KG: Consumer Sentiment Beats, Manufacturing Contracts & Lithium Stocks Slide

Consumer Sentiment - Consumer sentiment improved slightly, coming in at 51, surpassing the street's expectation of 50.3, although lower than the previous 53.6 [1][2] - Current conditions were reported at 51.1, missing expectations of 52.3, while consumer expectations were at 51, exceeding the forecast of 49 [2][3] - One-year inflation expectations decreased to 4.5%, down from 4.6%, and better than the anticipated 4.7% [3] Economic Indicators - S&P Global Flash PMI showed services at 55 and manufacturing at 51.9, indicating a mixed economic outlook [6][7] - Manufacturing remains weak but is not in contraction, while services exceeded expectations [6][7] - New orders in the services sector spiked significantly, marking the largest rise since 2024, suggesting potential demand growth [8] Commodity Market - Oil prices are under pressure, currently at $57 per barrel, influenced by geopolitical developments regarding Ukraine and Russia [11][19] - Lithium prices may be affected by the reopening of a mine in China, which accounts for about 3% of global supply, potentially easing supply constraints [12][13][16] - The overall commodity market is experiencing varied narratives, with different factors influencing prices across sectors [17][18]