新能源及有色金属月报：供需双强支撑价格上涨，关注库存及需求拐点-20260104

Group 1: Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the content Group 2: Core Views of the Report - As of December 31, the main contract 2605 of lithium carbonate futures closed at 121,580 yuan/ton, with the futures price rising by 26.09% in November, and the futures premium over spot battery-grade lithium carbonate was 2,140 yuan/ton [1]. - On December 31, the battery - grade lithium carbonate spot was quoted at 118,500 yuan/ton, and the industrial - grade was 115,500 yuan/ton, with spot prices rising following futures in December [1]. - As of December 31, the lithium spodumene price index was 1430 US dollars/ton; the average market price of African SC5% was 1300 US dollars/ton; the average CIF market price of Australian 6% lithium spodumene was 1640 US dollars/ton. In November, the lithium ore import market showed a simultaneous increase in volume and price [1]. - In December, the domestic lithium carbonate production was expected to increase slightly month - on - month. New production capacity in Hunan was released, and a factory in Jiangxi restarted production after ignition. High prices stimulated the production enthusiasm of lithium salt plants, and new production capacity continued to ramp up [2]. - Terminal demand remained high, but the production of material factories decreased slightly. Some downstream and battery factories announced maintenance plans at the end of the month, which would affect demand in January 2026 [2]. - The domestic lithium ore supply tightened, and the demand for lithium ore increased. The overall profit of the lithium carbonate industry improved, and the profit margins of self - owned mine and salt lake enterprises expanded, while the processing fees of contract - processing enterprises increased slightly [3]. - Inventories continued to decline during the month, and the de - stocking speed slowed down at the end of the month, so the inventory inflection point needed to be monitored [3]. - In December, the market price of lithium hydroxide rose significantly following lithium carbonate. The cost of lithium hydroxide production was rigidly supported, and the market bottom was solid. The supply in the spot market was tight, and downstream acceptance of high - priced goods was limited [4]. - The current lithium carbonate futures price is mainly influenced by capital sentiment, with over - speculation. There is a phenomenon of divergence between futures and spot, and short - term callback risks need to be vigilant [5]. Group 3: Summary by Relevant Catalogs Market Quotes - Lithium carbonate futures and spot prices rose in December. The futures price showed an overall upward trend with a slight correction at the end of the month, and the spot price followed the futures [1]. - The price of lithium hydroxide also rose significantly in December, following the trend of lithium carbonate [4]. - The base difference between the mainstream brand of lithium carbonate and the futures main - contract closing price changed greatly in December, with the futures rising more and the spot rising slower. The base difference was expected to fluctuate widely between 2,000 yuan/ton and - 4,000 yuan/ton [10]. Supply - side Data - In December, domestic lithium carbonate production was expected to increase slightly month - on - month. New production capacity in Hunan was released, and a factory in Jiangxi restarted production. However, the production of a few enterprises was lower than expected due to maintenance [2]. - In November 2025, the total import volume of lithium carbonate was 22,055.187 tons. The main import countries were Chile and Argentina. The export volume of Chile to China decreased slightly month - on - month, while the import volumes from Argentina and Indonesia remained high [2]. Consumption Data - Terminal demand remained high, but the production of material factories decreased slightly. Some downstream and battery factories announced maintenance plans at the end of the month, which would affect demand in January 2026 [2]. - The increase in lithium carbonate prices made it difficult to find suitable - price spot orders. Downstream procurement was mainly based on long - term contracts and customer - supplied materials, and inventory was consumed. The signing of new long - term contracts was difficult [2]. Import and Export Data - In November 2025, the total import volume of lithium carbonate was 22,055.187 tons, mainly from Chile and Argentina [2]. Inventory Data - Inventories continued to decline during the month. According to SMM's monthly inventory statistics, the total inventory was 64,560 tons, with a month - on - month decrease of 19,674 tons. The inventory of lithium salt plants was 22,530 tons, and the downstream inventory was 42,030 tons. The de - stocking speed slowed down at the end of the month [3].