Group 1 - The small metal sector saw a rise on January 28, 2026, with the China Rare Metals Theme Index increasing by 0.23%, and notable stock performances included Dongfang Tantalum Industry up by 8.41%, Zhuhai Group up by 5.25%, and others [1] - Tungsten concentrate prices approached 550,000 RMB per ton, ammonium paratungstate prices exceeded 800,000 RMB, and tungsten powder prices surpassed 1,300,000 RMB [1] - Industrial-grade lithium carbonate prices reached 168,000 RMB per ton with a weekly increase of 9.80%, while lithium iron phosphate prices rose by 4.43% compared to January 4 [1] Group 2 - Longcheng Securities estimated that the static cost share of lithium carbonate, rare earths, and antimony in downstream applications is nearing historical highs, with a demand growth rate of over 10% expected in sensitive sectors like wind power in 2026 [1] - The auction price for lithium spodumene concentrate from Wodgina reached 16,852 RMB per dry ton, indicating a significant premium for overseas lithium resources [1] - The Congolese government submitted a shortlist of state-owned mineral assets to the U.S., highlighting ongoing geopolitical supply disruptions that reinforce the scarcity of strategic metals [1] Group 3 - As of December 31, 2025, the top ten weighted stocks in the China Rare Metals Theme Index included Luoyang Molybdenum, Northern Rare Earth, and others, accounting for 59.54% of the total index [2] - The Rare Metals ETF (562800) tracks the China Rare Metals Theme Index, providing a convenient tool for investing in the rare metals sector [3] - Investors can also explore investment opportunities in the rare metals sector through the Rare Metals ETF linked fund (014111) [4]

Investment Rating - The report rates the lithium battery industry as "stronger than the market" [3]. Core Insights - The demand for power batteries and energy storage batteries remains robust, with significant increases in average prices for energy storage cells and systems [3]. - In December 2025, domestic battery production reached 201.7 GWh, marking a year-on-year increase of approximately 62% and a month-on-month increase of about 14% [3]. - The average price of industrial-grade lithium carbonate surged to 168,000 CNY/ton as of January 23, 2026, reflecting a weekly increase of 9.80% [3]. - The monthly installation volume of lithium iron phosphate batteries in December 2025 was 79.8 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 30.82% [3]. - The report highlights the importance of focusing on core enterprises in battery cells that lead in overseas layouts and the synergy between power batteries and energy storage [3]. Summary by Sections Production - In December 2025, the production of lithium iron phosphate cathode materials was 26,930 tons, a year-on-year increase of 32.48% [3]. Prices - The average price of lithium iron phosphate (power type) was reported at 47,100 CNY/ton on January 9, 2026, with a 4.43% increase from January 4 [3]. - The average price of three-dimensional power cells rose to 0.47 CNY/Wh and remained stable [3]. Domestic Demand - The report indicates that the monthly installation volume of three-dimensional power batteries was 18.2 GWh, showing a year-on-year growth of 27.27% [3]. - The new energy storage application projects' monthly bidding capacity reached a record high of 21.8 GW/64 GWh in December 2025, with a month-on-month increase of 65% [3]. Overseas Demand - In December 2025, China's power battery exports amounted to 19.0 GWh, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 47.29% [3]. - Global new energy vehicle sales in November 2025 reached 2 million units, a year-on-year increase of 8.53% [3].

Group 1 - The chemical sector experienced fluctuations on December 31, with the chemical ETF (516020) closing down 0.23% [1][10] - Key stocks in the petrochemical, lithium battery, and modified plastics sectors saw significant declines, with Dongfang Shenghong down 4.22% and several others dropping over 2% [1][10] - The chemical ETF (516020) has shown a remarkable annual increase of 41.09%, outperforming major indices like the Shanghai Composite Index (18.41%) and the CSI 300 Index (17.66%) [3][12] Group 2 - The chemical sector has been a popular investment tool, with the chemical ETF (516020) attracting significant net inflows, totaling 246 million yuan over the last five trading days [4][13] - The lithium battery supply chain has seen a rise in both volume and price, with industrial-grade lithium carbonate reaching 116,000 yuan per ton and lithium iron phosphate prices increasing by over 15% [6][14] - Looking ahead to 2026, the chemical sector is expected to benefit from macroeconomic recovery and supply-side policy advancements, leading to improved profitability [15] Group 3 - The chemical ETF (516020) tracks the CSI segmented chemical industry index, with nearly 50% of its holdings in large-cap leading stocks, providing investors with opportunities in various chemical sub-sectors [7][15] - Investors can also consider the chemical ETF linked funds (Class A 012537/Class C 012538) for exposure to the chemical sector [15]

Group 1: Report Industry Investment Rating - No relevant information provided Group 2: Report's Core View - The demand from the terminal (energy storage + new energy vehicles) remains strong during the peak season, with the material production schedule basically flat and the flow of social inventory from upstream to downstream to the terminal being smooth. On the supply side, the production schedule in December has a slight increase, but the tight spot supply of spodumene restricts a significant resumption of production on the supply side. Overall, demand provides medium - term support for the lithium carbonate price, but there is significant pressure around the key level of 100,000 yuan [3] Group 3: Summary by Related Catalogs Lithium Compounds - SMM battery - grade lithium carbonate has an average price of 95,850 yuan with a daily increase of 2,500 yuan; SMM industrial - grade lithium carbonate has an average price of 93,350 yuan with a daily increase of 2,000 yuan [1] Lithium Futures Contracts - The closing prices and price increases of lithium carbonate futures contracts 2601 - 2605 range from 98,740 yuan to 100,600 yuan, with price increases between 0.78% and 1.35% [1] Lithium Ore - The average price of spodumene concentrate (CIF China) is 1,248 yuan with a daily increase of 25 yuan; lithium mica prices vary according to different Li₂O contents, and the prices of phospho - lithium - aluminum stone also vary by Li₂O content [1][2] Cathode Materials - The average prices of cathode materials such as lithium iron phosphate (power type), ternary material 811 (polycrystalline/power type), ternary material 523 (single - crystal/power type), and ternary material 613 (single - crystal/power type) are 39,845 yuan, 162,800 yuan, 146,000 yuan, and 145,700 yuan respectively, with corresponding price increases [2] Price Spreads - The price spread between battery - grade and industrial - grade lithium carbonate is 2,500 yuan; the price spread between battery - grade lithium carbonate and the main contract is - 4,750 yuan with a change of 1,160 yuan; and there are also price spreads between near - month and consecutive contracts [2] Inventory - The total weekly inventory is 111,469 tons with a decrease of 2,133 tons, including 19,161 tons in smelters (a decrease of 1,606 tons), 42,738 tons in downstream (a decrease of 957 tons), and 49,570 tons in other (an increase of 430 tons); the daily registered warehouse receipts are 15,286 tons with a change of 26 tons [2] Profit Estimation - The cash cost of purchasing spodumene concentrate externally is 99,567 yuan with a profit of - 5,047 yuan; the cash cost of purchasing lithium mica concentrate externally is 96,908 yuan with a profit of - 4,739 yuan [3] Industry News - The national new - energy storage installed capacity exceeds 100 million kilowatts, 30 times that at the end of the "13th Five - Year Plan" and accounting for over 40% of the global total installed capacity. During the peak summer period this year, the peak call of new - energy storage exceeded 30 million kilowatts [3]

Investment Rating - The industry is rated as "Outperform" compared to the market [2]. Core Insights - The lithium battery industry has seen production exceed expectations, with domestic battery production reaching 170.6 GWh in October 2025, a year-on-year increase of 50.84% and a month-on-month increase of 12.83% [2]. - The prices of lithium battery materials are fluctuating, with industrial-grade lithium carbonate priced at 91,400 CNY/ton, down 1.08% week-on-week, while lithium iron phosphate (power type) increased by 2.62% to 39,100 CNY/ton [2]. - Domestic demand for lithium batteries is strong, with lithium iron phosphate battery shipments reaching 67.5 GWh in October 2025, a year-on-year increase of 43.62% [2]. - The export volume of Chinese power batteries in October 2025 was 19.4 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 79.63% [2]. Summary by Sections Production - In the first ten months of 2025, domestic battery and lithium iron phosphate cathode material production significantly exceeded the same period in 2024 [2][3]. - The production capacity utilization rate for lithium iron phosphate cathode materials was 63.54%, higher than the same period in 2024 [2]. Prices - The prices of key raw materials for lithium batteries are mixed, with lithium carbonate prices decreasing while lithium iron phosphate prices are increasing [2]. - The average price of square lithium iron phosphate energy storage cells has shown a rising trend, with prices increasing by 0.01 CNY/Wh [2]. Domestic Demand - The monthly shipment of lithium iron phosphate batteries reached a record high in October 2025, with a total of 67.5 GWh shipped [2]. - New energy storage project bidding capacity in October 2025 was 12.7 GW/38.7 GWh, showing an 85% year-on-year increase [2]. Overseas Demand - The global sales of new energy vehicles reached 2.1078 million units in September 2025, a year-on-year increase of 23.53% [2].

Investment Rating - The industry is rated as "Outperform" compared to the market [2]. Core Views - The demand for energy storage lithium batteries is strong, and the prices of lithium battery materials are rising moderately [6]. - In October 2025, domestic battery production reached 170.6 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 50.84% and a month-on-month increase of 12.83% [6][2]. - The production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials in October 2025 was 266,900 tons, up 45.92% year-on-year and 8.36% month-on-month, with a capacity utilization rate of 63.54% [6][2]. - The prices of key raw materials have generally increased, with industrial-grade lithium carbonate exceeding 92,400 yuan/ton, a weekly increase of 10.13% [7][2]. - The monthly loading volume of LFP batteries in October 2025 was 67.5 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 43.62% and a month-on-month increase of 8.52% [15][2]. - The export volume of Chinese power batteries in October 2025 was 19.4 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 79.63% [21][2]. Summary by Sections Production - In the first ten months of 2025, domestic battery and LFP cathode material production significantly exceeded the same period in 2024 [6][2]. Prices - The prices of lithium battery raw materials have generally risen, with LFP prices at 38,100 yuan/ton and lithium hexafluorophosphate prices reaching 160,000 yuan/ton [7][2]. Domestic Demand - The monthly loading volume of LFP batteries reached a record high in October 2025, indicating strong domestic demand [15][2]. Overseas Demand - The global sales of new energy vehicles reached 2.1078 million units in September 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 23.53% [21][2].

Investment Rating - The industry is rated as "Outperform" compared to the market [2] Core Insights - Strong demand for power and energy storage batteries, with significant recovery in raw material and cell prices [2] - Domestic battery and lithium iron phosphate cathode material production in 2025 is significantly higher than in 2024, with October production reaching 170.6 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 50.84% [5][21] - The price of lithium carbonate has risen from approximately 70,000 yuan/ton in mid-September to over 84,000 yuan/ton in mid-November [9][10] - Domestic new energy storage demand remains robust, with a continuous increase in the number of registered projects [2] Summary by Sections 1. Battery Demand and Price Recovery - **Production**: In the first ten months of 2025, domestic battery and lithium iron phosphate cathode material production exceeded that of the same period in 2024. In October 2025, domestic battery production was 170.6 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 50.84% and a month-on-month increase of 12.83% [5] - **Prices**: Raw material prices have shown a significant recovery, with lithium carbonate prices rising to over 84,000 yuan/ton and lithium iron phosphate prices exceeding 37,000 yuan/ton by mid-November [9][10] - **Domestic Demand**: From January to October 2025, the monthly installation of lithium iron phosphate batteries consistently surpassed that of 2024, with October showing a year-on-year increase of 43.62% [21][24] - **Overseas Demand**: In the same period, China's power battery exports were higher than in 2024, with October exports reaching 2.1078 million units, a year-on-year increase of 23.53% [29]