Core Viewpoint - Recent surge in lithium stocks driven by strong demand rather than supply disruptions, according to Citigroup's research report [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Sigma Lithium (SGML.US) surged over 18% [1] - Lithium Americas (LAC.US) and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM.US) both increased by over 11% [1] - Albemarle Corporation (ALB.US) rose by over 8% [1] Group 2: Market Drivers - Citigroup emphasizes that the recent rise in lithium prices is primarily due to robust demand [1] - The firm expresses increasing confidence in strong battery storage demand in the coming years [1]

Group 1: Company Developments - Posco Holdings is acquiring a 30% stake in the lithium business of Mineral Resources Limited (MinRes) for AUD 1.2 billion (approximately USD 765 million), gaining partial ownership of two mines in Western Australia that provide key metals for electric vehicle batteries [1] - The transaction will establish a joint venture between Posco and MinRes, with Posco receiving lithium concentrate proportional to its ownership stake from the two mines [1] - The funds from this sale will be used to pay down MinRes's debt, which has surged to AUD 5.4 billion, exceeding half of its market capitalization [1] Group 2: Industry Trends - The global lithium industry is experiencing a significant expansion driven by unprecedented demand for large-scale battery storage, reversing previous concerns about supply surplus that had negatively impacted lithium metal trading and stock prices [2] - Lithium carbonate spot prices have recently risen to their highest level since late August, although they remain over 85% lower than the historical peak reached in 2022 [2] - The stock prices of lithium-related companies have surged, with SQM's stock rising over 20% since October, and several lithium stocks in China's A-share market experiencing consecutive trading halts [2] - Analysts from Citigroup believe that the recent rise in lithium prices is primarily driven by strong demand rather than potential supply disruptions, expressing increasing confidence in robust battery storage demand in the coming years [2]