Group 1 - The article expresses a bullish outlook on Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE: SQM) due to its low-cost lithium operations and favorable geopolitical positioning [1] - The bullish sentiment was noted during a time when the Trump administration was threatening to impose trade restrictions, which could have impacted SQM's operations [1] Group 2 - The author, Dilantha De Silva, is an experienced equity analyst with over 10 years in the investment industry, focusing on small-cap stocks often overlooked by Wall Street [1] - Dilantha has been featured on major financial platforms such as CNBC, Bloomberg, Nasdaq, and Yahoo Finance, indicating a strong presence in the investment community [1]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on **China's Supply-Side Reform 2.0 (SSR2.0)**, particularly in the **manufacturing sector** including steel, solar, and cement industries [1][10][18] - The context includes ongoing **PPI deflation** and the need to address **overcapacity** and **intense competition** in various sectors [2][25][27] Core Insights and Arguments - **Resilience in Manufacturing**: Despite weaknesses in the property market, manufacturing **Fixed Asset Investment (FAI)** remains strong, indicating potential for recovery [1] - **PPI Challenges**: The Producer Price Index (PPI) is struggling in negative territory, with prolonged deflation impacting profitability across industries [1][38] - **SSR2.0 Expectations**: Authorities are expected to implement SSR2.0 to combat overcapacity and price wars, with less aggressive capacity cuts compared to SSR1.0 [2][3][15] - **Sector-Specific Measures**: The reforms will likely include capacity control, production cuts, and regulatory tightening, particularly in sectors like coal, aluminum, and steel [4][63][64] Key Differences Between SSR2.0 and SSR1.0 - **Demand Stimulus**: SSR1.0 had strong stimulus measures, while SSR2.0 is expected to have a milder approach [3][15] - **Capacity Concentration**: SSR1.0 focused on upstream sectors dominated by state-owned enterprises (SOEs), whereas SSR2.0 will address mid- and downstream sectors [3][15] - **Implementation Challenges**: Policymakers may face difficulties in enforcing reforms due to the complexity of the current industrial landscape [3][65] Potential Outcomes and Stock Picks - **Base Case Scenario**: Mild demand stimulus with modest improvements in prices and margins for steel, cement, and solar sectors. Preferred stocks include **Baosteel, Tongwei, and Conch Cement** [5][18] - **Bull Case Scenario**: Stronger demand stimulus could benefit additional sectors like lithium and batteries, with preferred stocks being **Angang, CNBM, CATL, and Tongwei** [5][18] - **Bear Case Scenario**: Less effective supply control could lead to underwhelming demand, favoring existing winners from previous cycles like **Hongqiao and Chalco** [5][18] Important but Overlooked Aspects - **Historical Context**: Previous successful reforms in coal and aluminum contrast with the underperformance of the steel sector, highlighting the need for targeted interventions [12][15] - **Trade Tensions**: Rising trade disputes, particularly in the steel and chemical sectors, could complicate the reform landscape [38][50] - **Labor Market Impact**: The expected labor market impact from SSR2.0 is anticipated to be minimal compared to previous reforms, with less aggressive capacity cuts [66][70] Conclusion - SSR2.0 is positioned as a critical response to ongoing economic challenges in China, with a focus on stabilizing prices and improving profitability across key sectors. The effectiveness of these reforms will depend on the implementation of supportive demand-side measures and the ability to manage overcapacity effectively [1][27][66]

分组1 - The article highlights Paul Franke's extensive experience in trading and investment, emphasizing his successful track record as a stock picker and his development of a system called "Victory Formation" for identifying investment opportunities [1] - Franke's investment strategy includes a contrarian stock selection style, focusing on supply and demand imbalances indicated by stock price and volume movements, and recommends a diversified portfolio of at least 50 stocks to achieve consistent market outperformance [1] - The "Bottom Fishing Club" articles target deep value stocks or those showing significant positive technical momentum, while the "Volume Breakout Report" discusses stocks experiencing positive trend changes supported by strong trading activity [1]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for Tianqi Lithium is set at "Hold" with a target price of HK$23.0 for H-shares and Rmb26.26 for A-shares, reflecting a valuation based on P/B multiples [19][21]. Core Insights - The report indicates a near-term bottom for lithium prices at Rmb60k/t, with expectations of supply discipline to help rebalance the market. However, there are concerns about potential supply resumption if prices rebound to Rmb70k/t [1]. - The report maintains a bullish outlook on lithium in the short term, despite anticipated pressure from oversupply in the next 12 months [1]. - Recent data shows mixed trends in lithium prices, with Li2CO3 and LiOH ASP quoted at Rmb60.6k/t and Rmb58.1k/t respectively, indicating slight fluctuations week-over-week [2]. Summary by Sections Lithium Price Trends - Lithium prices are currently experiencing a mixed trend, with Li2CO3 and LiOH ASP at Rmb60.6k/t and Rmb58.1k/t as of June 26, 2025, compared to Rmb60.5k/t and Rmb59.2k/t the previous week [2]. - The production of Li2CO3 in China increased by 2% week-over-week to 18,767 tons, with varying outputs from different sources [2]. Inventory and Production Insights - Total inventory of Li2CO3 reached 136,837 tons, reflecting a 1% increase week-over-week. Inventory levels for downstream players, smelters, and others also showed increases [2]. - The report highlights ongoing production increases across various lithium sources, with brine and lepidolite outputs up by 2% and 3% respectively [2]. Company Valuation - Tianqi Lithium's H-shares are valued at HK$23.0 based on a 0.70x 2025E P/B multiple, while A-shares are valued at Rmb26.26 based on a 1.0x 2025E P/B [19][21].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on aluminum and lithium sectors while being less bullish on steel names, indicating a preference for aluminum and lithium investments [1][2]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the need for steel supply reform, anticipates a near-term bottom for lithium prices, and expects potential corporate actions from aluminum companies in China [1]. - It highlights that aluminum and lithium stocks have performed well, while steel stocks have lagged behind, prompting a reassessment of investment strategies [1]. - The report ranks the sectors in the following order: aluminum > lithium > copper > steel > gold > battery > thermal coal > cement [1]. Summary by Sections Aluminum - The aluminum sector is viewed as undervalued relative to mid-term fundamentals, with expectations for a re-rating driven by a cap on smelting capacity and improved margins [2]. - Shareholder return policies from companies like Hongqiao and Chalco are generating investor interest, with Chalco initiating share buybacks [2]. Steel - The anticipated steel supply reform has been delayed, with internal communications between local governments and steel mills ongoing [6]. - Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows a decline in pig iron output of approximately 3% year-over-year in May 2025, contrasting with a 4% increase reported by MySteel [6]. Lithium - The report suggests that lithium prices are nearing a short-term trough at Rmb60,000 per ton, with expectations of production cuts to stabilize the market [8]. - Investors are concerned about the potential restart of suspended supply if prices rebound to Rmb70,000 per ton, alongside ongoing capacity additions in the pipeline [8].

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Financial Performance & Strategy - Albemarle's FY2023 net sales reached $9.6 billion[8], with a net income of $1.6 billion[8] and adjusted EBITDA of $3.5 billion[8], representing a 37% adjusted EBITDA margin[8] - The company anticipates continued growth in 2024, projecting a 10-20% year-over-year increase in Energy Storage volumes[9] - Albemarle is implementing measures to reduce annualized operating costs by approximately $95 million[36], primarily in SG&A, and is re-phasing large projects to optimize cash flow[36] Business Segments - Energy Storage accounted for 74% of Albemarle's FY2023 net sales[8], while Specialties contributed 15%[8] and Ketjen 11%[8] - Energy Storage's adjusted EBITDA margin was projected to improve by ~500 bps at $15/kg LCE scenario[33] - Albemarle's Lithium Spodumene Operations have an average Li grade of 1.8% Li2O, a 50% advantage over the producer average of 1.2%[31] Market & Operations - Global EV sales are up +20% YTD, with China representing >60% of the global electric vehicle market[67, 68] - Albemarle expects a 15-20% CAGR in lithium demand between 2024 and 2030, reaching 3.3 million metric tons LCE by 2030[62] - The company's planned capital expenditures for 2024 include commissioning the Meishan, China lithium conversion facility and completing commissioning at trains 1 and 2 of the Kemerton, Australia lithium conversion facility[78] Sustainability - Albemarle is committed to growing its Energy Storage business in a scope 1 + 2 carbon-intensity neutral manner through 2030 (vs 2019)[55] - The company aims to reduce the intensity of freshwater usage by 25% by 2030 (vs 2019) in Chile and Jordan[55]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) is "Buy" with a target price of Rmb9.62 per share based on a 2.22x 2025E P/B [18] - The investment rating for Baoshan Iron & Steel is "Buy" with a target price of Rmb8.2 per share based on a 0.85x 2025E P/B [22] - The investment rating for Tianqi Lithium is "Hold" with a target price of HK$23.0 for H-shares and Rmb26.26 for A-shares [24][27] Core Insights - The report indicates cautious market expectations regarding demand recovery in the aluminum sector in China, with a near-term pecking order of steel > aluminum > lithium > copper > gold > battery > thermal coal > cement [1] - Total aluminum production in China for the week of June 12-18, 2025, was 845kt, flat week-over-week (WoW), and up 3% year-over-year (YoY) [2] - Total aluminum inventory in China stood at 722kt on June 19, 2025, reflecting a 1% increase WoW but a significant 38% decrease YoY [3] - Apparent aluminum consumption in China was 849kt during the same week, down 6% WoW but up 5.8% YoY for the year-to-date [4] Production Summary - China's total aluminum production year-to-date reached 20.9 million tonnes (mnt), representing a 3.2% increase YoY, while aluminum billet production was 8.4mnt, up 6.2% YoY [2] - Aluminum billet production for the week was 365kt, flat WoW, and up 9% YoY [2] Inventory Summary - The total inventory of aluminum ingots was 493kt, down 3% WoW and 40% YoY, while aluminum billet inventory was 229kt, up 9% WoW but down 30% YoY [3] - The inventory levels are lower than the same period in 2021-2024 on a lunar calendar basis [7] Consumption Summary - Apparent consumption of aluminum ingots was 885kt, down 3% WoW but up 1% YoY, while aluminum billet apparent consumption was 329kt, down 7% WoW but up 3% YoY [4] - Year-to-date apparent consumption of aluminum in China reached 21.6mnt, reflecting a 5.8% increase YoY [4]

Core Insights - Major oil companies Chevron and ExxonMobil are recognizing the decline of fossil fuels and are investing in lower-carbon energy sources [1] - Both companies are expanding into lithium production, essential for electric vehicle batteries, with Chevron following Exxon's lead in acquiring land in Arkansas [2][4] Group 1: Lithium Investments - Chevron has signed deals to acquire 125,000 net acres in Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas, targeting the lithium-rich Smackover Formation [4] - The company plans to utilize a direct lithium extraction (DLE) process, leveraging its existing subsurface and drilling capabilities despite lacking prior lithium production experience [5] - ExxonMobil has already entered the lithium sector by acquiring over 120,000 acres in Arkansas for approximately $100 million and aims to start commercial lithium production by 2027 [6] Group 2: Production Goals and Partnerships - ExxonMobil has set a goal to produce enough lithium by 2030 to supply the manufacturing needs of over 1 million electric vehicles annually [7] - The company has begun signing supply agreements, including a nonbinding deal with LG Chem for 100,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate [7] - Exxon is also exploring lithium investment opportunities in Chile in collaboration with SLB [8] Group 3: Broader Energy Strategy - Both Chevron and Exxon are maintaining significant investments in oil and gas while gradually increasing their focus on lower-carbon energy [9] - Exxon plans to invest $140 billion in major projects through 2030, aiming for an output of 5.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day [9] - The companies are allocating substantial portions of their capital expenditures to lower-carbon energy, with Exxon targeting up to $30 billion and Chevron about 10% of its $15 billion annual budget [10] Group 4: Future Outlook - Chevron and Exxon are strategically positioning themselves to meet the global demand for lower-carbon energy sources, aiming to build profitable businesses that enhance shareholder value [11]

Group 1 - Moretus Research provides high-quality equity research focused on U.S. public markets, aiming to deliver clarity, conviction, and alpha for serious investors [1] - The research framework identifies companies with durable business models, mispriced cash flow potential, and intelligent capital allocation, emphasizing a structured and repeatable approach [1] - Valuation methods are based on sector-relevant multiples tailored to each company's business model and capital structure, prioritizing comparability, simplicity, and relevance [1] Group 2 - Research coverage focuses on underappreciated companies experiencing structural changes or temporary dislocations, where disciplined analysis can yield asymmetric returns [1] - Moretus Research aims to elevate the standard for independent investment research by providing professional-grade insights and actionable valuation [1]