Group 1: Investment Rating - There is no information about the industry investment rating in the report. Group 2: Core View - The lead market shows a situation of weak supply and demand, with relatively high domestic inventories. Lead prices are in a dilemma and may continue to fluctuate. Attention should be paid to the improvement of demand during the back - to - school season and the production dynamics of secondary lead [5]. Group 3: Summary by Related Catalogs Fundamental Changes - In June 2025, China's lead ore imports were 118,026 tons, a month - on - month increase of 13.54%, ending a two - month decline and reaching a five - year high. The domestic and foreign lead concentrate supply is tightening, and processing fees are falling. In August, the domestic monthly processing fee was 400 - 600 yuan/ton, a monthly decline of 50 yuan; the imported monthly processing fee was - 70 - - 50 US dollars/dry ton, a monthly decline of 15 US dollars [2]. Supply - In July, the national electrolytic lead output was 323,700 tons, a month - on - month decrease of 1.49% and a year - on - year increase of 5.43%; the secondary lead output was 253,800 tons, a month - on - month increase of 10.93% and a year - on - year increase of 3.13%. The supply of primary lead was relatively stable last week, with little change in the operating rate. Some refineries in North China will conduct maintenance at the end of August, and the crude lead department of enterprises in Central China is expected to shut down at the end of the third quarter. The supply of lead concentrate raw materials and maintenance plans will limit production capacity release. The weekly operating rate of secondary lead decreased slightly. The production rhythm in Anhui remained unchanged, while production in other regions was slightly adjusted due to raw material supply. The shortage of waste battery raw materials has not been alleviated, and secondary lead enterprises are suffering large losses, with limited resumption of production and new project increments. Recently, the internal and external price ratio has fluctuated, and lead ingot imports have maintained a small loss [3]. Consumption - The operating rate of large enterprises remains at 70% - 75%. The operating rate of large battery factories in Anhui is stable at 70% - 75%, with a finished product inventory of 25 - 30 days, which has slightly decreased compared with July but is still at a historical high. The operating rate of small and medium - sized enterprises is generally 65% - 75%, with an inventory of 22 - 25 days. Some enterprises promote sales to reduce inventory, but terminal digestion is slow. Overall, the traditional consumption peak season has not appeared, the demand for electric bicycle batteries is weak, enterprises produce based on orders, the upward movement of wholesale prices is blocked, the inventory of dealers has reached a historical high, and terminal consumption is sluggish [3]. Spot - As of the week ending August 15, the premium of the domestic lead spot to the active month basis declined. The LME lead spot remained at a deep discount, with a discount of - 43.34 US dollars last weekend [4]. Inventory - As of the week ending August 15, the LME lead weekly inventory decreased by 7,275 tons to 261,100 tons, continuing to decline from a high level and currently at an absolute high level in the past five years; the weekly inventory of SHFE lead increased by 2,510 tons to 64,800 tons. As of August 18, the total social inventory of SMM lead ingots in five locations decreased slightly to 65,800 tons but was at a relatively high level in the past three years [4].