Profit Outshines on Rising Metal Prices in 1Q26
发布时间:2026-05-03 来源:华泰证券
Western Mining reported 1Q26 revenue of RMB18.72bn(up 13.19%YoY,up 41.37%QoQ)and attributable NP of RMB1,586mn(up 96.34%YoY,up 127.49%QoQ),with recurring NP at RMB1,607mn(up 105.82%YoY).The strong attributable NP performance was driven by favorable YoY and QoQ price increases of the company's main products.We are optimistic about its value expansion due to:1)100%of its assets being located domestically with relatively low geopolitical risks;2)solid growth potential,as the company expects to complete infrastructure construction for Phase III of the Yulong Copper Mine by end-2026,on the heels of its 2025 resource additions surpassing 1.3mn tonnes,suggesting further expansion potential;and 3)the Chating copper polymetallic mine acquisition of 2025,a rare large-scale high-quality copper mine sold in China in recent years,boding well for significant profit contribution post development.Maintain OVERWEIGHT.
Earnings outshine on rising metal prices in 1Q26
In 1Q26,the company maintained stable production,with output of mined copper/zinc/lead/iron ore powder/molybdenum/gold/silver reaching 42kt/29kt/13kt/265kt/1,095t/76kg/31t,completing 25/22/21/12/25/27/24%of Western Mining’s full-year guidance.We attribute the strong 1Q26 attributable NP performance to price hikes of its main products,as domestic copper/zinc/molybdenum/gold/silver prices rose 30/1/21/62/166%YoY and 13/7/7/15/62%QoQ.Additionally,the company holds equity in Dongtai Lithium Resources;moreover,domestic lithium carbonate prices surged 104%YoY and 75%QoQ in 1Q26,contributing RMB78.29mn in investment income from associates and JVs.Western Mining also produces sulfuric acid as aby-product of smelting,and sulfuric acid supply has tightened since 2025,with prices trending upward.In 1Q26,domestic sulfuric acid prices rose 122%YoY and 31%QoQ.
Low exposure to geopolitical risk with sound growth potential
All of the company's mining resources are located domestically in Xizang,Inner Mongolia,Xinjiang,and Sichuan,presenting relatively low geopolitical risk.Key assets include:1)the core Yulong Copper Mine in Xizang(58%stake),a major profit contributor with 2025 copper output of 152kt.The Phase III expansion was approved by Xizang Development and Reform Commission in June 2025,which is expected to increase ore processing capacity from 22.8mtpa to 30mtpa upon completion,with infrastructure scheduled for completion by end-2026 and commercial production starting in early 2027.In 2025,the mine added 1.3142mt of copper resources and 107.7kt of associated molybdenum resources,demonstrating abundant reserves.Western Mining has initiated preliminary work for Phase IV,currently in the feasibility study stage.2)In 2025,it secured the exploration rights for Chating Copper Polymetallic Mine in Anhui for RMB8.6bn.The mine contains 660kt of copper resources at 0.54%average grade,1.09mt of low-grade copper at 0.24%,and 248t of associated gold at 0.43g/t,along with zinc and silver.This represents one of the few large-scale high-quality copper mines sold in China over the past decade.The company targets project completion and commissioning by end-2030.
Earnings forecasts and valuation
We maintain our earnings forecasts,estimating its 2026-2028 attributable NP at RMB5.8/6.1/6.7bn.We apply 13.3x 2026E PE for the company,in line with its peers’average on Wind consensus,deriving our target price of RMB32.47(previous:RMB30.62,on 12.5x 2026 PE).Maintain OVERWEIGHT.
Risks:Commodity price volatility,copper mine commissioning time later than we expect.