华宝期货碳酸锂晨报-20251218

1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the text 2. Core Views of the Report - The price of finished products is expected to move in a range-bound consolidation [2] - The price of lithium carbonate is expected to experience intensified range-bound fluctuations, with a focus on capital movements and attention to marginal changes in supply and demand [3] 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs Finished Products - Yungui region's short - process construction steel producers will halt production during the Spring Festival from mid - January, resuming around the 11th to 16th day of the first lunar month, affecting a total output of 741,000 tons. In Anhui, 1 out of 6 short - process steel mills stopped production on January 5, and most others plan to stop around mid - January, with a daily output impact of about 16,200 tons [1] - From December 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025, the contracted area of newly - built commercial housing in 10 key cities was 2.234 million square meters, a 40.3% MoM decrease and a 43.2% YoY increase [2] - The price of finished products continued to decline in a volatile manner, reaching a new low. In the context of weak supply and demand and pessimistic market sentiment, the price center continued to shift downward. Winter storage this year is sluggish, providing weak price support [2] Lithium Carbonate - The previous trading day, affected by domestic lithium mine production dynamics, the main contract of lithium carbonate closed at 108,600 yuan/ton, up 7.97%. Trading volume increased by 93.9% to 1.1586 million lots, with a slight 0.4% increase in positions. The net short position of the main contract continued. The spot price was 97,050 yuan/ton, with a basis of - 11,570 yuan/ton, indicating a significant premium of futures over spot [1] - The overall trading activity does not match the price increase, mainly supported by the rigid demand of a small number of enterprises [1] - On the supply side, raw material prices rose slightly, with a significant YoY increase, strengthening cost support. The weekly operating rate was 51.29%, a 0.27% MoM increase, and output was 21,998 tons, a 0.33% MoM increase. The spodumene process was the main growth driver [2] - On the demand side, the production of cathode materials slightly declined, and inventory continued to be depleted. The processing fee of some lithium iron phosphate products will be uniformly increased in 2026 [2] - In the terminal market, in November, the production of new - energy vehicles and automotive lithium - ion batteries increased by 17% and 32.7% YoY respectively. As of December 7, new - energy vehicle sales increased significantly YoY, and the penetration rate increased MoM [2] - As of December 11, the weekly inventory continued to be depleted, and the overall inventory remained tight, supporting prices [2] - Macroeconomic policies such as the Fed's potential interest rate cut, Qinghai Salt Lake industry plan, and the Central Economic Work Conference have positive impacts on the long - term supply - demand pattern of lithium carbonate [3] - Due to factors like the tight supply - demand balance, overseas resource/复产 news, and domestic lithium mine production dynamics, capital speculation has intensified. Considering future capacity release and the net short position of the main contract, short - term price fluctuations may widen [3]