[SMM Analysis] Refined Cobalt Rises While Cobalt Salt Halts Losses, but Over Two Months of Inventory Still Weighs Overhead: How Long Can Sentiment-Driven Prices Last?
This week, the rally in refined cobalt boosted sentiment in the cobalt salt market. Cobalt chloride and Co3O4 prices halted losses and stabilized. Cathode plants showed increased interest in locking in orders, but most of this was phased dip-buying, with limited transmission to upstream cobalt chloride. As of October, Co3O4 inventory still covered more than two months of demand. SMM believes sentiment can only provide short-term support, and the medium and long-term oversupply pattern remains unchanged. Cobalt salt prices are expected to move sideways in the short term.