Accessible version Basic Materials - China Copper & Gold Rebound; Aluminum Margins Improve; Lithium Strong Industry Overview Metals: Aluminum Margins Improve; Gold Rebounds This week, market attention centered on the end of the U.S. government shutdown, which eased risk-off sentiment and supported copper prices. LME copper rose 1.5% WoW to US$10,856/t, while China price gained 1.3% WoW to RMB87,200/t. LME aluminum slipped 0.2% WoW to US$2,830/t, whereas China aluminum price increased 1.7% WoW to RMB21,910/t ...

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 The expert expects policy controls targeting the solar glass industry, mainly through: 1) no new capacity approvals. Capacity approved post Jan 2024 that has not started construction will likely not be allowed to enter the industry; 2) higher energy consumption standards, which may lead to the exit of some smaller lines; 3) prices should not fall below the industry's average production cost, with penalties for companies selling below that level; and 4) improved supervision and management betwe ...

27 October 2025 | 8:01AM CST Equity Research CHINA SOLAR: TRACKING PROFITABILITY INFLECTION Upstream price hike paused in Oct, downstream price acceptance likely weakened by higher silver price 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 Oct MTD: Valuation wise, we believe the market is currently pricing in Poly/Wafer/Module/ ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the renewable energy sector in China, particularly the implications of new climate targets set for 2035 by the Chinese government [2][7]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **New Climate Targets**: China aims to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 7% to 10% from peak levels and increase the non-fossil fuel mix in energy consumption to over 30% by 2035, with a specific target of 25% for 2030 [2][7]. 2. **Renewable Capacity Expansion**: The goal is to expand wind and solar capacity to 3600 GW by 2035, a significant increase from 1700 GW in August 2025. However, the implied annual installation rate of approximately 180 GW from 2025 to 2035 is seen as underwhelming compared to the over 230 GW per year achieved from 2021 to 2025 [2][3]. 3. **Support for Non-Electrification Uses**: The National Energy Administration emphasizes the use of renewable energy (RE) for producing green hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, which could drive additional demand for RE and aid in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like cement and shipping [3][7]. 4. **Challenges and Solutions**: Near-term challenges such as weak power demand and grid curtailments are expected to be resolved as energy storage and grid capacity improve [3]. Investment Recommendations 1. **Top Picks in the Supply Chain**: - **GCL Technology Holdings (3800 HK)**: Target price of HKD 1.80, with a potential upside of 40.6% due to expected recovery in polysilicon and solar glass prices [4][11]. - **Xinyi Solar (968 HK)**: Target price of HKD 4.40, with a potential upside of 28.7%, benefiting from solar glass demand [4][20]. - **Longyuan Power (916 HK/001289 CH)**: Target prices of HKD 8.80 and RMB 21.60 for H and A shares respectively, with potential upsides of 13.7% and 28.2% [4][27]. Financial Highlights - **GCL Technology Holdings**: - Revenue expected to grow from CNY 15,098 million in 2024 to CNY 30,526 million by 2027 [12]. - Net profit projected to turn positive by 2026, reaching CNY 1,133 million [12]. - **Xinyi Solar**: - Revenue forecasted to increase from CNY 21,921 million in 2024 to CNY 28,103 million by 2027 [20]. - Net profit expected to rise to CNY 3,694 million by 2027 [20]. - **Longyuan Power**: - Revenue anticipated to grow from CNY 31,370 million in 2024 to CNY 37,362 million by 2027 [27]. - Net profit projected to reach CNY 8,646 million by 2027 [27]. Risks and Considerations - **GCL Technology Holdings**: Risks include significant drops in polysilicon prices and potential demand issues from international markets due to trade disputes [11]. - **Xinyi Solar**: Risks involve lower-than-expected average selling prices (ASPs) for solar glass and increased competition in the market [11]. - **Longyuan Power**: Risks include lower-than-expected tariffs affecting revenue and potential impairments related to renewable energy subsidies [11]. Additional Insights - The setting of official climate targets for 2035 is seen as a positive development, providing a clearer direction for the renewable energy sector [2][3]. - The focus on renewable energy applications beyond electrification is expected to create new growth opportunities in the sector [3][7]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, highlighting the strategic direction of the renewable energy industry in China and the investment opportunities within it.

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 solar glass, polysilicon, wafers, solar cells, and modules. Key Points and Arguments Policy Developments - The **Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)** and other Chinese administrations issued a new policy titled "Work Plan for Stabilizing Growth in the Building Materials Industry (2025-2026)" aimed at promoting low carbon and digitalization in the construction materials industry. This policy is expected to facilitate the consolidation of solar glass production by shifting focus from 'project management' to 'planning oriented', which may help eliminate inefficient production capacity [1][1][1]. Price Trends - **Midstream solar product prices** (wafer, solar cells, and solar glass) increased by **1-3% week-over-week (wow)**, while upstream polysilicon and downstream solar module prices remained stable [1][1][1]. - **Polysilicon prices** saw a slight increase of **0.2% wow**, averaging **Rmb52.3/kg** for n-type grade rod-type polysilicon, while granular silicon prices remained unchanged at **Rmb49.5/kg**. Polysilicon inventory at producer plants decreased by **6.8% wow** to **204k tonnes** [2][2][2]. - **Wafer prices** for n-type products rose by **1.5% wow** to **Rmb1.35/W** for 182mm products and **1.2% wow** to **Rmb1.70/W** for 210mm products. Total wafer inventory increased by **1.9% wow** to **16.9GW** [3][3][3]. - **Solar cell prices** increased by **2.5% wow** to **Rmb0.32/W** for TOPCon products, with expected output rising by **1.5% wow** to **60.0GW** in September [3][3][3]. - **Module prices** experienced a slight decline, with average prices for TOPCon modules decreasing by **0.6% wow** to **Rmb0.66/W** for utility-scale projects [4][4][4]. Demand and Production Insights - **Solar installation demand** in China remains muted due to tariff uncertainties, but module export demand has grown significantly, with a **41.9% year-over-year (yoy)** increase in module export volume to **26.6GW** in August [6][6][6]. - Monthly module output is expected to rise by **2.2% month-over-month (mom)** and **2.4% yoy** to **50.3GW** in September [6][6][6]. - **Solar glass prices** increased by **1.1% wow** to **Rmb13.5/m2** for 2.0mm products, while the inventory period decreased by **6.8% wow** to **15.0 days** [7][7][7]. Company Recommendations - The report expresses a favorable outlook on companies such as **Sungrow** and **Deye**, which are expected to benefit from the growing demand for energy storage systems. Additionally, it recommends buying shares in upstream polysilicon makers like **GCL**, **Tongwei**, **Daqo**, and **TBEA** due to anticipated industry consolidation driven by anti-involution measures [1][1][1]. Additional Important Information - The report highlights the potential for increased capacity utilization among module companies to produce more with low-cost materials amid rising upstream solar product prices [6][6][6]. - The operational daily solar glass melting capacity remained unchanged at **89,290 tonnes**, but some companies plan to increase capacity due to improved profitability [7][7][7]. This summary encapsulates the key insights and developments discussed during the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the China Renewable Energy sector.

Core Insights - Homerun Resources Inc. has signed a non-binding offtake agreement with Brasil Fotovoltaico for the supply of 180 thousand tonnes of solar glass annually at a price of USD 750 per tonne [1][2] - The company aims to cover the full initial capacity of its solar glass plant with offtake agreements, projecting an increase to 450 thousand tonnes, exceeding the planned capacity of 1000 tonnes per day [2] - The agreement is non-binding and will be formalized once the solar glass plant reaches a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) [3][4] Company Developments - The BFS process is progressing rapidly, with internal calculations for production plant engineering and equipment suppliers completed [7] - Discussions are ongoing with the Brazilian Government's industrial development bank (BNDES) for financing the capital expenditure (CAPEX) required for the facility [7] - The company is positioned as a key supplier for solar glass in Brazil, benefiting from increased tariffs on solar module imports that support domestic manufacturing [5] Industry Context - Brazil has recently surpassed Germany to become the third-largest country for annual installed capacity of solar modules, primarily relying on imports [5] - Brasil Fotovoltaico aims to establish a vertically integrated industrial complex in Brazil, focusing on the entire solar supply chain from polysilicon to solar modules [8] - Homerun is committed to sustainable production technologies and aims to deliver shareholder value through strategic execution in the global energy transition [12]

Summary of China Solar Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the solar industry in China, particularly the dynamics of module pricing and profitability trends [1][5][11]. Key Highlights - **Module Price Trends**: Early signs of a module price increase were noted with China Huadian's 20GW solar project bidding starting at an average of Rmb0.71/w, which is 6% higher than the current spot module pricing of Rmb0.67/w [5][17]. - **Supply/Demand Outlook**: The monthly supply/demand ratio is expected to worsen, deteriorating to 1.4X-2.1X in August from 1.3X-1.7X in July, primarily due to slow supply cut adjustments [5][12]. - **Inventory Levels**: Significant inventory increases were observed in the Poly and Module segments, with Poly inventory rising by 10% month-over-month to 158GW and Module inventory increasing by 23% to 34GW [5][12]. - **Sector View**: The solar sector is believed to be at a cyclical bottom, with a potential inflection point expected around the second half of 2026. Long-term profitability is anticipated to remain low due to a slowdown in demand growth in China [5][11]. Financial Metrics - **Profitability Trends**: Cash gross profit margins (GPM) and EBITDA margins improved for upstream companies but deteriorated for downstream companies in August [6][9]. - **Spot Price Changes**: The average cash GPM for various segments showed mixed results, with Poly GPM at +1pp, Wafer at -5pp, Cell at -6pp, and Module at -9pp month-to-date [9][21]. - **Production Increases**: Production across the value chain is expected to increase by 5%-20% month-over-month in August, with specific increases of +19% for Poly, +5% for Wafer, and +12% for Module [11][12]. Pricing Dynamics - **Value Chain Pricing Stability**: Overall, value chain prices remained stable in August, with a notable 6% increase in Glass prices due to rapid inventory depletion [5][17]. - **Average Cash Profit Changes**: The average cash profit for Poly was reported at Rmb12.0/kg, while for Granular Poly it was Rmb16.3/kg, indicating a positive trend in upstream profitability [21]. Additional Insights - **Inventory Days**: The average inventory days across the value chain are expected to remain at 40 days in August, reflecting a diversified inventory situation relative to demand [12][15]. - **Challenges Ahead**: The implementation of price hikes and profitability improvements is seen as challenging without significant fiscal support and changes in local government incentives [5][11]. 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.

Summary of China Solar Profitability Tracker Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the solar industry in China, specifically tracking profitability trends and supply/demand dynamics within the solar value chain [1][5]. Key Highlights - **Module Price Trends**: Early signs of module price increases were noted, with China Huadian's 20GW solar project bidding starting at an average of Rmb0.71/w, which is 6% higher than the current spot module pricing of Rmb0.67/w. This price hike followed a joint meeting by six ministries on August 19 [5]. - **Supply/Demand Outlook**: The monthly supply/demand ratio is expected to worsen, estimated to be between 1.4X-2.1X in August, down from 1.3X-1.7X in July. This deterioration is attributed to slow supply cut adjustments, with increased inventory pressures in the Poly and Module segments [5][12]. - **Production Increases**: Production across the value chain is expected to increase by 5%-20% month-over-month in August, with specific increases of +19% for Poly, +5% for Wafer and Cell, and +12% for Module [11]. - **Inventory Dynamics**: End-August inventory is projected to decline significantly in the Cell and Glass segments due to higher module production demand, while Poly and Module inventories are expected to rise [12]. Financial Metrics - **Profitability Trends**: Cash gross profit margins (GPM) and EBITDA margins have shown improvement in upstream segments but have deteriorated in downstream segments. For example, the cash GPM for Poly is at 29%, while for Modules, it is at -3% [6][9]. - **Spot Price Changes**: As of August 21, 2025, spot prices for most value chain products remained stable, except for a 6% increase in Glass prices due to rapid inventory depletion [17][21]. Sector View - The report suggests that the solar sector is at a cyclical bottom, with a potential inflection point expected around the second half of 2026. However, normalized profitability is likely to remain low due to a slowdown in demand growth in China [5]. - **Investment Preferences**: The report indicates a preference for investments in Cell & Module and Film segments, while showing a bearish outlook on Glass, Poly, Wafer, and Equipment segments [5]. Additional Insights - **Challenges in Implementation**: The anticipated price hikes and profitability improvements are contingent on effective implementation of policies, which currently face challenges due to a lack of fiscal support and changes in local government incentives [5]. - **Diverse Inventory Days**: The average inventory days across the value chain are expected to remain at around 40 days in August, reflecting a diverse inventory situation relative to demand [12][15]. This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call regarding the current state and outlook of the solar industry in China, highlighting both opportunities and risks for investors.

Summary of Conference Call on Glass Industry Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the glass industry, specifically focusing on float glass and solar glass sectors in Greater China [1][6]. Key Points and Arguments Solar Glass Fundamentals - Solar glass supply has tightened since June due to industry-wide losses and declining demand, with maintenance on 9,700 tons per day (t/d) of capacity [2][10]. - Effective operating capacity has decreased to approximately 86,000 t/d, supporting about 45-46 gigawatts (GW) of monthly module production [2][10]. - Inventory levels have dropped to around 27 days, down from a peak of 36 days, due to reduced supply and restocking by module producers [21][23]. - Solar glass prices increased to Rmb10.5-11 per square meter (sqm) in August, driven by resilient module demand and reduced supply [2][22]. Float Glass Market Conditions - Float glass prices remain under pressure due to high supply and muted demand, with operating capacity at 159,000 t/d, down about 10% from the peak of 177,000 t/d in November 2021 [3][27]. - Demand from property developers is weak, with order days at processing plants at a multi-year low of 9.6 days as of the end of July [3][37]. - The industry is experiencing a significant decline in demand, with over 30% shrinkage in the same period [3]. Potential Anti-Involution Impact - The possibility of anti-involution in the glass sector is considered unlikely, but if implemented, it could occur through energy consumption controls, which would effectively reduce supply and potentially increase prices [4][43]. - Approximately 33.4% of float glass capacity still relies on coal, while smaller production lines account for 37% of overall capacity, which could be affected by stricter energy regulations [4][45]. - If anti-involution were to occur, it could lead to a significant reduction in supply for both float and solar glass, creating upward price pressure [4][57]. Stock Implications and Price Targets - The analysis maintains an underweight (UW) rating on float glass companies like Xinyi Glass and Kibing due to ongoing price pressures [5]. - An overweight (OW) rating is maintained on Xinyi Solar and Flat Glass, with price targets raised to reflect improved industry fundamentals and potential anti-involution impacts [5][66]. - Price targets for various companies were adjusted, including: - Xinyi Solar: from HK$3.10 to HK$3.50 - Flat Glass Group: from Rmb19.40 to Rmb20.10 - Xinyi Glass: from HK$6.70 to HK$7.00 - Kibing Group: from Rmb4.50 to Rmb4.90 [5][66]. Earnings Estimates Adjustments - Earnings estimates for Xinyi Solar and Flat Glass were updated to reflect actual earnings and market conditions, with EPS estimates raised by 16% for 2025 [59][66]. - For Kibing Glass, EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 were increased by 77% and 23%, respectively, due to improved market conditions [73]. Other Important Insights - The glass industry is currently facing a challenging environment with high supply and low demand, particularly in the float glass segment [3][38]. - The potential for anti-involution policies could significantly alter market dynamics, but the likelihood of such measures being implemented remains low [43][57]. - The overall sentiment in the glass market is cautious, with producers facing ongoing challenges related to profitability and inventory management [3][22].