According to the monitoring of the commodity market analysis system of Shengyishe, the prices of industrial grade lithium carbonate and battery grade lithium carbonate have shown a delayed trend this week, with overall stability and small fluctuations. On April 18, 2024, the average domestic mixed price of industrial grade lithium carbonate was 109000 yuan/ton, an increase of 0.18% compared to the average price of 108800 yuan/ton on April 14. On April 18th, the average domestic mixed price of battery grade lithium carbonate was 115800 yuan/ton, a decrease of 0.86% compared to the average price of 116800 yuan/ton on April 14th.

By observing market changes, it can be seen that the price of lithium carbonate has remained stable and fluctuated slightly this week, with the spot price difference between industrial grade lithium carbonate and battery grade lithium carbonate continuously widening. In terms of supply, the production recovery and profit margin restoration of lithium salt enterprises after maintenance have led to a continuous increase in lithium carbonate production. However, it is understood that some lithium salt companies have reported that their supply in April has already been fully pre-sale with long orders and no discount coefficient. Currently, there is no excess supply for individual sales, so the liquidity of lithium carbonate spot is still relatively tight.

In terms of demand, downstream positive electrode enterprises purchase low-priced goods from a small number of lithium salt enterprises and the trading market to supplement the supply of scattered orders outside the long-term contract. However, their wait-and-see sentiment rises as prices fall, and there has been no replenishment action by positive electrode enterprises in the spot market. Recently, the market has entered the signing of long-term orders in May, with a slight decrease in prices, in order to purchase more low-priced goods from the trading market to supplement supply. However, the purchasing price from lithium salt enterprises remains high.

The lithium hydroxide market has fluctuated and risen narrowly. Recently, the prices of spodumene concentrate have remained stable and the prices of lithium carbonate have fluctuated slightly. Cost support is relatively stable, and the inventory of finished products on the supply side is in the middle position. The downstream high nickel production is extremely stable, with an increase in production. The market atmosphere is active, and the demand side has increased to support the market’s price boosting mentality. However, downstream buyers of high priced raw materials are still cautious, and the lithium hydroxide market is mainly adjusting narrowly.

The price of downstream lithium iron phosphate has slightly declined, as lithium iron phosphate enterprises tend to negotiate orders based on actual discounts on the price of lithium carbonate purchased. Therefore, recently, with the slight decrease in the price of battery grade lithium carbonate, the price of lithium iron phosphate has loosened and decreased.

In terms of futures, the price of lithium carbonate futures continues to fluctuate, and the total position continues to decline. On April 18th, the opening price of the LC2407 main contract was 109900 yuan/ton, the closing price was 108400 yuan/ton, and the highest price was 111850 yuan/ton, with a daily decline of 0.73%. The transaction volume was 131600 lots and the position was 174354 lots.

Lithium carbonate analysts from Business Society believe that as the May Day holiday approaches, downstream markets will gradually increase their demand for raw material reserves. Downstream buyers mainly buy from the trade market on dips, and the purchase price of lithium salt plants remains high. The price difference between industrial carbon and electric carbon continues to widen, which continues to benefit the demand for electric carbon. It is expected that the short-term spot price of lithium carbonate will mainly operate steadily.