底部狂飙15%+，龙头股扭亏为盈

Market Overview - On July 18, the A-share market opened higher with major indices rising: Shanghai Composite Index up 0.34%, Shenzhen Component Index up 0.3%, and ChiNext Index up 0.26% [1] - The non-ferrous metals sector showed strong performance, particularly in rare earth, lithium, and nickel mining concepts, while photovoltaic-related concepts experienced a pullback [1] Lithium Market Dynamics - Lithium carbonate futures saw a significant rebound, with the main contract rising over 15% from its year-to-date low, peaking at a 4.32% increase during the day [2] - The spot price for battery-grade lithium carbonate was reported at 65,000 yuan/ton on July 17, an increase of 8.52% from the late June low of 59,900 yuan/ton [4] Supply Chain and Production Insights - Recent data indicates a substantial decline in lithium salt imports due to seasonal production cuts in Argentina and Chile, affecting shipment volumes [6] - Cangge Mining announced a halt in operations due to regulatory compliance issues, which is expected to impact lithium production [6] - Forecasts suggest that the lithium battery supply chain is at a historical low, with expectations for recovery in profitability and revenue growth in 2025 [6] Industry Outlook - Research from Zhongyuan Securities indicates that lithium battery demand will continue to grow, with a slowdown in price declines expected in 2024, leading to a recovery in industry profitability [6] - Guolian Minsheng Securities anticipates a peak in domestic lithium battery equipment upgrades around 2026-2027, following a previous expansion phase in 2020-2021 [7] Stock Performance - On July 18, lithium mining stocks collectively rose, with notable gains from Shengxin Lithium Energy and Jinyuan Co., both hitting the daily limit, and Tianshi Lithium and Zhongkuang Resources increasing over 3% [8] - A total of 14 lithium mining stocks have released half-year performance forecasts, with a 50% positive outlook in terms of profit growth or reduced losses [9][10] Institutional Interest - Several lithium mining stocks have attracted significant institutional attention, with Cangge Mining, Keda Manufacturing, and Yahua Group leading in the number of institutional research visits [10]