Core Insights - The national statistics indicate mixed trends in steel prices across the market as of late August 2025, with various categories experiencing price declines compared to the previous period [1] Price Summary - Rebar (Φ20mm, HRB400E) is priced at 3218.2 CNY/ton, down 42.8 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.3%, which is an increase in the decline rate by 1.1 percentage points from the previous period [1] - Wire rod (Φ8-10mm, HPB300) is priced at 3356.5 CNY/ton, down 48.9 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.4%, with the decline rate increasing by 0.9 percentage points from the previous period [1] - Ordinary medium plate (20mm, Q235) is priced at 3525.8 CNY/ton, down 15.5 CNY/ton, a decrease of 0.4%, contrasting with a previous increase of 0.5% [1] - Hot-rolled ordinary plate coil (4.75-11.5mm, Q235) is priced at 3444.9 CNY/ton, down 37.4 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.1%, compared to a previous increase of 0.5% [1] - Seamless steel pipe (219*6, 20) is priced at 4162.5 CNY/ton, down 10.0 CNY/ton, a decrease of 0.2% [1] - Angle steel (5) is priced at 3531.4 CNY/ton, down 17.1 CNY/ton, a decrease of 0.5%, contrasting with a previous increase of 0.3% [1]

Core Insights - The report highlights a structural price recovery in the context of anti-involution, with significant price variations across different sectors, indicating a phase of "structural recovery + inter-industry differentiation" [1][2][3] Price Tracking of Key Production Materials - As of early August 2025, among 49 major products, 19 saw price increases, 28 experienced declines, and 2 remained stable. The price increases were primarily in upstream coal (e.g., anthracite, coke), midstream agriculture (e.g., soybean meal, natural rubber), and downstream chemicals (e.g., sulfuric acid, methanol) [1] - Year-on-year data shows that industrial products are still in a downward trend, but the rate of decline is stabilizing. Steel and some chemical products have begun to recover, while coal, coke, traditional building materials, and certain petrochemical products remain at low levels [1][2] Price Changes Across Industry Chains - Recent data indicates that upstream industries are generally weak, with coal prices declining by 6% to 7%. Oil prices (WTI, Brent) have seen double-digit declines, while natural gas prices, despite being high year-on-year (28%), have significantly narrowed in growth [2] - Midstream industries show signs of recovery, with the bulk commodity index and shipping index rebounding, while downstream industries remain weak, particularly in real estate and traditional Chinese medicine [2][3] Industry Price Sentiment Data - The report analyzes price changes across the supply chain, revealing that upstream resource prices are generally weak but differentiated, with copper, aluminum, and precious metals benefiting, while the oil and coal sectors remain under pressure [3] - The midstream bulk commodity index has rebounded, and the price decline of rebar has narrowed to near stability. However, the building materials sector continues to face significant negative pressure [3]