Reports say Trump is "less optimistic" privately about reaching an agreement with Iran; industrial gases sector gains strength.

On April 7, the industrial gases concept sector saw volatile gains, with Chengzhi Co., Ltd. (000990.SZ) hitting the daily limit. Huali Group (600623.SH), Lühua Technology (600691.SH), Zhengfan Technology (688596.SH), Linde Gas? (688268.SH), Haohua Technology (600378.SH), and others led the advance.

On the day, the three major indices all spiked and then pulled back; the ChiNext Index turned green. Earlier, it had once risen by more than 1%, while the STAR 50 Index rose by more than 1.5%. In terms of market themes, hot sectors rotated quickly. The chemical sector kept rising, with more than ten constituent stocks hitting the daily limit. Directions such as large-scale refining and chemical integration and organosilicon led the gains, with Qixiang Tengda (002408.SZ) hitting its second consecutive daily limit for the fourth day. Jiangnan Fibers (600527.SH), Husheng Silicon Industry (603260.SH), and Sanfangxiang (600370.SH) also hit the daily limit.

On the news front, a research report from Guojin Securities noted that the Middle East war has caused helium prices to keep rising, and attention should be paid to related beneficiary gas companies. The war has dealt severe damage to helium production facilities in Qatar. The report said it expects helium prices to keep rising and recommends focusing on gas companies that benefit.

According to data from Zhuochuang Information on industrial gases, Qatar’s helium production accounts for about 30% of global supply, and in 2025, China’s import share from Qatar reached 54%. Media reports said that on March 18, the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar was hit by a missile attack. Qatar has since shut down the Ras Laffan LNG production facilities. Helium exports from Qatar are expected to fall sharply. Under this impact, helium prices have reversed the downward trend that had persisted over the past few years and have started to grow rapidly. According to Zhuochuang Information on industrial gases, from March 5 to April 2, the retail price of helium rose from 76 yuan per cube to 107 yuan per cube, a gain of 42%, including a week-on-week increase of 19.5% for the week of April 2.

According to a report from Xinhua News Agency, the U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal reported on April 6 that mediators feel pessimistic about Iran “giving in” to the last deadline set by U.S. President Trump before re-opening the Strait of Hormuz, with hopes for a U.S.-Iran ceasefire “dimming.” The report said that some U.S. officials stated that before the last deadline set by Trump—7:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the 7th—the U.S. and Iran’s positions were “too far apart to bridge.” Meanwhile, according to officials from Arab countries familiar with the situation, Iranian officials told the mediators that even if negotiations with the United States make progress, they expect the United States to continue strikes against Iran, and Israel would continue airstrikes on Iran to “remove” Iran’s senior officials.

Citing some U.S. officials, the report said that Trump is “not as optimistic” about an agreement being reached with Iran, and expects to issue the final order to strike Iran on the evening of the 7th Eastern Time. However, Trump’s thinking may change at any time depending on developments in the situation. Trump wants to end the war, and he knows that the American public’s patience for further military actions is limited.