[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Drop Slightly on August 5]
The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index price was 70,988 yuan/mt, down 139 yuan/mt MoM from the previous working day. Battery-grade lithium carbonate prices ranged from 69,600 to 72,800 yuan/mt, with an average price of 71,200 yuan/mt, down 150 yuan/mt MoM from the previous working day. Industrial-grade lithium carbonate prices ranged from 68,500 to 69,700 yuan/mt, with an average price of 69,100 yuan/mt, down 150 yuan/mt MoM from the previous working day.
In August, the production schedule growth rate for downstream cathodes and battery cells remains optimistic, with increased procurement demand and active inquiry behavior from downstream buyers. However, due to the continued strengthening of the spot-futures price spread in the current lithium carbonate spot market, actual transactions are predominantly just-in-time procurement. Downstream buyers still maintain a wait-and-see attitude, with no significant stockpiling behavior observed. It should be noted that there is still no official confirmation regarding the subsequent developments of mines in Jiangxi Province. All parties are urged to avoid blindly following market trends.