Group 1: Report Industry Investment Rating - No information provided Group 2: Core Viewpoints of the Report - In the first half of 2025, the black - series commodities generally declined. In the second half, prices may fall again to find cost support and then gradually stabilize and rebound in the fourth quarter due to production cuts and policy expectations [2] - The cost decline is an important factor in the decline of steel prices. In 2025, the high iron - water output did not drive up steel prices because of the loose supply of upstream raw materials [3][10] - Manufacturing and exports supported steel demand in the first half of 2025. However, the demand growth rate may slow down in the second half [40][48] - The output of crude steel is expected to decline year - on - year in the second half of 2025. The iron - water output may show a pattern of first stabilizing, then declining, and then increasing [71] - Downstream enterprises have a strong willingness to actively reduce inventory. The steel industry chain will jointly seek cost support, and prices may gradually stabilize and rebound in the fourth quarter [74][78] Group 3: Summary by Relevant Catalogs Cost and Supply - **Coal**: In the first half of 2025, domestic coking coal production increased, with the output from January to April at 156.53 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 8.5%. Although production decreased in May due to safety inspections, it is expected to gradually recover in July. Imports remained at a high level, and the total domestic coking coal supply in the first half is expected to increase by 8.5 million tons year - on - year [14] - **Iron ore**: In February, global iron ore shipments decreased by 8 million tons year - on - year due to hurricanes. The shipments basically remained flat in the first half. The expected increase in 2025 is less than the end - of - 2024 forecast, about 11 million tons, and is expected to exceed 40 million tons in 2026 [20][33] Demand - **Manufacturing**: In the first half of 2025, the steel demand in manufacturing increased. From January to May, the production and sales of automobiles, home appliances, and machinery all increased. However, the demand growth rate may slow down in the second half [40][48] - **Export**: From January to May 2025, steel exports reached 48.469 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 8.9%. Although exports to Vietnam decreased, those to other regions such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America increased. Indirect exports also increased, but may face pressure in the second half [44] - **Infrastructure**: From January to May 2025, the infrastructure investment growth rate was 5.6%, but it declined from April to May, especially in May. The steel demand in the infrastructure industry is facing a differentiated situation [47] - **Real estate**: From January to May 2025, the new construction area of real estate decreased by 22.8% year - on - year. The real estate data weakened again from April to May, and the new construction is expected to remain weak in the second half [63][65] Production and Inventory - **Production**: The average daily iron - water output in the first half of 2025 was around 2.36 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 3.6%. The iron - water output in the second half may show a pattern of first stabilizing, then declining, and then increasing. The production of crude steel is expected to decline year - on - year in the second half [71] - **Inventory**: Downstream enterprises are actively reducing inventory. The iron ore inventory of steel mills and the coking coal inventory of coking plants are at low levels and tend to decline further [74] Price Trend - In the short term, the prices of raw materials have rebounded. However, from July to August, the black - series commodities may weaken again. As production cuts progress, the bottom may be gradually found, and prices may stabilize and rebound in the fourth quarter [78]