Market Performance - On October 13, the Shanghai Composite Index fell by 0.19%, the Shenzhen Component Index by 0.93%, and the ChiNext Index by 1.11%[1][4] - The trading volume of the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets exceeded 2.3 trillion yuan, a decrease of over 100 billion yuan compared to the previous Friday[1] Economic Indicators - In the first three quarters, China's goods trade import and export totaled 33.61 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4%[7] - Exports reached 19.95 trillion yuan, up 7.1% year-on-year, while imports were 13.66 trillion yuan, down 0.2%[7] Sector Trends - The semiconductor sector is identified as a core focus for both short-term catalysts and long-term logic, benefiting from the current economic cycle[1][2] - Major inflows of capital were observed in the semiconductor, small metals, and IT services sectors, while the automotive, liquor, and securities sectors saw significant outflows[5] Fundraising Activity - A total of 52 new funds were launched this week, marking a 116.67% increase from the previous week, reaching a new high for the year[13] - Equity funds dominated the new fund issuance, accounting for over 80% of the total[13] Policy Developments - The "Swap Connect" mechanism has been optimized, increasing the daily net limit to 45 billion yuan, enhancing foreign investor participation in interest rate swaps[9]

Summary of Key Points Core Viewpoint The recent quota distribution in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has led to significant implications for cobalt supply, with mining companies receiving the majority of quotas while smelting plants are left without direct allocations. This shift is expected to create a tight supply situation, impacting cobalt prices and market dynamics. Quota Distribution - The total quota allocated is 96,600 tons, with 87,000 tons as the basic quota and 10% as strategic quotas, which can be adjusted based on price changes [2] - Major mining companies like Luoyang Molybdenum (3,120 tons), Glencore (1,330 tons), and Eurasian Resources (1,020 tons) dominate the quota distribution, while domestic smelting plants received no direct quotas [2][3] - The government platforms EGC, STL, and ARECOMS received a combined quota of 16,700 tons for 2026, which can be utilized by smelting plants through collaboration [3] Supply Chain Implications - The lack of direct quotas for smelting plants means they will have to rely on mining companies for raw material supply, leading to increased competition and potential price hikes [7] - Cobalt prices are expected to reflect structural issues rather than just supply-demand balance, as smelting companies will need to purchase raw materials from quota-holding mining firms [7][8] Strategic Quotas and Regulations - Strategic quotas totaling 9,600 tons are aimed at supporting national key projects, indicating a focus on resource nationalism [5] - New regulations prevent quota transfer and require unused quotas to be forfeited, tightening control over cobalt exports [4][6] Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - The pricing power for cobalt is shifting towards companies like Glencore, as they will be the primary suppliers for cobalt salt manufacturers [8] - Resource nationalism is expected to increase costs for acquiring raw materials, leading to higher prices and a need for countries to build new supply chains and safety stocks [8] Conclusion The recent quota changes in the DRC are reshaping the cobalt market, concentrating power among a few mining companies and creating a tighter supply environment that could lead to significant price increases and shifts in market dynamics [7][8]

Group 1: Industrial Metals - The copper market is experiencing upward price movement due to large copper mine production cuts, with the current phase being a Federal Reserve rate cut cycle. The supply disruptions in industrial metals are expected to lead to stable price increases, enhancing profits for listed companies in the industry. However, a rapid increase in copper prices may suppress downstream demand, leading to inventory accumulation during peak seasons, which is a signal of potential price peaks. Continuous monitoring of inventory changes is necessary [1][14][30] - The aluminum market is approaching a production peak in China, while foreign construction progress is slow. The next two years are expected to see peak production for China's electrolytic aluminum. The domestic aluminum supply-demand balance is fragile, and any increase in demand or supply disruptions could lead to shortages [1][32][38] Group 2: Precious Metals - Gold prices have reached new highs, driven by signals from Federal Reserve Chairman Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole global central bank conference, indicating rising employment risks and slowing GDP growth. The Fed's recent rate cut aligns with market expectations, and further cuts are anticipated. Global central banks are continuously increasing their gold reserves, suggesting a potential upward trend in gold prices through 2025 [3][11] Group 3: Energy Metals - The implementation of a quota system in the Democratic Republic of Congo is expected to create a significant shortage in the global cobalt market over the next two years, leading to a long-term price increase. The lithium market is currently in a state of relative balance, with supply disruptions not fully resolved but demand expectations rising [4][5][12] Group 4: Minor Metals - The strategic importance of minor metals is increasing, with export controls on rare earths tightening. The price of rare earth minerals has seen significant increases, with prices for certain products rising by 37% quarter-on-quarter. Tungsten prices are also expected to rise due to increased demand and supply constraints [6][13][15] Group 5: Tin - Global visible tin inventories have significantly decreased, with a peak of 22,763 tons in May 2024, followed by a reduction to below 9,000 tons by the end of 2022. This trend indicates a tightening supply situation in the tin market [2][41][52]

Core Insights - The small metals sector experienced a significant increase of 6.26% on October 13, with Guangsheng Nonferrous leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3889.5, down 0.19%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13231.47, down 0.93% [1] Small Metals Sector Performance - Guangsheng Nonferrous (600259) closed at 64.85, up 10.01% with a trading volume of 349,700 shares and a transaction value of 2.2 billion [1] - China Rare Earth (000831) also rose by 10.01% to close at 60.14, with a trading volume of 1,169,200 shares and a transaction value of 6.813 billion [1] - Northern Rare Earth (600111) increased by 10.00% to 57.73, with a trading volume of 3,802,600 shares and a transaction value of 21.456 billion [1] - Other notable performers include Dongfang Silver Industry (000962) up 10.00% to 27.62 and Shenghe Resources (600392) up 8.81% to 26.07 [1] Capital Flow Analysis - The small metals sector saw a net inflow of 1.189 billion from main funds, while retail funds experienced a net outflow of 510 million [2][3] - Notable net inflows from main funds include Northern Rare Earth with 724 million and China Rare Earth with 208 million [3] - Retail funds showed significant outflows from several companies, including Northern Rare Earth and China Rare Earth, indicating a shift in investor sentiment [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the industry [2][9]. Core Insights - The report highlights the increasing geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S., which may elevate demand for safe-haven assets like gold and strategic metals such as rare earths and tungsten [5][9]. - The copper market is experiencing supply disruptions, with prices trending upward due to tight supply conditions [5]. - Aluminum demand is expected to continue, with potential opportunities for investment following market corrections [5]. - The strategic importance of rare earths and tungsten is emphasized due to recent export controls and geopolitical developments [5][9]. Summary by Sections Copper Sector - Supply disruptions are ongoing, with LME copper prices at $10,735 per ton, reflecting a week-on-week increase of 1.9% [5]. - The processing fee for imported copper concentrate is negative, indicating tight supply [5]. - Companies with rich copper reserves are recommended for investment [9]. Aluminum Sector - LME aluminum prices reached $2,800 per ton, up 3.6% week-on-week [5]. - The operating rate for aluminum processing enterprises has slightly decreased, but demand is expected to remain stable [5]. - Investment opportunities are suggested for companies in the aluminum sector following market corrections [9]. Gold Sector - Gold prices are rising, with SHFE gold at 901.6 RMB per gram, up 3.1% week-on-week [5]. - The report suggests that geopolitical tensions may enhance gold's strategic position as a safe-haven asset [5]. - Investment in gold-related companies is recommended due to their undervalued resource potential [9]. Rare Metals Sector - Rare earth prices remain stable, with praseodymium-neodymium oxide at 683,000 RMB per ton [5]. - Recent export controls on rare earths have heightened their strategic importance amid U.S.-China tensions [5][9]. - Investment opportunities are highlighted in companies involved in rare earth production [9]. Steel Sector - Steel prices are stable, with SHFE rebar at 3,103 RMB per ton, reflecting a week-on-week increase of 1.0% [6]. - The report notes frequent disruptions in iron ore supply negotiations, which may impact future prices [6]. - Companies with high self-sufficiency in iron ore are recommended for investment [9].

Core Viewpoint - The non-ferrous metal sector is leading the market with over 17.5 billion in main capital inflows, particularly highlighted by Northern Rare Earth's strong performance in A-shares [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The non-ferrous metal sector has seen significant capital inflows, with Northern Rare Earth topping the A-share capital absorption list [1] - The Non-Ferrous Metal Leader ETF (159876) experienced a price surge of over 4.2%, closing up 3.45%, and achieving a new listing high with a total trading volume of 1.25 billion [1] - The ETF recorded a net subscription of 33 million units in a single day, accumulating 258 million in the last three days and 321 million over the past 20 days [1] Group 2: Price Movements and Regulations - On October 10, Northern Rare Earth and Baotou Steel announced price increases, coinciding with new export control regulations from the Ministry of Commerce on rare earth-related items and technologies [2][3] - The new regulations expand the scope of export controls to include rare earth secondary resource recovery technologies, covering the entire rare earth industry chain and impacting sectors like semiconductors and artificial intelligence [3] Group 3: Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, 55 out of 60 companies in the China Non-Ferrous Metal Index reported profits, with over 91% profitability [6] - Northern Rare Earth's net profit surged by 1951%, leading the sector, while Guocheng Mining also saw a significant increase of 1111% [6][7] Group 4: Industry Outlook - Analysts suggest that the non-ferrous metal sector is positioned for a long-term upward price cycle due to capital expenditure trends and increasing demand for strategic metal resources amid global manufacturing investment growth [8] - The Non-Ferrous Metal Leader ETF (159876) provides diversified exposure across various metals, including copper, gold, aluminum, rare earths, and lithium, which helps mitigate risks associated with investing in single metal sectors [8]

Market Overview and Sector Characteristics - The Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets saw 59 stocks hit the daily limit up, an increase of 3 from the previous day, while 3 stocks hit the limit down, a decrease of 3 [3] - The overall market sentiment was reflected in the Shanghai Composite Index, which opened lower but closed down by 0.19%, with a median decline of 0.77% among individual stocks [1] Key Sectors and Stocks - The rare earth materials sector had a significant number of limit-up stocks, driven by new export control policies from the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs, effective from November 8, 2025 [1] - The small metals sector also performed well, with 7 limit-up stocks, benefiting from improved supply-demand dynamics and increased demand from the new energy sector [4] - The specialized equipment sector had 4 limit-up stocks, supported by policy backing and a recovery in demand, which is expected to boost performance [4] - The real estate development sector saw 3 limit-up stocks, as policy support is expected to enhance demand recovery [4] Conceptual Trends - The rare earth magnet materials concept led with 9 limit-up stocks, driven by export control themes and supply shortages [6] - The nuclear fusion concept had 7 limit-up stocks, following breakthroughs in fusion energy projects and policy support [6] - The solid-state battery concept had 5 limit-up stocks, fueled by strong expectations for technological breakthroughs and policy support [6] Notable Stocks and Performance - Among the limit-up stocks, 15 reached a new high in the past year, indicating strong market interest and a clear upward trend [7] - 10 stocks hit historical highs, suggesting significant momentum and investor confidence [7] - The top 5 stocks by net inflow of main funds included Wangzi New Materials, Hongyuan Pharmaceutical, and Beifang Rare Earth, indicating strong institutional interest [9] Funding and Investment Trends - The top 5 stocks by net inflow as a percentage of market capitalization were Wangzi New Materials (10.98%), Hongyuan Pharmaceutical (9.07%), and others, highlighting their attractiveness to investors [10] - The top 5 stocks by sealing funds included Baogang Co., Beifang Rare Earth, and Zhichun Technology, indicating strong buying interest [11] - The number of consecutive limit-up stocks included 47 first-time limit-ups, 8 with 2 consecutive limit-ups, and 4 with 3 or more, suggesting a strong trend in specific stocks [12]

Core Points - A-shares opened lower but rebounded throughout the day, with the Shanghai Composite Index closing at 3889.50 points, down 0.19% [1] - The Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13231.47 points, down 0.93%, while the ChiNext Index closed at 3078.76 points, down 1.11% [1] - Total trading volume for the day was approximately 10854.14 billion yuan for the Shanghai index and 12693.27 billion yuan for the Shenzhen index [1] Sector Performance - Precious metals, new metal materials, and minor metals sectors showed the highest gains, while automotive parts, gaming, and consumer electronics sectors experienced the largest declines [1] - The top-performing sectors included: - 丰金庫 with a gain of 6.69% and a total trading volume of 1169.15 million hands [2] - 金属新材料 with a gain of 5.12% and a total trading volume of 1203.34 million hands [2] - 小我屋 with a gain of 3.99% and a total trading volume of 1677.70 million hands [2] - Other notable sectors included: - 能源金属 up 3.28% with a trading volume of 584.01 million hands [2] - 未含体 up 2.17% with a trading volume of 3594.89 million hands [2]

Market Overview - The A-share market saw a majority of major indices decline today, with the Shanghai Composite Index down by 0.19% closing at 3889.50 points, the Shenzhen Component down by 0.93% at 13231.47 points, and the ChiNext Index down by 1.11% at 3078.76 points. The STAR 50 Index, however, increased by 1.40% to 1473.02 points. Overall, there were 1682 stocks that rose while 3628 stocks fell, with a total trading volume of 23547 billion yuan, a decrease of 1609 billion yuan from the previous trading day [1][2]. Industry Performance - Among the 31 first-level industries, only a few sectors such as non-ferrous metals, environmental protection, steel, national defense and military industry, banking, and computing saw gains, with respective increases of 3.35%, 1.65%, 1.49%, 0.86%, 0.74%, and 0.22%. Conversely, the automotive, home appliances, beauty care, media, and pharmaceutical industries experienced the largest declines, with decreases of 2.33%, 1.74%, 1.58%, 1.54%, and 1.47% respectively [1][2]. Concept Sectors - The leading concept sectors in terms of gains today included rare earths, rare earth permanent magnets, photoresists, semiconductor silicon wafers, rare metals, SMIC, lithium battery electrolytes, wafer industry, small metals, operating systems, semiconductor materials, gold and jewelry, continuous boards, pre-increase, and cobalt mines [2][11].

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Increase" rating for the small metals industry [4]. Core Viewpoints - The strategic small metals are expected to undergo a value reassessment due to geopolitical tensions and supply constraints, leading to price increases and improved profitability for companies in this sector [2][3]. - The strategic value of small metals arises from their irreplaceable applications in AI, military, and semiconductor industries, making them critical for advanced technologies [2]. - The investment logic for strategic small metals includes fundamental drivers from supply disruptions and valuation logic based on sustained high price expectations [2]. Summary by Sections Industry Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Increase" rating for the small metals sector, indicating a positive outlook for the industry [4]. Strategic Value of Small Metals - The report highlights that small metals like germanium, gallium, antimony, tungsten, and rare earths are gaining strategic value due to China's supply dominance and their essential roles in high-tech applications [2]. - The geopolitical landscape has led to supply quotas and export controls, enhancing the scarcity and strategic importance of these metals [2]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on specific companies within the strategic metals sector, including: - Rare Earths: China Rare Earth, Northern Rare Earth, Baotou Steel, Jien Nickel, Shenghe Resources, and Guangsheng Nonferrous [3]. - Antimony: Huayu Mining, Huaxi Nonferrous, and Hunan Gold [3]. - Tungsten: Xiamen Tungsten, Zhongtung High-tech, Jiaxin International, Zhangyuan Tungsten, and Anyuan Coal [3]. Market Trends - The report notes that small metals have shown resilience in the market, with significant price increases observed in response to external market movements, indicating a shift in investor sentiment towards these strategic assets [3].