Summary of Ganfeng Lithium Earnings Review Company Overview - **Company**: Ganfeng Lithium (1772.HK) - **Market Cap**: HK$62.5 billion / $8.0 billion - **Enterprise Value**: HK$107.1 billion / $13.7 billion - **Industry**: Basic Materials, specifically lithium production Key Financial Results - **1H25 Performance**: - Net loss of Rmb536 million, or loss per share of Rmb0.266, compared to a net loss of Rmb759 million in 1H24 [1] - Recurring net loss of Rmb442 million, down from a positive recurring profit in 1H24 [1] - Total revenue decreased by 13% year-over-year to Rmb8.3 billion, 19% below estimates [25] - Gross profit of Rmb890 million, down 16% year-over-year and 30% lower than estimates [26] Pricing and Sales - **Lithium Pricing**: - Realized ASP for lithium hydroxide was US$7,942/t in 1H25, 13% below expectations [25] - Realized ASP for lithium carbonate was US$8,606/t in 1H25, down 32% year-over-year [37] - **Sales Volume**: - Lithium compound sales volume was 8% below estimates, with a significant drop in realized ASP contributing to lower revenue [25] Earnings Revisions - **2025E Earnings**: Recurring earnings cut by 28% due to lower realized ASP for lithium hydroxide and lower sales volume [2] - **2026-27E Earnings**: Revised up by 12-44% due to: 1. Lower production costs for integrated projects [2][23] 2. Higher self-sufficiency in spodumene supply [2][23] 3. Increased battery profit from new ESS plant operations [2][23] Industry Insights - **Market Dynamics**: - Recent supply disruptions from China are expected to support spot lithium carbonate prices [2] - Global excess capacity poses risks to current spot prices, which are 39% above the bottom in June [2] Valuation Analysis - **Target Prices**: - Revised 12-month price targets to HK$28.00 and Rmb30.50, down from HK$19.00 and Rmb21.40 [18][32] - **Valuation Metrics**: - Bottom-of-the-cycle valuation suggests a theoretical valuation of Rmb18.4/share at a spot lithium carbonate price of US$10.5k/t-LCE [2] - Current share price is HK$30.8/share for H and Rmb38.3/share for A [2] Risks - **Key Risks Identified**: 1. Fluctuations in lithium product prices [33][34] 2. Project execution risks [33][34] 3. Raw material purchase risks [33][34] 4. Policy risks affecting EV adoption [33][34] 5. Currency and country risks related to overseas assets [33][34] Operational Metrics - **Cash Flow**: - Operating cash flow declined by 92% year-over-year to Rmb300 million in 1H25 [29] - Free cash flow remained negative at Rmb1.9 billion [29] - **Balance Sheet**: - Net gearing increased to 73% by the end of 1H25, up from 64% at the end of 2024 [29] Conclusion - Ganfeng Lithium's performance in 1H25 was below expectations, primarily due to lower lithium prices and sales volumes. The company is adjusting its earnings forecasts for the coming years while navigating significant market risks and operational challenges. The revised target prices reflect a cautious outlook amid ongoing industry volatility.

Core Viewpoint - Albemarle Corp. is a leading global player in lithium, bromine, and catalysts, with a focus on vertically integrated lithium operations. The company's stock has experienced a significant decline of over 80% from its all-time high (ATH) since a multi-year selloff began in 2022, primarily due to depressed lithium prices [1]. Company Overview - Albemarle Corp. specializes in lithium, bromine, and catalysts, positioning itself as a global leader in these sectors [1]. - The company has vertically integrated lithium operations, which may provide a competitive advantage in the market [1]. Market Performance - The stock of Albemarle Corp. has seen a decline of more than 80% from its ATH, indicating a challenging market environment [1]. - The selloff that began in 2022 has been attributed to falling lithium prices, which have impacted the company's stock performance [1].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company achieved the highest first quarter lithium sales volumes in its history, with a 20% year-on-year increase, driven by strong demand from the electric vehicle market in China and Europe [6][8] - Average realized prices for lithium in Q2 2025 are expected to be lower than in Q1 due to recent price declines [7][59] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Lithium sales volumes increased significantly, while iodine prices reached record averages amid tight supply and steady demand, particularly for X-ray contrast media applications [6][8] - Specialty Plant Nutrition (SPN) sales volumes grew healthily, with an upward trend in prices due to strong demand for potassium chloride and supply disruptions [9] - Potassium business volumes were significantly lower compared to the same period last year as part of a strategy to prioritize high lithium content brines [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintains a view that global lithium demand will grow by 17% in 2025, with SQM's sales expected to grow by 15% year-on-year, although this forecast remains unchanged amid current market conditions [29][64] - The lithium market is currently oversupplied, with prices under pressure, particularly in China [71][90] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding lithium production capacity to 240,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate and 100,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide [8] - Investment in operational efficiencies and capacity expansions is ongoing, with a commitment to sustainable high-quality growth [11] - The company is confident in its strategy and ability to generate cash flow despite current pricing pressures [17][88] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes the current low price environment is unsustainable and expects prices to improve in the future [88][90] - The company is well-prepared to take advantage of market recovery due to its strong position as a low-cost producer [88][90] - There is optimism regarding long-term demand growth, particularly in the electric vehicle sector [64][90] Other Important Information - The company is advancing its seawater pipeline construction to expand iodine production capacity [8] - The dividend policy established a distribution of 30% of net income for 2025, with no interim dividends planned for the first quarter [48] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will operating cash flow be breakeven or positive per metric ton in lithium in Q2? - Management indicated they are far from breakeven costs and expect to be significantly above that in Q2 [14][15] Question: How will lower lithium prices affect capital structure and funding for future projects? - Management stated that the company has a strong balance sheet and cash generation capacity from other business lines, which will not constrain future projects [16][18] Question: What is the status of the Codelco joint venture in Chile? - Management described the situation as "noise" due to election year discussions but confirmed that the transaction is progressing as planned [20][26] Question: Will SQM's lithium sales grow by 15% this year? - Management has not updated the annual volume forecast but expects similar or slightly lower volumes in Q2 compared to Q1 [29] Question: How is SQM handling pricing dynamics in China? - Management noted that pricing mechanisms with customers are confidential and cannot provide specifics [36] Question: What is the outlook for Mt. Holland production? - Management confirmed that Mt. Holland is cash positive and ramping up as planned, despite facing higher costs during the ramp-up phase [84][97] Question: What is the company's dividend policy? - The company will distribute 30% of its net income for 2025, with no interim dividends planned for the first quarter [48]