[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Continued to Rise on January 26]
The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index stood at 178,964 yuan/mt, up 10,004 yuan/mt WoW. SMM Battery-grade lithium carbonate was quoted at 178,000-185,000 yuan/mt, with the average price at 181,500 yuan/mt, up 10,500 yuan/mt WoW. SMM Industrial-grade lithium carbonate was quoted at 175,000-181,000 yuan/mt, with the average price at 178,000 yuan/mt, up 10,500 yuan/mt WoW.

The most-traded lithium carbonate futures contract fluctuated downward today, with a decline of 6.56%, and the price fluctuation range was 163,500-189,400 yuan/mt. In terms of actual market transactions, upstream spot order willingness to sell increased when prices were at a relatively high level in the morning. However, as prices fell rapidly later, upstream lithium chemical plants gradually strengthened their reluctance to sell. Downstream material plants maintained their procurement pace as needed and began stockpiling for February production. They adopted a cautious wait-and-see attitude when prices were high during the early session. As prices fluctuated and fell rapidly, some plants' willingness to purchase spot orders increased. Overall, market inquiries and transaction activity improved compared with the previous period.