Investment Rating - Industry rating: Recommended [4] Core Viewpoints - The geopolitical tensions and the decline of the US dollar index have led to a strong performance in gold prices, with COMEX gold rising 3.65% to $3,452.60 per ounce this week [23][25] - The market is increasingly pricing in the possibility of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, with expectations of two cuts this year, the first likely in September [3][43] - The uncertainty in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran and Israel, is contributing to a shift towards safe-haven assets like gold and silver [5][17] Summary by Sections Precious Metals - COMEX silver increased by 0.66% to $36.37 per ounce, while SHFE gold rose 1.42% to ¥794.36 per gram [23][25] - SPDR gold ETF holdings increased by 201,954.41 troy ounces, while SLV silver ETF holdings decreased by 1,090,806.40 ounces [25] - The gold-silver ratio rose by 2.97% to 94.93 this week [25] Base Metals - In the LME market, copper fell 0.24% to $9,647.50 per ton, while aluminum rose 2.10% to $2,503.00 per ton [49] - SHFE copper decreased by 1.17% to ¥78,010.00 per ton, and aluminum increased by 1.84% to ¥20,440.00 per ton [49] - The supply of copper is expected to tighten due to maintenance plans at domestic smelters and the ongoing geopolitical situation [7][8] Copper - The supply side is affected by a downward adjustment in the annual production forecast for the Kamoa-Kakula project and ongoing maintenance at the Cobre copper mine [7][44] - Domestic copper rod enterprises' weekly operating rate rose to 73.21%, but actual purchases are subdued due to high prices [7] - SHFE copper inventory decreased by 5.08% to 101,900 tons, while LME inventory fell by 13.54% to 114,500 tons [74] Aluminum - The aluminum industry operates at over 95% capacity, with minor maintenance plans causing limited supply disruptions [9][78] - Demand for aluminum products has softened, with a decrease in operating rates for various aluminum products [9][78] - SHFE aluminum inventory decreased by 6.91% to 110,000 tons, while LME inventory fell by 2.92% to 353,200 tons [11][78] Zinc - Zinc prices are under pressure due to weak demand, with domestic zinc ore processing fees rising [79] - SHFE zinc inventory decreased by 3.29% to 45,466 tons, while LME inventory fell by 4.36% to 131,000 tons [79]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant role of China in the global rare earth market, with a projected production share of 69.23% in 2024, indicating strong market influence and potential for growth in demand due to advancements in sectors like electric vehicles and wind power [1]. Group 1: Rare Earth and Metal Production - The rare earth sector saw a notable increase of 3.52%, attracting market attention [1]. - According to USGS, China's rare earth production is expected to dominate the global market, reinforcing its strategic importance [1]. - Citic Securities anticipates sustained growth in demand for rare earth permanent magnet materials, benefiting the sector amid strict national resource controls, which may stabilize prices and enhance profitability for companies in this space [1]. Group 2: Other Metals and China's Position - China also leads in the production of tungsten, vanadium, cobalt, and antimony, with production shares exceeding 50%, particularly tungsten at 82.72%, showcasing significant industry chain advantages [1]. - In basic metals, China is the largest producer of electrolytic aluminum, with a projected 2024 production share of 59.72%, and also holds over 30% shares in lead and zinc production [1]. - However, China faces challenges in copper production, with a 2024 output of 1.8 million tons, accounting for only 7.83% of global production, due to issues like small scale, low grade, and high extraction costs [1].