Core Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of macroeconomic research as a critical component of the investment system, suggesting that many past concerns about the Chinese economy were overblown, and a new narrative focusing on innovation and industrial manufacturing is emerging [1] - It highlights the cyclical nature of stock valuations, indicating that understanding undervaluation and overvaluation is essential for successful investment strategies [1] - The steel industry is currently positioned at an absolute undervaluation, presenting a significant opportunity for value investment, with expectations of recovery in capital returns as capacity utilization improves [4] Industry Trends - The report notes that the steel industry is entering a long-term decline phase following industrial maturity, characterized by stable demand and low capital returns, with a projected capacity utilization rate of 82% in 2026 [4] - It discusses the cyclical trajectory of the steel industry, indicating that the current low capital returns are conducive to supply adjustments and potential mergers within the industry [4] - The report anticipates that the marginal recovery in capacity utilization in 2026 will further enhance capital returns in the steel sector, contingent on effective policy implementation [4] Investment Strategy - The report recommends focusing on companies that are likely to benefit from improving capital returns, such as Baosteel, Hesteel, Nanjing Steel, and Xinyu Steel, as they are expected to provide significant investment value despite having moved away from absolute undervaluation [4] - It emphasizes the need for a detailed approach to selecting specific stocks within the steel sector, as the overall market dynamics shift towards a more stable economic environment [4] - The report suggests that the investment strategy should adapt to the changing economic landscape, where excess capital in society will influence market trends and stock valuations [4]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the steel sector, specifically recommending stocks such as Hualing Steel, Nanjing Steel, Baosteel, and New Steel [3][6][9]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes that the current market is experiencing uneven performance, with a focus on the technology sector while traditional industries face significant adjustments. The report suggests that the era of capital oversupply is establishing a foundation for a golden period in capital markets [2]. - The report highlights that the average daily pig iron production has slightly increased, and the total inventory growth has narrowed, indicating a potential improvement in market conditions [14][26]. - The apparent consumption of steel has shown a month-on-month improvement, particularly in rebar demand, which has increased significantly [43]. Summary by Sections Market Review - The CITIC Steel Index closed at 1,778.35 points, down 2.74%, underperforming the CSI 300 Index by 2.30 percentage points, ranking 25th among 30 CITIC primary sectors [1][92]. Supply and Production - The average daily pig iron production rose by 0.5 million tons to 241.1 million tons, while the production of rebar decreased slightly, and hot-rolled production saw a minor increase [14][19]. - In August 2025, crude steel production was 77.37 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 0.7%, while steel production increased by 9.7% to 122.77 million tons [15][8]. Inventory - Total steel inventory continued to accumulate, with a weekly increase of 0.3%, but the growth rate has narrowed by 0.6 percentage points compared to the previous week [26][28]. - The social inventory of five major steel products was 11.014 million tons, up 0.6% week-on-week and 7.3% year-on-year [28]. Demand - The apparent consumption of five major steel products was 8.503 million tons, up 0.8% month-on-month but down 4.6% year-on-year, indicating a mixed demand scenario [53]. - The average weekly transaction volume of construction steel was 106,000 tons, reflecting a 3.3% increase from the previous week [44]. Raw Materials - Iron ore prices have shown a slight increase, with the Platts 62% iron ore price index at $106.6 per ton, up 0.2% week-on-week and 17.9% year-on-year [62]. - The report notes that the coal and electricity investment completion amount reached 96 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 52.4%, indicating a positive outlook for related sectors [8]. Prices and Profits - The comprehensive steel price index increased by 0.5% week-on-week, suggesting a potential for continued price strength as industry fundamentals improve [72]. - The current spot price for rebar in Beijing is 3,200 yuan per ton, reflecting a 0.3% increase week-on-week [73].

Investment Rating - The industry is rated as "Buy" for key companies such as Hualing Steel, Nanjing Steel, Baosteel, and Xinguang Steel, indicating strong potential for price appreciation [8]. Core Viewpoints - The report suggests that the steel industry is experiencing a recovery phase, with expectations of improved fundamentals driven by supply-side reforms and demand recovery [14]. - The overall economic growth in the first half of the year was supported by both external and internal demand, with GDP growth reaching 5.3% [2]. - The report highlights that the steel sector is currently in a phase of capital surplus, which is expected to provide a favorable environment for market performance [2]. Supply Analysis - Daily average pig iron production has slightly increased to 2.408 million tons, with a marginal rise in long-process production [13]. - The capacity utilization rate for blast furnaces across 247 steel mills is reported at 90.3%, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 4.4% [18]. - The total inventory of five major steel products has increased by 1.8%, but the growth rate has narrowed compared to previous weeks [25]. Demand Analysis - Apparent consumption of five major steel products has improved, with a week-on-week increase of 2.6%, totaling 8.53 million tons [52]. - The demand for rebar has shown a recovery, with weekly consumption reaching 1.948 million tons, up by 2.6% [52]. Price and Profitability - The report notes a decline in steel prices, with the Myspic comprehensive steel price index decreasing by 1.1% week-on-week [73]. - The current cost of long-process rebar is reported at 3,428 CNY per ton, with a negative margin of 140 CNY per ton [73]. - The profitability of steel mills is under pressure, with a slight decrease in immediate gross margins observed [73]. Key Companies and Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on companies with strong safety margins and undervalued positions, including Hualing Steel, Nanjing Steel, and Baosteel [2]. - Companies benefiting from the energy sector, such as Jiuli Special Materials and Yongjin Co., are highlighted for their potential growth due to favorable market conditions [2].