LiCarbonate Daily Insights - April 11th Edition

Published: Apr 11, 2024 17:32

Source: SMM

Save

Today's lithium carbonate market remained stable with the SMM index at 112,316 yuan/ton (~15,513.26 USD/ton), while futures dropped by 3.06%, reflecting cautious market optimism.

Market Pulse: Stability Amid Adjustments

Today's lithium carbonate market shows a nuanced equilibrium with the SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index at 112,316 yuan/ton (~15,513.26 USD/ton), a slight decrease of 308 yuan. Despite this, battery-grade lithium carbonate prices remained stable, spanning 112,000 yuan/ton (~15,469.61 USD/ton) to 114,500 yuan/ton (~15,814.92 USD/ton), with an unwavering average of 113,250 yuan/ton (~15,642.27 USD/ton). The industrial-grade segment mirrored this steadiness, holding its ground with prices between 108,500 yuan/ton (~14,986.19 USD/ton) and 111,500 yuan/ton (~15,400.55 USD/ton), averaging at 110,000 yuan/ton (~15,193.37 USD/ton).

This general stability persists amidst firm pricing sentiment among lithium salt producers, most maintaining their quoted prices with only a few adjusting downwards, suggesting a strong market demand for more competitively priced lithium carbonate stocks from downstream sectors, such as cathode manufacturers, who are gradually increasing their purchasing volumes.

Futures Market Dynamics: A Downward Adjustment

The lithium carbonate (2407) main futures contract took a different path, experiencing a 3.06% decrease. Opening at 115,600 yuan/ton (~15,966.85 USD/ton) and settling at 112,500 yuan/ton (~15,538.67 USD/ton), the contract's trading volume stood at 195,122 lots, with open interest decreasing by 4,150 lots to 180,154 lots. This movement marks a period of correction, showcasing initial volatility followed by a stabilization towards the close.

Refreshing Perspectives: Adapting to Market Sentiments

The day's trading underscores a delicate balance where spot market prices remain steady against a backdrop of selective downstream purchasing, highlighting a preference for competitively priced lithium carbonate amidst broader market adjustments. This scenario reflects a trend of cautious optimism and strategic purchasing as stakeholders navigate through fluctuating price signals and supply-demand dynamics, emphasizing the importance of monitoring both supply-side sentiments and downstream purchasing patterns in understanding the market's direction amidst changing economic landscapes.

* You can subscribe to LiCarbonate Daily and it will be sent to your email daily; To subscribe, simply send an email to me : robinhe@smm.cn *

If you have any questions regarding the recent movement of lithium carbonate market (e.g. what caused it and how this can affect your business), or would like to know more comprehensive pricing info on Lithium Carbonate. Please feel free to reach out to me:

Robin He

SMM Li-ion Battery Materials Department

E: robinhe@smm.cn | T: +86-21-51595884

Futures market Market review Output SMM price price of metal metal prices Energy Storage EV New Energy new energy prices Lithium Prices

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

2 hours ago

Congo cobalt exporters fear losing quotas due to administrative glitch, sources say

According to an industry letter seen by Reuters, exporters have been unable to submit export declarations through the customs platform since July 1 because ARECOMS, the Democratic Republic of Congo's strategic minerals regulator, has not formally notified customs to continue processing export quotas. As a result, major producers including CMOC Group, Glencore, Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) and Huayou Cobalt have been unable to complete export procedures. Meanwhile, ARECOMS requires companies to utilize their first-half export quotas by July 5, after which any unused volumes will be withdrawn and reallocated. Industry sources estimate that around 60%–75% of companies are unlikely to meet the deadline due to administrative delays. If the issue is not resolved promptly, up to 20,000 tonnes of cobalt exports, worth approximately US$1.1 billion at current prices, could be affected. CMOC alone could lose almost all of its second-quarter export quota. SMM will continue to monitor developments.

2 hours ago

4 hours ago

Jiangsu Huachen Signs Yuan 221 Million Energy Storage Equipment Contract

Jiangsu Huachen announced that it has signed an equipment sales contract with Ningxia Tianpuxin Technology Co., Ltd. for energy storage PCS and step-up integrated units, with a total contract value of Yuan 221 million. The company said successful execution of the contract is expected to have a positive impact on its operating results this year and in the future.

4 hours ago

Tinci Materials Terminates 243,000-tpy Lithium Battery Materials Project

Tinci Materials announced that its subsidiary Nantong Tinci has terminated its planned 243,000-tpy lithium battery and fluorochemical materials project. The company said the decision was driven by an oversupply in the electrolyte industry, intensified market competition, and changes in the fluorochemical market, which weakened the project's expected returns. Tinci has begun evaluating new product plans for its Nantong facility.

4 hours ago