Investment Rating - The report maintains an investment rating of "Outperform" for the lithium battery industry [6][10]. Core Insights - The lithium battery sector index outperformed the CSI 300 index in January 2026, with a rise of 3.31% compared to the CSI 300's 1.65% [3][10]. - In January 2026, China's new energy vehicle sales slightly increased to 945,000 units, a year-on-year growth of 0.11%, while the power battery installation reached 42.0 GWh, up 8.25% year-on-year [6][16]. - The prices of upstream raw materials have generally increased, with battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide prices rising by 19.17% and 26.67% respectively since early January 2026 [6][44][46]. - The report emphasizes the overall upward trend in industry prosperity, driven by domestic and international developments, price trends in sub-sectors, monthly sales, and industry growth expectations [6][10]. Summary by Sections 1. Market Review - The lithium battery sector index showed a strong performance in January 2026, outperforming the CSI 300 index by 1.66 percentage points [3][10]. - Among individual stocks, 55 stocks in the lithium battery concept sector rose, while 49 fell, with a median increase of 0.87% [10]. 2. New Energy Vehicle Sales and Industry Prices - In January 2026, new energy vehicle sales in China were 945,000 units, with a monthly market share of 40.28% [6][16]. - The report forecasts continued growth in the new energy vehicle sector, despite a projected slowdown in sales growth due to policy changes and base effects [20][23]. 3. Industry and Company News - The report highlights significant industry developments, including the establishment of a large electric vehicle charging network in China, which supports over 40 million new energy vehicles [58]. - Notable partnerships and technological advancements in the battery sector are also discussed, indicating ongoing innovation and collaboration within the industry [58].

Core Viewpoint - The lithium battery industry in China is experiencing significant growth, with a projected total investment exceeding 820 billion yuan by 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of over 74% [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Expansion and Investment - By 2025, there will be over 282 publicly announced investment projects across the entire lithium battery supply chain in China, including lithium batteries, key materials, solid-state batteries, and sodium batteries [1][2]. - Major manufacturers like CATL and Guoxuan High-Tech are accelerating their expansion plans, with Guoxuan High-Tech aiming to raise 5 billion yuan for a 60GWh lithium battery capacity project [2]. - The overall capacity utilization rate in the lithium battery industry is expected to exceed 80% by Q2 2026, indicating a recovery from previous overcapacity issues [3]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Supply Constraints - The supply of lithium battery cells is currently tight, with many manufacturers having initiated expansion plans that will come online in the latter half of 2025 [3][6]. - The demand for lithium batteries is projected to grow significantly, with total sales expected to reach 1,700.5 GWh in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 63.6% [7]. - The transition to larger cell formats, such as the shift from 300Ah to 314Ah cells, is underway, with future upgrades to even larger cells anticipated [11]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Technological Advancements - The iteration of battery cell production lines is becoming a core competitive advantage for manufacturers, with Guoxuan High-Tech benefiting from the introduction of its third-generation cells [8][9]. - The third-generation cells utilize a manganese iron phosphate chemistry, which can reduce costs by 10%-15% and improve low-temperature performance [9]. - The competitive landscape is intensifying as leading battery manufacturers strive to meet the growing demands of the market while optimizing their production capabilities [9]. Group 4: Cautious Outlook from Energy Storage Integrators - Energy storage integrators are approaching their battery expansion plans with caution, despite the increasing demand for storage batteries [14][15]. - Many integrators are facing challenges in securing battery supplies, leading to a reliance on high-priced purchases from external sources [15][16]. - The overall sentiment among energy storage companies is that while demand will continue to rise, the rapid increase in lithium battery production capacity may outpace demand growth, making further investments in battery production potentially unwise [16].

Group 1: Photovoltaic Industry - The photovoltaic industry is experiencing a clear upward trend due to supply-side clearing and demand-side support, with expectations of profitability recovery in 2026 as inefficient companies exit the market and leading firms enhance efficiency through technological upgrades [1][14] - In 2025, China's photovoltaic industry saw a significant increase in installed capacity, reaching 315.07 GW, with a year-on-year growth rate of 13.67%, despite a slowdown in the second half of the year [14][16] - The introduction of policies aimed at preventing "involution" in the industry has led to a recovery in prices, with polysilicon prices rising over 50% from June to November 2025, indicating a shift towards a more rational pricing environment [22][29] Group 2: Wind Power Industry - The wind power industry is expected to benefit from a favorable supply-demand structure, with significant growth anticipated in offshore wind projects and exports, particularly in 2025 [1][3] - The domestic wind power market is projected to continue its growth trajectory, with offshore wind becoming a key focus area, supported by increasing demand for domestic and international markets [1][3] - Investment recommendations include focusing on leading manufacturers in the wind turbine sector and companies involved in high-barrier components such as submarine cables, which are expected to see increased demand [3][3] Group 3: New Energy Vehicles - The new energy vehicle sector in China is projected to achieve sales of 16.49 million units in 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 28.2%, driven by stable market demand and improved product structures [2][3] - The industry is witnessing a recovery in profitability as supply-side chaos is effectively managed, with significant price increases in key materials like lithium hexafluorophosphate and vinyl carbonate [2][3] - The transition to a high-quality development phase is expected in 2026, supported by technological innovations and enhanced supply chain capabilities [2][3] Group 4: Lithium Battery Industry - The lithium battery industry is experiencing a recovery in profitability as inefficient production capacity is eliminated, with key materials seeing price increases and demand from new energy vehicles and energy storage continuing to rise [8][8] - Recommendations include focusing on leading companies in the battery and structural components sectors, which are expected to benefit from the industry's recovery [8][8] - The commercialization of solid-state batteries is accelerating, with several companies making significant progress in this area [8][8]

Core Insights - The strategic partnership between Guoxuan High-Tech and BASF aims to develop next-generation solid-state battery technology, focusing on high-performance materials through collaborative innovation [1][2]. Group 1: Partnership Details - Guoxuan High-Tech and BASF signed a memorandum in Hefei, Anhui, to jointly develop solid-state battery technology, emphasizing the co-development of core materials [1]. - The collaboration will leverage Guoxuan's capabilities in solid-state battery industrialization and BASF's expertise in advanced materials [1][2]. - The partnership aims to address key technical bottlenecks in the commercialization of solid-state batteries through joint design and targeted material development [1][2]. Group 2: Technological and Market Implications - Guoxuan has made progress with its Jinshi all-solid-state battery, achieving a 90% yield rate and an energy density of 300 Wh/kg on its pilot line [1]. - The collaboration reflects a competitive landscape in solid-state battery technology, with Guoxuan adopting a multi-faceted strategy that includes both all-solid-state and hybrid solid-liquid battery solutions [2]. - The partnership signifies a shift for Chinese battery companies from manufacturing leadership to innovation in materials and systems, aiming to create a unique technological moat [3].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the accelerated expansion of lithium battery manufacturers, with major companies like CATL and Guoxuan High-Tech planning significant investments to increase production capacity [2][5][6] - CATL announced a public issuance of corporate bonds to raise up to 5 billion yuan for project construction and operational funding [2] - Guoxuan High-Tech plans to raise 5 billion yuan to invest approximately 13 billion yuan in building 60GWh lithium battery capacity, positioning itself as a key player in the market [2][8] Group 2 - The lithium battery industry is experiencing a surge in investment, with over 282 projects planned in China, totaling more than 820 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of over 74% [2] - The supply of lithium battery cells is currently tight, with many manufacturers having initiated expansion plans that will come online in the latter half of 2025 [3][7] - The demand for lithium batteries is expected to grow significantly, with cumulative sales projected to reach 1,700.5GWh in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 63.6% [7] Group 3 - The expansion of production capacity is primarily driven by the demand in the terminal market, especially in the energy storage sector, leading to a temporary supply-demand imbalance [7] - Guoxuan High-Tech's third-generation battery cells, which utilize a manganese iron phosphate chemical system, are expected to enhance competitiveness by reducing costs by 10%-15% [8] - The industry is witnessing a shift towards larger cell formats, with plans to transition from 300Ah to 587Ah cells, which may improve cost efficiency but also raise safety concerns [10] Group 4 - Despite the optimistic outlook, companies in the energy storage sector are cautious about expanding their battery production capacity due to market dynamics and competition [11][13] - The current market conditions have led to a situation where many companies are prioritizing international orders over domestic demand, creating pressure on local delivery capabilities [11][12] - Companies like Sungrow Power Supply are still evaluating the feasibility of entering battery cell production, indicating a cautious approach to future investments [14]

Core Viewpoint - Guoxuan High-Tech plans to raise up to 5 billion yuan for the expansion of lithium battery production capacity and to supplement working capital, amidst significant existing debt and cash flow challenges [1][3]. Group 1: Fundraising and Investment Plans - The company aims to raise no more than 5 billion yuan, with allocations of 2 billion yuan for a 20GWh power battery project, 1 billion yuan for a 20GWh new energy battery base, 1 billion yuan for a new lithium-ion battery manufacturing base, and the remaining 1 billion yuan for working capital [3]. - The total investment for the new capacity projects is over 14 billion yuan, combined with a previously announced 8 billion yuan expansion, bringing the total to 22 billion yuan [1][4]. Group 2: Financial Health and Debt Situation - As of the end of Q3 2025, the company had short-term borrowings of nearly 28 billion yuan and long-term borrowings exceeding 20 billion yuan, with a debt-to-asset ratio rising to 71.72% [5]. - The company's cash flow issues are highlighted by a significant increase in construction in progress, which rose from 14.8 billion yuan at the beginning of the year to 21.0 billion yuan, a 42.16% increase [5]. Group 3: Revenue and Profitability Concerns - The company expects a net profit of 2.5 to 3 billion yuan for 2025, with approximately 1.7 billion yuan derived from fair value changes related to the listing of Chery Automobile [8]. - Government subsidies and other income have exceeded net profit in recent years, indicating reliance on non-operational income sources [8]. Group 4: Accounts Receivable and Cash Flow Issues - The company's cash collection ratio is significantly lower than that of leading battery manufacturers, ranging between 60% and 70% [9]. - Accounts receivable and their turnover days have been increasing, with turnover days rising from 122 days in 2022 to 152 days in 2024, suggesting a resurgence of previous cash collection issues [11].

Group 1: Production Data - In January 2026, the total production of power and energy storage batteries in China was 168.0 GWh, a month-on-month decrease of 16.7% but a year-on-year increase of 55.9% [1][6]. - The production of ternary batteries was 31.3 GWh, accounting for 18.6% of total production, with a month-on-month decrease of 23.1% and a year-on-year increase of 51.1% [13]. - The production of lithium iron phosphate batteries was 136.7 GWh, making up 81.3% of total production, with a month-on-month decrease of 14.8% and a year-on-year increase of 57.1% [13]. Group 2: Sales Data - In January 2026, the total sales of power and energy storage batteries in China reached 148.8 GWh, a month-on-month decrease of 25.4% but a year-on-year increase of 85.1% [2][14]. - Power battery sales were 102.7 GWh, accounting for 69.0% of total sales, with a month-on-month decrease of 28.6% and a year-on-year increase of 63.2% [2][18]. - Energy storage battery sales were 46.1 GWh, making up 31.0% of total sales, with a month-on-month decrease of 17.0% and a year-on-year increase of 164.0% [2][19]. Group 3: Export Data - In January 2026, the total export of power and energy storage batteries was 24.1 GWh, a month-on-month decrease of 26.0% but a year-on-year increase of 38.3%, accounting for 16.2% of total sales [2][22]. - Power battery exports were 17.7 GWh, representing 73.3% of total exports, with a month-on-month decrease of 7.1% and a year-on-year increase of 59.3% [2][24]. - Energy storage battery exports were 6.4 GWh, accounting for 26.7% of total exports, with a month-on-month decrease of 52.6% and a year-on-year increase of 1.4% [2][26]. Group 4: Installation Data - The domestic installation of power batteries in January 2026 was 42.0 GWh, a month-on-month decrease of 57.2% but a year-on-year increase of 8.4% [3][40]. - Ternary battery installations were 9.4 GWh, accounting for 22.3% of total installations, with a month-on-month decrease of 48.6% and a year-on-year increase of 9.6% [3][44]. - Lithium iron phosphate battery installations were 32.7 GWh, making up 77.7% of total installations, with a month-on-month decrease of 59.1% and a year-on-year increase of 8.1% [3][44]. Group 5: Key Material Demand - In January 2026, the demand for key materials for power and energy storage batteries included 63,000 tons of ternary materials and 342,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate materials [64][65]. - The demand for negative electrode materials was 235,000 tons, while the demand for separators was 3.36 billion square meters [64]. - The demand for electrolyte for ternary batteries was 28,000 tons, and for lithium iron phosphate batteries, it was 205,000 tons [64][65].

Domestic News - Shanghai has opened over 5200 kilometers of autonomous driving testing roads, aiming to expand the application space for intelligent connected vehicles and create a multi-level application scenario layout by 2025 [4] - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released a directory revealing the range information of several new energy vehicles, with high-end models approaching a pure electric range of 1000 kilometers, such as the Tengshi Z9 with a maximum range of 1068 kilometers [5][6] - AITO brand has signed a cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi Motors' subsidiary, Performance Plus Motors, to officially enter the UAE market for sales and after-sales operations [7] - General Motors announced that its localization rate in the Chinese supply chain has exceeded 95%, emphasizing its commitment to strengthening its business in China [8][9] - The China Automotive Technology and Research Center and Changan Automobile Group have established a parts technology company in Chongqing with a registered capital of 100 million yuan [10] - FAW has successfully installed a high-energy density lithium manganese solid-liquid battery, achieving a range of over 1000 kilometers [11] - Guoxuan High-Tech will collaborate with BASF to develop next-generation solid-state battery technology [12] - Loobo and Uber plan to launch fully autonomous taxi services in Dubai in the first quarter of 2026, marking the city's first such service [13] International News - India's automotive export value reached $12.15 billion in FY25, a 10.7% increase from the previous fiscal year, driven by record exports of passenger and two-wheeler vehicles [14] - South Korea's January imports of passenger cars increased by 38% year-on-year, with local car manufacturers also seeing a 10% increase in sales [15] - Waymo has launched fully autonomous taxi services in Nashville, Tennessee, and plans to collaborate with Lyft for expanded service [16] - Audi is accelerating the digitalization of its factories and expanding AI applications, with about 100 use cases under development [17] Commercial Vehicles - FAW Liberation has signed a strategic agreement with a Saudi dealer, marking a significant breakthrough in the Middle East market [18] - The first government-publicly procured unmanned logistics vehicle project has been implemented in Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province [19] - The U.S. International Trade Commission has made a preliminary ruling on anti-dumping and countervailing duties regarding van-type trailers and their components from Mexico, Canada, and China [20] - Beijing Automotive Group, Tongxingbao, and Huochezhijia have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to promote the large-scale implementation of pre-installed ETC systems in commercial vehicles [21][22]

Group 1 - Chemical ETF rose by 2.10%, outperforming the Shanghai Composite Index by 2.01 percentage points [1] - PTA production cut confirmed by Xin Feng Ming, with 2.5 million tons of PTA capacity being taken offline, indicating a tightening supply which supports the recovery of PTA profit margins [1] - Gotion High-Tech signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with BASF to focus on next-generation solid-state battery technology, with expectations for small-scale production of all-solid-state batteries by CATL in 2027 [1] - Zhejiang Longsheng raised the price of disperse dyes by 2000 yuan/ton, marking a potential turning point in the industry due to supply discipline and cost anchoring [1] Group 2 - The 14th Five-Year Plan will promote carbon peak measures, with restrictions on high-energy-consuming products expected to be implemented, indicating a clearer turning point for the chemical industry [2] - The real estate sector is showing signs of stabilization, particularly in first-tier cities, which may lead to a gradual recovery in the industry, highlighting investment opportunities in the chemical real estate chain [2] - The CSI sub-industry chemical theme index (000813) rose by 2.32%, with significant gains in stocks such as Xinzhou Bang (up 8.16%) and Tongkun Co. (up 7.82%) [2] Group 3 - As of January 30, 2026, the top ten weighted stocks in the CSI sub-industry chemical theme index (000813) accounted for 44.82% of the index, including Wanhua Chemical and Yilong Co. [3]

Group 1 - Ganzhou Guoxuan Low-altitude Economy Co., Ltd. has been established with a registered capital of 50 million RMB [1] - The legal representative of the new company is Huang Zhangxi [1] - The business scope includes manufacturing of new energy propulsion equipment, research and development of motor and control systems, manufacturing of intelligent unmanned aerial vehicles, and manufacturing of mechanical and electrical equipment [1] Group 2 - The company is wholly owned by Hefei Guoxuan High-tech Power Energy Co., Ltd. (002074) [1]