Investment Rating - Industry rating: Recommended [3] Core Insights - The lithium carbonate price increased by 0.91% to 72,000 CNY/ton as of August 8, 2025, indicating a supply-demand imbalance in the industry that may be difficult to resolve [6][42] - Nickel prices rose, with LME nickel closing at 212,232 USD/ton, up 1.51% from August 1, 2025, while domestic nickel prices also increased by 1.05% to 121,000 CNY/ton [21][24] - Cobalt prices showed mixed trends, with electrolytic cobalt down 1.48% to 266,000 CNY/ton, while cobalt oxide rose by 2.54% to 203.50 CNY/kg [25][30] - Antimony prices decreased, with antimony ingot averaging 185,000 CNY/ton, down 1.33% from July 31, 2025, amid tight supply conditions [31][35] - The nickel industry faces potential supply disruptions due to the suspension of production lines by Chinese mining giant Tsingshan in Indonesia, which may impact local nickel mining and support nickel prices [12][24] Summary by Sections Nickel and Cobalt Industry Updates - Nickel prices increased, with LME nickel at 212,232 USD/ton and domestic nickel at 121,000 CNY/ton, while supply remains stable despite weather conditions [21][24] - Cobalt prices fluctuated, with electrolytic cobalt down and cobalt oxide up, influenced by raw material shortages from the Democratic Republic of Congo [25][30] Antimony Industry Update - Antimony prices fell, with domestic antimony ingot at 185,000 CNY/ton, as supply remains tight and production is limited due to many manufacturers being offline [31][35] Lithium Industry Update - Lithium carbonate prices rose to 72,000 CNY/ton, with high inventory levels and slow de-stocking, indicating ongoing supply challenges [6][42] Rare Earth Industry Update - The rare earth market remains stable, with domestic production indicators not showing significant growth, and the U.S. government is working to rebuild its rare earth supply chain [15][42] Tin Industry Update - Tin prices increased, with LME tin at 33,900 USD/ton, as supply from Myanmar remains constrained due to production issues [9][15] Tungsten Industry Update - Tungsten prices rose slightly, with white tungsten at 193,500 CNY/ton, as supply remains tight due to reduced mining quotas [10][11] Investment Recommendations - Recommended companies include Tianhua New Energy, Yahua Group, and Ganfeng Lithium, which are expected to benefit from the current market dynamics in lithium supply [42]

Core Viewpoint - The recent implementation of a 50% tariff on semi-finished copper products by the U.S. has had a weaker-than-expected impact on China's copper prices, leading to significant gains in leading copper companies in China [1][3]. Group 1: Market Reactions - Leading copper companies such as Tongling Nonferrous Metals surged over 9%, Yunnan Copper rose more than 3%, and other companies like Jiangxi Copper and Northern Copper increased by over 2% [1]. - The ETF tracking leading non-ferrous metal companies, known as the Non-ferrous Metal Leader ETF (159876), saw its price peak at 0.77% during trading, reflecting a positive market sentiment towards the sector [1]. Group 2: Tariff Impact Analysis - The U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on various semi-finished copper products starting August 1, but raw materials like cathode copper and scrap copper are exempt from these tariffs [3]. - Analysts believe the tariff's impact on domestic copper prices is limited, as only 30,000 tons of the 578,000 tons of copper imported by the U.S. in 2024 will come from China, accounting for just 5.2% [3]. Group 3: Investment Outlook - Guotai Junan Securities is optimistic about investment opportunities in the non-ferrous metal sector, particularly for gold, which is expected to benefit from a weakening U.S. dollar and anticipated interest rate cuts [3]. - The copper market is expected to see a price increase due to constrained supply and resilient demand, with projections for gradual export openings and continuous demand growth [3]. Group 4: Sector Performance - As of July 31, the non-ferrous metal sector has seen a year-to-date increase of 24.91%, making it the top-performing sector among 31 major industries [4]. - The current price-to-book ratio of the non-ferrous metal index is at a historically low level of 2.36, indicating potential for valuation recovery [4]. Group 5: ETF Composition - The Non-ferrous Metal Leader ETF (159876) and its associated funds are diversified across various metals, with copper, aluminum, gold, rare earths, and lithium making up significant portions of the index [6].

Group 1 - The average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate is 69,100 yuan/ton, and industrial-grade lithium carbonate is 67,450 yuan/ton, both showing an increase compared to the previous working day [1] - Over the past year, lithium prices have mostly remained below 100,000 yuan/ton, raising questions about whether this low price level presents a good opportunity for companies in the supply chain to acquire lithium resources [1] - Several lithium industry companies have responded to investor inquiries about acquiring lithium mines during this low price period, indicating a proactive approach to securing quality lithium resource projects [1] Group 2 - Tianqi Lithium Corporation emphasizes the importance of solidifying upstream lithium resource layouts as part of its future development strategy, maintaining an open cooperation attitude while evaluating global lithium resource projects [2] - Analysts predict that lithium prices will likely remain around 60,000 yuan/ton in the second half of the year, suggesting that the current price trough is an opportune time for companies to acquire quality lithium resources [2] - Among eight lithium industry companies in the A-share market, six have released semi-annual performance forecasts, showing a mixed performance with only a few companies, including Tianqi Lithium, expected to be profitable [2] Group 3 - The lithium price is expected to continue fluctuating at low levels, with limited potential for significant increases, while companies face both favorable factors and pressures from low prices [3] - Companies are advised to enhance technological innovation, optimize supply chain layouts, and improve management efficiency to better cope with performance pressures and maintain competitive advantages in a challenging market [3]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the non-ferrous metals industry is "Positive" (maintained) [5][10]. Core Viewpoints - The report highlights a "反内卷" (anti-involution) trend leading to a general increase in commodity prices, with specific catalysts such as policy expectations driving price movements in copper, aluminum, lithium, and cobalt [4][6][10]. Summary by Sections 1. Industry Overview - Important macroeconomic information includes the U.S. June core CPI being below expectations at 2.9%, and retail sales showing a month-on-month increase of 0.6% [10]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is set to release a growth stabilization plan for key industries including steel, non-ferrous metals, and petrochemicals [10]. 2. Industrial Metals 2.1 Copper - Copper prices are expected to rebound due to policy expectations, with LME copper prices increasing by 0.83% and SHFE copper prices slightly decreasing by 0.03% [6][25]. - Inventory levels have risen, with LME copper stocks increasing by 12.37% [22][25]. - Downstream demand is recovering, with copper rod operating rates at 74.2%, up by 7.2 percentage points [6]. 2.2 Aluminum - Aluminum prices are also expected to rise, with alumina prices increasing by 0.16% to 3165 CNY/ton [6][36]. - SHFE aluminum prices fell by 1.01% to 20500 CNY/ton, but are projected to recover due to strong policy support [6][36]. 2.3 Lead and Zinc - LME lead prices decreased by 1.38%, while SHFE lead prices fell by 1.70% [46]. - LME zinc prices increased by 1.24%, but SHFE zinc prices dropped by 0.45% [46]. 2.4 Tin and Nickel - LME tin prices fell by 0.73%, and SHFE tin prices decreased by 0.65% [60]. - LME nickel prices decreased by 0.33%, while SHFE nickel prices fell by 0.78% [60]. 3. Energy Metals 3.1 Lithium - Lithium prices are on the rise, with lithium carbonate increasing by 4.55% to 66650 CNY/ton, and lithium spodumene rising by 5.49% to 711 USD/ton [75]. - Supply issues are noted, with a slight increase in production but ongoing inventory accumulation [75]. 3.2 Cobalt - Cobalt prices are under pressure, with domestic cobalt prices down by 1.22% to 243000 CNY/ton [88]. - The Democratic Republic of Congo has extended its cobalt export ban by three months, which may lead to a price rebound in Q4 [88].

Core Viewpoint - Despite the downturn in lithium carbonate prices, Tianqi Lithium's profitability is expected to grow significantly in the first half of 2025, with a projected net profit of 0 to 155 million yuan, marking a turnaround from a loss of 5.206 billion yuan in the same period last year [1][3]. Company Performance - Tianqi Lithium's revenue for 2024 was 13.063 billion yuan, a decrease of 67.75% year-on-year, with a net loss of 7.905 billion yuan, down 208.32% year-on-year [3]. - For the first quarter of 2025, the company reported revenue of 2.584 billion yuan, a slight decrease of 0.02% year-on-year, and a net profit of 104 million yuan, an increase of 102.68% year-on-year [4]. Market Dynamics - The lithium product market is currently experiencing a bottoming process, which is expected to facilitate industry clearing and restructuring [4][7]. - The lithium industry is characterized by high competition, and companies must continuously enhance their core competitiveness to navigate through cycles successfully [7]. Industry Outlook - The long-term outlook for the lithium industry remains positive, driven by the growth of the new energy vehicle and energy storage sectors [6]. - Emerging applications such as electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles and drones are expanding the market for lithium batteries [6]. Pricing Trends - As of July 4, the average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate was reported at 62,300 yuan per ton, indicating a need for key catalysts for a market reversal, such as production cuts from large mines or increased downstream demand [7].

Investment Rating - Industry rating: Recommended [3] Core Insights - The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has invested billions in MP Materials to accelerate the independence of U.S. rare earth magnets, but global production remains highly concentrated in China in the short term [9][14][45] - Nickel prices have decreased due to a significant drop in demand and production halts in Indonesia, which may impact local mining operations [12][20][23] - Cobalt prices have risen due to supply tightening from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which accounts for approximately 75% of global electric vehicle battery supply [13][31] - Lithium carbonate prices have increased, but future price movements will depend on downstream demand recovery [7][38][44] - Antimony prices have remained stable, with domestic supply still tight, and production expected to decline in the coming months [32][36] Summary by Sections Rare Earth Industry - MP Materials announced a partnership with the DoD to enhance domestic production capabilities, with a new magnet manufacturing facility expected to be operational by 2028 [45][46] - The DoD has committed to a minimum price of $110 per kilogram for NdPr products, ensuring stable cash flow for MP Materials [46][47] Nickel Industry - As of July 11, LME nickel spot price was $14,955 per ton, down 1.09% from July 4, with total LME nickel inventory increasing by 1.83% [20] - Domestic NPI smelting costs remain under pressure, affecting the acceptance of high-priced raw materials [20][23] Cobalt Industry - As of July 11, cobalt prices have shown mixed trends, with electrolytic cobalt at 249,300 yuan per ton, down 0.99%, while cobalt oxide increased by 1.54% [24][31] - The extension of a temporary export ban by the Congolese government is expected to tighten global cobalt supply [31] Lithium Industry - The average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate reached 63,800 yuan per ton, up 2.36% as of July 11 [7][38] - Market sentiment is cautious, with inventory levels remaining high, limiting upward price movement [38][44] Antimony Industry - Domestic antimony ingot prices have stabilized, with supply constraints expected to support future pricing [32][36]

Investment Rating - The industry rating is "Recommended" [4] Core Views - The report highlights that the import volume of tin from Myanmar has remained below the warning line of 10,000 tons for several months, leading to expectations of tight supply which may support tin prices [10][21] - Nickel prices have increased week-on-week, driven by traders' replenishment needs, with LME nickel spot settlement price reported at $15,120 per ton, up 0.6% from June 27 [21] - Cobalt prices have also risen, with electrolytic cobalt priced at 251,800 yuan per ton, up 0.6% from June 27, although downstream demand has not shown significant improvement [25][32] - The report notes a decrease in antimony ingot prices and production, with domestic antimony ingot average price at 192,500 yuan per ton, down 2.53% from June 26 [33][36] - Lithium carbonate prices have increased slightly, with the average market price at 62,300 yuan per ton, up 1.81% from June 27, but the market is expected to maintain a low-level fluctuation pattern [41][46] Summary by Sections Nickel Industry - Nickel prices have risen due to replenishment demand from traders, with LME nickel total inventory decreasing by 0.89% [21] - Domestic production costs for nickel smelters have increased significantly due to high CIF prices of Philippine nickel ore [21] - The report indicates that the suspension of production lines by Qingshan Holding Group may further impact local nickel mining in Indonesia [13][24] Cobalt Industry - Cobalt prices have increased, supported by the extension of a temporary export ban by the Democratic Republic of Congo, which accounts for about 75% of global electric vehicle battery supply [25][32] - Despite the price increase, downstream demand remains weak, with most manufacturers maintaining a just-in-time purchasing strategy [25][32] Antimony Industry - Antimony ingot prices have decreased, with a significant drop in production expected in July due to ongoing supply tightness [33][36] - The report suggests that domestic raw material supply remains tight, which may support future antimony prices [36] Lithium Industry - Lithium carbonate prices have seen a slight increase, but the market is still characterized by oversupply, with inventory pressures not effectively alleviated [41][46] - The report anticipates that lithium prices will continue to fluctuate at low levels due to ongoing supply-demand imbalances [41][46] Tin Industry - The report indicates that the import volume of tin from Myanmar is below the warning line, leading to expectations of tight supply which may support tin prices [10][21] - The overall supply situation is expected to remain tight due to slow recovery in Myanmar's tin mining operations [10][16] Rare Earth Industry - Following the recent US-China trade negotiations, China has partially relaxed its export controls on rare earths, which may alleviate some supply pressures for Western companies [15][19] - The report notes that the rare earth market is experiencing price increases driven by demand from major manufacturers, although actual transaction volumes remain low [9][15]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the non-ferrous metals industry is "Positive" (maintained) [6][110]. Core Viewpoints - The report highlights that copper prices have risen significantly due to the U.S. increasing tariffs on aluminum and steel, with weekly price changes for London copper, Shanghai copper, and New York copper being +1.60%, +1.71%, and +2.78% respectively [7]. - The report suggests that the short-term outlook for copper prices remains volatile, with a focus on financial attributes such as U.S. import investigations and economic data [7]. - For aluminum, the report notes a continuous reduction in inventory, with aluminum prices maintaining stability despite slight fluctuations [7]. - Lithium prices are experiencing a downward trend, with a significant drop in lithium carbonate and spodumene prices, indicating a potential for future production cuts [7]. - Cobalt prices are under pressure due to weak demand, but potential policy changes in the Democratic Republic of Congo could present rebound opportunities [7]. Summary by Sections 1. Industry Overview - The non-ferrous metals sector has shown a strong performance, with the Shenwan non-ferrous index rising 3.74%, outperforming the Shanghai Composite Index by 2.61 percentage points [13]. - The report indicates that the overall market sentiment is positive, with specific segments like rare earths and new materials performing well [13]. 2. Industrial Metals 2.1 Copper - London copper prices increased by 1.60%, while Shanghai copper rose by 1.71%. The inventory levels for London copper decreased by 11.66% [27]. - The report notes that the copper smelting profit margin is currently negative at -2622 yuan/ton, but losses are narrowing [27]. 2.2 Aluminum - London aluminum prices fell by 0.29%, and Shanghai aluminum prices decreased by 0.10%. The report highlights a decrease in both London and Shanghai aluminum inventories [39]. - The profit margin for aluminum smelting has decreased by 1.86% to 3564 yuan/ton [39]. 2.3 Lead and Zinc - Lead prices increased by 1.18% in London and 0.39% in Shanghai, while zinc prices rose by 0.36% in London and 0.11% in Shanghai [51]. - The report indicates that the smelting profit for zinc is stable at 3600 yuan/ton, with mining profits decreasing slightly [51]. 2.4 Tin and Nickel - Tin prices saw a significant increase, with London tin prices rising by 6.23% and Shanghai tin prices increasing by 3.96% [65]. - Nickel prices also experienced growth, with domestic nickel iron enterprises showing increased profitability [65]. 3. Energy Metals 3.1 Lithium - Lithium prices are on a downward trend, with lithium carbonate prices falling by 0.82% to 60200 yuan/ton and spodumene prices dropping by 7.40% to 626 USD/ton [79]. - The report indicates that the profit margins for lithium smelting are currently negative, suggesting a challenging market environment [79]. 3.2 Cobalt - Cobalt prices are under pressure, with domestic cobalt prices decreasing by 0.43% to 233000 yuan/ton. The report notes potential for recovery based on policy changes in the DRC [91].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the non-ferrous metals sector is "Positive" (maintained) [5] Core Viewpoints - Copper prices are fluctuating within a narrow range, awaiting further macroeconomic catalysts. The weekly changes in copper prices are -0.05% for London copper, -0.24% for Shanghai copper, and -3.35% for New York copper. Domestic copper inventory has increased by 7.2% to 106,000 tons [5][22] - Aluminum prices are stable with ongoing inventory depletion. The price of alumina has risen by 2.95% to 3,320 CNY/ton, while electrolytic aluminum prices have decreased by 0.40% to 20,100 CNY/ton [5][31] - Lithium prices continue to decline, with carbonate lithium down 3.73% to 60,700 CNY/ton. The supply side has not shown significant production cuts yet, which is a major factor suppressing lithium prices [5][72] - Cobalt prices remain under pressure due to weak demand, with potential policy changes in the Democratic Republic of Congo that could create rebound opportunities [5][84] Summary by Sections 1. Industry Overview - The non-ferrous metals sector has underperformed, with the Shenwan non-ferrous index down 2.40%, lagging behind the Shanghai Composite Index by 2.38 percentage points [11] - The sector's PE_TTM is 17.86, down 0.50 from the previous week, while the PB_LF is 2.05, down 0.06 [17][20] 2. Industrial Metals 2.1 Copper - London copper prices decreased by 0.05%, while Shanghai copper prices fell by 0.24%. London copper inventory dropped by 9.02%, while Shanghai inventory increased by 7.22% [22] 2.2 Aluminum - London aluminum prices increased by 0.02%, while Shanghai aluminum prices decreased by 0.40%. The inventory of both London and Shanghai aluminum has decreased [31] 2.3 Lead and Zinc - London lead prices fell by 1.29%, and Shanghai lead prices decreased by 0.92%. London zinc prices dropped by 0.67%, while Shanghai zinc prices fell by 0.07% [42] 2.4 Tin and Nickel - London tin prices decreased by 6.80%, and Shanghai tin prices fell by 4.45%. Nickel prices also saw a decline [57] 3. Energy Metals 3.1 Lithium - Lithium carbonate prices fell by 3.73% to 60,700 CNY/ton, with lithium demand currently in a seasonal downturn [72] 3.2 Cobalt - Domestic cobalt prices decreased by 1.68% to 234,000 CNY/ton, with potential for policy changes in the DRC to impact future prices [84]

Core Viewpoint - Tianqi Lithium Industry Co., Ltd. has shown signs of recovery in its performance, achieving a net profit of 1.04 billion yuan in Q1 2025, indicating a turnaround from previous losses [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, the company reported an operating income of 25.84 billion yuan and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.04 billion yuan, marking a return to profitability [1] - The lithium carbonate market price remains low, hovering above 60,000 yuan per ton, which has exerted pressure on the overall lithium industry [1] Group 2: Industry Outlook - The lithium salt market is currently experiencing oversupply, and companies with advantages in resources, technology, and international operations are expected to thrive in the long term [2] - The core growth drivers for the lithium battery industry will continue to be the electric vehicle and energy storage markets, with emerging applications in low-altitude flying vehicles and drones expanding market opportunities [2] Group 3: Strategic Development - Tianqi Lithium is committed to a long-term strategy of strengthening its upstream resources, enhancing its midstream capabilities, and penetrating downstream markets [2] - The company is actively pursuing high-quality lithium resource projects globally, considering factors such as economic viability, resource assessment, and local political environments [2] Group 4: Project Updates - The company’s controlled Australian Talison Greenbushes lithium concentrate has an annual capacity of 1.62 million tons, and the construction of the chemical-grade lithium concentrate processing plant is underway [2] - The Zola lithium spodumene project is in the preparatory phase for construction, with the feasibility study being updated [3] Group 5: Research and Development - Tianqi Lithium has made significant advancements in solid-state battery technology, successfully preparing for the industrialization of lithium sulfide, a key material for next-generation solid-state batteries [3] - The company has developed a new battery-grade lithium sulfide micro-powder with improved uniformity and activity, while also reducing production costs through advanced recycling techniques [3] - Collaborative research efforts with battery manufacturers and related downstream companies are ongoing, positioning the company as a key player in the development of efficient battery technologies [3]