[SMM Analysis] Weak Demand in Consumer Electronics, Declining Demand for LCO

Published: Mar 26, 2026 17:20

This week, LCO market prices were generally stable, with slight fluctuations in line with movements in the raw material lithium carbonate. In Q1, the impact of chips on consumer electronics exceeded market expectations. In addition, battery cell manufacturers currently had relatively sufficient raw material inventory, and purchase willingness had yet to recover. Recently, price negotiations between battery cell manufacturers and end-users were underway, and changes in end-use demand will directly affect the subsequent procurement pace of battery cells for cathode materials. Therefore, market participants generally maintained a wait-and-see attitude, with most transactions consisting of the execution of rigid demand under existing plans. In the short term, LCO prices are expected to remain largely stable, and close attention should be paid to whether the results of downstream price negotiations will provide a substantive boost to demand.

Wang Cong 021-51,666,838

Ma Rui 021-51,595,780

Feng Disheng 021-51,666,714

Lv Yanlin 021-20,707,875

Zhou Zhicheng 021-51,666,711

Zhang Haohan 021-51,666,752

Wang Zihan 021-51,666,914

Wang Jie 021-51,595,902

Xu Yang 021-51,666,760

Yang Lianting 021-51,595,835

Wang Zhaoyu 021-51,666,827

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.

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