Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided in the given content. Core Viewpoints - Overseas mine production is increasing smoothly, with expected growth of 40 - 50 tons in H2 and 5 tons from domestic mines, leading to a global zinc ore surplus of over 20 tons [5]. - Smelting losses have rapidly recovered, and overall smelting profits are expanding, with expected supply growth of around 15% in H2 and 7.4% for the whole year [4][5]. - Consumption was strong in H1, with an expected annual growth rate of 1.2%. However, the consumption intensity is still difficult to match the supply growth rate [4]. - Inventory is at a historical low, with apparent consumption stronger than actual consumption. As zinc alloy inventory increases and supply pressure grows, a negative feedback loop is expected [4][6]. - The strategy is to short and wait for the accumulation of social inventory [8]. Summary Based on Directory Zinc Ore - Overseas mainstream zinc mines are increasing production normally, and the year - on - year growth is expected to accelerate. In Q1, overseas mine production was 114 tons, a year - on - year increase of 5 tons (4.5%). In H2, overseas production is expected to increase by 40 - 50 tons year - on - year [11]. - Domestic zinc mines contribute limited incremental output, with an expected annual increase of only 5 tons [11]. - From January to May, domestic zinc ore production was 139.8 tons, a year - on - year decrease of 5 tons, but the production rate and output are rising. From January to May, imported zinc ore was 220.4 tons, a cumulative year - on - year increase of 52.5% [12]. Refined Zinc - During the off - season, the spot premium is weakening, indicating supply pressure. From January to June, China's refined zinc production was 324 tons, a cumulative year - on - year increase of only 1.9%. In July, the estimated output is 59 tons, with a possible year - on - year growth rate of 20%. The expected annual output for 2025 is 665 tons, a cumulative year - on - year increase of 7.4% [31]. - Smelting losses have been rapidly repaired, and the rise in by - product prices has further expanded smelting profits. The industry - weighted smelting profit can reach 1,300 yuan/ton, increasing smelting enthusiasm [44]. - Zinc ingot inventory is at a low level, but there is a possibility of invisible inventory becoming visible. As supply growth is expected to remain around 15% in H2, a trend of inventory accumulation is expected during the off - season [47]. Downstream Consumption - Exports are driving galvanized consumption. From January to May, China's galvanized strip net exports were 547.4 tons, a cumulative year - on - year increase of 14.7%. Although there may be some consumption overdraft, there is no need to be overly pessimistic about overseas consumption [52]. - Zinc alloy integration is hiding visible inventory. While zinc consumption has shown positive growth, it is still difficult to match the supply growth rate. As consumption weakens during the off - season, a negative feedback loop is expected, and the invisible inventory of zinc alloy will turn into visible inventory [59]. Terminal Consumption - Infrastructure investment is supporting consumption. From January to May, China's fixed - asset investment increased by 3.7% year - on - year, and infrastructure investment increased by 10.4% year - on - year, with power grid investment increasing by 19.8% year - on - year, driving the demand for domestic galvanized towers [7][62]. - The automotive industry has consumption pre - empted. From January to May, China's automobile production increased by 12.7% year - on - year, but the channel inventory increased from 2.26 million to 2.59 million, indicating possible consumption pre - empted [7]. - The photovoltaic sector may see marginal improvement. From January to May, China's photovoltaic installed capacity was 198GW, a year - on - year increase of 1.5 times. Although the current consumption is at its lowest, there is a possibility of marginal repair in the later period [7]. - The home appliance sector has over - consumed. State subsidies in H1 drove home appliance and automobile consumption, but there is an issue of over - consumption [7].

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Unilateral: Neutral [4] - Arbitrage: Neutral [4] 2. Core View of the Report - The spot market's restocking enthusiasm is low before the Dragon Boat Festival. Strong current consumption supports the zinc price to oscillate at a high level, but consumption may face a test in June, and there is a possibility of a month - on - month decline after June. Attention should be paid to inventory changes [1][3] 3. Summary by Related Catalogs Important Data - **Spot**: LME zinc spot premium is -$20.27/ton. SMM Shanghai zinc spot price is flat at 22,830 yuan/ton compared with the previous trading day, and the premium is up 25 yuan/ton to 440 yuan/ton. SMM Guangdong zinc spot price is down 10 yuan/ton to 22,850 yuan/ton, and the premium is up 15 yuan/ton to 460 yuan/ton. SMM Tianjin zinc spot price is flat at 22,840 yuan/ton, and the premium is up 25 yuan/ton to 450 yuan/ton [1] - **Futures**: On May 29, 2025, the main SHFE zinc contract opened at 22,300 yuan/ton and closed at 22,495 yuan/ton, up 135 yuan/ton from the previous trading day. The trading volume was 184,818 lots, an increase of 22,593 lots from the previous trading day. The position was 119,380 lots, a decrease of 3,627 lots from the previous trading day. The intraday price fluctuated, with the highest reaching 22,530 yuan/ton and the lowest 22,225 yuan/ton [1] - **Inventory**: As of May 29, 2025, the total inventory of zinc ingots in seven regions monitored by SMM is 75,000 tons, a decrease of 5,400 tons compared with the same period last week. As of May 29, 2025, the LME zinc inventory is 141,375 tons, a decrease of 2,075 tons from the previous trading day [2] Market Analysis - **Spot Market**: Traders continue to hold up prices, and the spot premium rises. The absolute price fluctuates, which does not meet the downstream's psychological expectations, so the pre - festival restocking enthusiasm is poor [3] - **Supply**: A zinc smelter in South China extended its maintenance due to an accident, and the specific resumption time is undetermined, which caused the zinc price to fluctuate and rise, but the rise lacks continuous power. The overseas mine output in the first quarter was lower than expected, but domestic smelters have sufficient raw material inventory. The TC in June will continue to rise, and smelting still makes a profit at the current TC price, so the supply pressure remains [3] - **Consumption**: The strong current consumption supports the zinc price to oscillate at a high level. Consumption may face a test in June. Since the time window for rush - exporting is approaching the end and there is an over - drafting situation, consumption may weaken month - on - month after June [3]