五矿期货：“双保险”策略，助力碳酸锂企业化险为盈

Core Insights - The lithium carbonate market experienced explosive growth in 2021, with prices reaching a historical high of 600,000 yuan/ton, followed by a sharp decline to below 65,000 yuan/ton, leading to a contraction in profits for many companies [1] - Z Company, a small enterprise in the lithium mining sector, has managed to expand during this downturn by effectively utilizing lithium carbonate futures to hedge against price fluctuations [1][2] Industry Overview - The lithium carbonate market faced a significant supply-demand imbalance in 2024, with prices dropping from 97,000 yuan/ton at the beginning of the year to 75,000 yuan/ton by year-end, averaging around 91,000 yuan/ton, a decrease of approximately 65% compared to 2023 [2] - The downturn has pressured many companies in the lithium supply chain, particularly smaller firms that struggle to cope with price volatility [2] Company Strategy - Z Company, which has been in the lithium industry for less than five years, has diversified its operations by adding lithium carbonate production and sales to its original business of raw mineral trading [2][3] - To mitigate risks associated with price declines, Z Company established short positions in the futures market while simultaneously purchasing lithium ore, effectively creating a hedge against potential losses [3][4] Financial Performance - By employing a comprehensive risk management strategy that includes futures trading, Z Company was able to offset losses from its physical inventory, achieving a profit of 2.06 million yuan despite a 720,000 yuan loss in the spot market by the end of July 2024 [4][5] - The company's operational scale has doubled compared to 2023, allowing it to acquire more local mines in Africa and achieve counter-cyclical expansion [5] Market Dynamics - The introduction of lithium carbonate futures has diversified the market participants, enabling upstream companies like Z Company to sell directly to downstream customers, thus broadening their sales channels [5] - The collaboration with futures institutions has been crucial for Z Company, enhancing its understanding of risk management and the value of futures services [5]