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[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Fell Sharply on March 3] The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index price fell sharply from the previous working day. Futures side, after the most-traded contract opened at 170,000 yuan/mt in the morning session, it fluctuated downward throughout the session and at one point touched the limit-down price of 150,800 yuan/mt. It then rebounded slightly and hovered around 154,000 yuan/mt, but weakened again after the midday session and ultimately stayed locked at limit-down through the close. Open interest in the most-traded contract fell by about 39,000 lots from the previous trading day. Actual transactions, upstream lithium chemical plants’ willingness to sell spot orders remained weak, with a clear sentiment to hold back sales. After prices fell rapidly in the morning, downstream material plants’ purchase willingness strengthened markedly, and most enterprises adopted a laddered order-placement strategy to buy on dips. Overall, market inquiries were active and transaction momentum increased significantly.

[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Fluctuate Upward on March 2] SMM's battery-grade lithium carbonate index price edged up compared to the previous working day. In terms of futures movement, the most-traded contract opened and surged to a high of 179,500 yuan/mt before fluctuating and pulling back, breaking below the 170,000 yuan/mt level, and then gradually stabilized and rebounded to consolidate around 172,000 yuan/mt. In the afternoon, prices edged up again, mainly fluctuating around 173,500 yuan/mt until the close. The open interest of the most-traded contract decreased by about 3,200 lots compared to the previous trading day. In terms of actual transactions, upstream lithium chemical plants maintained relatively firm quotes, with a weak willingness to sell spot orders. When futures prices dropped to 170,000 yuan/mt, some downstream material plants showed a slight recovery in purchase willingness, but most participants remained cautious, primarily adopting a wait-and-see approach. Overall, there were signs of a slight recovery in market inquiries and transactions.

[SMM Daily Review: February 27 Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Edged Down] Today, SMM lithium carbonate prices edged down slightly compared with the previous working day. On the futures side, the most-traded contract dipped below 170,000 yuan/mt after opening, then rebounded to around 173,000 yuan/mt and fluctuated rangebound. In the afternoon session, prices edged up and hovered around 176,000 yuan/mt until the close, with open interest increasing by about 6,400 lots from the previous trading day. In terms of actual transactions, offers from upstream lithium chemical plants remained firm, while willingness to sell spot orders weakened compared with the previous day. Downstream material plants showed some recovery in purchase willingness when prices were at relatively low levels, but most remained cautious and adopted a wait-and-see stance. Overall, market inquiries and transactions remained sluggish.