Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Accumulate" rating for the industry [1] Core Insights - The report highlights a continued upward trend in liquid argon prices, while rare gases are experiencing low price fluctuations. The weekly operating load rate for China's industrial gas sector has slightly increased. Notable events include the commissioning of a 45,000 standard cubic meters per hour oxygen air separation unit by Messer in Xichang and a strategic cooperation agreement between Shaanxi鼓 Group and Dalian Hope Group [3][4] Summary by Sections Price Trends - Liquid argon has an average price of 859 RMB/ton, showing a 3.62% increase week-on-week and a 26.13% increase year-on-year. In contrast, liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen prices have decreased by 3.3% and 1.6% respectively [4][6] - Rare gases show varied price movements: high-purity helium in bundles remains stable, while bottled high-purity helium (40L) increased by 0.89% week-on-week. Xenon and krypton prices have decreased by 3.08% and remained stable respectively [4][6] Operating Load Rates - The average weekly operating load rate for China's industrial gas sector is reported at 69.72%, reflecting a slight increase of 0.03 percentage points [4][7] Important Events - Messer has successfully commissioned a new large air separation unit in Xichang, increasing its total oxygen production capacity in the region to over 100,000 standard cubic meters per hour. Additionally, Shaanxi鼓 Group has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Dalian Hope Group [4][6]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Accumulate" rating for the mechanical industry [1] Core Insights - The report highlights that the weekly operating load rate of China's industrial gas sector has increased on a month-on-month basis. Additionally, Hangzhou Oxygen Plant has established an industrial fund focusing on investment opportunities in low-temperature deep cooling technology and controllable nuclear fusion [3][4] - Liquid argon continues its upward trend, while the average price of rare gases remains low and fluctuates. The average weekly operating load rate for industrial gases in China is reported at 69.69%, reflecting a month-on-month decrease of 1.63 percentage points [3][5] Summary by Sections Price Trends - Liquid oxygen has an average price of 422 RMB/ton, down 2.54% month-on-month but up 4.46% year-on-year. Liquid nitrogen is priced at 412.5 RMB/ton, down 4.6% month-on-month and down 5.5% year-on-year. Liquid argon is priced at 829 RMB/ton, up 7.94% month-on-month and up 15.85% year-on-year [5][6] Key Events - Hangzhou Oxygen Plant has announced the establishment of a venture capital partnership with a total subscribed capital of 1 billion RMB, focusing on industrial gases, low-temperature deep cooling technology, controllable nuclear fusion, and innovative energy power equipment [5][6] - Messer's new technology center in Chengdu has officially opened, equipped for demonstration, testing, and training across four core areas: welding and cutting, combustion technology, food and beverage, and water treatment [5][6] Company Recommendations - Recommended stocks include Hangzhou Oxygen Plant and Shaanxi鼓动力, with related stocks being Zhengfan Technology, Fostar, and Zhongtai Co., Ltd. [5][6]

Market Overview - The mechanical equipment, electric equipment, and automotive industry indices experienced weekly changes of +3.52%, +0.53%, and +1.74% respectively, ranking 7th, 22nd, and 15th among 31 Shenwan first-level industries; during the same period, the CSI 300 index changed by +1.38% [2] Industry Insights Photovoltaics - The silicon material market showed a decline in sentiment, with the main contract for polysilicon dropping by 4.09% to a closing price of 4.40; the market had anticipated the implementation of storage-related funds and review matters in September, but these expectations have not materialized, negatively impacting market sentiment [3] - The expected output for September is 125,000 tons (equivalent to 65-66 GW), which is a slight decrease compared to August; the decline in silicon material prices is attributed to limited production cuts and weak downstream component demand [3] Industrial Gases - Overall industrial gas prices saw a weekly decline; as of September 11, 2025, the average price of liquid oxygen in China was 478 RMB/ton (down 3.2% from the previous week), liquid nitrogen was 451 RMB/ton (down 2.5%), and liquid argon was 609 RMB/ton (up 1.16%); rare gases showed stable prices [4] - The short-term decline in gas prices is mainly due to improved operational efficiency of air separation equipment and insufficient short-term demand from the steel and coal chemical industries; the industrial gas sector is currently at a cyclical low, with potential for a reversal due to supply optimization [4] Automotive - In the first week of September, the retail market for passenger vehicles saw a year-on-year decline of 10%, while the retail of new energy vehicles decreased by 3%, aligning with the typical transition between the end and beginning of the month; retail sales for passenger vehicles reached 304,000 units, a 10% decrease year-on-year [5] - The decline in the new energy vehicle market was less severe than the overall market, with retail sales of 181,000 units, down 3% year-on-year; the automotive market is expected to maintain rapid growth due to promotional activities and the upcoming sales peak in September and October [5]