Core Viewpoint - The prices of minor metals such as cobalt, tungsten, antimony, and rare earths have been rising significantly this year, driven by supply changes and increasing demand, leading to strong performance in related A-share stocks [1][2][9]. Price Trends - As of August 8, 2023, the average prices for various minor metals have increased significantly compared to the beginning of the year: - Electrolytic cobalt: 265,000 CNY/ton (+55.43%) - Tungsten oxide: 317,500 CNY/ton (+32.02%) - Antimony ingot: 186,500 CNY/ton (+33.21%) - Molybdenum bar: 490 CNY/kg (+4.48%) - Bismuth: 118,500 CNY/ton (+61.22%) - Praseodymium-neodymium oxide: 521,500 CNY/ton (+31.03%) - Dysprosium oxide: 1,615,000 CNY/ton (+0.13%) - Terbium oxide: 7,020,000 CNY/ton (+25.13%) [2]. Company Performance - The non-ferrous metal sector has shown significant growth, with revenue and net profit for the sector increasing by 8.0% and 65.1% year-on-year in Q1 2025, respectively. Nearly 70% of listed companies in this sector have positive earnings forecasts for the first half of 2025 [3][4]. - Notable companies include: - Northern Rare Earth: Expected net profit growth of over 2000% year-on-year - Shenghe Resources: Expected net profit growth of over 600% year-on-year [3]. Market Performance - The non-ferrous metal sector has outperformed the broader market, with a cumulative increase of 32% this year, compared to the Shanghai Composite Index's 8.45% increase [4]. - Key stocks include Shenghe Resources and Guangsheng Nonferrous, both up over 120%, and several others showing significant gains [4]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - Changes in supply dynamics have been noted, particularly with cobalt, where the Democratic Republic of Congo has extended its export ban, leading to a significant decrease in imports of cobalt intermediate products in China [5][6]. - The global rare earth reserves are dominated by China, which holds 44 million tons, accounting for 40% of the total [6]. Future Demand Projections - The demand for rare earth materials, particularly neodymium-iron-boron magnets, is expected to grow significantly due to the rise of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. By 2026, the demand for high-performance neodymium-iron-boron materials is projected to reach 21.1 million tons, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 14% [8][10]. - The commercialization of humanoid robots is anticipated to further increase demand for neodymium, with projections suggesting a growth rate of 75% from 2024 to 2035 [8]. Price Outlook - Analysts expect the upward price trend for minor metals to continue, driven by persistent demand expansion and supply disruptions. The price of antimony and cobalt is projected to rise due to supply constraints and increasing demand from sectors like electric vehicles [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - The prices of minor metals such as cobalt, tungsten, antimony, and rare earths have been rising significantly this year, driven by supply changes and increasing demand, leading to strong performance in related A-share stocks [1][2][3] Price Trends - As of August 8, 2023, the average prices for various minor metals have increased significantly compared to the beginning of the year: - Electrolytic cobalt: 265,000 RMB/ton (+55.43%) - Tungsten oxide: 317,500 RMB/ton (+32.02%) - Antimony ingot: 186,500 RMB/ton (+33.21%) - Molybdenum bar: 490 RMB/kg (+4.48%) - Bismuth: 118,500 RMB/ton (+61.22%) - Praseodymium-neodymium oxide: 521,500 RMB/ton (+31.03%) - Dysprosium oxide: 1,615,000 RMB/ton (+0.13%) - Terbium oxide: 7,020,000 RMB/ton (+25.13%) [2] Company Performance - The non-ferrous metal sector has shown significant growth, with revenue and net profit for the first quarter of 2025 increasing by 8.0% and 65.1% year-on-year, respectively [3] - Nearly 70% of the listed companies in the non-ferrous metal sector have positive performance forecasts for the first half of 2025, with notable increases in net profit for companies like Northern Rare Earth and Shenghe Resources [3] Market Dynamics - The non-ferrous metal sector has outperformed the broader market, with an increase of 32% year-to-date, compared to the Shanghai Composite Index's 8.45% rise [4] - The supply-demand dynamics have shifted, particularly with cobalt, where export bans from the Democratic Republic of Congo have led to a significant decrease in imports and a bullish price outlook [5] Demand Drivers - Rare earths are critical for various high-tech applications, including electric vehicles and renewable energy, with projected demand for neodymium-iron-boron materials expected to reach 87,000 tons by 2026 due to the growth of the electric vehicle market [7][8] - The demand for minor metals is expected to continue rising, driven by sectors such as new energy, air conditioning, and consumer electronics, alongside the commercial development of humanoid robots [9] Future Outlook - Analysts predict that the price trends for minor metals will continue upward due to persistent demand expansion and supply disruptions caused by policy changes [9] - The ongoing growth in the electric vehicle sector and other high-performance applications is expected to sustain the demand for rare earth materials, with significant implications for pricing and supply dynamics in the coming years [9]

Group 1 - The China Rare Metals Theme Index (930632) increased by 0.66% as of July 14, 2025, with notable gains from companies such as San Chuan Wisdom (300066) up 13.45% and Rongjie Co., Ltd. (002192) hitting the daily limit [1] - The Rare Metals ETF (561800) experienced a three-day consecutive rise, with an early session increase of over 2%, and a cumulative increase of 5.55% over the past week as of July 11, 2025 [1][3] - The Rare Metals ETF has a one-year net value increase of 27.96% as of July 11, 2025, with the highest monthly return since inception being 24.02% [3] Group 2 - The top ten weighted stocks in the China Rare Metals Theme Index accounted for 54.07% of the index, including companies like Salt Lake Co. (000792) and Northern Rare Earth (600111) [3] - The market prices for various antimony ingots remained stable as of July 10, 2025, with 2 high bismuth antimony ingot priced at 181,500 CNY/ton [4] - MP Materials is expected to receive significant investment from the U.S. Department of Defense, which could catalyze price increases in the sector and improve the fundamentals in the third quarter [4]