1. Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided in the report. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - The supply - demand pattern of lithium carbonate is characterized by over - supply and weak demand due to capacity mismatch, and the downward trend is difficult to change [8][11]. - There are both positive and negative factors in the lithium carbonate market. Positive factors include manufacturers' production cut plans, a decline in the import volume of lithium carbonate from Chile, and a decrease in the import volume of spodumene. Negative factors include the continuous high supply at the ore/salt lake end with limited decline, and the insufficient willingness of the power battery end to take delivery [9][10]. - It is expected that the demand will strengthen next month, inventory may be reduced, and the cost - side 6% concentrate CIF price has decreased daily and is lower than the historical average. The supply - demand pattern will shift to demand - led. The lithium carbonate 2511 contract will fluctuate in the range of 72,280 - 74,400 [8]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Daily Views - **Supply**: Last week, the lithium carbonate production was 20,516 tons, a week - on - week increase of 0.75%, higher than the historical average. It is predicted that the production in August 2025 was 85,240 physical tons, and next month's production is expected to be 86,730 physical tons, a month - on - month increase of 1.75% [8]. - **Demand**: Last week, the inventory of lithium iron phosphate sample enterprises was 101,848 tons, a week - on - week increase of 3.62%. The inventory of ternary material sample enterprises was 17,896 tons, a week - on - week increase of 2.00%. It is expected that the demand will strengthen next month [8]. - **Cost**: The cost of purchased spodumene concentrate is 74,486 yuan/ton, a daily decrease of 1.22%, with a production income of 2,006 yuan/ton, resulting in a loss. The cost of purchased lepidolite is 77,806 yuan/ton, a daily decrease of 0.59%, with a production income of - 7,315 yuan/ton, also resulting in a loss. The production cost at the recycling end is close to that at the ore end, and the production scheduling enthusiasm is average [8]. - **Basis**: On October 9th, the spot price of battery - grade lithium carbonate was 73,550 yuan/ton, and the basis of the 11 - contract was 210 yuan/ton, with the spot at a premium [8]. - **Inventory**: The smelter inventory was 33,492 tons, a week - on - week decrease of 2.79%, lower than the historical average. The downstream inventory was 60,893 tons, a week - on - week increase of 2.35%, higher than the historical average. Other inventories were 42,440 tons, a week - on - week decrease of 2.61%. The total inventory was 136,825 tons, a week - on - week decrease of 0.51%, higher than the historical average [8]. - **Expected**: It is expected that the import volume of lithium carbonate next month will be 19,500 physical tons, a month - on - month decrease of 10.74%. The lithium carbonate 2511 contract will fluctuate in the range of 72,280 - 74,400 [8]. 3.2 Market Overview - **Lithium Carbonate Price and Basis**: Most of the futures closing prices showed an increase, with an increase range of 0.74% - 1.15%. The basis of most contracts decreased, with a decrease range of 72.00% - 119.30%. The registered warehouse receipts were 42,379 lots, a week - on - week increase of 1.61% [14]. - **Upstream Price**: The price of spodumene (6%) decreased by 1.75% to 843 US dollars/ton, and the price of lepidolite concentrate (2% - 2.5%) decreased by 1.08% to 1,835 yuan/ton. The price of battery - grade lithium carbonate remained unchanged at 73,550 yuan/ton [14]. - **Positive Material and Lithium Battery Price**: The prices of most positive materials and lithium batteries increased. For example, the price of 523 polycrystalline consumer - type positive materials increased by 2.81% to 87,725 yuan/ton, and the price of 523 single - crystal power - type ternary precursors increased by 2.14% to 81,100 yuan/ton [14]. 3.3 Supply - Demand Data Overview - **Supply**: The monthly production and import volume of lithium carbonate have increased to varying degrees. For example, the monthly production increased by 17.74% to 311,670 tons, and the monthly import volume increased by 57.79% to 21,846.92 tons. However, the monthly import volume of lithium concentrate decreased by 18.32% to 470,599 tons [17]. - **Demand**: The monthly power battery loading volume increased by 11.81% to 62,500 GWh, and the production and sales volume of new energy vehicles also increased. The production volume increased by 11.91% to 1,391,000 vehicles, and the sales volume increased by 10.54% to 1.395 million vehicles [17]. - **Supply - Demand Balance**: The supply - demand balance of lithium carbonate has changed. In August 2025, the balance was 2,695 tons, showing a surplus [17]. 3.4 Supply - Related - **Lithium Ore**: The price of lithium ore has fluctuated, and the production and import volume of lithium ore in China have also changed. The production of spodumene mines in Chinese samples and the total domestic lepidolite production have shown different trends in different years [23]. - **Lithium Carbonate**: The weekly and monthly production, import volume, and inventory of lithium carbonate have changed. The weekly production of lithium carbonate has increased, and the monthly import volume from Chile has increased significantly. The inventory of lithium carbonate in different links has also changed [29][31]. - **Lithium Hydroxide**: The weekly capacity utilization rate, monthly production, and export volume of lithium hydroxide have changed. The weekly capacity utilization rate of domestic lithium hydroxide has fluctuated, and the monthly export volume has increased in some months [37]. 3.5 Cost - Profit of Lithium Compounds - The production of lithium carbonate from purchased spodumene concentrate and lepidolite is in a loss state. The daily production profit of purchased spodumene concentrate is - 2,006 yuan/ton, and the daily production profit of purchased lepidolite is - 7,315 yuan/ton [8]. - The cost and profit of recycling and producing lithium carbonate from different types of black powder also vary. For example, the profit of recycling and producing lithium carbonate from purchased ternary battery black powder (Li: 3.0% - 3.5%) has fluctuated [44]. 3.6 Inventory - The inventory of lithium carbonate in different links has changed. The weekly inventory of lithium iron phosphate sample enterprises increased by 3.62% to 101,848 tons, and the weekly inventory of ternary material sample enterprises increased by 2.00% to 17,896 tons [8]. 3.7 Demand - Related - **Lithium Battery**: The price, production, loading volume, and export volume of lithium batteries have changed. The monthly production of power battery cells has increased, and the monthly loading volume of power batteries has also increased [53]. - **Ternary Precursor**: The price, cost, and production of ternary precursors have changed. The price of ternary precursors has fluctuated, and the production has increased in some months [58]. - **Ternary Material**: The price, cost, and production of ternary materials have changed. The price of ternary materials has fluctuated, and the weekly start - up rate has also changed [64]. - **Phosphorus Iron/Phosphorus Iron Lithium**: The price, cost, and production of phosphorus iron/phosphorus iron lithium have changed. The price of phosphorus iron/phosphorus iron lithium has fluctuated, and the monthly production of phosphorus iron and phosphorus iron lithium has also changed [69]. - **New Energy Vehicle**: The production, sales, and penetration rate of new energy vehicles have increased. The production of new energy vehicles increased by 11.91% to 1,391,000 vehicles, and the sales volume increased by 10.54% to 1.395 million vehicles [17][77].