Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating on Zijin-H/A, CMOC-H/A, and MMG [2][45]. Core Insights - Chinese metal demand has shown resilience year-to-date, but growth is largely front-loaded, particularly in renewables and stimulatory consumption from the automotive and appliance sectors [1][19]. - A deceleration in demand growth for copper and aluminum is expected in the second half of 2025, with potential deeper corrections in 2026, particularly for aluminum [1][3]. - The report highlights a potential 1.2% year-on-year growth for copper and a -2.0% decline for aluminum in 2H25E, driven by a slowdown in domestic renewables [3][13]. Summary by Sections Demand Outlook - Total copper demand in China grew by 5% and 14% year-on-year in the first two quarters of 2025, while aluminum demand increased by 4% and 7% [14][17]. - The growth in copper demand is significantly influenced by rush installations in renewables, contributing 70% to the overall growth in 2Q25E [20][24]. - The report estimates that the trade-in program for electric vehicles and air conditioners contributed approximately 0.8% to copper demand growth and 1.2% to aluminum demand growth in 2Q25E [25][27]. Earnings Revisions - Earnings for Chinese copper companies under coverage have been revised down by 7% to up by 21% for 2025E-27E, reflecting updated commodity price forecasts [2][45]. - Target prices for Zijin and CMOC have been adjusted upwards, while MMG's earnings forecast has been revised down by 7% to 17% for the same period [45][46]. Market Dynamics - The report notes a tighter supply situation in the copper market due to a shortage of scrap, which may offset some negative demand outlooks [31][32]. - The ongoing US-China tariff situation has had a less severe impact on metal demand than previously feared, with a shift in production for US-bound shipments to non-China factories [23][29].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating on Zijin-H/A, CMOC-H/A, and MMG [2][45]. Core Insights - Chinese metal demand has shown resilience year-to-date, but growth is largely front-loaded, particularly in renewables and stimulatory consumption from the automotive and appliance sectors [1][19]. - A deceleration in demand growth for copper and aluminum is expected in the second half of 2025, with potential deeper corrections in 2026, particularly for aluminum [1][3]. - The report highlights a potential 1.2% year-on-year growth for copper and a -2.0% decline for aluminum in 2H25E, driven by a slowdown in domestic renewables [3][13]. Summary by Sections Demand Outlook - Chinese total copper demand grew by 5% and 14% year-on-year in the first two quarters of the year, while aluminum demand increased by 4% and 7% [14][17]. - The growth in copper demand in 2Q25E was significantly influenced by rush installations in renewables, contributing 70% to the overall growth [20][24]. - The stimulatory consumption from the trade-in program for air conditioners and autos contributed an additional 0.8% growth to copper demand [21][25]. Earnings Revisions - Earnings for Chinese copper companies have been revised down by 7% to up by 21% for 2025E-27E, reflecting updated commodity price forecasts [2][45]. - Target prices for Zijin, CMOC, and MMG have been adjusted upwards, with Zijin's target price revised to HK$26.5/Rmb28.5 and CMOC's to HK$9.5/Rmb11.5 [45][46]. Market Dynamics - The report notes a tighter supply situation in the copper market due to a shortage of scrap, which may offset some negative demand outlooks [31][32]. - The ongoing US-China tariff situation has had a lesser impact on metal demand than previously feared, with a shift in production for US-bound shipments to non-China factories [23][29].