China Basic Materials Monitor (January 2019): Seasonal weakness, divided expectations
Our monthly China Basic Materials Monitor incorporates our proprietary survey of over 50 industry contacts to track: 1)
forward orderbook trends; and 2) inventory levels at producers and end-users. The survey includes aggregated comments
from producers and manufacturers in downstream sectors such as auto, appliance, machinery and property developers as
well as steel mills, cement producers, metal fabricators, container board producers and box makers, and industry
associations.
Our orderbook survey in January suggests end demand remains weak, yet the sequential trend indicates no further
deterioration beyond seasonality at present. While it is still too early to get concrete indications, selected producers in
cement, steel, and machinery are seeing more local infrastructure projects approvals on the ground, and most expect normal
seasonal demand pickups in the coming construction season. On the other hand, the metals demand outlook remains
depressed for the coming months, as reflected in the earlier take off and longer CNY break planned at downstream
fabricators.
Steel remains our most preferred sector, followed by coal, both of which are more attractive in terms of the equity
risk/reward profile within our coverage, followed by cement, aluminum, based on the industry supply/demand outlook.
Among the Hong Kong listed names, our top picks are Angang-H (on CL) and Yanzhou-H (Buy), based on the upside to our
target prices, risk adjusted. We are most cautious on Chinese paper, and have Sell ratings on ND Paper and Chenming-A and
Chenming-H. Among A-share listed names, our top pick is Baosteel (Buy), followed by Yanzhou-A (Buy) based on
risk-adjusted upside to our target prices.
On a relative basis, we like Angang-H due to its higher earnings visibility, combined with our preference for flat products
(Angang‘s main product). We like Baosteel due to its higher earnings visibility, strong cash flow generation, and higher
dividend payout.
Channel checks – forward orderbook trend
Feedback from producers as of mid-January 2019 suggests that orderbooks were stable for end-demand and basic materials
weakened month on month.
Realised sales trends in December 2018 were mostly inline with producers’ expectations n
The month-on-month end-user forward orderbook trend is stable, with 8% of respondents expecting a month-on-month n
improvement in January versus 8% in December, and 15% of respondents expect a month-on-month decline in January
versus 17% December. The trend is mostly inline with past seasonality.
21 January 2019
5
Goldman Sachs
China Basic Materials Monitor
Our orderbook survey in
January suggest end demand
remains weak, yet the
sequential trend indicates no
further deterioration beyond
seasonality at present
Feedback from producers as of
mid-January 2019 suggests that
orderbooks were stable for
end-demand and weakened for
basic materials month on
month.