碳酸锂05月报：成本支撑下移，打开锂价下行空间-20250430

Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant information provided. Core Viewpoints of the Report - The price of lithium carbonate has been on a downward trend. In May, demand remains stable as the slight increase in power demand is offset by the decline in energy storage demand. Supply is expected to increase slightly as some smelters resume production, leading to an expansion of the surplus and a potential new high in inventory. The price is likely to test the support level of 65,000 yuan, and a short - selling strategy on rebounds is recommended [4][77]. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 1. Review and Outlook - Price Trend: After reaching a high of 81,000 yuan before the Spring Festival, the price of lithium carbonate has dropped by 15%, with the lowest point below 68,000 yuan. After the Tomb - Sweeping Festival in April, it gapped down and then fluctuated weakly, reaching a minimum of 67,500 yuan/ton [3]. - Demand Side: Sino - US tariffs have affected the US new - energy vehicle market and supply chain, potentially damaging the orders of ternary cathode factories with high export ratios in China. The procurement of lithium carbonate for energy storage due to the "531" rush has ended in March, and energy storage orders are weakening. In April, cathode factories' production increased slightly month - on - month, but their purchasing was restrained [3]. - Supply Side: In April, production first increased and then decreased. Some smelters conducted annual maintenance, and some reduced production due to a lack of (low - price) ores or losses. The price of Australian ores has fallen below $800/ton, and the market expects it to drop to $750/ton. Although domestic supply in April may be lower than the previous production plan, it still increased by thousands of tons compared to March [3]. - Inventory and Market Conditions: SMM social inventory increased slightly despite production cuts, indicating weak demand. The price volatility has decreased, reducing the arbitrage opportunities. The spot basis has strengthened, and holders are more inclined to sell spot goods [4]. - Outlook for May: Demand remains stable as the slight increase in power demand is offset by the decline in energy storage demand. Supply will increase as some smelters resume production, and the surplus will expand, with inventory expected to first decrease and then increase, reaching a new high [4]. 2. Market Tracking - Lithium Carbonate Price and Spread Changes: After the Tomb - Sweeping Festival in April, the price gapped down and fluctuated weakly. The volatility has decreased, reducing the arbitrage opportunities for cross - period and spot - futures traders. The spot basis has strengthened, and holders are less willing to register warehouse receipts [10]. - Upstream Lithium Ore Price and Import Profit and Loss Trends: The price of imported lithium spodumene concentrate decreased by $20/ton (3.2%), and the price of mica ore decreased by 180 yuan/ton (10.2%). Smelter production cuts have forced upstream mines to lower prices, leading to a spiral decline in lithium salt and lithium ore prices [19]. - Downstream Cathode Material Price Trends: Tariffs have little impact on China's new - energy vehicle exports but affect the export of energy storage systems and lithium batteries. Some ternary cathode material enterprises in China have suspended raw material procurement to deal with potential risks [22]. 3. Supply - Demand Fundamentals - April: Weak Seasonal Features with Slight Growth - New - Energy Vehicles: From April 1 - 20, the retail sales of new - energy passenger vehicles in China reached 478,000, a 20% year - on - year increase but an 11% month - on - month decrease. The global new - energy vehicle market in 2025 (January - February) showed a slowdown in growth in Europe and the US. China's new - energy vehicle exports increased significantly from January - March, and the news of the EU potentially replacing tariffs with a minimum price may boost exports to Europe [34][35]. - Energy Storage: The "531" rush for energy storage procurement has ended, and the demand for lithium carbonate has weakened. After the Sino - US tariff increase in April, some enterprises suspended exports and renegotiated prices. The market has different views on future demand [45]. - Cathode Factories: The production of power and energy storage cells in China from January - March increased significantly year - on - year. In May, the production of ternary cathode materials is expected to increase by about 1,000 tons, while the demand for lithium iron phosphate may decline as the increase in power demand is offset by the decrease in energy storage demand [50][51]. - May: Slight Increase in Lithium Carbonate Supply - Lithium Ore Price and Cost: Third - party institutions predict that the ore price will fall to below $750/ton. The cost of large integrated mines is decreasing, and African mines are the most profitable source of outsourced ores. The logistics cost of African mines is expected to decline [58]. - Domestic Smelters: In April, at least 6 smelters planned or carried out maintenance and production cuts, affecting a production volume of over 5,000 tons. In May, more than half of the enterprises undergoing annual maintenance will resume production, and some small and medium - sized enterprises are waiting for the ore price to fall. The import volume of lithium carbonate in May is expected to increase, and the total domestic supply will increase slightly [63][64]. - Excess Re - Expands, Price Fluctuates Weakly: In April, the weekly inventory increased, indicating weak demand. As of April 24, the SMM social inventory of lithium carbonate was 131,800 tons, and it is expected to reach a new high in May. The supply pressure will become more apparent from May, and the price of the main contract 2507 may test the support level of 65,000 yuan. A short - selling strategy on rebounds is recommended [77].