Core Viewpoint - The report from Industrial Securities highlights significant volatility in global risk assets due to concerns over tightening overseas liquidity and discussions surrounding an "AI bubble" [1] Group 1: Market Conditions - Global risk assets have experienced substantial fluctuations this week, influenced by a lack of economic data, frequent hawkish statements from the Federal Reserve, and rising liquidity pressures in the money market due to government shutdown and fiscal constraints [1] - The strong dollar has suppressed global stock markets and commodity prices, with technology-heavy indices like Nikkei 225, Korean stock index, and Nasdaq leading the decline [1] Group 2: Future Outlook - The probability of overseas liquidity tightening evolving into systemic risk is low, as solutions from the Federal Reserve and bipartisan negotiations to reopen the government are progressing, which may gradually alleviate external disturbances on risk appetite [2] - If the U.S. government shutdown ends as expected in mid-November and more economic data is released, market expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts will be recalibrated, potentially creating a window for global recovery [3] Group 3: AI Industry Analysis - The current discussions around the "AI bubble" have caused some disturbances in the domestic AI industry chain, but Industrial Securities believes that AI's empowerment of traditional industries is still in its early stages, making it incomparable to the internet bubble of 1999-2000 [4] - The development logic of the AI industry is clear, with major global tech companies continuously defining their AI strategies, and the fundamentals of leading companies in the U.S. stock market remain strong due to ongoing R&D investments and capital expenditures [4] Group 4: Investment Strategies - The "14th Five-Year Plan" emphasizes AI as a key driver for national competition and technological innovation, indicating that the AI industry chain will be a focus area with favorable prospects next year [5] - The year-end market is seen as an important window for positioning in sectors expected to perform well in the coming year, with a focus on cyclical sectors such as steel, chemicals, construction materials, and new consumption [6][7] - High-growth sectors expected to see net profit growth of over 30% next year include AI hardware, new energy, and military industries, while sectors with expected growth of 10%-30% include pharmaceuticals and AI downstream applications [7][8]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the construction materials industry [1] Core Viewpoints - The construction materials industry is experiencing a downturn in demand, with revenue continuing to face pressure in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, indicating that profitability remains at historical lows [1][17] - Despite the ongoing challenges, there are signs of easing competition within the industry as supply-side adjustments take place, leading to a stabilization of overall gross margins [1][18] - The cash flow situation has shown improvement, with operating cash flow for the sample companies in the infrastructure and real estate chain reaching 616.28 billion yuan in Q4 2024, a year-on-year increase of 33.8% [19] Summary by Sections 1. Overview - The construction materials industry is at the bottom of the economic cycle, with continued pressure on demand and profitability [1][17] 2. Profit and Loss Analysis - Revenue continues to decline, but the rate of decline has slightly narrowed compared to Q3 2024, primarily due to insufficient new construction projects in infrastructure and real estate [2][17] - The overall gross margin is stabilizing, reflecting a reduction in competitive pressures, particularly in the cement sector where supply-side discipline has improved [2][18] - Return on Equity (ROE) remains at historical lows, but there are signs of improvement in certain sub-sectors like cement and glass fiber [2][18] 3. Cash Flow and Balance Sheet - Operating cash flow for the sample companies improved significantly, with a net cash flow of 616.28 billion yuan in Q4 2024, indicating effective cash flow management [19] - The asset-liability ratio remained stable in Q1 2025, reflecting improvements in cash flow and capital expenditure control [19] - Accounts receivable turnover days have increased, indicating that outstanding receivables still need to be addressed [19] 4. Economic Outlook - The demand for bulk construction materials like cement and glass remains under pressure, but there are signs of demand stabilization due to improved pricing strategies [20][21] - The consumer building materials sector continues to face challenges from real estate demand pressures, but some leading companies may see revenue improvements due to low base effects [21] - Infrastructure investment growth is expected to stabilize, supported by fiscal policy measures and increased funding for key projects [21]