Summary of China Basic Materials Monitor - September 2025 Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Basic Materials** industry, highlighting the current demand and supply dynamics affecting pricing and margins in various sectors including construction, automotive, and metals [1][2]. Key Points Demand Trends - **End-user orderbooks** have shown a month-over-month (MoM) increase as of mid-September, consistent with seasonal patterns observed in previous years [1]. - **Aggregated demand** is driven by positive growth in sectors such as **automotive**, **battery production**, and **metal fabrication**, alongside mild seasonal increases in **construction** [1]. - Traditional sectors like **white goods**, **property**, and **machinery** are experiencing weaker demand [1]. Supply Disruptions - Ongoing **supply disruptions** are noted, particularly in: - **Lithium Lepidolite** production - A correction in excess **coal** production - Tightness in domestic **copper scrap** supply [1]. - The Chinese government has reaffirmed its policy on supply management (anti-involution) as a long-term strategy, which is expected to support overall commodity pricing and margins [1]. Pricing and Margin Outlook - Current demand for **cement** and **construction steel** is reported to be 1-6% lower year-over-year (YoY), while **copper** and **aluminium** demand is down 5-7% YoY. In contrast, **flat steel** demand has increased by 3% YoY [1]. - Recent weeks have seen improvements in margins/pricing for **aluminium** and **copper**, while **steel**, **coal**, and **lithium** prices have softened, with **cement** prices remaining stable [1]. Producer Feedback - A proprietary survey indicates that **52%** of respondents in downstream sectors reported an improvement in orderbook trends for August, while **32%** of basic materials producers noted similar improvements [2]. - Conversely, **9%** of downstream respondents and **16%** of basic materials producers indicated a decline in orderbook trends [2]. Additional Insights - The report includes detailed snapshots of downstream demand across various sectors, including infrastructure, property, traditional manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, and exports [7]. - Specific commodity analyses cover **steel**, **coal**, **cement**, **aluminium**, **copper**, and **lithium**, providing insights into their respective demand and pricing trends [7]. Conclusion - The China Basic Materials industry is currently experiencing a complex interplay of steady demand growth in certain sectors and ongoing supply disruptions, which collectively influence pricing and margin expectations. The outlook remains cautiously optimistic, supported by government policies aimed at stabilizing supply and pricing dynamics [1][2].

Core Viewpoint - Northern Oil And Gas reported strong revenue performance in Q2 2025, exceeding analyst expectations, but faced a decline in GAAP net income due to softer commodity prices and a non-cash asset impairment [1][7]. Financial Performance - Revenue for Q2 2025 was $574.4 million, surpassing the estimate of $526.46 million [1][7]. - GAAP net income decreased to $99.6 million, down 28.1% from $138.6 million in Q2 2024 [2][7]. - Non-GAAP EPS was $1.37, a 6.2% decline from $1.46 in Q2 2024 [2]. - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 6.6% year-over-year to $440.4 million [2]. Production and Operations - Total production rose by 9% year-over-year to 134,094 barrels of oil equivalent (Boe) per day [5]. - Oil production increased by 10.5% to 76,944 barrels per day, while natural gas output also grew [5]. - Development activity saw a reduction, with only 20.8 net wells added, but the company maintained a record 53.2 net wells in process [6]. Strategic Acquisitions - The company closed a $61.7 million acquisition in Upton County, Texas, along with 22 smaller transactions adding approximately 2,600 net acres and 4.8 net wells [6]. - Management highlighted an "all-time peak" in the pipeline of potential acquisitions, indicating a focus on industry consolidation [6]. Cost and Expenses - Lease operating expenses rose to $9.95 per Boe, reflecting a 6% sequential increase and an 11% year-over-year rise [8]. - Capital spending outside of acquisitions decreased by 12% year-over-year, emphasizing a disciplined approach [8]. Shareholder Returns - The company repurchased 1.1 million shares at an average price of $31.15 and raised the quarterly dividend by 7% to $0.45 per share [9][13]. - Liquidity remained strong with over $1.1 billion available in cash and borrowing capacity [9]. Future Guidance - The company revised its full-year 2025 production forecast to an average of 130,000–133,000 Boe per day, down from a prior midpoint of 132,500 [11]. - Estimated capital expenditures were reduced by $125–$150 million to a range of $925–$1,050 million [11]. - Management indicated a shift towards acquiring existing production rather than organic drilling to maximize risk-adjusted returns [12].

Group 1 - Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) anticipates that higher commodity prices for oil and natural gas will positively impact its first-quarter 2025 earnings, with a forecasted increase of $900 million compared to the previous quarter [1][3] - Brent crude prices averaged $74.98 per barrel in the first quarter, reflecting a 1.3% increase quarter over quarter, but a 9% decrease year over year [2] - Natural gas prices in the U.S. were approximately 30% higher in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, which is expected to contribute positively to ExxonMobil's earnings [2][5] Group 2 - ExxonMobil is projected to report an adjusted profit of $1.70 per share in the first quarter of 2025, with earnings release scheduled for May 2, 2025 [4] - The company derives a significant portion of its income from oil and gas production, and its earnings are highly influenced by commodity pricing [5] - Stronger oil refining margins are expected to contribute an additional $300-$700 million to earnings relative to the previous quarter [3] Group 3 - ExxonMobil currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), with better-ranked stocks in the energy sector including Archrock Inc. (AROC), Nine Energy Service (NINE), and Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI) [6] - Archrock focuses on midstream natural gas compression and generates stable fee-based revenues [7] - Nine Energy Service provides onshore completion and production services across key U.S. basins, positioning the company for long-term growth due to sustained demand for oil and gas [8] - Kinder Morgan operates a resilient midstream business model driven by take-or-pay contracts, ensuring consistent earnings and reliable capital returns [9]

Group 1 - Goldman Sachs analyst John Mackay maintains a Buy rating on Kinder Morgan Inc (KMI) with a price target of $31.00, anticipating first-quarter EBITDA of $2.18 billion, slightly above consensus estimates of $2.14 billion and company guidance of $2.17 billion [1] - Analysts project EBITDA of $1.54 billion for the first quarter, an increase from $1.43 billion in the fourth quarter of FY24, driven by the Outrigger acquisition, higher natural gas prices, and seasonal marketing benefits [2] - Kinder Morgan expects the first quarter to benefit from higher commodity prices, marking a shift after four consecutive quarters of weaker-than-expected pricing in FY24, with improved gas and crude pricing potentially providing a $50 million tailwind [3] Group 2 - The company anticipates substantial natural gas demand growth from 2024 to 2030, primarily driven by LNG exports, with KMI holding a 45-50% market share in LNG exports and power plant connections, positioning it well for expansion in Texas, Louisiana, and the southern U.S. [4] - Kinder Morgan plans to shift focus from large-scale projects to smaller developments, with future announcements likely ranging from hundreds of millions to $500 million, while larger expansions remain possibilities with updates expected throughout 2025 [5]