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NYSE:SQM News 15 January 2026 - 5 February 2026

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 slips again in China as Albemarle, SQM slide before the bell

Lithium price slips again in China as Albemarle, SQM slide before the bell

China’s battery-grade lithium carbonate prices fell to 154,434 yuan per ton Monday, with futures swinging between 132,400 and 152,800 yuan. U.S.-listed lithium producers Albemarle, SQM, and Lithium Americas dropped up to 10.5% in premarket trading. The Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF lost nearly 5%. Traders are watching for fresh demand signals from China and upcoming earnings reports.
2 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

New York, Jan 28, 2026, 07:12 (EST) — Premarket Before the opening bell on Wednesday, U.S.-listed lithium stocks climbed, despite lithium carbonate prices in China slipping once more following a volatile futures session. This shift is significant as lithium has jumped from a quiet niche in materials to a hot daily trading topic. Chinese prices are now driving battery input costs, with producers scrambling to secure customers and protect margins after two volatile years. Spot prices dipped, yet trading remained active. According to SMM, selling picked up early but eased as prices dropped. Buyers then moved in at cheaper levels,
28 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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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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Lithium price jitters meet Washington’s stockpile push — why Albemarle, SQM are up premarket

Lithium price jitters meet Washington’s stockpile push — why Albemarle, SQM are up premarket

New York, January 15, 2026, 07:58 EST — Premarket U.S.-listed lithium stocks climbed before Thursday’s open after lawmakers unveiled a bill proposing a $2.5 billion stockpile for critical minerals, lithium included. Albemarle (ALB.N) edged up 0.4%, while Chile’s SQM (SQM.N) jumped 2.7%. Lithium Americas (LAC.N) led gains at 3.6%. (Reuters) Lithium prices have been swinging again after a prolonged slump that pushed miners to pause projects and cut expenses. Although a U.S.-backed buyer for niche minerals won’t solve the market’s challenges, it might reshape investor views on the downside risk. The politics are shifting quickly, at least in statements. Senator
15 January 2026
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Stock Market Today

AST SpaceMobile stock bounces late Friday as AT&T plays down Amazon Leo threat and a new 2x short ETF hits tape

AST SpaceMobile stock bounces late Friday as AT&T plays down Amazon Leo threat and a new 2x short ETF hits tape

7 February 2026
AST SpaceMobile shares jumped 9.1% to $101.79 Friday after a volatile week, with 15.9 million shares traded. AT&T said it will use Amazon Leo’s satellite network to reach business customers outside its terrestrial footprint but stated this will not affect its partnership with AST. A new 2x short ETF tied to ASTS, ticker ASTN, began trading on Cboe. AST’s next “BlueBird 7” satellite launch is set for late February on Blue Origin’s New Glenn.
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