Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the paper and light industry [6] Core Viewpoints - The light manufacturing industry index increased by 1.92%, outperforming the market by 1.53 percentage points, with the paper sub-sector rising by 2.14%, surpassing the market by 1.76 percentage points [2][12] - The report highlights a downward trend in pulp prices, with Chilean hardwood pulp prices dropping by $70 per ton and softwood pulp prices decreasing by $55 per ton [4][23] - The report recommends leading companies in the integrated forest-pulp-paper industry, such as Sun Paper (002078, Buy), and suggests focusing on specialty paper leaders like Xianhe Shares (603733, Buy) and high-end decorative paper leader Huawang Technology (605377, Buy) [4] Summary by Sections 1. Market Review (2025/04/21-2025/04/27) - The light manufacturing industry index rose by 1.92%, with the paper sub-sector increasing by 2.14%, ranking 7th among 28 first-level industries [12][2] - The four major sub-sectors of light manufacturing ranked by growth are packaging and printing, cultural products, paper, and furniture, with respective increases of 4.39%, 2.78%, 2.14%, and a decrease of 0.28% [12][2] 2. Industry Chain Data Tracking: Pulp and Paper Prices Decline 2.1 Raw Materials - Domestic waste paper prices remained stable, while pulp prices fell; hardwood pulp prices decreased by 112 RMB per ton, and softwood pulp prices fell by 40 RMB per ton [9][23] - The report notes a total of 1.79 million tons of pulp inventory at two major Chinese ports, a decrease of 10.9% [24][31] 2.2 Finished Paper - The average market price for various paper products fell, with double glue paper down by 38 RMB per ton, copper plate paper down by 14 RMB per ton, and white card paper down by 39 RMB per ton [37][40][42] 2.3 Profitability Levels - Profitability varied among cultural papers, with small paper companies seeing an increase of 17 RMB per ton, while large companies experienced a decrease of 41 RMB per ton [46][47] - The profitability of waste paper products also declined, with decreases ranging from 9 to 44 RMB per ton [53] 2.4 Mechanism Paper and Board Production - The cumulative production of mechanism paper and board in the first quarter of 2025 reached 38.19 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 3.8% [55] - The report indicates a decrease in imports of paper and board by 8.2% year-on-year, while exports increased by 10.7% [55]