Report Title - "Carbonate Lithium Weekly Report: Market Sentiment Dominates, Carbonate Lithium Awaits Stabilization" [1] Analyst Information - Analyst: Zhang Qing [2] - Consulting Account: Z0019679 [2] - Institution: Zhonghui Futures Research Institute [2] - Date: February 6, 2026 [2] Market View Summary Macroeconomic Overview - In January, China's manufacturing PMI was 49.3 (previous value 50.1), and non - manufacturing PMI was 49.4 (previous value 50.2), both falling below the boom - bust line, indicating weak domestic and foreign demand and potential acceleration of growth - stabilizing policies; the US manufacturing PMI was 52.6, non - manufacturing PMI was 53.8, higher than previous values and expectations, with ADP employment adding 22,000, lower than expectations and previous values. The Fed paused rate cuts, and the new chairman nomination increased uncertainty in future rate - cut paths, leading to sharp corrections in precious metals, non - ferrous metals, and global equity markets [3] Supply Side - This week, carbonate lithium production declined slightly due to the Spring Festival holiday and maintenance. However, in January, Chile exported 16,950 tons of carbonate lithium to China, a 44.82% month - on - month increase, which may offset the domestic supply reduction in February [3] Demand Side - In January, national passenger car retail sales were 1.794 million, a 12.1% year - on - year and 31.9% month - on - month decline. The share of self - owned brands rose to 61%. National new - energy vehicle wholesale was estimated at 900,000, a 1% year - on - year increase. Tesla China's wholesale sales were 69,129 [4] Cost and Profit - This week, ore prices dropped significantly. African SC 5% was quoted at $1,650/ton, a $250/ton week - on - week decline; Australian 6% lithium spodumene CIF was $1,843/ton, a $502/ton decline; lithium mica was priced at 5,900 yuan/ton, an 800 yuan/ton decline. The carbonate lithium industry profit was 36,139 yuan/ton, a 3,529 yuan/ton decrease [4] Total Inventory - As of February 5, the total inventory was 105,463 tons, a 2,019 - ton decrease from last week. Upstream smelter inventory was 18,356 tons, a 647 - ton decrease [4] Market Outlook - The basis strengthened compared to last week. The discount range for battery - grade carbonate lithium was 800 - 2,000 yuan/ton, and for industrial - grade and quasi - battery - grade was 1,600 - 3,000 yuan/ton. In actual transactions, the discount range for battery - grade was 500 - 2,000 yuan/ton. Lithium salt producers were less willing to sell spot orders, while traders were active. Downstream material producers had basically completed pre - holiday inventory preparations. The main carbonate lithium contract dropped sharply, erasing all January gains. Weak external precious metals and non - ferrous sectors, along with insufficient market liquidity, led to the continuous decline of carbonate lithium prices in search of support. The fundamentals showed no obvious negative factors, with inventory reduction continuing during the off - season. Downstream buyers were active in price - fixing when prices dropped sharply, with large volumes traded at the limit - down price. Due to the terminal's rush for exports, demand was slightly advanced, and downstream mainstream material producers maintained high operating rates, less affected by the Spring Festival. Upstream smelter production declined from the peak, and lithium salt producers' maintenance and production cuts were gradually evident. In February, the overall inventory reduction trend continued. The significant month - on - month increase in Chile's shipments in January led to concerns about inventory accumulation in the peak season in March. Coupled with high pre - holiday market volatility, funds actively left the market to avoid risks, resulting in a continuous decline in carbonate lithium positions. It is recommended to wait for price stabilization before establishing long positions and to hold no positions during the Spring Festival [5] Lithium - Battery Industry Price List - Various lithium - battery products showed price declines from January 30 to February 6, such as lithium spodumene (6% CIF: from $2,345/ton to $1,843/ton, - 21.41%; African SC 5%: from $1,900/ton to $1,650/ton, - 13.16%), lithium mica (from 6,700 yuan/ton to 5,900 yuan/ton, - 11.94%), battery - grade carbonate lithium (from 157,000 yuan/ton to 135,000 yuan/ton, - 14.01%), etc. Some products like metal lithium and certain grades of artificial and natural negative electrode materials remained unchanged [6] Weekly Market Review - As of February 6, the LC2605 contract closed at 132,920 yuan/ton, a 10.3% decline from last week. The spot price of battery - grade carbonate lithium was 135,000 yuan/ton, a 14% decline. The basis changed from discount to premium, and the main contract position was 328,000. The sharp decline of the main contract was mainly due to the deep correction in non - ferrous and precious metal sectors, increasing the risk of market panic selling. Exchange position limits and pre - holiday risk - aversion needs led to a shortage of market liquidity. Despite the off - season inventory reduction in the fundamentals, prices continued to decline without new capital inflows [7] Production Situation of Related Products Carbonate Lithium - As of February 6, carbonate lithium production was 23,685 tons, a 375 - ton week - on - week decrease. The enterprise operating rate was 51.44%, a 0.81% decline. Due to the approaching Spring Festival, some enterprises arranged maintenance or holidays, resulting in a seasonal production decrease. The 16,950 - ton increase in Chile's exports to China in January offset the domestic reduction [9] Lithium Hydroxide - As of February 6, lithium hydroxide production was 6,450 tons, a 90 - ton week - on - week decrease. The enterprise operating rate was 43.28%, a 0.61% decline. Affected by the Spring Festival and enterprise maintenance, the operating rate remained low. Downstream material producers mainly fulfilled long - term contracts, and with sharp price fluctuations, they only made rigid purchases [11] Lithium Iron Phosphate - As of February 6, lithium iron phosphate production was 97,653 tons, a 1,950 - ton week - on - week decrease. The enterprise operating rate was 86.01%, a 1.72% decline. Affected by the decline in power orders and some enterprises' production load reduction and Sichuan's maintenance, production decreased slightly, but mainstream enterprises still maintained high operating rates [13] Ternary Materials - The report mentions that demand for ternary materials was slightly advanced, and production operating rates increased, but specific production data is not detailed [15] Other Cathode Materials - In the traditional off - season of consumer electronics, the production and operating rates of manganese acid lithium and cobalt acid lithium declined, but detailed production change data is not provided in a comprehensive manner [23][28] Inventory Situation Carbonate Lithium Total Inventory - As of February 5, the total carbonate lithium industry inventory was 105,463 tons, a 783 - ton decrease from last week, and the warehouse - receipt inventory was 33,777 tons, a 3,146 - ton increase. The total inventory has been declining for four consecutive weeks. As prices fell, lithium salt producers' off - season inventory reduction accelerated. Terminal demand was advanced due to export rush, and the Spring Festival had limited impact on production. After price drops, traders were active in purchasing, leading to an increase in warehouse receipts [32] Downstream Inventory - For lithium iron phosphate, as of February 6, the total industry inventory was 27,293 tons, a 785 - ton decrease. The finished - product inventory continued to decline. Downstream energy - storage demand provided support, promoting enterprises to actively sell goods. Most enterprises prioritized shipping existing inventory to accelerate inventory reduction, but the risk of inventory accumulation due to the continuous decline in power demand should be noted [35] - For ternary materials, the report only shows the inventory trend chart, and there is no specific description of the inventory change situation. For manganese acid lithium, cobalt acid lithium, and ternary precursors, the same situation exists, with only inventory trend charts provided and no detailed change descriptions [38][40][45] Cost and Profit Situation Cost - Side - As of February 6, the African SC 5% ore was quoted at $1,650/ton, a $250/ton week - on - week decline; the Australian 6% lithium spodumene CIF was $1,843/ton, a $502/ton decline; the lithium mica market price was 5,900 yuan/ton, an 800 yuan/ton decline. Lithium salt producers' inventory replenishment was basically completed, and new purchases were few. The basis of lithium ore remained stable. The Australian ore shipment volume was moderately low, and the raw - material supply was still tight [46] Profit - Side - For carbonate lithium, as of February 6, the production cost was 121,050 yuan/ton, a 5,056 - yuan week - on - week decrease, and the industry profit was 29,550 yuan/ton, a 14,452 - yuan decrease. Lithium ore prices dropped significantly following the market, reducing the cost pressure on enterprises using imported ore, while the profits of enterprises with their own mines and salt lakes were not significantly affected. The lithium mica processing fee increased slightly, and the industry was still in the profit range [48] - For lithium hydroxide, as of February 6, the production cost was 110,259 yuan/ton, a 7,536 - yuan week - on - week decrease, and the industry profit was 37,972 yuan/ton, a 5,072 - yuan decrease. This week, the spot trading of aluminum hydroxide was light, downstream procurement basically ended, and the sharp decline in carbonate lithium prices led to a lack of support for lithium hydroxide prices and a marginal weakening of industry profits [50] - For lithium iron phosphate, as of February 6, the production cost was 50,655 yuan/ton, a 5,495 - yuan week - on - week decrease, and the loss was 2,056 yuan/ton, a 134 - yuan/ton decrease. This week, the sharp drop in raw - material prices dragged down the lithium iron phosphate price, but due to some enterprises' price - holding and reluctant - to - sell behavior, the transaction price remained relatively high, with a smaller price decline than the raw - material side, leading to a slight narrowing of the industry loss [53] - For ternary materials, the report shows the cost and profit trend charts, but there is no specific description of the cost and profit change data. The same situation exists for cobalt acid lithium, manganese acid lithium, and ternary precursors [57][60][62]
市场情绪主导，碳酸锂等待企稳：碳酸锂周报-20260209
Zhong Hui Qi Huo·2026-02-09 07:28