End-Use Consumption Remains Weak, Rising Lead Prices Curb Downstream Purchases [SMM Lead-Acid Battery Market Weekly Review]

       This week, consumption in the lead-acid battery market remained weak, and the battery wholesale market showed divergent trends. Sales promotions continued in some regions, while in others they ended due to higher lead prices, and battery selling prices rebounded somewhat. Among them, the wholesale price of the main 48V20Ah e-bike battery model was quoted at 370-400 yuan/set. Consumption in the automotive battery market was also weak; producers generally produced based on sales, and some enterprises gradually resumed production after high-temperature shutdowns ended. Lead prices rose this week, with SHFE lead briefly touching the 16,000 yuan/mt mark; downstream enterprises showed strong wait-and-see sentiment, procurement was mainly based on rigid demand, and spot lead trading was thin. Toward the weekend, lead prices pulled back somewhat; some downstream enterprises restocked on dips for rigid demand, and market trading improved slightly.