Valin Steel(SZ:000932)2025-07-21 00:42Industry Overview - The steel industry is currently in a downward cycle that began in mid-2022, with a loss ratio of 26.14% among large and medium-sized steel enterprises, although this has narrowed year-on-year [2][3] - Demand for steel is expected to decline slowly in the long term, but there are structural opportunities in manufacturing, shipbuilding, wind power, silicon steel, and new energy vehicles [2][3] - The cost of raw materials like coking coal has decreased by 32% in the first half of the year, improving the supply-demand balance and leading to a downward shift in price levels [2][3] Government Policies - The government has emphasized the need to regulate the steel industry to combat "involution" and has proposed continuous control of crude steel production [3] - The new 2025 version of the "Steel Industry Normative Conditions" aims to promote high-quality development through optimization and elimination of outdated capacity [3] VAMA's Market Position - VAMA focuses on the high-end automotive steel market, having developed 137 steel grades since its inception in 2014, including advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) and ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) [5][6] - VAMA's sales to new energy vehicle manufacturers have been increasing, with both Phase I and II of production nearly at full capacity [5][6] Future Developments - VAMA plans to introduce 24 advanced steel grades, including Ductibor®1500 and Fortiform® series, to enhance its competitive edge [8][9] - The third phase of VAMA's project is progressing, with plans to incorporate advanced vacuum coating technology (JVD technology) to improve production capabilities [10][11] Financial Performance - The company has maintained a leading profitability level in the industry, despite fluctuations due to transitional factors and maintenance schedules [12][13] - The cash dividend for 2024 is set at 1.00 yuan per 10 shares, with a payout ratio of 34%, which is an increase of 2.7 percentage points from the previous year [19] R&D Investment - The company has significantly increased R&D investment to support the development of new products and maintain competitiveness in high-end steel markets [16][17] - R&D expenses typically exceed 3% of revenue for large and medium-sized steel enterprises, reflecting the industry's commitment to innovation [17]