Core Viewpoint - The small metals sector, particularly antimony, has unexpectedly surged in market attention, with significant stock price increases observed amidst a generally weak market environment [1][3]. Group 1: Market Performance - On March 7, the A and Hong Kong stock markets experienced a downturn, yet the small metals sector saw a collective rise, with industrial and rare metals leading with gains exceeding 2% [1]. - Notable stocks such as Huayu Mining, Hunan Gold, and others achieved strong performance, with Huayu Mining's stock price increasing by over 210% from a low of 6 yuan to 18.76 yuan [3][5]. Group 2: Supply and Demand Dynamics - Antimony, a critical industrial metal, has seen a significant price increase due to supply constraints caused by environmental policies and geopolitical factors affecting imports [5][6]. - The price of antimony ingots surged nearly 90%, driven by increased demand from the photovoltaic industry and the appliance sector [5]. - China's antimony exports dropped significantly due to new export controls, leading to a supply shortage in international markets and a widening price gap between domestic and international antimony prices [6][7]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The global antimony production has been declining, with a notable drop from 17.8 million tons per year in 2011 to 10 million tons in 2024, primarily due to reduced output from China [9][10]. - Analysts predict that the antimony market will continue to experience supply-demand imbalances, with expected supply gaps of 1.9, 2.8, 3.0, and 3.9 million tons from 2024 to 2027 [15]. - The domestic antimony price is anticipated to rise further, driven by persistent supply shortages and significant price differentials between domestic and international markets [15].