1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Views of the Report - Both caustic soda and PVC face oversupply, high inventory, and low - profit situations. In late 2025, both reduced production, but due to the winter maintenance off - season, the overall supply - side production cut was still weak. They will face significant inventory accumulation during the Spring Festival, and high - level inventory needs to be continuously digested in the first half of 2026 [156]. - Although domestic chlor - alkali production capacity is in the red, large - scale capacity elimination is difficult. In a low - profit situation, production cuts of PVC and caustic soda can drive rapid profit repair, but it lacks sustainability for more than 3 months [156]. - On the demand side, caustic soda faces negative feedback from low alumina profits, while PVC faces a persistently weak real - estate demand pattern [157]. - In terms of valuation, both have many supporting factors in 2026. Caustic soda has high volatility, with an annual volatility of over 30% in recent years, and its forward futures price between 2150 - 2250 has long - allocation value. PVC, despite significant profit losses, has a forward premium that limits the market's ability to trade low - valuation factors [157]. - In 2026, caustic soda and PVC will mainly experience wide - range oscillations. Affected by maintenance expectations, differential electricity prices, and anti - involution sentiment, the continuous decline space is limited, but it is also difficult to rise continuously before the fundamentals improve substantially. Caustic soda has stronger price elasticity than PVC [157]. 3. Summary According to the Directory 3.1 Caustic Soda 3.1.1 Core Contradictions and Export - The market has contradictions between high supply and high inventory, alumina production cut expectations, and slow - down in export growth. The 50 - alkali to 32 - alkali price spread is weak, and there are changes in the delivery area and delivery premium/discount [11]. - The export market still has support but is undergoing structural adjustments. In 2025, from January to November, the cumulative export volume of caustic soda was 3.74 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 36.7%. The development of wet - process nickel may lead to the large - scale application of the magnesium oxide precipitation process, which may replace caustic soda to some extent [21]. - The FOB price in Northeast Asia has declined, and currently, the Southeast Asian customers have not started new inquiries for spot orders [26]. 3.1.2 Supply - The market structure features rising production and inventory, with high - level operation and high inventory. The average capacity utilization rate of Chinese caustic soda sample enterprises with a capacity of 100,000 tons or more is 86.7%, a week - on - week increase of 0.1% [40]. - In January 2026, there were few caustic soda maintenance projects. In 2026, caustic soda production will continue to increase, with a capacity growth rate of over 3% [47][49]. - In January 2026, the large - scale industrial electricity price in Shandong Province decreased, and the cost of caustic soda has limited support. The current liquid chlorine price is in a normal fluctuation range, and the cost support for caustic soda is limited [50][54]. 3.1.3 Demand - In the first half of 2026, alumina production will be concentrated, with an expected annual new capacity of 13.9 million tons. However, alumina is currently operating at a high level, with rising inventory and losses, and there are expectations of production cuts [75]. - The demand in the pulp industry is in the off - season, with continuously compressed terminal profits. The new pulp production capacity continues to be put into operation. The start - up of viscose staple fiber and printing and dyeing industries has declined, as well as the water treatment and ternary precursor industries [86][98][100][102]. 3.2 PVC 3.2.1 Core Contradictions and Price Spread - The market has contradictions of high supply, high inventory, weak domestic demand, slow - down in export growth, and a large forward premium in futures [107][110]. - The PVC basis and monthly spread have strengthened [111]. 3.2.2 Supply and Demand - The capacity utilization rate of PVC production enterprises is 79.63%, a week - on - week decrease of 0.04% and a year - on - year decrease of 2.3%. In January 2026, there were fewer PVC maintenance projects, and there will be no new capacity put into operation in 2026 [117][121][123]. - The comprehensive profit of chlor - alkali plants is at a low level but has not reached the cash - flow cost. PVC production enterprises have slightly reduced inventory, but the social inventory is at a high level and continues to accumulate [125][128]. - The real - estate terminal demand has not significantly recovered, and the overall start - up of PVC downstream industries has decreased month - on - month. The PVC export expectation has weakened, and the export tax rebate will increase competition pressure. The warehouse receipts are rising and still at a high level [133][139][147][153].

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating - No investment rating information is provided in the report. 2. Core View of the Report - The V2605 contract rose 3.02% to close at 4,738 yuan/ton. Last week, the 400,000 - ton units of Yibin Tianyuan and Hanwha Ningbo were shut down, and the 300,000 - ton unit of Zhenyang Development restarted, leading to a decline in PVC capacity utilization rate. The downstream PVC开工率 decreased, with the profile开工率 in a downward trend. Social inventory decreased slightly but remained at a high level compared to the same period in history. The costs of calcium carbide - based and ethylene - based PVC decreased, and profits improved. This week, the 400,000 - ton unit of Yibin Tianyuan will restart, and there are no new planned shutdown units, so the PVC capacity utilization rate is expected to increase slightly. With a small number of unit commissioning delays in December, the industry's high - operation state generally continues, resulting in high supply pressure. The end - user real estate and infrastructure sectors are in the low - season, and the开工率 of hard products such as pipes and profiles may continue the seasonal downward trend. Global PVC supply is sufficient, and overseas market competition is fierce, so export support is limited. The weak current supply - demand situation of PVC competes with the "anti - involution" support on the expected side, and it is expected to show a volatile trend in the short term. Technically, the V2605 contract should pay attention to the previous low support around 4,470 and the resistance around 4,800 [3]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Futures Market - The closing price of PVC futures was 4,738 yuan/ton, a week - on - week increase of 147 yuan/ton; the trading volume was 1,874,446 lots, a week - on - week increase of 728,966 lots; the open interest was 964,843 lots, a week - on - week decrease of 5,287 lots. The long position of the top 20 futures holders was 957,177 lots, a week - on - week decrease of 27,840 lots; the short position was 1,022,488 lots, a week - on - week decrease of 23,664 lots; the net long position was - 65,311 lots, a week - on - week decrease of 4,176 lots [3]. 3.2 Spot Market - In the East China region, the price of ethylene - based PVC was 4,550 yuan/ton, a week - on - week decrease of 25 yuan/ton; the price of calcium carbide - based PVC was 4,367.69 yuan/ton, a week - on - week decrease of 50 yuan/ton. In the South China region, the price of ethylene - based PVC was 4,650 yuan/ton, a week - on - week increase of 40 yuan/ton; the price of calcium carbide - based PVC was 4,430 yuan/ton, a week - on - week decrease of 15 yuan/ton. The CIF price of PVC in China was 640 US dollars/ton, unchanged; the CIF price in Southeast Asia was 600 US dollars/ton, unchanged; the FOB price in Northwest Europe was 660 US dollars/ton, unchanged. The basis of PVC was - 252 yuan/ton, a week - on - week increase of 26 yuan/ton [3]. 3.3 Upstream Situation - The mainstream average price of calcium carbide in Central China was 2,700 yuan/ton, a week - on - week decrease of 50 yuan/ton; in North China, it was 2,656.67 yuan/ton, a week - on - week decrease of 16.67 yuan/ton; in Northwest China, it was 2,449 yuan/ton, a week - on - week decrease of 25 yuan/ton. The mainstream price of liquid chlorine in Inner Mongolia was - 75 yuan/ton, unchanged. The CFR Far East intermediate price of VCM was 407 US dollars/ton, a week - on - week decrease of 11 US dollars/ton; the CFR Southeast Asia intermediate price was 448 US dollars/ton, unchanged. The CFR Far East intermediate price of EDC was 189 US dollars/ton, a week - on - week increase of 11 US dollars/ton; the CFR Southeast Asia intermediate price was 194 US dollars/ton, a week - on - week increase of 11 US dollars/ton [3]. 3.4 Industry Situation - The weekly operating rate of PVC was 78.36%, a week - on - week decrease of 1.07%; the operating rate of ethylene - based PVC was 76.54%, a week - on - week decrease of 2.36%. The total social inventory of PVC was 77.74 million tons, a week - on - week decrease of 1.92 million tons; the total social inventory in the East China region was 46.83 million tons, a week - on - week decrease of 0.42 million tons; the total social inventory in the South China region was 4.23 million tons, a week - on - week decrease of 0.26 million tons [3]. 3.5 Downstream Situation - The national real estate climate index was 92.43, a month - on - month decrease of 0.35. The cumulative value of newly started housing area was 49,061.39 million square meters, an increase of 3,662.39 million square meters. The cumulative value of real estate construction area was 652,939.03 million square meters, an increase of 4,359.03 million square meters. The cumulative value of real estate development investment was 389.8297 billion yuan, an increase of 31.191 billion yuan [3]. 3.6 Option Market - The 20 - day historical volatility of PVC was 17.97%, a week - on - week increase of 0.21%; the 40 - day historical volatility was 14.39%, a week - on - week increase of 0.17%. The implied volatility of at - the - money put options was 16.22%, a week - on - week increase of 0.58%; the implied volatility of at - the - money call options was 16.22%, a week - on - week increase of 0.57% [3]. 3.7 Industry News - From December 13th to 19th, the capacity utilization rate of Chinese PVC was 78.36%, a week - on - week decrease of 1.07%. From December 13th to 19th, the downstream operating rate of PVC decreased by 3.5% week - on - week to 45.39%, among which the operating rate of pipes remained stable at 37.6%, and the operating rate of profiles decreased by 3.7% week - on - week to 31.43%. As of December 18th, the social inventory of PVC decreased by 0.25% week - on - week to 1.0566 million tons [3].

Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. Core Viewpoints of the Report - Crude oil prices are expected to fluctuate due to a combination of supply and demand factors, with supply pressure easing but demand data not performing well [3]. - Urea prices are expected to continue to weaken, with a possible rebound in the future, and the strength of the rebound depends on export dynamics [4]. - Copper prices are currently oscillating strongly, mainly supported by low inventory, and attention should be paid to inventory changes under the influence of tariff expectations [9]. - Lithium carbonate prices are expected to have a rebound trend at a low valuation, and short positions can be适量closed out, followed by a strategy of shorting on rebounds [10]. - Asphalt prices are expected to oscillate at a high level in the near term, and it is recommended to go long on the 09 - 12 spread [12]. - PP, plastic, PVC, and soybean oil prices are all expected to oscillate at a low level, affected by factors such as supply - demand imbalance and inventory pressure [14][15][17][18]. - Soybean meal prices are expected to maintain an oscillating and strengthening trend [20]. - Coking coal prices are generally bearish due to loose supply - demand and weakening demand [21]. Summary by Relevant Catalogs Crude Oil - Supply: OPEC+ will increase production by 411,000 barrels per day in July, but actual production growth is less than expected. Canadian wildfires have led to a reduction in production, and US oil production is expected to decline [3]. - Demand: Market risk appetite has rebounded, but refined oil demand and inventory data are not good, and the negative impact of the global trade war on the economy has not been fully reversed [3]. - Price trend: Expected to oscillate [3]. Urea - Supply: There are temporary inspections in some factories, and daily production has decreased, but the daily production is still around 200,000 tons [4]. - Demand: Market sentiment is weak, agricultural demand is not strong, and compound fertilizer factories are mainly focused on inventory reduction [4]. - Price trend: The price dropped by nearly 2% today, and the market sentiment is expected to continue to weaken, with a possible rebound in the future [4]. Copper - Supply: The supply of copper concentrates is tight, and smelters face the risk of production reduction due to losses. Other regions' copper inventories have decreased due to steel tariffs [9]. - Demand: Apparent consumption has decreased, downstream开工率has declined, and demand is the main factor restricting price increases [9]. - Price trend: Currently oscillating strongly, supported by low inventory, and attention should be paid to inventory changes under tariff expectations [9]. Lithium Carbonate - Supply: Production is expected to increase in June, and the fundamental situation is still one of oversupply [10]. - Demand: Downstream procurement is cautious, and the support for prices is limited [10]. - Price trend: Oscillating around 60,000 yuan, with a rebound trend at a low valuation, and short positions can be适量closed out [10]. Asphalt - Supply: The starting rate has rebounded, and the scheduled production in June is expected to increase [12]. - Demand: The starting rate of downstream industries has fluctuated, and the demand for road asphalt is restricted by funds [12]. - Price trend: Expected to oscillate at a high level in the near term, and it is recommended to go long on the 09 - 12 spread [12]. PP - Supply: Some overhauled devices have restarted, and new devices have been put into production, increasing supply [13][14]. - Demand: Downstream recovery is slow, new orders are limited, and inventory pressure is high [13][14]. - Price trend: Expected to oscillate at a low level [14]. Plastic - Supply: Some overhauled devices have restarted, and new production capacity has been put into operation [15]. - Demand: Downstream开工率is at a low level, and new orders are slow to follow up, with high inventory pressure [15]. - Price trend: Expected to oscillate at a low level [15]. PVC - Supply: The starting rate has increased, and social inventory is still high [16][17]. - Demand: Downstream开工率has declined, and export is affected by policies. Demand improvement is limited [16][17]. - Price trend: Expected to oscillate at a low level [17]. Soybean Oil - Supply: The inventory of imported soybeans has increased, and the soybean crushing volume is at a historical high, with high inventory [18]. - Demand: Terminal demand is weak, and downstream stocking willingness is low [18]. - Price trend: Expected to oscillate weakly in the short term [18]. Soybean Meal - Supply: The supply in the domestic market is sufficient, and the inventory is gradually accumulating [19][20]. - Demand: The weather in the United States is favorable for soybean growth, and the supply outlook is good [19]. - Price trend: Expected to maintain an oscillating and strengthening trend [20]. Coking Coal - Supply: The customs clearance volume remains high, and the total inventory is at a high level [21]. - Demand: Steel mills' demand for coking coal has decreased, and terminal demand has weakened [21]. - Price trend: Generally bearish [21].

Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. Core Viewpoints Urea - Despite high domestic urea daily production, short - term maintenance led to a decline. The release of aid - related export orders from May to June and the upcoming summer top - dressing season are expected to support the market. However, price increases will be cautious, and the market is likely to fluctuate at a high level in the near term [5]. Crude Oil - Overnight oil prices continued to fluctuate at a high level. In the short term, after the market digests macro - level positives, it may focus on the impact of geopolitical factors on supply. Oil prices are expected to remain at a relatively high level. It is recommended to adopt a wait - and - see approach for unilateral trading, and consider strategies to capture volatility on the options side [14]. Polyester Industry Chain - PX: The supply - demand outlook is improving, but the current spot supply is still loose. Consider opportunities such as long PX05 and short crude oil [18]. - PTA: Supply - demand may gradually weaken, and the absolute price will follow the cost side. TA01 is expected to oscillate between 4800 - 5000 [18]. - Ethylene Glycol: Supply - demand will gradually weaken, and there is pressure on the upside in the medium - to - long term. Pay attention to port inventory and upstream - downstream operating rates [18]. - Short Fiber: The processing fee is expected to be compressed, and the absolute price will follow the cost side. PF02 is expected to operate between 6800 - 7100 [18]. - Bottle Chip: The supply - demand situation remains loose, and the absolute price will follow the cost side. Consider short - term short - selling strategies [18]. PVC and Caustic Soda - Caustic Soda: The supply is in a concentrated maintenance phase, and the demand from the alumina industry is improving. The spot price is rising, and the futures market is strong. Consider short - term short - selling opportunities near the resistance level of 2550 [26]. - PVC: Although the futures market has strengthened slightly, the supply - demand surplus problem persists. It is recommended to wait and see during price rebounds and consider short - selling in the medium term [26]. Styrene - In the short term, styrene is expected to remain strong, but be cautious about chasing high prices. The operating range of 06 is expected to move up to 7000 - 7600. Pay attention to the continuity of spot transactions [29]. Polyolefins (PE and PP) - The supply pressure of plastics will gradually decrease in May. The supply pressure of PP will ease slightly in the second quarter. Pay attention to the restocking and export situation of plastic products [32]. Methanol - The inland valuation has downward pressure, and the supply - demand situation is loose. The port has entered a inventory - building period. It is recommended to short the MA09 contract at high prices [35][37]. Summary by Directory Urea Futures Prices - On May 12, the 01 contract closed at 1801 yuan/ton, up 0.61% from May 9; the 05 contract closed at 1925 yuan/ton, down 0.52%; the 09 contract closed at 1897 yuan/ton, up 0.21%; the methanol main contract closed at 2270 yuan/ton, up 1.93% [1]. Futures Contract Spreads - On May 12, the spread between the 01 and 05 contracts was - 124 yuan/ton, up 14.48% from May 9; the spread between the 05 and 09 contracts was 28 yuan/ton, down 33.33% [2]. Upstream Raw Materials - As of May 13, the prices of upstream raw materials such as anthracite small pieces, steam coal, and synthetic ammonia remained unchanged compared to May 12 [3]. Spot Market Prices - As of May 13, domestic and international spot prices of urea remained unchanged [3]. Supply - Demand Overview - Daily data: Domestic urea daily production decreased by 1.20% to 19.72 million tons on May 8 compared to before. - Weekly data: Domestic urea weekly production increased by 0.21% to 139.60 million tons; factory inventory decreased by 10.58% to 106.56 million tons; port inventory increased by 12.71% to 13.30 million tons [5]. Crude Oil Prices and Spreads - On May 13, Brent crude oil was at 64.96 dollars/barrel, up 1.64% from May 12; WTI was at 61.96 dollars/barrel, up 0.02%; SC was at 474.80 yuan/barrel, up 1.34% [14]. Polyester Industry Chain Upstream Prices - On May 12, Brent crude oil (July) was at 64.96 dollars/barrel, up 1.6% from May 9; WTI (June) was at 61.95 dollars/barrel, up 1.5% [18]. Downstream Product Prices and Cash Flows - On May 12, POY150/48 price was 6675 yuan/ton, up 1.4% from May 9; FDY150/96 price was 6845 yuan/ton, up 1.7% [18]. PX - related - CFR China PX was at 785 dollars/ton on May 12, unchanged from May 9 [18]. PTA - related - PTA East China spot price was 4840 yuan/ton on May 12, up 2.7% from May 9 [18]. MEG - related - MEG port inventory was 75.1 million tons on May 12, down 6.8% from May 6 [18]. PVC and Caustic Soda Spot and Futures Prices - On May 12, Shandong 32% liquid caustic soda equivalent price was 2593.8 yuan/ton, up 1.2% from before; East China calcium - carbide - based PVC market price was 4660 yuan/ton, unchanged [22]. Overseas Quotes and Export Profits - FOB East China port caustic soda was at 395 dollars/ton on May 8, down 1.3% from May 1 [22]. Supply - Demand and Inventory - Caustic soda industry operating rate was 87.5% on May 9, up 1.3% from May 2; PVC total operating rate was 77.9%, up 1.4% [24]. Styrene Upstream and Related Prices - On May 12, Brent crude oil (July) was at 64.96 dollars/barrel, up 1.6% from May 9; WTI (June) was at 61.95 dollars/barrel, up 1.5% [29]. Styrene - related - Styrene East China spot price was 7530 yuan/ton on May 12, up 5.0% from May 9 [29]. Downstream Product Prices and Cash Flows - EPS ordinary material (East China) was at 8250 yuan/ton on May 12, down 1.2% from May 9 [29]. Inventory and Operating Rates - Pure benzene East China port inventory was 13.40 million tons on May 7, up 10.7% from April 30; styrene East China port inventory was 6.25 million tons, down 15.3% [29]. Polyolefins (PE and PP) Prices and Spreads - On May 12, L2505 closed at 7282 yuan/ton, up 0.72% from May 9; PP2505 closed at 7100 yuan/ton, up 0.34% [32]. Operating Rates and Inventory - PE device operating rate was 84.1% on May 12, down 0.91% from before; PP device operating rate was 79.7%, up 7.2% [32]. Methanol Prices and Spreads - On May 12, MA2505 closed at 2338 yuan/ton, up 2.10% from May 9; the spread between MA2505 and MA2509 was 68 yuan/ton, up 7.94% [35]. Inventory and Operating Rates - Methanol enterprise inventory was 30.391% on May 12, up 7.26% from before; upstream domestic enterprise operating rate was 75.65%, up 1.64% [35].