2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2025-11-17 06:44Core Viewpoint - Lithium carbonate futures have surged over 7%, with the main contract exceeding 94,000 yuan/ton, marking a new high in over a year, driven by supply constraints and strong downstream demand [2][3] Group 1: Market Performance - As of midday trading, the lithium battery sector in the A-share market saw significant gains, with companies like Shengxin Lithium Energy and Rongjie Co. hitting the daily limit, while Tianqi Lithium, Yongxing Materials, and Ganfeng Lithium also experienced notable price increases [2] - In October, the production of new energy vehicles reached 1.772 million units, a month-on-month increase of 9.59%, while sales were 1.715 million units, up 6.12% [3] Group 2: Demand and Supply Dynamics - The demand for lithium carbonate is showing unexpected resilience, particularly driven by the robust performance of the new energy vehicle sector, with a reported 84.1 GWh of power batteries installed in October, reflecting a month-on-month increase of 10.7% and a year-on-year increase of 42.1% [2][3] - The storage sector is also contributing to increased demand, with significant growth in orders for related companies, as evidenced by a 45.6% year-on-year increase in power cell production [3] Group 3: Future Price Predictions - Ganfeng Lithium's chairman predicts a 30% increase in lithium carbonate demand by 2026, potentially reaching 1.9 million tons, with supply expected to grow by 250,000 tons, suggesting a balanced supply-demand scenario [3] - Current market sentiment is optimistic regarding lithium carbonate prices, with potential for prices to exceed 150,000 yuan/ton if demand growth surpasses 30% next year [3][4] Group 4: Divergent Market Opinions - Despite the strong price momentum, there are differing opinions among institutions regarding future price trends, with some analysts suggesting a strong price environment due to declining inventories and storage policy support [5] - Others express caution, noting a slight month-on-month decline in bidding data and potential seasonal slowdowns in demand, particularly in the traditional off-peak season [5]