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

7 hours ago

Southwest China’s First Direct All-Cargo Flight Route to Africa Launched

[Southwest China’s First Direct All-Cargo Flight Route to Africa Launched] On 28 August, the first scheduled all-cargo flight route from Southwest China directly to Africa – the Chengdu Tianfu to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia – was officially launched. It is understood that the service operates twice weekly (on Mondays and Fridays), with each flight having a maximum cargo capacity of 100 tonnes. Inbound shipments primarily consist of African specialities such as coffee, fresh flowers, and fruit and vegetables; outbound shipments mainly comprise high-value-added products such as new energy vehicles, photovoltaic equipment and lithium-ion batteries. Addis Ababa is one of Africa’s key aviation hubs. Leveraging the local route network, goods departing from Chengdu can be transhipped to several major African cities upon arrival in Addis Ababa; conversely, goods from Africa can enter the western Chinese market via Chengdu and be distributed to other regions through transport networks including air, road and rail. The launch of this new route also adds a new air freight corridor for economic and trade exchanges between western China and Africa.

7 hours ago

Huawei Enters the Battery-Swapping Market; Yijing’s Second Model to Feature a Battery-Swapping Version

[Huawei Enters the Battery-Swapping Market; Yijing’s Second Model to Feature a Battery-Swapping Version] Yijing, the new energy brand jointly developed by Dongfeng and Huawei, is considering a battery-swapping version for its second model; the project is currently in the preliminary research phase. On the eve of the 2026 Chengdu Motor Show, the Yijing X9 officially launched nationwide pre-sales, offering three range-extended variants with pre-sale prices ranging from 299,800 to 379,800 yuan – 180,000 yuan cheaper than the starting price of the 2026 Aito M9.

7 hours ago

[SMM Analysis] In August, the Electrolyte Raw Material Side Was Structurally Tight, with a Time Lag in Finished Product Price Transmission

[SMM Analysis: Structural Tightness in Electrolyte Raw Materials in August; Finished Product Price Transmission Lags] In August, the lithium battery industry chain entered a pre-stocking cycle ahead of the "September-October peak season." Demand from both the power battery and energy storage sectors continued to be released, driving a steady rise in electrolyte industry operating rates and production. The industry as a whole continued to show a structural pattern of ample nominal capacity for finished electrolyte but tight supply of core raw materials such as LiPF6 and VC. Rising prices of upstream lithium chemicals and additives pushed up finished electrolyte prices, but these increases had not yet been fully transmitted to downstream clients. Future price trends still need to be continuously monitored along with raw material price changes and the extent of transmission.

7 hours ago