Momenta Files for $1B IPO in Hong Kong Amid Autonomous Driving Boom

As losses in its automotive business continued to increase, Japanese automaker Honda sought to strengthen its product lineup in the domestic Japanese market and therefore planned to import vehicles from the US and China for sale at home. After Honda’s automotive business posted an operating loss of 166.4 billion yen ($1.1 billion) in the first nine months of the fiscal year, it was reassessing its strategy in an effort to improve competitiveness.

[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Continued to Decline on March 4] The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index price continued to fall from the previous working day. In terms of futures performance, the most-traded contract fluctuated within the range of 146,000–155,700 yuan/mt, while open interest in the most-traded contract decreased by about 600 lots from the previous trading day. In terms of actual transactions, upstream lithium chemical plants’ willingness to sell spot orders remained weak, with strong sentiment to hold back supply and hold prices firm. Morning prices fell rapidly to below 150,000 yuan/mt, boosting purchase willingness among downstream material plants. At present, most enterprises adopted a laddered order-placement strategy to buy on dips. Overall, market inquiries and transactions were relatively active.

[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.