Lithium Carbonate Prices Decline Further Amid Futures Slump and Market Sentiment Weakness

[SMM Daily Commentary: Lithium Carbonate Prices Dipped on September 9]

The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index price stood at 72,107 yuan/ton, marking a decline of 348 yuan/ton from the previous working day; the price range for battery-grade lithium carbonate was 70,300-74,200 yuan/ton, with an average price of 72,250 yuan/ton, representing a decrease of 350 yuan/ton from the previous working day; industrial-grade lithium carbonate ranged from 67,100 to 69,000 yuan/ton, averaging 68,050 yuan/ton, a drop of 350 yuan/ton compared to the previous working day. The transaction price center of the lithium carbonate spot market continued to shift downwards. Following a significant drop in futures prices, lithium salt factories closely aligned with futures prices adjusted their quotes downwards, while the remaining lithium salt factories mainly maintained a firm pricing sentiment, with limited price reductions. The psychological price expectations of downstream material factories continued to decline, further widening the price gap with upstream lithium salt factories. Although downstream production schedules for September continued to improve, considering the cumulative domestic lithium carbonate inventory levels, lithium carbonate prices are expected to remain weak.