March 26, 2026 02:44 PM GMT Flat Glass Group Co Ltd | Asia Pacific 4Q25 earnings better than expected Reaction to earnings Unchanged Modest upside Modest revision higher Impact to our thesis Financial results versus consensus Direction of next 12-month consensus EPS Source: Company data, Morgan Stanley Research Full-year 2025 net profit declined 3% YoY, to Rmb981mn, better than we expected: 4Q25 net earnings were Rmb343mn vs. a loss in 4Q24, likely helped by declining production costs and higher sales volum ...

3 March 2026 | 2:15PM CST Equity Research CHINA SOLAR: TRACKING PROFITABILITY INFLECTION Feb-26: Upstream prices dropped amid weak module production activity Our China Solar Profitability Tracker follows monthly supply/demand and inventory dynamics by sub-sector, and the spot prices/input costs implied cash GP & EBITDA margin trends for companies under our coverage. Key highlights in Feb MTD: Mengwen Wang +86(21)2401-8932 | mengwen.wang@goldmansachs.cn Goldman Sachs (China) Securities Company Limited Jacque ...

Summary of China Clean Tech Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference focused on the **renewable energy sector** in China, particularly the **solar** and **wind** industries, with discussions involving 12 renewable companies and two industry experts [1][2]. Key Insights Pricing Outlook - There is a **bearish outlook** on solar pricing into 2026, with expectations for further price hikes in the **Poly** and **Module** segments, projected to reach **Rmb60-80/kg** and **Rmb0.74/W** respectively, despite current spot prices being **Rmb63/kg** and **Rmb0.685/W** [2][3]. - The **solar installation** forecast for China is expected to decline by **17% year-over-year** to **235GW** in 2026, contrasting with the **-10% to 0%** guidance from solar companies [4][9]. Demand and Inventory Concerns - Downstream operators are showing low acceptance for price hikes due to a decline in renewable on-grid tariffs, leading to a cautious approach towards solar installations [3][13]. - There is a significant increase in inventory days, rising to **60 days** in December 2025 from **30 days** in September 2025, indicating potential cash burn across the industry [3][16]. Production and Cost Dynamics - Tier 1 solar players are planning to upgrade production lines to high-efficiency technologies, with expectations of reduced Poly usage in high-efficiency modules [16]. - The **cost of production** for modules has increased by **Rmb0.3/W** due to rising silver prices, but the adoption of cheaper metal technologies could offset some of these costs [16]. Regulatory Environment - The **anti-monopoly** campaign is expected to have a limited positive impact on pricing, as downstream players may still need to reduce selling prices to maintain shipments amid weak demand [7][19]. - Recent regulatory actions have targeted potential monopolistic practices within the Poly supply chain, requiring companies to submit rectification measures by January 20, 2026 [20]. Market Sentiment - There is a prevailing sentiment of caution among operators regarding price hikes, with many indicating a maximum tolerance of **5%** increase in module prices due to declining tariffs [15]. - The industry is facing a **negative demand cycle**, which is deemed unsustainable, with expectations for R&D-driven cost reductions to consolidate the market towards Tier 1 players [11][16]. Additional Observations - The **solar glass price** has seen a decline of nearly **20%** to **Rmb10.5/sqm**, with expectations of further reductions due to aggressive pricing strategies from Tier 2 players [23]. - The **inventory management** strategies of Tier 1 players are being tested, as they are currently tolerating higher inventory levels due to suspended capacities [24]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights and forecasts discussed during the conference call, highlighting the challenges and dynamics within the Chinese renewable energy sector, particularly in solar energy.

Summary of China Solar Power Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the **China Solar Power** industry, specifically discussing solar product prices, installation forecasts, and market dynamics. Key Points Solar Product Prices - Weekly solar product prices have seen a **1-2% increase** week-over-week (wow) for upstream polysilicon materials and downstream solar modules, while solar cell prices declined by **1%** [1] - Average market prices for n-type grade rod-type polysilicon rose to **Rmb53.4/kg**, and granular silicon to **Rmb50.5/kg** [2] - N-type wafer prices remained unchanged at **Rmb1.38/W** for 182mm products and **Rmb1.68/W** for 210mm products [3] - Average prices for TOPCon modules increased by **1.5%** to **Rmb0.68/W** for utility-scale projects and **4.2%** to **Rmb0.70/W** for distributed projects [4] - Solar glass prices remained stable at **Rmb11.0/m2** for 2.0mm and **Rmb18.3/m2** for 3.2mm products [5] Installation Forecasts - The annual module output in China for 2025 was reported at **563.2GW**, a **1.2% decrease** year-over-year (yoy) [4] - Solar installation demand is expected to remain muted in January until new project construction begins after the Chinese New Year [1] - Citi forecasts a **24% decrease** in PRC solar installations to **220GW** in 2026 due to reduced returns from larger-than-expected renewable market-based tariff cuts [1] Inventory and Production Dynamics - Polysilicon inventory at producer plants increased by **1%** to **306k tonnes** as of December 31 [2] - Downstream wafer plant inventory rose by **5.3%** month-over-month (mom) to **219k tonnes** [2] - Wafer inventory climbed **6.9%** wow to **23.2GW** as of December 31 [3] - The average inventory period for solar glass increased by **2.8%** to **39.1 days** as of December 31 [6] Company Preferences and Risks - In the PRC solar sector, the preference is for inverter companies like **Sungrow** and **Deye**, which are expected to benefit from high demand growth in energy storage systems [1] - Caution is advised regarding solar glass makers due to low average selling prices (ASP) and high inventory levels [1] - Key risks for **Deye** include lower-than-expected energy storage demand and increased price competition among inverter peers [19] - For **Sungrow**, risks include slower-than-expected solar installations and intensified trade tensions affecting exports [21] Valuation Insights - **Deye's** target price is set at **Rmb102.0/share**, based on a discounted cash flow (DCF) model, reflecting sustainable growth in energy storage demand [18] - **Sungrow's** target price is **Rmb240.00**, also based on a DCF valuation, indicating long-term potential returns [20] Additional Important Information - The conference call highlighted the importance of monitoring market dynamics and potential risks in the solar sector, particularly in light of changing tariff structures and inventory levels [1][19][21]

Summary of China Solar Profitability Tracker - December 2025 Industry Overview - The report focuses on the solar industry, particularly the profitability dynamics of companies involved in the solar value chain in China. Key Highlights 1. **Price Hikes and Market Dynamics** - A new round of price hikes was proposed in December, with average pricing across the solar value chain increasing by 7% month-to-date (MTD) as Tier 1 players responded to rising silver costs, which surged by 45% quarter-to-date (QTD) [3][4] - Poly players raised spot prices by 22% during the week of December 15, reaching Rmb65/kg for Rod Poly and Rmb62/kg for Granular Poly [3] 2. **Inventory and Production Trends** - The supply/demand ratio deteriorated to 129% in December from 110% in November, indicating an oversupply situation [9] - Producer-side inventory days increased to 55 days in December from 38 days in November, suggesting a buildup of unsold inventory [11] 3. **Profitability Concerns** - Despite a 12% increase in value chain pricing compared to Goldman Sachs estimates, concerns remain about potential cash burn due to extended inventory days and slow production cuts [4] - The average cash gross profit margin (GPM) for Poly-Tier 1 was reported at 35%, with a slight decrease of 2 percentage points (ppt) [7] 4. **Segment Performance** - Cash profitability improved in Cell and Module segments but deteriorated in Glass, with Glass-Tier 1 GPM dropping to 1% [7] - The report indicates a preference for Film and High-efficiency Module segments, while expressing skepticism towards Glass and Wafer segments [4] 5. **Future Outlook** - The ongoing anti-involution campaign and new restrictions on below-cost pricing are expected to have a mild positive impact on pricing outlook for Poly, but downstream players may still need to reduce selling prices to maintain market share amid weak demand [4] - The report anticipates that normalized profitability will remain low unless Tier 1 capacity reductions occur [4] Additional Insights - The establishment of a joint venture platform for Poly capacity consolidation was reported, but progress is lagging behind initial targets [3] - The report emphasizes the importance of adopting cost reduction technologies to ensure positive cash generation for sustainable operations [4] Conclusion - The solar industry in China is facing significant challenges with inventory buildup and profitability concerns, despite recent price increases. The dynamics of supply and demand, along with the need for cost management, will be critical for companies navigating this environment.

Core Insights - Homerun Resources Inc. has signed a definitive surface rights agreement for the CENTRO INDUSTRIAL SÃO JOSÉ DA SILICA in Bahia, Brazil, covering 64 hectares for its silica processing and solar glass manufacturing facility [1][13] - The agreement grants irrevocable surface rights, ensuring legal security for Homerun regardless of any changes in land ownership [2][11] - The agreement replaces a previous land donation plan, eliminating risks associated with land reclamation and obligations under earlier agreements [4][13] Agreement Details - The surface rights agreement is valid for 99 years and automatically renewable for another 99 years [9] - Compensation payments will begin in 2027, with an initial fixed payment of R$ 60,000 due on June 30, 2027, followed by monthly payments of R$ 50,000 starting January 2028, subject to conditions [10] - Homerun can use the surface rights as collateral for financing and can independently secure necessary permits and licenses [11][13] Municipal Support - The Municipality of Belmonte has committed to allocate up to USD $400,000 for infrastructure improvements, including paving approximately 5km of road to connect Santa Maria Eterna to BR-101 [5][13] - This support is part of a broader initiative led by the Bahia State Secretariat of Infrastructure [5] Strategic Vision - The agreement aligns with Homerun's strategy to develop a complete silica value chain, enhancing socioeconomic and environmental benefits for the local community [6][13] - The company aims to establish a vertically integrated platform for clean energy manufacturing in the Americas, focusing on silica, solar, energy storage, and energy solutions [12][14][20]

Summary of Key Points from Conference Call Industry Overview Basic Materials - China - **Copper Prices**: LME copper rose 1.5% WoW to US$10,856/t, while the China price increased 1.3% WoW to RMB87,200/t [1][31] - **Aluminum Prices**: LME aluminum slipped 0.2% WoW to US$2,830/t, while the China aluminum price increased 1.7% WoW to RMB21,910/t. Domestic aluminum margins improved by RMB395/t WoW to RMB6,094/t due to lower power costs [1][31][52] - **Gold Prices**: COMEX gold climbed 2% WoW to US$4,084/oz [1][11] - **Lithium Prices**: Average price of domestic battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) rose 5.9% WoW to RMB85.2k/t [1][55] - **Uranium Prices**: Uranium U₃O₈ spot prices settled at US$77.7/lb, down 2.7% WoW [1][57] - **Cobalt Prices**: China cobalt spot price edged up 1% WoW to RMB395,000/t [1][63] Steel Industry - **Finished Steel Prices**: Rebar prices edged up 0.2% WoW to RMB3,218/t, and HRC rose 0.2% WoW to RMB3,298/t [2][66] - **Inventory and Consumption**: Finished steel inventory fell 1.7% WoW to 14.8 million tons, while apparent consumption slipped 0.7% WoW to 8.6 million tons [2][66] - **Iron Ore Prices**: Iron ore prices declined 1% WoW to USD104/t [2][66] - **Profit Margins**: Higher coke costs pressured margins, with rebar narrowing by RMB28/t WoW to –RMB392/t and HRC contracting by RMB36/t to –RMB380/t [2][66][75] Cement Industry - **Cement Prices**: Average national cement price traded higher by 0.6% WoW to RMB345/t. Prices in various provinces showed mixed trends [3][88] - **Demand Recovery**: National cement demand slightly recovered amid favorable weather conditions, with producers planning to push prices higher by year-end [3][88] - **Shipment and Inventory Ratios**: Nationwide shipment ratio decreased by 0.3 percentage points WoW to 40.0%, while inventory ratio was at 69.4%, down 0.2 percentage points WoW [3][20] Paper and Glass Industries - **Paper Prices**: Paper price rose by 1.76% WoW to RMB3,669/t, supported by supply shrinkage and low inventory [3][99] - **Glass Prices**: National average float glass price settled lower by 0.16% WoW to RMB1,195/t amid lukewarm demand. Xinyi float glass GPM was down 0.5 percentage points to 10.8% [3][22][98] Solar Materials - **Polysilicon Prices**: N-type polysilicon and granular silicon prices remained stable at RMB53/kg and RMB51/kg, respectively [3][109] - **Solar Glass Capacity**: Solar glass daily capacity climbed 1.43% WoW to 88,590t/day, with inventory days expanding 6.5% WoW to 25.63 [3][122] Additional Insights - **Market Sentiment**: The end of the U.S. government shutdown eased risk-off sentiment, supporting copper prices [1][31] - **Cement Producers' Strategy**: Cement producers are looking to increase prices to secure more profit by year-end [3][88] - **Steel Mill Margins**: Spot cash margins at steel mills indicate a challenging environment with negative margins for both rebar and HRC [2][75][81] This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call, highlighting the performance and trends across various sectors within the basic materials industry in China.

Summary of China Renewable Energy Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the **China Renewable Energy** sector, particularly the solar energy market, including polysilicon, wafers, solar cells, modules, and solar glass products [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Key Points and Arguments Price Trends - **Polysilicon Prices**: Average market prices for n-type grade rod-type polysilicon decreased by -0.1% week-over-week (wow) to Rmb51.9/kg, while granular silicon prices remained unchanged at Rmb50.5/kg [2]. - **Wafer Prices**: Prices for n-type wafers fell by -2.3% wow to Rmb1.26/W for 182mm products and -1.8% wow to Rmb1.68/W for 210mm products due to inventory pressure [3]. - **Solar Cell Prices**: Average prices for TOPCon solar cells decreased by -2.6% wow to Rmb0.30/W [3]. - **Module Prices**: Average market prices for TOPCon modules increased slightly by 0.2% wow to Rmb0.67/W for utility-scale projects, but remained stable for distributed projects [4][5]. - **Solar Glass Prices**: Prices for solar glass products decreased by -1.5% wow to Rmb12.8/m2 for 2.0mm and -1.3% wow to Rmb19.8/m2 for 3.2mm products [6]. Inventory and Demand - **Inventory Levels**: Polysilicon inventory at producer plants rose by +3.1% wow to 267k tonnes, while wafer inventory increased by 5.3% wow to 18.4GW [2][3]. - **Demand Decline**: Domestic solar installation demand in China dropped by -50.9% year-over-year (yoy) to 28.7GW in 3Q25, while module export volume grew by +43.6% yoy to 78.8GW in the same period [1][5]. - **Future Projections**: Monthly polysilicon output is expected to decline by 14% month-over-month (mom) to 120k tonnes in November, with an annual output forecasted to drop by 27.8% yoy to 1,330k tonnes in 2025 [2]. Market Dynamics - **Anti-Involution Policies**: The anticipated increase in module prices is driven by anti-involution policies in China's solar industry and the potential removal of VAT rebates for module exports by the end of 2025 [1][5]. - **Production Adjustments**: Certain polysilicon plants in Southwest China, including Tongwei's facilities, suspended production due to weakened demand and increased electricity prices [2]. Investment Preferences - **Preferred Companies**: The report favors inverter manufacturers such as **Sungrow** and **Deye**, which are expected to benefit from the growth in energy storage systems. Polysilicon producers are also favored due to higher average selling prices (ASP) and potential capacity consolidation [1]. Additional Important Information - **Risks**: Key risks for companies like Deye and Sungrow include lower-than-expected demand for energy storage, increased price competition, and potential trade tariffs against Chinese products in overseas markets [20][22]. - **Valuation Models**: Target prices for companies are based on discounted cash flow (DCF) models, with specific assumptions regarding growth rates and weighted average cost of capital (WACC) [19][21][23]. This summary encapsulates the essential insights from the conference call, highlighting the current state and future outlook of the China Renewable Energy sector, particularly in solar energy.

Key Takeaways from Solar Glass Expert Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the solar glass industry within the Greater China Materials sector, particularly in the Asia Pacific region [1] Core Insights 1. **Policy Controls**: - New capacity approvals for the solar glass industry are expected to be restricted, with no new approvals post-January 2024 for projects that have not started construction [2] - Stricter energy consumption standards may lead to the exit of smaller production lines [2] - Companies selling below the average production cost will face penalties, ensuring prices do not fall below this threshold [2] - Enhanced supervision and management are anticipated between companies and the industry association [2] 2. **Overseas Capacity Expansion**: - Current operating capacity overseas is approximately 11,000 tons per day (kt/d), projected to increase to around 20kt/d by the end of 2026 [3] - New production lines are planned in Southeast Asia, India, and North America [3] - Solar glass prices overseas command a premium of about 15% compared to the domestic market, with margins realized between 15-20% [3] - The price premium is expected to be sustained into 2026 due to stronger overseas demand and the timing of new line startups [3] 3. **Material Changes**: - The government has banned sodium pyroantimonate as a glass refining agent, now classified as a strategic metal [4] - Producers are testing alternative chemical compounds, which could potentially reduce refining agent costs by over 50%, although some reduction in module light transmittance is anticipated [4] 4. **Demand and Capacity Outlook**: - Demand in the second half of 2025 is impacted by the No.136 document released in February, which has reduced returns for ground-mounted power stations in China [9] - An estimated 15-17kt/d of capacity could start operations in 2026, but realistically only 12-13kt/d are likely to commence production next year [9] - Net capacity increase will be limited, with some lines expected to exit the market due to funding pressures from low profitability [9] - Operating capacity is projected to range between 83-93kt/d over the next 4-5 years [9] - Inventory levels have recently increased to approximately 24-25 days due to weakened demand and high market supply [9] - About 20-30% of capacity faces risks of exiting the market due to financial pressures [9] Additional Important Points - The insights were provided by Mrs. Wang, Shuai, a senior analyst at SCI, indicating a level of expertise in the field [4] - The report emphasizes the importance of considering these insights in the context of investment decisions, highlighting potential conflicts of interest due to Morgan Stanley's business relationships [7]

Summary of China Solar Profitability Tracker Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the solar industry in China, particularly the dynamics of upstream and downstream pricing, inventory levels, and profitability trends for companies in the sector [1][2]. Key Highlights - **Upstream Price Dynamics**: - Upstream price hikes paused in October, contrasting with a 5% month-over-month increase in September. This pause is attributed to weaker downstream price acceptance, exacerbated by a significant rise in silver paste prices, which increased by 18% month-to-date and constitutes 30%-40% of non-silicon cell processing costs [6][7]. - **Inventory Levels**: - Total poly inventory rose by 7% month-over-month to 275GW in October, with approximately 150GW at poly factory sites, 110GW at wafer factory sites, and 15GW through future contracts [6]. - Glass producer-side inventory days surged by 63% compared to the end of September, reaching 25 days in October, indicating muted shipment activity [6]. - **Production Estimates**: - Monthly poly production is expected to decline by 6% in November and December compared to October, primarily due to capacity suspensions in Central Western China [6]. - New solar glass capacity continues to increase, with one line of 1.2k tons/day launched and multiple new lines scheduled for the near future [6]. - **Export Volumes**: - Cell and module export volumes decreased by 10% and 4% month-over-month, respectively, to 11GW and 28GW. This decline is mainly due to reduced restocking activities as the overseas peak demand season in Europe and the Middle East concludes [6]. Profitability Insights - **Valuation Metrics**: - The market is currently pricing in 2026 prices for poly, wafer, module, and glass at Rmb58/kg, Rmb1.8/pc, Rmb0.66/w, and Rmb13/sqm, respectively. This contrasts with Goldman Sachs' estimates of Rmb42/kg, Rmb1.3/pc, Rmb0.67/w, and Rmb10/sqm, indicating an average downside risk of 34% for the covered companies [3][16]. - **Cash Profitability Trends**: - Spot price implied cash profitability remained largely flat in the upstream sector while deteriorating in the downstream sector [10]. - The average cash gross profit margin (GPM) for poly-tier 1 was reported at 37%, with a notable decrease in margins for cell and module segments [10]. Sector Outlook - The ongoing anti-involution campaign and newly imposed restrictions on below-cost pricing are expected to only mildly improve the pricing outlook for poly. Downstream players may still need to reduce selling prices to gain market share amid weak demand [7]. - The long-term profitability outlook remains low without a reduction in Tier 1 capacity [7]. Investment Preferences - The analysis indicates a preference for specific segments within the solar value chain: - **Buy Recommendations**: Film (Hangzhou First), High-efficiency Module (Longi) - **Neutral Recommendations**: Granular Poly (GCL Tech) - **Sell Recommendations**: Glass (Flat A/H, Xinyi Solar), Rod Poly (Daqo ADR/A, Tongwei), Wafer (TZE), and Equipment (Shenzhen S.C. and Maxwell) [7]. Additional Insights - The production-to-demand ratio for the sub-sector is projected to increase to 116% in October from 113% in September, indicating a potential oversupply situation [11]. - Producer-side inventory days are likely to rise to 34 days in October from 30 days in September, further highlighting inventory concerns [13]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights and data points from the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and outlook of the solar industry in China.