Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is Neutral, maintained [8] Core Viewpoints - The expectation for the recovery of steel profitability under the "anti-involution" trend is primarily driven by upstream iron ore concessions, contrasting with the previous cycle where concessions came from downstream [2][6] - The anticipated improvement in the steel industry's supply-demand balance could enhance long-term profitability, although there are ongoing doubts about the sustainability of this recovery [6][28] - The analysis indicates that the profit distribution within the industry chain has shifted significantly, with iron ore now having a stronger capacity to offer concessions, which could benefit the steel sector [7][29] Summary by Sections Demand and Supply Dynamics - Downstream demand has weakened, with apparent consumption of five major steel products increasing by 3.60% year-on-year but decreasing by 2.06% month-on-month [5] - Daily average pig iron production has slightly increased to 2.4066 million tons, with a year-on-year increase of 12.04% [5] - Total steel inventory has continued to accumulate, with a week-on-week increase of 3.01% but a year-on-year decrease of 18.13% [5] Price Trends - Recent price trends show Shanghai rebar dropping to 3,300 CNY/ton, a decrease of 30 CNY/ton, and hot-rolled steel at 3,430 CNY/ton, down 10 CNY/ton [5] - The estimated profit for rebar is 37 CNY/ton, while the profit based on a one-month lag in costs is 243 CNY/ton [5] Future Projections - The report projects that if the supply-demand gap improves by 50 million tons, the average price of rebar could increase by 164.87 CNY/ton [7] - A decrease in iron ore prices by 15 USD/ton could lead to a reduction in steel production costs by 210 CNY/ton [7] - The overall expectation is that iron ore price declines will primarily benefit the steel sector, with only a small portion passed on to downstream industries [7][29] Investment Opportunities - The report highlights four main investment lines: 1. Companies benefiting from cost reductions due to new capacities in iron and coke, such as Nanjing Steel and Baosteel [28] 2. Stocks with low price-to-book ratios that may see significant performance recovery, like New Steel and Fangda Special Steel [29] 3. Mergers and acquisitions under the state-owned enterprise reform initiative [29] 4. High-quality processing leaders and resource companies, particularly in the context of macroeconomic recovery expectations [29]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is Neutral, maintained [9] Core Insights - The steel industry often experiences administrative production restrictions in autumn due to prominent environmental issues in key regions. The execution of production restrictions was stricter in 2015 and 2019, with significant impacts on crude steel output and prices. The current round of restrictions is expected to have a lesser impact due to improved environmental standards among steel companies [1][4][7] Summary by Sections Production Restrictions Overview - In 2015, production restrictions were primarily concentrated in Hebei Province, requiring all local steel companies to reduce pollutant emissions by over 50%. The crude steel production growth rates in Hebei from July to October 2015 were 3.5%, -4.1%, -2.5%, and 2.2%, indicating a significant decline during the restriction period [5] - In 2019, the restrictions were based on the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's guidelines, with a broader focus on key regions including Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. The restrictions led to a more significant reduction in crude steel output, estimated at 12.66 million tons, approximately 1.3% of national output [6] Market Dynamics - Recent market sentiment has fluctuated, with steel prices showing volatility. The apparent consumption of five major steel products increased by 4.65% year-on-year but decreased by 0.42% month-on-month. Daily average transaction volume for construction steel rose slightly to 103,400 tons [3] - The average daily pig iron production decreased to 2.4032 million tons, while the overall steel production increased by 3.16% year-on-year and 0.59% month-on-month [3] Price Trends - Total steel inventory increased by 1.74% month-on-month but decreased by 21.67% year-on-year. The price of rebar in Shanghai fell to 3,330 CNY/ton, while hot-rolled steel rose to 3,440 CNY/ton [4] - The price of rebar saw a maximum increase of 5.7% in 2015 following the announcement of production restrictions, while in 2019, prices rose by 7.8% after the restrictions were implemented [5][6] Future Outlook - The upcoming 2025 event commemorating the victory in the Anti-Japanese War may lead to stricter air quality regulations in key regions. However, the environmental standards of most steel companies have improved significantly compared to previous rounds of restrictions [7] - The report suggests that the steel industry may benefit from a more favorable supply-demand balance due to the "anti-involution" policies, with potential investment opportunities in high-quality steel companies and those involved in mergers and acquisitions [26][27]

Group 1 - The postponement of the "2+2" tariff negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. adds uncertainty to the already tense South Korea-U.S. relations, highlighting South Korea's difficult position in the complex international landscape [1] - South Korea is under pressure due to the U.S. imposing a tariff deadline of August 1, with the country eager to avoid a 25% comprehensive tariff, especially as Japan has already reached a tariff agreement with the U.S. [1] - South Korea has set two "red lines" in negotiations: not opening the rice and beef markets, as its grain self-sufficiency rate is low, with only 19.5% from 2021 to 2023, and zero self-sufficiency in wheat and corn [1] Group 2 - In 2024, South Korea imported $2.22 billion worth of U.S. beef, making it a major importer, but the U.S. is pushing to lift the ban on U.S. beef imports over 30 months, facing strong opposition from the South Korean agricultural sector [3] - South Korea's recent diplomatic interactions with the U.S. have seen multiple cancellations of meetings, indicating U.S. dissatisfaction with South Korea's proposals and an attempt to assert dominance in the bilateral relationship [3] Group 3 - On July 25, South Korea's Ministry of Trade announced a request for anti-dumping duties of 28.16% to 33.57% on carbon steel and hot-rolled steel from China, which raises questions about its timing amid ongoing U.S. tariff negotiations [5] - This anti-dumping investigation was initiated earlier in the year, but its announcement during critical negotiations suggests a strategic move to appease the U.S. while deflecting responsibility from the current government [5] Group 4 - South Korea is navigating a complex geopolitical environment, heavily reliant on U.S. military protection while also depending on China as its largest trading partner, with trade volumes exceeding $300 billion in 2024 [6] - The current administration appears to be leaning towards the U.S., as evidenced by recent actions such as rejecting China's invitation to a military parade and imposing tariffs on Chinese steel, signaling a shift in diplomatic posture [8] Group 5 - Over-reliance on the U.S. could jeopardize South Korea's relationship with China, which is crucial for its economic development, as many industries depend on Chinese raw materials [8] - The imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel may lead to increased costs for South Korean industries, potentially escalating trade tensions and undermining established economic cooperation [8]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the steel industry is Neutral, maintained [8] Core Insights - The current round of supply-side optimization in the steel industry emphasizes the "supporting the strong and eliminating the weak" approach, indicating that underperforming capacities should be limited while leading companies are expected to strengthen [2][6] - The market sentiment has significantly improved with the deepening of the "anti-involution" policy, leading to a positive signal of "volume and price linkage" in the steel market [4] - The report highlights that the execution of the "anti-involution" policy may be smoother compared to previous years due to the absence of large-scale stimulus measures, suggesting a gradual improvement in the industry's long-term trends despite short-term fluctuations [2][6] Summary by Sections Supply and Demand Dynamics - The apparent consumption of the five major steel products decreased by 1.03% year-on-year and 0.36% month-on-month, while the average daily transaction volume of construction steel increased by 2.10 thousand tons per day compared to the previous week [4] - The average daily pig iron output of sample steel companies decreased to 2.4223 million tons, a decline of 0.21 thousand tons per day [4] - Total steel inventory decreased by 0.14% month-on-month and 24.22% year-on-year, with long product inventory down by 27.40% year-on-year and plate inventory down by 17.74% year-on-year [4] Price and Profitability - Shanghai rebar prices rose to 3,450 RMB/ton, an increase of 180 RMB/ton, while hot-rolled prices reached 3,520 RMB/ton, up 160 RMB/ton [5] - The estimated profit for rebar is 238 RMB/ton, with a lagging cost profit of 495 RMB/ton [5] - The report suggests that with the support of the "anti-involution" policy and strong determination to curb deflation risks, steel prices may show an upward trend that is easier to rise than to fall [4] Elasticity and Valuation - The report calculates the elasticity of steel stocks based on the assumption that the average net profit per ton of listed steel companies could rise to 200/300/400 RMB/ton, compared to 56 RMB/ton in Q1 2025 [6] - Companies such as Hualing Steel, Nanjing Steel, Baosteel, and CITIC Special Steel are identified as having significant elasticity [6] - The report emphasizes that if the valuation of steel stocks returns to historical averages, it could indicate strong investment opportunities, particularly for companies with low price-to-book (PB) ratios [6][32] Investment Opportunities - The report identifies four main investment lines: 1. Companies benefiting from the release of new capacities in iron ore and coke, such as Nanjing Steel and Hualing Steel [32] 2. Steel stocks with low PB ratios that may experience significant performance and valuation recovery, such as New Steel and Fangda Special Steel [32] 3. Mergers and acquisitions under the state-owned enterprise reform theme, which could enhance asset quality and subsequent valuation recovery [33] 4. High-quality processing leaders and resource leaders, particularly in specialized fields, are also highlighted as worthy of attention [33]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Department of Commerce has preliminarily determined that Oman is circumventing anti-dumping and countervailing duties on similar products from China by using hot-rolled steel produced in China to manufacture circular welded carbon steel pipes (CWP) [1][3]. Group 1: Investigation and Findings - The investigation began on November 19, 2024, focusing on circumvention activities across Oman, with Al Jazeera Steel Products Company SAOG identified as the mandatory respondent [3]. - The average anti-dumping duty rate for Chinese CWP is 85.55%, while the countervailing duty rate is as high as 198.49% [3]. - The U.S. has intensified scrutiny on imported steel products, particularly those processed through third countries to evade tariffs [3][4]. Group 2: Market Impact - In 2024, the U.S. imported approximately 50,000 tons of CWP from Oman, accounting for 2.5% of total imports, with Chinese hot-rolled steel remaining competitive in the global market due to price advantages [4]. - The preliminary ruling may lead to the imposition of tariffs on Omani CWP similar to those on Chinese products, potentially exceeding 200%, which would significantly raise export costs for Oman and affect its competitiveness in the U.S. market [5]. - U.S. domestic steel producers like Nucor and Steel Dynamics may benefit from this situation as their market share could increase [5]. Group 3: Broader Context - The global steel market is currently facing an oversupply situation, with low-priced steel from China entering the U.S. market through third countries, leading to ongoing trade disputes [5]. - Similar circumvention issues have been observed in global trade, with countries like Vietnam and Thailand also facing investigations by the U.S. [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current economic indicators and trends in various sectors, highlighting the performance of key commodities, financing conditions for small and medium enterprises, and the state of the real estate market in China. Group 1: Liquidity and Financing Environment - The BCI small and medium enterprise financing environment index for June 2025 is 49.12, with a month-on-month increase of 0.07% [3] - The M1 and M2 growth rate difference in June 2025 is -3.7 percentage points, showing a month-on-month increase of 1.9 percentage points [3] Group 2: Infrastructure and Real Estate Chain - Rebar prices have reached a new high since April, with a week-on-week increase of 0.93% [4] - The national average capacity utilization rate for blast furnaces increased by 0.99 percentage points, while the cement and asphalt rates decreased by 3.30 percentage points and 2.6 percentage points, respectively [4] - The cumulative year-on-year completion area of commercial housing from January to June is -14.80% [5] Group 3: Industrial Products Chain - The national half-steel tire operating rate is at a five-year high of 75.99%, with a month-on-month increase of 3.07 percentage points [6] - The June PMI new orders index is at 50.20% [6] Group 4: Price Trends of Specific Commodities - Tungsten concentrate prices have reached the highest level since 2011 [7] - The price of graphite electrodes is 18,000 yuan/ton, with a comprehensive gross profit of 1,357.4 yuan/ton, down 22.59% month-on-month [7] Group 5: Price Relationships - The price ratio of rebar to iron ore is 4.14 this week [8] - The price difference between hot-rolled and rebar steel is 110 yuan/ton [8] Group 6: Export Chain - The new export orders PMI for June 2025 is 47.70%, with a month-on-month increase of 0.2 percentage points [9] - The CCFI comprehensive index for container shipping rates is 1,303.54 points, down 0.77% [9] Group 7: Valuation Metrics - The CSI 300 index increased by 1.09%, with the commercial vehicle sector performing the best at +5.98% [10] - The PB ratio of the general steel sector relative to the CSI 300 is currently at 0.54, with the highest value since 2013 being 0.82 [10]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is Neutral, maintained [8] Core Insights - The new round of steel growth stabilization policies focuses on direct supply-side adjustments, emphasizing the elimination of outdated production capacity to address the urgent issue of overcapacity [2][6][7] - The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, with potential deflationary pressures on industrial products, making short-term supply-demand adjustments in the steel industry critical [2][6] - The previous growth stabilization plan aimed at stabilizing operations and expanding demand, while the current plan emphasizes structural adjustments and optimizing supply [6][7] Summary by Sections Current Market Dynamics - Recent macroeconomic positive sentiment has led to an increase in steel prices and profitability, with average daily pig iron production rising to 2.4244 million tons, a week-on-week increase of 2.63 thousand tons [4][5] - Steel consumption has slightly weakened, with apparent consumption of five major steel products down 3.92% year-on-year and 0.03% month-on-month [4] - Total steel inventory has decreased by 0.30% week-on-week, with long product inventory down 28.99% year-on-year and plate inventory down 17.96% [4] Policy Comparison - The new growth stabilization plan for 2023-2024 aims to enhance structural adjustments and optimize supply, contrasting with the previous plan's focus on stabilizing operations and expanding demand [6] - The current plan includes promoting steel structure applications and expanding consumption in key sectors such as shipbuilding, transportation, and energy [6] Future Outlook - The expectation is for continued macroeconomic positive sentiment, with steel companies showing a strong willingness to raise prices, leading to a forecast of strong fluctuations in steel prices [4] - The report highlights the importance of macroeconomic growth policies to support the implementation of capacity reduction in the steel industry [7] Investment Opportunities - The report suggests focusing on four main investment lines: 1. Companies benefiting from cost reductions due to new capacities in raw materials [30] 2. Stocks with low price-to-book ratios that may see significant performance and valuation recovery [30] 3. Mergers and acquisitions under the state-owned enterprise reform theme [31] 4. High-quality processing and resource leaders in specialized fields [31]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is Neutral, maintained [9] Core Viewpoints - The market's focus on the "anti-involution" policy is high, with steel being a key industry for this initiative due to its large scale, strong externalities, and current low profitability [2][5] - The "anti-involution" policy aims to address the supply-demand imbalance in the steel industry, which is crucial for long-term profitability stability [6][7] - The current environment shows a rapid rebound in steel prices and profitability, driven by the "anti-involution" policy and positive expectations in the real estate sector [4] Summary by Sections Market Dynamics - Steel consumption has decreased, with a year-on-year decline of 3.55% and a month-on-month decline of 1.54% [4] - Daily average rebar sales dropped to 99,300 tons, down by 750 tons per day from the previous week [4] - The average daily pig iron output fell to 2.3981 million tons, a decrease of 10,400 tons per day [4] Profitability and Pricing - The total inventory of steel has slightly decreased, with a week-on-week change of -0.02% [4] - Shanghai rebar prices increased to 3,240 CNY/ton, up by 60 CNY/ton, while hot-rolled prices rose to 3,310 CNY/ton, up by 40 CNY/ton [4] - The estimated profit per ton of rebar is 228 CNY, indicating a stable profit margin [4] Challenges in Implementation - The execution of the "anti-involution" policy is expected to be more challenging than the previous capacity reduction in 2016 due to limited demand-side stimulus [7] - The current capacity is mostly compliant, making it harder to eliminate excess capacity compared to the past [7] Investment Opportunities - The report suggests focusing on four main investment lines: 1. Companies with strong operational flexibility due to favorable supply-demand conditions [29] 2. Stocks with low price-to-book ratios that may see significant performance recovery [30] 3. Mergers and acquisitions under state-owned enterprise reforms [30] 4. High-quality processing and resource companies that are well-positioned in the market [30]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the steel industry is Neutral, maintained [9] Core Insights - The report highlights a strong expectation for short-term production cuts as a "stopgap" measure against industry overcapacity, with a neutral assumption of a 30 million ton year-on-year reduction in crude steel production in 2025, potentially leading to a 229 CNY/ton increase in rebar prices and an 86 CNY/ton rise in profit per ton [2][7] - The report emphasizes the gradual advancement of medium-term capacity reduction, with the "2025 Steel Industry Normative Conditions" clarifying standards for "compliant capacity," indicating that about 20% of capacity, primarily from small private enterprises, may face exit pressure starting in 2026 [2][7] - Recent market sentiment has improved, with a slight increase in demand, as evidenced by a 0.68% week-on-week rise in average daily sales of construction steel to 106,800 tons [4][5] - The report notes a decrease in average daily pig iron production to 2.4085 million tons, reflecting a 1.44 million ton day-on-day drop, and a year-on-year decline of 4.09% in total steel production [4][5] Summary by Sections Section 1: Market Dynamics - The central financial committee's meeting has sparked optimism regarding supply-side optimization in the steel market, leading to a recovery in steel prices [4] - The report indicates that the total inventory of steel has decreased slightly, with a year-on-year decline of 30.61% for long products and 15.96% for sheet products [5] Section 2: Policy Implications - The report discusses the significance of the "anti-involution" policy, which aims to address overcapacity in the steel industry, suggesting that administrative measures could stabilize steel prices and improve profitability [6][30] - The report anticipates that the "anti-involution" policy could lead to a significant transformation in the industry, comparable to previous supply-side reforms [6][30] Section 3: Investment Opportunities - The report identifies four main investment lines: 1. Companies benefiting from cost reductions due to new capacities in iron ore and coke, such as Nanjing Steel and Baosteel [30] 2. Companies with low price-to-book ratios that may see significant performance and valuation recovery, such as New Steel and Fangda Special Steel [30] 3. Mergers and acquisitions under the state-owned enterprise reform initiative, which could enhance asset quality and valuation [31] 4. High-quality processing leaders and resource companies, particularly those in specialized fields or benefiting from macroeconomic recovery [31]

Summary of Key Points Core Viewpoint - The report highlights significant trends in liquidity, construction, real estate, industrial products, and export chains, indicating a mixed economic outlook with specific sectors showing growth while others face challenges. Group 1: Liquidity - The London gold spot price reached a historical high this week, increasing by 3.74% compared to last week [3] - The BCI small enterprise financing environment index for May 2025 is at 49.09, up by 2.20% month-on-month [3] - The M1 and M2 growth rate difference in May 2025 is -5.6 percentage points, an increase of 0.9 percentage points from the previous month [3] Group 2: Infrastructure and Real Estate Chain - The average daily crude steel output of key enterprises in early June 2025 is 2.159 million tons, up by 3.25% month-on-month [4] - Price changes this week include rebar down by 2.23%, cement price index up by 1.86%, rubber up by 2.21%, coke down by 5.65%, coking coal down by 1.05%, and iron ore down by 1.36% [4] - The national blast furnace capacity utilization rate, cement, asphalt, and full steel tire operating rates changed by -0.07 percentage points, +0.90 percentage points, -1.0 percentage points, and -2.23 percentage points respectively [4] Group 3: Real Estate Completion Chain - The prices of titanium dioxide and flat glass remained unchanged this week, with flat glass gross profit at -58 yuan/ton and titanium dioxide profit at -762 yuan/ton [5] - The operating rate of flat glass this week is 75.42% [5] Group 4: Industrial Products Chain - Major commodity prices this week include cold-rolled steel up by 0.54%, copper up by 0.10%, and aluminum up by 2.87%, with corresponding gross profit changes of +78.85%, -18.19%, and +24.59% respectively [6] - The national semi-steel tire operating rate is 77.98%, an increase of 4.12 percentage points [6] Group 5: Subcategories - Tungsten concentrate prices remain at the highest level since 2011 [7] - The price of graphite electrodes is 18,000 yuan/ton, unchanged, with a gross profit of 1,357.4 yuan/ton, down by 1.39% [7] - The price of electrolytic aluminum is 20,760 yuan/ton, up by 2.87%, with estimated profit at 3,004 yuan/ton (excluding tax), up by 24.59% [7] Group 6: Price Comparison Relationships - The price ratio of rebar to iron ore this week is 4.13 [8] - The price difference between hot-rolled and rebar steel is 130 yuan/ton this week [8] - The price difference between Shanghai cold-rolled and hot-rolled steel is 280 yuan/ton, down by 100 yuan/ton [8] Group 7: Export Chain - The new export orders PMI for China in May 2025 is 47.50%, an increase of 2.8 percentage points [9] - The China Containerized Freight Index (CCFI) this week is 1,243.05 points, up by 7.63% [9] - The U.S. crude steel capacity utilization rate is 79.50%, up by 1.30 percentage points [9] Group 8: Valuation Percentiles - The CSI 300 index decreased by 0.25% this week, with the best-performing cyclical sector being commercial vehicles, up by 7.24% [10] - The PB ratio of the general steel sector relative to the CSI 300 is currently 0.51, with the highest value since 2013 being 0.82 [10]