Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy-A" rating for the company with a 6-month target price of 38.5 CNY per share, corresponding to a PE ratio of approximately 55 times for 2026 [4][6]. Core Insights - The company achieved a revenue of 5.373 billion CNY in the first three quarters of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 7.16%. In Q3 2025 alone, revenue reached 1.866 billion CNY, up 12.91% year-on-year. The growth was primarily driven by increased sales in the new energy vehicle and energy-saving air conditioning sectors, with respective sales growth of 23.46% and 18.48% [1]. - The company’s gross margin improved to 19.49%, an increase of 9.46 percentage points year-on-year, due to the release of new production capacity and cost optimization strategies [1]. - The company reported a net profit of 515 million CNY for the first three quarters of 2025, a significant increase of 161.81% year-on-year, with Q3 net profit reaching 211 million CNY, up 172.65% year-on-year [2]. - The company received a general export license, which is expected to simplify and accelerate its export processes, enhancing its ability to fulfill overseas orders, particularly in the U.S. market [3]. Financial Summary - The company is projected to achieve revenues of 9.103 billion CNY, 11.343 billion CNY, and 13.689 billion CNY for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. Corresponding net profits are expected to be 706 million CNY, 966 million CNY, and 1.192 billion CNY [4][10]. - The earnings per share (EPS) are forecasted to be 0.51 CNY, 0.70 CNY, and 0.87 CNY for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively [4][10]. - The company’s total market capitalization is approximately 48.063 billion CNY, with a circulating market capitalization of about 39.506 billion CNY [6].

Quantitative Models and Construction Methods 1. Model Name: Quantitative Market Trend Judgment Framework - **Model Construction Idea**: The model aims to address the systematic rotation of market styles by identifying the dominant asset characteristics that represent the future mainstream market style. It evaluates assets based on the priority of "g > ROE > D" to determine whether there are good assets and whether they are overvalued[5][8][12] - **Model Construction Process**: 1. Define five style stages based on the industry lifecycle: external growth, quality growth, quality dividend, value dividend, and bankruptcy value[8] 2. Use the "g > ROE > D" priority to compare assets, focusing on growth (g), profitability (ROE), and dividend yield (D)[5][8] 3. Incorporate factors such as expected growth (gf), actual growth (g), profitability (ROE), and valuation metrics (PB, DP, BP) to classify and evaluate assets[9][12] 4. Apply the framework to select industries and allocate them equally within each strategy[19] - **Model Evaluation**: The framework has demonstrated strong explanatory power for A-share market style rotation since 2009, achieving an annualized return of 27.06%[19] --- Model Backtesting Results Quantitative Market Trend Judgment Framework - **Annualized Return**: 27.06% since 2009[19] - **Excess Returns by Year**: - 2017: 27% - 2020: 44% - 2022: 62% - 2024: 52% - 2025 (YTD): 8%[22] --- Quantitative Factors and Construction Methods 1. Factor Name: Expected Growth (gf) - **Factor Construction Idea**: Measures the expected growth rate of industries based on analysts' forecasts, regardless of the lifecycle stage[9] - **Factor Construction Process**: 1. Calculate the expected growth rate (gf) for each industry 2. Rank industries based on the highest expected growth rates 3. Select top-performing industries for allocation[9][38] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has shown significant excess returns since 2019, with notable performance in 2014-2015 and 2025[38] 2. Factor Name: Actual Growth (g) - **Factor Construction Idea**: Focuses on industries with the highest earnings momentum (△g), particularly during transition and growth phases[9] - **Factor Construction Process**: 1. Use △g to represent earnings momentum 2. Rank industries based on △g and select the top-performing ones 3. Incorporate additional factors such as SUE, SUR, and JOR for refinement[40] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has consistently delivered significant excess returns, especially in growth-dominant environments[40] 3. Factor Name: Profitability (ROE) - **Factor Construction Idea**: Targets industries with high ROE and low valuation under the PB-ROE framework, focusing on mature stages[9] - **Factor Construction Process**: 1. Calculate PB-ROE residuals for each industry 2. Rank industries based on residuals and select the top-performing ones[43] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor performed strongly from 2016 to 2020 but has weakened since 2021[43] 4. Factor Name: Quality Dividend (DP + ROE) - **Factor Construction Idea**: Combines dividend yield (DP) and ROE to identify industries with the highest scores, focusing on mature stages[9] - **Factor Construction Process**: 1. Calculate DP and ROE for each industry 2. Combine the two metrics into a composite score 3. Rank industries and select the top-performing ones[46] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has shown significant excess returns in 2016, 2017, and 2023[46] 5. Factor Name: Value Dividend (DP + BP) - **Factor Construction Idea**: Combines dividend yield (DP) and book-to-price ratio (BP) to identify undervalued industries, focusing on mature stages[9] - **Factor Construction Process**: 1. Calculate DP and BP for each industry 2. Combine the two metrics into a composite score 3. Rank industries and select the top-performing ones[49] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has delivered significant excess returns in 2009, 2017, and 2021-2023[49] 6. Factor Name: Bankruptcy Value (PB + SIZE) - **Factor Construction Idea**: Targets industries with the lowest PB and SIZE scores, focusing on stagnation and recession stages[9] - **Factor Construction Process**: 1. Calculate PB and SIZE for each industry 2. Combine the two metrics into a composite score 3. Rank industries and select the lowest-scoring ones[52] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has shown significant excess returns in 2015-2016 and 2021-2023[52] --- Factor Backtesting Results Expected Growth (gf) - **Recent Performance**: - Lithium: +51.15% (3 months) - Frozen Food: +14.08% (3 months)[38] Actual Growth (g) - **Recent Performance**: - Lithium Chemicals: +51.88% (3 months) - Other Home Appliances: +14.93% (3 months)[41] Profitability (ROE) - **Recent Performance**: - Network Equipment: +12.18% (3 months) - Buses: +10.46% (3 months)[43] Quality Dividend (DP + ROE) - **Recent Performance**: - Timber Processing: +145.24% (3 months) - Lithium Equipment: +21.95% (3 months)[46] Value Dividend (DP + BP) - **Recent Performance**: - Network Equipment: +12.18% (3 months) - Security: -2.24% (3 months)[49] Bankruptcy Value (PB + SIZE) - **Recent Performance**: - Gas: +15.88% (3 months) - Building Renovation: +16.42% (3 months)[52]

Summary of Marathon Mining Group's Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Marathon Mining Group - **Industry**: Rare Earth and Magnetic Materials Key Points and Arguments Supply Chain Development - Marathon Mining Group is actively building a domestic supply chain for rare earth and magnetic materials in the U.S. to mitigate supply chain risks posed by Chinese commercial policies [2][3][4] - The company has invested $1 billion in private investments and has established cooperation agreements with the U.S. government during both the Trump and Biden administrations to ensure scalable production capabilities in the West [2][4] Production and Capacity Goals - The company plans to complete the commissioning of its heavy rare earth separation circuit by mid-2026, which will process both its own ores and third-party materials to meet the demand for neodymium-iron-boron magnets [2][4][11] - Investment in chloride facilities is aimed at optimizing cost structures by reducing costs associated with hydrochloric acid and soda [2][4] - The second phase of refining aims for a capacity of 6,000 tons, with the ability to handle heavy rare earths [11] Strategic Partnerships and Market Position - The partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense is a recognition of the company's vertical integration strategy initiated in 2017, addressing supply chain insecurity, particularly against Chinese policies [3][5] - The company is collaborating with General Motors (GM) to cautiously build its magnetic business, accumulating experience before scaling up [3][8] Market Dynamics and U.S. Policy - Washington shows a heightened urgency to reduce dependence on China, which extends beyond rare earths to multiple industries, emphasizing the importance of a strong supply chain for competitiveness in sectors like robotics, AI, data centers, and automotive [5][6] - Approximately 30% of magnets are used in the automotive supply chain, which is a significant sector for employment in the U.S. [5] Technological and Operational Challenges - The company has implemented measures to manage technological execution challenges by analyzing past failures and ensuring that each phase of production is well-defined before proceeding [8][9] - The focus is on producing high-grade, high-recovery mineral concentrates to generate substantial free cash flow, which has been sufficient to cover investments for the second phase of operations [8][9] Sales Strategy and Market Conditions - The company has halted sales of certain concentrate products due to tariff-induced transportation fluctuations and prices falling below intrinsic value, in line with agreements with the Department of Defense [10] - The strategy includes entering the Chinese market while adhering to the agreement's requirements [10] Future Outlook - The U.S. is in a positive development phase in the rare earth and magnetic materials sector, relying on Mountain River as a resource source and expanding capabilities for independent growth [7] - The company plans to increase its recycling efforts and expects significant business expansion over the next five years through various initiatives [7] Quality Control and Product Specifications - The company employs a vertical integration strategy to ensure the purity of refined materials, adapting to different application requirements, particularly in the automotive sector [14] - This strategy allows for flexibility in adjusting specifications to optimize supply chain efficiency while maintaining competitive advantages [14]

Quantitative Models and Construction Methods Model Name: Quantitative Market Trend Analysis Framework - **Model Construction Idea**: The model aims to solve the systematic rotation problem of styles by conducting a bottom-up quantitative market trend analysis. It identifies the dominant asset characteristics that represent the future market's mainstream style through a comprehensive comparison of assets[1][5] - **Model Construction Process**: - The model considers five style stages based on the asset's industry lifecycle: external growth, quality growth, quality dividend, value dividend, and bankruptcy value[1][5] - The priority for asset comparison is based on the sequence: growth (g) > return on equity (ROE) > dividend (D)[1][5] - The model uses the spread of asset advantage differences to capture the trend changes of top assets, similar to factor timing[20] - **Model Evaluation**: The framework has shown good explanatory power for past A-share style rotations, achieving an annualized return of 27.25% since 2009[15] Model Backtesting Results - **Quantitative Market Trend Analysis Framework**: - 2009: Asset Comparison Strategy 133%, Wind All A 82%, Excess Return 51%[18] - 2010: Asset Comparison Strategy 7%, Wind All A -7%, Excess Return 14%[18] - 2011: Asset Comparison Strategy -33%, Wind All A -22%, Excess Return -11%[18] - 2012: Asset Comparison Strategy 5%, Wind All A 5%, Excess Return 0%[18] - 2013: Asset Comparison Strategy 41%, Wind All A 5%, Excess Return 36%[18] - 2014: Asset Comparison Strategy 48%, Wind All A 52%, Excess Return -4%[18] - 2015: Asset Comparison Strategy 55%, Wind All A 38%, Excess Return 16%[18] - 2016: Asset Comparison Strategy -14%, Wind All A -13%, Excess Return -1%[18] - 2017: Asset Comparison Strategy 32%, Wind All A 5%, Excess Return 27%[18] - 2018: Asset Comparison Strategy -21%, Wind All A -28%, Excess Return 7%[18] - 2019: Asset Comparison Strategy 41%, Wind All A 33%, Excess Return 8%[18] - 2020: Asset Comparison Strategy 69%, Wind All A 26%, Excess Return 44%[18] - 2021: Asset Comparison Strategy 47%, Wind All A 9%, Excess Return 38%[18] - 2022: Asset Comparison Strategy 44%, Wind All A -19%, Excess Return 62%[18] - 2023: Asset Comparison Strategy 5%, Wind All A -5%, Excess Return 10%[18] - 2024: Asset Comparison Strategy 62%, Wind All A 10%, Excess Return 52%[18] - 2025 (Aug): Asset Comparison Strategy 27%, Wind All A 23%, Excess Return 4%[18] Quantitative Factors and Construction Methods Factor Name: Expected Growth (gf) - **Factor Construction Idea**: The factor focuses on the highest analyst forecasted growth rates, regardless of the cycle stage[6] - **Factor Construction Process**: - The factor is constructed by selecting industries with the highest expected growth rates as forecasted by analysts[6] - The spread of expected growth advantage differences (Δgf) is used to capture the trend changes in top assets[20] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has shown significant excess returns since 2019, with notable performance in 2014-2015[34] Factor Name: Actual Growth (g) - **Factor Construction Idea**: The factor focuses on industries with the highest actual growth rates, particularly during transition and growth periods[6] - **Factor Construction Process**: - The factor is constructed by selecting industries with the highest actual growth rates (Δg)[6] - The spread of actual growth advantage differences (Δg) is used to capture the trend changes in top assets[24] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has shown significant excess returns in growth-dominant environments[36] Factor Name: Profitability (ROE) - **Factor Construction Idea**: The factor focuses on industries with high ROE and low valuation under the PB-ROE framework, concentrated in mature periods[6] - **Factor Construction Process**: - The factor is constructed by selecting industries with high ROE and low PB-ROE residuals[6] - The spread of ROE advantage differences is used to capture the trend changes in top assets[26] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has shown significant excess returns from 2016 to 2020, with weaker performance since 2021[39] Factor Name: Quality Dividend (DP+ROE) - **Factor Construction Idea**: The factor focuses on industries with the highest DP+ROE scores, concentrated in mature periods[6] - **Factor Construction Process**: - The factor is constructed by selecting industries with the highest DP+ROE scores[6] - The spread of DP+ROE advantage differences is used to capture the trend changes in top assets[42] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has shown significant excess returns in 2016, 2017, and 2023[43] Factor Name: Value Dividend (DP+BP) - **Factor Construction Idea**: The factor focuses on industries with the highest DP+BP scores, concentrated in mature periods[6] - **Factor Construction Process**: - The factor is constructed by selecting industries with the highest DP+BP scores[6] - The spread of DP+BP advantage differences is used to capture the trend changes in top assets[45] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has shown significant excess returns in 2009, 2017, and 2021-2023[46] Factor Name: Bankruptcy Value (PB+SIZE) - **Factor Construction Idea**: The factor focuses on industries with the lowest PB+SIZE scores, concentrated in stagnation and recession periods[6] - **Factor Construction Process**: - The factor is constructed by selecting industries with the lowest PB+SIZE scores[6] - The spread of PB+SIZE advantage differences is used to capture the trend changes in top assets[48] - **Factor Evaluation**: The factor has shown significant excess returns in 2015-2016 and 2021-2023[49] Factor Backtesting Results - **Expected Growth (gf)**: - Cable: 12 stocks, largest weight stock Zhongtian Technology, average market cap 21.791 billion yuan, 3-month performance 49.62%[34] - Cement: 19 stocks, largest weight stock Conch Cement, average market cap 17.929 billion yuan, 3-month performance 12.71%[34] - Glass Fiber: 6 stocks, largest weight stock China Jushi, average market cap 26.657 billion yuan, 3-month performance 63.67%[34] - Rare Earth and Magnetic Materials: 17 stocks, largest weight stock Northern Rare Earth, average market cap 31.018 billion yuan, 3-month performance 98.77%[34] - White Goods III: 10 stocks, largest weight stock Midea Group, average market cap 113.675 billion yuan, 3-month performance -1.21%[34] - **Actual Growth (g)**: - Integrated Circuits: 104 stocks, largest weight stock Cambricon-U, average market cap 45.058 billion yuan, 3-month performance 42.93%[37] - PCB: 38 stocks, largest weight stock Shenghong Technology, average market cap 27.163 billion yuan, 3-month performance 112.10%[37] - Tungsten: 4 stocks, largest weight stock Xiamen Tungsten, average market cap 30.523 billion yuan, 3-month performance 69.26%[37] - Lithium Battery Equipment: 12 stocks, largest weight stock Lead Intelligent, average market cap 11.731 billion yuan, 3-month performance 60.15%[37] - Weapons and Equipment III: 12 stocks, largest weight stock Great Wall Military Industry, average market cap 21.307 billion yuan, 3-month performance 80.22%[37] - **Profitability (ROE)**: - Beer: 7 stocks, largest weight stock Tsingtao Brewery, average market cap 26.758 billion yuan, 3-month performance -3.94%[39] - Liquor: 20 stocks, largest weight stock Kweichow Moutai, average market cap 162.722 billion yuan, 3-month performance 4.12%[39] - Non-dairy Beverages: 7 stocks, largest weight stock Eastroc Beverage, average market cap 32.754 billion yuan, 3-month performance -4.45%[39] - Network Connection and Tower Setup: 19 stocks, largest weight stock Zhongji Xuchuang, average market cap 64.299 billion yuan, 3-month performance 202.29%[39] - Building Decoration III: 28 stocks, largest weight stock Gold Mantis, average market cap 3.436 billion yuan, 3-month performance 4.42%[39] - **Quality Dividend (DP+ROE)**: - Automotive Motor Control: 15

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Accumulate-A" with a 12-month target price of 32.4 CNY per share, while the current share price is 26.18 CNY [5]. Core Views - The company reported a revenue of 418 million CNY in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 13%, but the net profit attributable to shareholders decreased by 12% to 70 million CNY [1]. - The growth in demand for inductors is boosting the demand for soft magnetic powders, while technological substitution is enhancing the demand for Metal Injection Molding (MIM) materials [2]. - The company is in the process of ramping up production capacity from its fundraising projects, with the first phase of the Ningxia project expected to enter trial production in 2025 [8]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved a revenue of 418 million CNY, with a net profit of 70 million CNY, and a gross margin of 35.40%, down by 5.06 percentage points year-on-year due to increased operating costs [1]. - For Q1 2025, the company reported a revenue of 96 million CNY, a year-on-year increase of 9%, and a net profit of 17 million CNY, reflecting a slight increase of 0.3% year-on-year [1]. Product Segments - **Atomized Alloy Powder**: Revenue for 2024 was 46 million CNY, up 13% year-on-year, with sales volume increasing by 27% to 867 tons [2]. - **Carbonyl Iron Powder**: Revenue reached 122 million CNY in 2024, a 6% increase year-on-year, with a sales volume of 2887 tons, up 9% [2]. - **MIM Feedstock**: Revenue surged by 34% to 74 million CNY in 2024, with sales volume increasing by 72% to 1540 tons [2]. - **Soft Magnetic Powder**: Revenue increased by 19% to 153 million CNY, driven by the rising demand in the automotive electronics sector [3]. - **Absorbing Materials**: Revenue grew by 83% to 4 million CNY, with sales volume increasing by 78% [3]. Capacity Expansion - The company has existing capacities of approximately 5000 tons/year for carbonyl iron powder and over 1000 tons/year for atomized alloy powder [8]. - The fundraising projects are expected to add 6000 tons/year for carbonyl iron powder and 4000 tons/year for atomized alloy powder, with the Ningxia project expected to begin trial production in 2025 [8]. Dividend Policy - The company plans to distribute a cash dividend of 2.50 CNY per 10 shares, totaling 30 million CNY, with a payout ratio of 42.62% [9].