Investment Rating - The report emphasizes the importance of timing in investing in the cyclical industry due to its high volatility and low long-term compound returns [2][16][18] Core Insights - The cyclical industry, which includes coal, steel, petrochemicals, non-ferrous metals, and basic chemicals, is closely linked to macroeconomic performance, with nominal GDP growth serving as a synchronous or lagging indicator, while new social financing growth is a leading indicator [2][15] - Commodity prices are direct indicators of the cyclical industry's prosperity, typically leading or synchronizing with stock price bottoms but lagging at peaks [2][35] - Market sentiment is assessed through valuation extremes and trading volume, with high trading volumes indicating potential market reversals [2][40] Summary by Sections Industry Classification - The cyclical sector encompasses coal, steel, petrochemicals, basic chemicals, and non-ferrous metals, with a total market capitalization share of 13.5% as of October 2025 [10][8] Market Characteristics - The cyclical industry exhibits high volatility and lower long-term returns, necessitating a focus on timing for investments [16][18] - Historical data shows that significant excess returns in the cyclical sector often coincide with periods of rising commodity prices, particularly in 2007, 2009, 2016, and 2021 [19][20] Industry Prosperity - Policy changes significantly impact the cyclical industry's performance, with supply-side constraints playing a crucial role [23][26] - Commodity prices are critical indicators of industry health, with manufacturing PMI and the South China index serving as leading or synchronous macro indicators [35][36] Market Sentiment - Valuation extremes signal potential market reversals, while trading volume and turnover rates provide insights into market participation [2][40] - The cyclical sector's performance is influenced by overall market risk appetite, with high-dividend sectors like coal and steel gaining traction during defensive market phases [2][40] Outlook - The cyclical sector's investment value is expected to improve with a recovery in sentiment and economic conditions, particularly in non-ferrous metals, coal, and steel [2][19]