Core Viewpoint - The recent contract between the U.S. and a Chilean mining company highlights the strategic importance of rhenium, a metal more scarce than gold, which is crucial for modern aviation engine technology and is seen as a strategic leverage against China's aviation industry [1][5]. Rhenium Supply and Demand - Rhenium, element 75 on the periodic table, is extremely rare in the Earth's crust, with only about 2,000 tons of proven reserves globally, significantly lower than the annual production of over 3,000 tons of gold. Chile holds over half of the global reserves (approximately 1,300 tons), while the U.S. has about 400 tons, and China only possesses around 237 tons, primarily in molybdenum mines in Shaanxi and Anhui [2]. - The unique physical properties of rhenium make it an ideal material for turbine blades in aircraft engines, which operate under extreme conditions. The F119 engine blades of the U.S. F-22 stealth fighter contain a high percentage of rhenium, and the CJ-1000A engine of China's C919 aircraft also relies on high-performance rhenium alloys. However, China faces a significant challenge as it relies on imports for 90% of its rhenium, leading to high costs and supply chain risks. The price of rhenium has surged to several thousand dollars per kilogram, exceeding gold prices, and has increased by 15% since 2023, resulting in over a 10% rise in the cost of Chinese aircraft engines [4][6]. U.S. Control Over Rhenium Supply - Although the U.S. does not have the largest rhenium reserves, it effectively controls the global supply chain by securing long-term contracts with major rhenium-producing countries like Chile and Kazakhstan. The U.S. imports 40 tons of rhenium annually, using 25 tons and storing 15 tons in strategic reserves, totaling 400 tons, which is significantly higher than its own reserves. The U.S. also maintains a technological edge in manufacturing turbine blades and imposes high prices and technology restrictions on Chinese companies, reinforcing its "rhenium hegemony." The upcoming Critical Minerals Security Act and the establishment of a "mineral alliance" with countries like Australia and Canada further enhance the U.S.'s resource control and political leverage [5]. Challenges and Responses in China's Aviation Industry - The shortage of rhenium poses severe challenges for China's aviation industry, hindering research and development progress and threatening production. For instance, a research center in Xi'an had to adjust the rhenium content in the CJ-1000A engine blades due to unstable supply, resulting in performance testing failures. If the U.S. fully restricts rhenium exports, China could face a significant rhenium shortfall, jeopardizing the mass production of the C919 aircraft and the domestic development of military engines [6]. - In response to these challenges, China is taking several measures: - Increasing domestic mining efforts, with the Anhui Zhanling rhenium mine already in operation, despite limited reserves. Geological exploration is ongoing to discover new rhenium resources [7]. - Developing recycling technologies to recover rhenium from discarded aircraft engine blades, achieving a high recovery rate, which helps alleviate supply pressure [7]. - Expanding partnerships with countries like Kazakhstan and exploring collaborations in Africa and Central Asia to diversify supply sources and mitigate risks [7]. - Researching alternative materials, such as new high-temperature alloys and improving processes to enhance rhenium usage efficiency [9]. - Leveraging China's advantages in rare earths, gallium, and germanium to negotiate favorable conditions in international discussions [9]. Conclusion - The U.S. aims to use rhenium to constrain China's aviation industry, but this may accelerate China's innovation in critical technologies. China is actively working on resource development, recycling, material substitution, and international cooperation, which will ultimately help overcome the "rhenium dilemma" and achieve greater autonomy in aviation engine production [11].

Real Estate - In July, the top 100 real estate companies reported a total sales amount of 226.5 billion yuan, with equity sales amounting to 164.1 billion yuan, and total sales area of 13.22 million square meters, showing year-on-year declines of 25.2%, 26.6%, and 23.8% respectively [5] - For the cumulative period from January to July, the total sales reached 2.01 trillion yuan, equity sales were 1.47 trillion yuan, and total sales area was 99.19 million square meters, reflecting year-on-year decreases of 13.2%, 13.5%, and 22.4% respectively [5] Metals - Rhenium prices have reached a nearly six-year high, while tungsten prices have hit a nearly ten-year high, indicating a strong outlook for the metal new materials sector [5] - Lithium prices are around 70,000 yuan per ton, with potential for accelerated capacity clearance in the future, suggesting a focus on companies with cost advantages and resource expansion in the lithium mining sector [5] - The cobalt export ban from the Democratic Republic of Congo has been extended for three months [5] - Prices for praseodymium and neodymium oxide have reached a 19-month high [5] Automotive - In July, the delivery performance of new energy vehicle manufacturers showed divergence, with Li Auto's delivery volume down 39.7% year-on-year to 30,731 units, while Xpeng's deliveries increased by 229.4% year-on-year to 36,717 units [5] - NIO's delivery volume saw a slight increase of 2.5% year-on-year, totaling 21,017 units [5] Company Analysis - Oriental Yuhong reported a revenue of 1.357 billion yuan and a net profit of 56 million yuan for the first half of 2025, reflecting year-on-year declines of 10.8% and 40.2% respectively [7] - The company plans to distribute a dividend of 0.925 yuan per share, corresponding to a dividend yield of 7.7% [7] - BAIC Blue Valley's revenue for 2024 was 14.51 billion yuan, with a net loss of 6.95 billion yuan, marking an increase in losses by 28.7% [8] - Mingyuan Cloud is expected to see a revenue decline of 14.8% in the first half of 2025, with total revenue projected at 610 million yuan due to a significant drop in signed project amounts [8] - Ninebot's total revenue for the first half of 2025 reached 11.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 76%, with net profits of 1.2 billion yuan, reflecting a growth of 108% [9]

Summary of the Conference Call for Sains Company Overview - Sains is the first heavy metal pollution prevention enterprise listed on A-shares, leveraging technology from Central South University and maintaining multiple national-level research platforms with a research team of nearly 200 people and over 100 patents [2][3] - The company has established long-term collaborations with various universities and research institutes, serving hundreds of non-ferrous enterprises [2][3] Core Business and Innovations - Sains specializes in the treatment and resource utilization of heavy metal wastewater and waste residues, with a focus on technological innovation and research platform development [3] - The company has expanded its business into resource recovery and new materials, including a recent acquisition of Zijin Medicine to enter the copper extraction agent sector [3][19] - Sains' revenue for 2024 is projected at 150 million yuan, with a net profit of 38 million yuan, and an expected increase in revenue for 2025 [3][20] Collaboration with Zijin Mining - Sains has a close partnership with Zijin Mining, which has invested strategically in the company and currently holds approximately 21% of its shares [2][5] - The collaboration has deepened in areas such as waste acid and wastewater treatment, with a revenue-sharing model in place to mitigate risks [5][6][12] Rhenium Extraction Progress - Sains has made significant progress in rhenium extraction, collaborating with Zijin Mining and Luoyang Molybdenum, with expected production of 8-10 tons in the next two to three years [9][10] - The recent surge in rhenium prices is attributed to market speculation and supply-demand gaps, with a long-term optimistic outlook due to increasing high-end application demand and domestic substitution policies [11] Financial Projections and Market Outlook - Sains anticipates revenue of 1.2 to 1.3 billion yuan and a net profit of 140 to 150 million yuan for 2025, driven by environmental policies and demand in the non-ferrous industry [22] - The company is focusing on higher-margin product sales and operational services, which are expected to provide sustainable income and profit [22][23] Challenges and Risks - The decline in net profit is primarily due to increased sales and R&D expenses, as well as longer collection periods for overseas business [18] - The company faces challenges in the short term due to the time required for policy implementation, although long-term prospects remain positive due to increasing governmental focus on heavy metal pollution prevention [16] Global Market Expansion - Sains has successfully expanded its business into global markets, including regions in Africa and South America, with production capacity increasing from 3,000 tons to 7,000 tons [21] Conclusion - Sains is positioned as a leader in heavy metal pollution prevention with strong technological capabilities and strategic partnerships, while also exploring new markets and product lines to drive future growth [2][3][22]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the non-ferrous metals sector [5] Core Insights - The report highlights significant price movements in various metals, with rhenium reaching a six-year high and tungsten hitting a ten-year high. It emphasizes the importance of monitoring price trends in key materials such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements to gauge market dynamics and investment opportunities [4][9] Summary by Relevant Sections Military New Materials - Electrolytic cobalt price increased to 265,000 CNY/ton, up 6.9% week-on-week. The price ratio of electrolytic cobalt to cobalt powder is 0.95, up 4.5% [9][10] - Carbon fiber price remains stable at 83.8 CNY/kg, with a gross profit of -8.24 CNY/kg [20] New Energy Vehicle Materials - Lithium concentrate price decreased to 677 USD/ton, down 4.51% week-on-week. Battery-grade lithium hydroxide prices increased by 8.2% to 65,200 CNY/ton [22][27] - Sulfuric cobalt price rose to 50,800 CNY/ton, up 2.01% [36] Photovoltaic New Materials - EVA price decreased by 0.5% to 10,100 CNY/ton, remaining at a low level since 2013 [2] - Photovoltaic-grade polysilicon price stable at 4.94 USD/kg [2] Nuclear Power New Materials - Uranium price increased to 59.58 USD/lb, up 4.0% [2] Consumer Electronics New Materials - Tetracobalt oxide price increased to 207,500 CNY/ton, up 2.47% [3] - Silicon carbide price remains stable at 5,400 CNY/ton [3] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on companies with cost advantages and resource expansion potential in the lithium sector, such as Salt Lake Co., Zangge Mining, and Tianqi Lithium [4] - It also recommends monitoring companies in the cobalt sector due to the extension of the cobalt export ban from the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Huayou Cobalt [4]

Market Performance - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3534.48 points, up 0.50%, with a trading volume of approximately 643.6 billion yuan [2] - The Shenzhen Component Index closed at 10913.84 points, up 0.37%, with a trading volume of approximately 927.4 billion yuan [2] - The ChiNext Index closed at 2277.15 points, up 0.34%, with a trading volume of approximately 432.5 billion yuan [2] - The market showed a general upward trend, with the Shanghai Composite Index reaching a new high for the year [1] Sector Performance - Metals stocks, including rare earth and lithium mining, saw significant gains, with related sectors such as lithium extraction and rare earth permanent magnets performing well [1] - Chemical and fiber sectors also experienced notable increases, particularly in polyurethane and acrylic acid [1] - Other sectors like warehousing logistics, trade agency, and military trade concepts showed significant upward movement [1] - However, sectors like components and the internet faced adjustments, with mixed performance among individual stocks [1] Institutional Insights - Institutions suggest that the A-share market is gradually finding a bottom, with medium to long-term investment opportunities emerging [3] - The semiconductor, consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and low-altitude economy sectors are highlighted as areas of growth potential [3] - The global demand for rhenium in high-temperature alloys is expected to rise, with supply constraints likely to push prices higher [3] - The price of glyphosate is anticipated to rise due to favorable supply-demand dynamics and seasonal demand in South America [3] Policy Developments - The Ministry of Commerce emphasized that China's foreign investment policies will remain open, encouraging multinational companies like NVIDIA to deepen cooperation in the AI sector [4] - New measures to encourage foreign investment in domestic reinvestment were announced, allowing foreign enterprises to reinvest without extensive registration procedures [5] Coal Market Update - The China Coal Transportation and Marketing Association reported a decrease in coal supply due to adverse weather conditions, with production and sales showing varying degrees of decline [6][7] - Domestic and international coal prices have seen increases, although domestic thermal coal prices remain lower than long-term contract prices [7]