olefin downstream, the valuation is at a low level, and the upside potential of methanol is limited. In summary, under the expectation of inventory reduction, it is difficult for methanol to reach new lows, but its upward movement is restricted by upstream and downstream industries. Attention should be paid to the demand increment brought by the commissioning of new plants. 3. Summary According to Relevant Catalogs 3.1 2025 Methanol Market Review - **First Quarter**: The market was volatile. The article about the Iranian energy crisis in the New York Times triggered a sharp increase in domestic sentiment, with the futures price and port paper - based basis rising significantly. Then, the shutdown of Xingxing at the MTO end led to an expectation of olefin - end shutdown, causing the methanol price to rise first and then fall. After the Spring Festival, there was a large - scale seasonal inventory accumulation inland, and the market price decreased. After the price of inland methanol was oversold, the procurement by coastal olefin producers provided support. The Spring maintenance plans of major plants such as Xin'ao, Rongxin, Huayu, and Jiutai Dalu in March also contributed to the price rebound. The main contradiction was the recovery time of Iranian plants. With the gradual recovery of inland MTO external procurement and downstream operations, the bottom price of methanol was supported. By the end of the first quarter, Iranian plants returned, and the shipping volume recovered, ending the bullish story. - **Second Quarter**: Methanol prices were greatly affected by macro factors. The change in US tariff policy and the outbreak of the Iran - Israel conflict had an impact on the market. The US tariff increase and China's counter - measures led to a decline in methanol valuation. Later, the smooth progress of Sino - US economic and trade talks and a larger - than - expected tariff reduction improved market sentiment, and methanol prices rose. The Iran - Israel conflict increased geopolitical risks. As China is the world's largest methanol consumer and imports a large amount of methanol from Iran, the conflict led to concerns about supply and an increase in downstream costs, pushing up the methanol valuation. After the conflict, the rapid decline in methanol prices was mainly due to the disappearance of "geopolitical premium" rather than a weakening of fundamentals. - **Third Quarter**: The Iran - Israel conflict cooled down, but the shadow of war remained. Iran adopted low - inventory shipping, accelerating the loading of ships. The domestic anti - involution sentiment cooled down, and the cost - end price decreased. The methanol price fluctuated downward with intermittent rebounds. The high - level of overseas imports led to a historical high in port inventories, while the inland market was strong due to continuous external procurement by MTO plants. The theoretical reverse - flow window at the port remained open. In September, there was uncertainty about Iranian shipping. If Iranian plants shut down, it would support the price in the fourth quarter, and the methanol price showed a narrow - range fluctuation. - **Fourth Quarter**: Before the shutdown of Iranian plants, the import volume from Iran exceeded expectations, and the shipping volume reached a historical high. The port basis continued to decline, and the port inventory accumulation accelerated, putting pressure on the port basis. The 1 - 5 month spread first decreased and then rebounded due to the relatively fast shipping in the early stage of the fourth - quarter Iranian shipping. 3.2 2026 Methanol Supply - Demand Pattern Outlook 3.2.1 Supply - Side Device Commissioning - **Domestic**: In 2025, the domestic methanol new - project volume was considerable, and most projects were equipped with downstream facilities. The production process of new projects in 2025 involved coal - based, coke - oven gas - based, and carbon dioxide hydrogenation - based methods. Three new plants were commissioned in the first three quarters of 2025, with a total upstream production capacity of 6.7 million tons, and most of them were配套 with downstream facilities. In 2026, the planned commissioning production capacity was 5.55 million tons, including large - scale projects such as China Coal Yulin and Inner Mongolia Zhuozheng, but they were all配套 with downstream facilities, so the actual external sales volume was limited. - **Overseas**: In 2025, the overseas new commissioning production capacity was 3.4 million tons, including Sarawak in Malaysia (1.75 million tons/year) and Apadana in Iran (1.65 million tons/year). In 2026, attention should be paid to the 1.65 - million - ton/year Denapetro (DPC) plant in Iran. - **Iranian Shipping**: In the fourth quarter of 2024, the early arrival of overseas cold snaps led to the shutdown of some Iranian plants and a strengthening of the port basis. In the first quarter of 2025, the monthly average shipping volume from Iran was about 210,000 tons, and the import volume decreased by 40% compared with the first quarter of 2024 due to the delayed restart of Iranian plants. In the second quarter, the Iran - Israel conflict affected Iranian methanol production areas, and the shipping volume in June decreased sharply. In the third quarter, the conflict cooled down, and Iran adopted low - inventory shipping, with a monthly average shipping volume of 960,000 tons, putting pressure on the port. 3.2.2 Demand - Side Device Commissioning - **MTO Demand in 2026**: In 2025, one new MTO plant (Inner Mongolia Baofeng) was commissioned in the first quarter. Shandong Lianhong was postponed until December 2025. In 2026, a Guangxi Huayi MTO plant is expected to be commissioned in May. - **Traditional Demand in 2025**: In the first quarter, the downstream weighted operating rate was relatively high compared with the historical average, driven by the inland MTO demand. The MTBE demand increased significantly, with more export orders and new plant commissioning. In the second quarter, the downstream situation was affected by summer maintenance, but the operating rate was still acceptable. In the third quarter, the traditional downstream operating rate weakened, but the demand was resilient, with the demand increment mainly in acetic acid and MTBE. - **New Downstream Commissioning in 2026**: In 2025, the new downstream demand pattern was acceptable, with a slower growth rate compared with 2024. The new downstream industries mainly included BDO, acetic acid, silicone, formaldehyde, MTBE, and DMF, with BDO and acetic acid having the largest new production capacity. In 2026, there are many new downstream commissioning plans, including MTO, acetic acid, MTBE, BDO, and ethanol projects, which will support the methanol demand. 3.3 Supply - Demand Balance Sheet and Views - **Balance Sheet**: The 05 contract is in a process of continuous inventory reduction. In the short - term, the port is a stock - based competition market due to the improvement of the willingness to hold goods, slow unloading speed, and concentrated cargo rights, which has led to an increase in port basis. The strong inland demand has relieved the port pressure. In the long - run, the port contradictions will ease, and the pressure of high supply will decrease. Inland, the supply - demand situation is relatively healthy in the long - run, although there are short - term fluctuations. - **Strategy Views**: The future game points of methanol may include the inventory accumulation expectation after Iran's return (continued high - volume shipping), the huge demand increment brought by the commissioning of Huayi, and the limited upside potential of methanol due to the pressure on upstream and downstream industries.

Core Viewpoint - The methanol market has experienced a significant decline since late October, with prices dropping sharply due to a persistent oversupply and weak demand, leading to a bearish sentiment in the market [4][22]. Supply Side - Domestic methanol production has increased, with weekly output reaching 196.52 million tons as of November 6, driven by rising operating rates and the recovery of previously offline production facilities [8]. - The capacity utilization rate for methanol plants in China has risen to 87.79%, with limited new maintenance plans expected in the short term, indicating continued supply pressure [8][24]. - The import volume of methanol in October was 154.74 million tons, showing an increase from September, but still below expectations, with a forecast of 150-160 million tons for November [13]. Demand Side - Demand for methanol remains weak, with the overall operating rate of downstream industries at 46.5%, reflecting a decline in purchasing willingness [15]. - The MTO (Methanol-to-Olefins) sector is particularly affected, with significant reductions in production and profitability due to falling prices of basic chemical raw materials [15][24]. Inventory - As of November 12, methanol port inventory in China reached 154.36 million tons, an increase of 5.65 million tons from the previous period, indicating ongoing accumulation despite stable demand [18][22]. Market Outlook - Analysts suggest that the methanol market will continue to face a supply-demand imbalance, with prices likely to remain under pressure in the short term [24][25]. - The potential for a rebound in prices may depend on the reduction of supply from Iran and the overall inventory levels in the coming months [22][24].

Industry Overview - As of May 7, 2025, China's methanol port inventory totals 551,900 tons, an increase of 14,500 tons from the previous period, with East China experiencing a decrease of 12,900 tons and South China seeing an increase of 27,400 tons [1] - Northwest methanol enterprises signed contracts for 18,600 tons, a decrease of 43,200 tons month-on-month, with sample enterprises having 237,800 tons of orders pending shipment, down 11,900 tons from the previous period [2] - Domestic methanol comprehensive profits remain high, with weighted operating loads continuing to rise, while international methanol production (excluding China) is at 1,080,000 tons, down 16,900 tons, with a capacity utilization rate of 75.67%, down 1.18 percentage points [2] Market Sentiment - According to Wenguang Futures, domestic supply is expected to continue rising, with imports gradually increasing, while traditional demand is expected to weaken, leading to a gradual softening of the methanol supply-demand balance and potential price declines [3] - The current methanol industry chain profits are concentrated in production enterprises, with profits likely to shift downstream, further compressing production profits [3] - Continuous declines in energy prices, such as crude oil, are expected to further dampen market sentiment [3] Price Trends - Ningzheng Futures indicates that coal prices are expected to remain stable, with current methanol profits being acceptable, but downstream demand is declining, leading to a slight accumulation of port inventories, primarily in South China [4] - The inland methanol market is stable but slightly weak, with auction transactions being acceptable, while port methanol market negotiations are generally average [4] - The methanol September contract is expected to experience short-term fluctuations with a bearish bias, facing resistance around 2,265 [4]