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NYSE:LAC News 16 January 2026 - 6 February 2026

Lithium price slips again in China, dragging Albemarle and SQM shares lower before Wall Street opens

Lithium price slips again in China, dragging Albemarle and SQM shares lower before Wall Street opens

China’s battery-grade lithium carbonate price fell about 4% to 134,500 yuan per tonne, pressuring lithium stocks in U.S. premarket trading. Albemarle dropped 7.2%, SQM slipped 4%, and Lithium Americas lost 8.6%. Shanghai Metals Market said downstream stockpiling ahead of Lunar New Year is nearly complete. LME lithium hydroxide CIF slid 3.3% to $17,600 per tonne.
6 February 2026
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Lithium price tumbles in China as futures hit limit — what it means for Albemarle, SQM and the week ahead

Lithium price tumbles in China as futures hit limit — what it means for Albemarle, SQM and the week ahead

China’s battery-grade lithium carbonate index fell 5.4% to 141,706 yuan per ton Thursday, with futures briefly hitting their daily limit down. SQM shares sank 7% in U.S. premarket trading, while Albemarle slipped 1.2%. Tianqi Lithium plans to raise $750 million via share placement and convertible bonds, and aims to sell part of its SQM stake. Zimbabwe reported an 11% rise in 2025 spodumene exports, but revenue was flat.
5 February 2026
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Lithium price today: Albemarle, SQM jump premarket as U.S. rolls out Project Vault stockpile

Lithium price today: Albemarle, SQM jump premarket as U.S. rolls out Project Vault stockpile

Shares of U.S.-listed lithium miners rose sharply premarket Wednesday, with Lithium Americas up 8.4%, SQM up 5.4%, and Albemarle up 3.5%, despite falling Chinese lithium prices. The move follows President Trump’s launch of “Project Vault,” a $10 billion strategic minerals stockpile. Battery-grade lithium carbonate in China averaged 153,000 yuan per ton, with buyers largely inactive. Zimbabwe’s lithium exports rose 11% in 2025, but revenues were flat.
4 February 2026
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Lithium price drops 4.5% in China as January rally cools; miners slide premarket

Lithium price drops 4.5% in China as January rally cools; miners slide premarket

China’s battery-grade lithium carbonate fell 4.46% to 160,500 yuan a tonne on Friday, reversing some earlier gains. U.S.-listed lithium miners Albemarle, SQM, and Lithium Americas dropped in premarket trading. Guangzhou lithium futures slipped to about 148,200 yuan a tonne. The London Metal Exchange reported lithium hydroxide at $19,900 a tonne, down 1%.
30 January 2026
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Lithium price slips in China as Albemarle, SQM stocks edge up premarket — what to watch next

Lithium price slips in China as Albemarle, SQM stocks edge up premarket — what to watch next

Albemarle rose 2.4% and Lithium Americas jumped 4.9% in U.S. premarket trading, while China’s battery-grade lithium carbonate price slipped 500 yuan to 172,000 yuan per ton. Chile’s SQM finalized its merger with Codelco’s lithium unit after a Supreme Court ruling. Sigma Lithium sold 100,000 metric tons of ore and is restarting its mine this month.
28 January 2026
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NioCorp stock jumps premarket as Trump administration rare-earth deal lifts U.S. critical minerals names

NioCorp stock jumps premarket as Trump administration rare-earth deal lifts U.S. critical minerals names

NEW YORK, Jan 26, 2026, 07:43 EST — Premarket Shares of NioCorp Developments Ltd climbed 5.6% to $7.70 in early trading Monday, pushing higher amid a turbulent January for the critical-minerals developer. Investors kept snapping up policy-driven plays in the sector. The move is significant since federal funds, even when directed elsewhere, can shift investor valuations of early-stage miners still hunting for major capital. It also draws in quick speculative cash — which can vanish just as fast — especially in lightly traded stocks. The trigger this time came from a report that the Trump administration will take a 10%
26 January 2026
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Lithium price jumps again in China as battery makers restock; Albemarle, peers firm in premarket

Lithium price jumps again in China as battery makers restock; Albemarle, peers firm in premarket

New York, Jan 26, 2026, 07:03 EST — Premarket Lithium prices in China climbed to 181,500 yuan per metric ton on Monday, marking a 6.14% jump from the previous session. The surge boosted U.S.-listed lithium stocks during premarket trading. (Trading Economics) This matters because lithium carbonate — essential for battery cathodes — influences contract negotiations and mining investments. It’s also been one of the most volatile sectors within the energy transition. When prices firm up, producer shares often react sharply, while battery manufacturers face margin pressure if they can’t shift the higher costs onto buyers. Spot and futures prices diverged
26 January 2026
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Fed week starts: U.S. stock futures dip as Big Tech earnings loom and gold hits new record

Fed week starts: U.S. stock futures dip as Big Tech earnings loom and gold hits new record

New York, Jan 26, 2026, 05:58 a.m. ET — Premarket U.S. stock index futures dipped slightly early Monday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement and a packed schedule of major tech earnings. S&P 500 futures slipped roughly 0.1%. These futures trade ahead of the market open and offer a glimpse at where stocks might open. (Reuters) This week, roughly 20% of the S&P 500 will report earnings, including heavyweights Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Tesla. The consensus is that the Fed will hold interest rates steady on Wednesday. Attention has shifted, though, to how comfortable officials seem with
26 January 2026
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Lithium price jumps 4% in China, lifting Albemarle and lithium stocks before the Wall Street open

Lithium price jumps 4% in China, lifting Albemarle and lithium stocks before the Wall Street open

New York, January 23, 2026, 07:21 (EST) — Premarket Lithium carbonate prices in China jumped almost 4% on Friday, building on a strong recovery in January that has pushed lithium-related stocks up before the U.S. market opens. Battery-grade lithium carbonate was last valued at 171,000 yuan per metric ton, equivalent to $24,502.78 a ton including value-added tax. (Metal.com) Battery-grade lithium carbonate matters because it’s a crucial feedstock for cathode materials—the part of the battery that stores and releases energy in electric vehicles and grid storage. China dominates the battery supply chain, so price shifts there often send ripples through contracts
23 January 2026
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Lithium price jumps again as China spot hits 164,500 yuan; Albemarle in focus before U.S. open

Lithium price jumps again as China spot hits 164,500 yuan; Albemarle in focus before U.S. open

New York, Jan 22, 2026, 07:08 EST — Premarket Lithium prices in China climbed once more on Thursday, with battery-grade lithium carbonate hitting 164,500 yuan ($20,855) per metric ton, VAT excluded. (Metal.com) The recent surge is crucial since lithium underpins nearly all EV and grid-battery chemistries, with its price quickly impacting miner profits and battery expenses. Following a prolonged slump caused by oversupply, the rebound is pushing miners and cathode producers to rethink their contracts and inventory strategies. Futures continue to stir the pot. The Guangzhou Futures Exchange raised the daily trading limit from 9% to 11%, reacting to multiple
22 January 2026
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Lithium price jumps again as China carbonate futures hit limit-up; what traders watch next

Lithium price jumps again as China carbonate futures hit limit-up; what traders watch next

New York, January 20, 2026, 07:29 EST — Premarket China’s lithium prices moved higher again Tuesday. Spot battery-grade lithium carbonate averaged 152,500 yuan ($/t), up 1,500 yuan from the previous working day. Meanwhile, the most-active lithium carbonate futures on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange surged nearly 9%, hitting its daily upper limit at 160,500 yuan, according to SMM data. Upstream sellers held back spot volumes beyond their long-term contracts, while downstream buyers mostly stuck to “as needed” purchases, SMM noted. Overall trade activity slipped a bit. (news.metal.com) This shift is crucial as lithium has reemerged as a key driver of battery
20 January 2026
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Lithium price whipsaws after China futures hit down-limit; Albemarle, SQM ease before U.S. open

Lithium price whipsaws after China futures hit down-limit; Albemarle, SQM ease before U.S. open

New York, Jan 16, 2026, 07:20 EST — Premarket Lithium prices in China took a hit on Friday, with the top-traded lithium carbonate futures contract dropping nearly 9%, repeatedly hitting its daily down-limit at 146,200 yuan per metric ton, according to Shanghai Metals Market. Battery-grade lithium carbonate was valued at an average of 158,000 yuan a ton, down 1,000 yuan from the previous session. The SMM battery-grade index also slipped, falling to 159,477 yuan. SMM reported that upstream sellers hesitated to offer spot cargoes amid the price drop, while the lower levels brought some downstream buyers back into the market.
16 January 2026
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Stock Market Today

Seagate (STX) stock jumps nearly 6% as Citi hikes target — what to watch next week

Seagate (STX) stock jumps nearly 6% as Citi hikes target — what to watch next week

7 February 2026
Seagate shares rose 5.9% to $429.32 Friday after Citigroup raised its price target to $480 and reiterated a buy rating. The gain ended a two-day slide but left the stock 6.6% below its Feb. 3 high. CEO Dave Mosley sold 20,000 shares on Feb. 2 under a pre-arranged plan, SEC filings show. U.S. jobs and inflation data next week are seen as key tests for tech stocks.
Cummins (CMI) stock price rebounds after earnings whipsaw as investors eye data-center power demand

Cummins (CMI) stock price rebounds after earnings whipsaw as investors eye data-center power demand

7 February 2026
Cummins shares jumped 6.8% to $577.73 Friday, recovering from a nearly 9% post-earnings drop the day before. The company reported Q4 revenue up 1% to $8.54 billion, took a $218 million charge tied to its hydrogen business, and guided for 2026 EBITDA of 17–18% of sales. Demand for data center generators offset weakness in North American truck markets. Analyst reaction was mixed; Truist raised its price target.
Corning stock hits first record close since 2000 as jobs, CPI data loom

Corning stock hits first record close since 2000 as jobs, CPI data loom

7 February 2026
Corning shares surged 8.3% to $122.16 Friday, their highest close since the dot-com era, after Meta agreed to buy up to $6 billion in fiber-optic cables. The stock is up 40% since late 2025, fueled by strong first-quarter guidance and AI data-center demand. Insiders sold shares following the rally, SEC filings show. Investors await next week’s U.S. jobs and inflation data for rate signals.
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