HK Stock Market Move | Cement stocks rose across the board, and cement prices were raised in many places nationwide. Companies have a strong desire to raise prices.

Cement stocks rose across the board. As of press time, CNBM (03323) rose by 2.8% to HK$5.88; Huaxin Building Materials Group (06655) rose by 1.91% to HK$17.09; Anhui Conch Cement (00914) rose by 1.4% to HK$23.18; CR BLDG MAT TEC (01313) rose by 0.59% to HK$1.71. On the news front, according to data from the China Cement Network Market Data Center, after the Lantern Festival, workers are gradually returning to work, combined with recent improving weather conditions, construction progress in various places has significantly accelerated, and cement market demand has steadily increased compared to the previous period. In addition, with current prices in a low range and rising production costs in some areas, companies have a strong intention to raise prices, and recently many regions nationwide have begun to notify the increase in cement prices. Around March 12, major enterprises in Anhui Hefei, Wuhu, Tongling, Chizhou, Xuancheng, and Ma'anshan started to notify price increases of about 20 yuan per ton for cement and clinker, and regional industry peers will gradually follow suit with price hikes. In addition, some areas in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Henan, and Qinghai have also started to follow suit in raising cement prices.