Orient Securities·2026-01-18 02:43Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive (Maintain)" [6] Core Viewpoints - Short-term lithium salt prices are under pressure for a phase adjustment, particularly due to limited acceptance of high prices by downstream sectors, while the long-term price center for lithium has significantly shifted upward [4] - Cobalt prices remain relatively stable due to tight supply of intermediate products and support from smelting costs, despite weak terminal demand [4] - The lithium and cobalt sectors are seen as having clear investment value, with recommendations for active positioning [9] Summary by Sections 1. Cycle Assessment: Emotional Catalysts for Price Fluctuations - Lithium carbonate prices experienced a peak and subsequent decline, with lithium concentrate prices rising to $1980 per ton, up $100 from the previous week [14] - The market for cobalt salts is subdued, with production pressures evident and smelting plant prices increasing [14] 2. Core Data on New Energy Materials: Mixed Production Changes and Price Increases - December lithium carbonate production increased by 4% month-on-month and 42% year-on-year, while hydroxide production rose by 2% month-on-month and 30% year-on-year [25][24] - Cobalt intermediate products saw a 21.20% decrease in inventory in December, while cobalt metal inventories showed no significant reduction [62][68] 3. Lithium Salt Import and Export Data - In November, lithium carbonate exports surged by 209% month-on-month and 249% year-on-year, while imports fell by 8% month-on-month but rose by 15% year-on-year [40][41] 4. Weekly Data on Lithium Salts: Slight Production Increase and Inventory Decrease - Weekly production of lithium carbonate rose by 0.31%, and inventory decreased by 0.24% [52][53] 5. Downstream Material Inventory: Decrease in Phosphate Iron Lithium and Ternary Material Inventory - Phosphate iron lithium inventory decreased by 0.21%, and ternary material inventory decreased by 0.95% [59][60] 6. Price Trends of New Energy Metal Materials: Most Prices Increased - The average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate rose by 20.11%, while industrial-grade lithium carbonate increased by 20.42% [71][72]