The three major A-share indices closed slightly higher, with chemical stocks leading a surge in limit-up hits.

Ask AI · How is the high level of tanker freight profitability affecting the trend of A-share energy sector stocks?

According to a report from Oriental Fortune Network, on April 7, all three major A-share indexes closed slightly higher today as a group: the Shanghai Index rose 0.26%, closing at 3890.16 points; the Shenzhen Component Index rose 0.36%, closing at 13400.41 points; and the ChiNext Index rose 0.36%, closing at 3160.82 points. The total trading value of the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets was 1.61 trillion yuan, down 42.1 billion yuan from the previous trading day.

 	
Most industry sectors closed higher. Rare earths, chemical raw materials, agrochemical products, petroleum and petrochemicals, coal, small metal, and agriculture and animal husbandry/forestry/fishing sectors led the gains, while insurance and banking sectors led the declines.

On individual stocks, more than 3,900 stocks across the market rose, including 101 hitting the daily limit. Rare-earth stocks surged, with Sinocera Rare Metals hitting the daily limit. The chemical sector saw a wave of daily-limit rallies—more than 30 chemical stocks such as Chitianhua, Lutianhua, Liuzhua Shares, Ciyihua Shares, Gold Bull Chemical, and others all hit the limit.

Caitong Haitong Securities believes that tanker shipping has entered a period of high profitability, with strategic value becoming more prominent. Tanker shipping profitability has already entered a high-profitability phase in 2025. In 2026, the situation in the Middle East will provide opportunities for changes in the gray market, and the firm expects the ultra-high profitability to continue.

1）Short term: Disruptions in passage through the Strait of Hormuz have caused trade disorder. In recent days, shipments from Yanbu Port and the U.S. Gulf have been gradually increasing. Regional price differentials and emergency rush shipments continue to support freight rates staying at a high level.

2）Medium term: If the strait restores navigation, tanker fleet capacity utilization will return to a high level. In addition, energy-strategy security may drive global restocking and rush-shipping demand. Combined with long-jin merchant shipping fleet capacity controls, high profitability can be sustained.

3）Long term: If gray-market sanctions are lifted, its exports will shift to compliant demand. But the related shadow fleets are unlikely to be able to switch back to the compliant market, and tanker shipping will see ultra-high profitability.

On the downside, large financials fell; the insurance segment led the declines. China Taiping Insurance and China Life Insurance saw choppy pullbacks. Many stocks in the innovative drug concept weakened. Lianhuan Pharmaceuticals hit the daily limit on the downside, while LaiMei Pharmaceuticals, Runto股份, and Guangshengtang all fell sharply.

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