Core Viewpoint - The chemical sector in China is maintaining its development momentum despite external challenges, supported by strong domestic demand and favorable policies, with a notable recovery in product demand driven by various industries [1][6]. Group 1: Industry Performance - In Q1, the chemical sector's 529 listed companies reported a total revenue of 621.73 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 15.33%, while net profit reached 36.208 billion yuan, showing a slight increase of 1.58% [1]. - The refrigerant industry benefited from regulatory policies, leading to a revenue increase of 23.31% to 14.654 billion yuan and a net profit surge of 140.16% to 1.77 billion yuan [2]. - The chlor-alkali industry saw a net profit increase of 84.55% to 3.117 billion yuan, despite a revenue decline of 13.98% to 45.922 billion yuan [2]. - The food and feed additive sector achieved a revenue of 37.773 billion yuan, up 4.21%, with net profit rising 75.57% to 5.369 billion yuan [3]. - The agricultural chemical sector reported a revenue of 49.378 billion yuan, down 6.51%, but net profit increased by 25.12% to 3.093 billion yuan [3]. Group 2: Industry Challenges - The organic silicon industry faced significant challenges, with net profit dropping by 37.74% despite stable revenue [4]. - The titanium dioxide sector experienced a revenue decline of 14.35% and a net profit drop of 35.61% due to high production levels and weak downstream demand [4]. - The nitrogen fertilizer industry reported a revenue decrease of 4.28% and a significant net profit decline of 56.82% [4]. - The tire industry showed a revenue increase of 6.34% but faced a net profit decline of 24.84%, attributed to rising production costs [4][5]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The refrigerant industry is expected to maintain its growth cycle due to quota systems and increasing downstream demand [6]. - The agricultural chemical market is anticipated to stabilize as the peak usage season approaches, with active trading expected [6]. - The chemical industry must navigate challenges such as increased competition in the titanium dioxide market and the need for innovation in the daily chemical sector [6].

Group 1 - Lingyun Optics' actual controller promises not to reduce shareholdings for 12 months starting from July 7, 2025 [1] - Chengdi Xiangjiang's subsidiary signed a contract with China Mobile for a data center project worth 1.632 billion yuan, with a 92-day construction period starting April 30, 2025 [1] - Dingyang Technology launched a high-end arbitrary waveform generator with a maximum output frequency of 5 GHz, catering to communication, industrial, and research testing needs [2][3] Group 2 - Heng Rui Medicine completed a share repurchase plan, buying back 12.9051 million shares for 601 million yuan, representing 0.20% of total shares [4][5] - ST Xiangxue received approval for clinical trials of TAEST1901 injection for treating advanced gastric cancer [5] - Yuyue Medical's subsidiary received EU MDR certification for its AED product, valid until May 11, 2030 [6][7] Group 3 - HNA Holding reported a 10.33% year-on-year increase in passenger revenue kilometers for April [8] - Springhui Zhikong's subsidiary terminated its listing on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations [9] - Delin Hai's shareholder plans to reduce holdings by up to 3%, equating to 3.39 million shares [10] Group 4 - Weiye Co. announced that two shareholders plan to reduce their holdings by up to 2% [12] - Green Alliance Technology's major shareholder intends to reduce holdings by up to 3% [14] - Luzhou Development Group increased its stake in Luzhou Tianhua by 1.02%, acquiring 15.9557 million shares [16] Group 5 - Hualan Pharmaceutical's subsidiary plans to acquire a 42.82% stake in Sanjing Qianhe for 23.446 million yuan [17] - Ganfeng Lithium's directors and executives plan to invest 30.8 million yuan in Shenzhen Yichu [19] - Zhonghong Medical's subsidiary is expected to be selected for a centralized procurement project [20] Group 6 - Jinkai Biotechnology's Blue Zone Fund plans to reduce holdings by up to 3% [21] - Hangxin Technology's former controlling shareholder intends to reduce holdings by up to 3% [22] - Galaxy Magnet's director plans to reduce holdings by up to 0.79% [23] Group 7 - Zhuoyue Technology's controlling shareholder's shares will be auctioned due to judicial proceedings [24] - Xinwufeng is forming a joint venture with France's Coplison Group with a registered capital of 80 million yuan [25] - Zhongcheng Co. is planning to issue shares to acquire 100% of a clean energy company, leading to a temporary stock suspension [26][27]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the basic chemical industry [2][41]. Core Insights - The basic chemical industry is experiencing overall profit pressure, with a divergence in performance across sub-industries. In 2024, the industry is expected to see revenue growth without profit increase, with a slight decline in chemical product price indices and continued low demand globally [4][19]. - In 2024, the overall revenue of the chemical industry is projected to be 28,649.67 billion, a year-on-year increase of 2.96%, while the net profit attributable to shareholders is expected to be 1,080.70 billion, a decrease of 7.10% [4][15]. - The first quarter of 2025 shows a slight improvement, with revenue reaching 6,769.65 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1.30%, and net profit of 337.50 billion, an increase of 5.58% [4][24]. Summary by Sections 1. Industry Performance Overview - The chemical industry is in a low prosperity phase, with a competitive landscape intensifying and continued pressure on product prices and profitability. The overall gross profit margin for the industry is 14.57%, down by 0.65 percentage points year-on-year [4][15]. 2. Sub-Industry Performance - In 2024, the top five sub-industries by revenue growth are rubber products (+23.27%), modified plastics (+16.60%), nylon and polyester (+14.65%), membrane materials (+12.56%), and other plastic products (+9.70%). The top five by net profit growth are nitrogen fertilizers (+145.81%), chlor-alkali (+122.69%), dyeing chemicals (+119.16%), compound fertilizers (+59.81%), and rubber additives (+42.74%) [6][33]. - In the first quarter of 2025, the leading sub-industries by revenue growth are compound fertilizers (+26.73%), modified plastics (+22.35%), civil explosives (+20.07%), potassium fertilizers (+19.93%), and synthetic resins (+18.71%). The top five by net profit growth are fluorochemicals (+99.89%), chlor-alkali (+86.21%), pesticides (+72.93%), membrane materials (+54.54%), and potassium fertilizers (+44.95%) [6][38]. 3. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on sub-industries with expected improvements in supply-demand dynamics, leading companies driven by capital expenditure expansion and R&D, and high-end chemical new materials benefiting from increased demand or ongoing domestic substitution [7][43]. - Recommended investment targets include Longbai Group, Hualu Hengsheng, Yangnong Chemical, Xinheng, and Guoci Materials [7][44].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association has issued an initiative to stabilize the domestic fertilizer market and ensure agricultural production, in response to speculative capital driving up fertilizer prices due to information asymmetry and market expectations since April 30 [1] Group 1: Price Adjustments - Key nitrogen fertilizer companies are urged to reduce urea ex-factory prices within three days to not exceed the levels prior to May 6, with a maximum increase of 100 yuan per ton compared to the end of April prices [1] - Non-compliance with this self-regulatory initiative may result in suspension of membership services and other policy consequences for the offending companies [1] Group 2: Industry Self-Regulation - The association emphasizes the need for industry self-regulation to ensure orderly and healthy urea exports, discouraging low-price competition that undermines the market [1] - Actions that contribute to "involution" and aggressive price competition for international market share will not be recognized by the association [1] Group 3: Sustainable Development - The collective effort is aimed at achieving sustainable and healthy development within the nitrogen fertilizer industry [1]

Core Viewpoint - The company Huayu has been recognized as the "Water Efficiency Leader" in the coal-to-methanol industry for 2024 by the China Fertilizer Industry Association, marking its fourth consecutive year of receiving this honor [1] Group 1: Water Management Practices - Since its inception, the company has prioritized water conservation management, achieving a water intake of 6.98 cubic meters per ton of product and a water reuse rate exceeding 98% [1] - The company employs advanced coal chemical technologies to control water usage from the source, including steam condensate recovery and high-efficiency cooling systems [2] - A comprehensive water management system has been established, including a water consumption plan and monitoring systems to prevent leaks and optimize water use [3] Group 2: Wastewater Treatment and Zero Discharge - The company has implemented advanced technologies for zero wastewater discharge, resulting in a wastewater discharge of only 1.04 cubic meters per ton of product for 2024, with significant improvements in water reuse and efficiency [4] - Investments of 134 million yuan have been made in wastewater treatment projects, achieving a 43.9% reduction in wastewater discharge, a 63.4% reduction in COD, and a 49.2% reduction in ammonia nitrogen [4] - The company has established a scientific water conservation planning and responsibility system to enhance deep wastewater recycling and smart manufacturing [4]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a recommendation for the chemical industry, indicating a positive outlook for the sector [6]. Core Viewpoints - The report highlights the significant price increases in active dyes (+10%) and PTA (+3.17%), suggesting potential investment opportunities in companies related to these products [4][20]. - It recommends focusing on companies like Huaitong Co., which is expected to benefit from the application of modified plastics in the robotics sector, and Runtong Co., which may gain from the rising prices of active dyes [5]. Industry Performance - In the first week of May, the chemical sector (Shenwan) experienced a decline of 0.50%, slightly underperforming the Shanghai A-share index, which fell by 0.49% [2][12]. - The dynamic PE ratio for the chemical sector stands at 24.05, which is lower than the average PE of 11.90 since 2015 [2][12]. Sub-industry Trends - Among the 15 sub-industries, five saw increases, with daily chemical products leading at +8.85%, while five sub-industries experienced declines, with synthetic leather dropping by -8.89% [3][15]. Price and Spread Trends - The report lists the top five products with the highest weekly price increases: active dyes (+10%), PTA (+3.17%), and butadiene (+2.86%) [4][20]. - The report also notes significant changes in price spreads, with the melamine spread increasing by +73.47% and the PTA spread by +39.52% [4][36]. Inventory Changes - Key products with notable inventory changes include potassium chloride (-17.88%) and epoxy propane (-8.96%), indicating shifts in supply dynamics [5][56].