SHE:002466 12 January 2026

Lithium prices spike 9% in China on tax-rebate shift, pushing SQM stock up before the bell

Lithium prices in China jumped to a two-year high after Beijing cut export VAT rebates on batteries, sending the main futures contract up 9% to 156,060 yuan per ton. SQM rose 0.5% in U.S. premarket trading, while Albemarle gained and Lithium Americas fell. Chinese battery makers dropped, but upstream lithium producers advanced. SQM finalized a framework deal with Codelco, pending a Supreme Court ruling.

12 January 2026

China Economy·Lithium·NYSE:SQM·SHE:002460·SHE:002466·SHE:300750·Stock Market

ASX Set to Dip as Middle East Tensions Boost Oil Prices; Premier Investments Reports Lower H1 Earnings
March 19, 2026, 9:22 PM EDT. Australian shares are expected to decline on Friday amid volatile energy markets triggered by Middle East strikes that briefly pushed Brent crude to $119 a barrel. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq each dropped 0.3%, while the Dow fell 0.4% overnight. Investors are also focused on Australia's upcoming consumer price index report. Premier Investments (ASX:PMV) posted fiscal first-half earnings of AU$0.6351 per share on AU$460.3 million revenue, down from AU$0.7307 earnings on AU$465.2 million a year earlier. Flight Centre Travel Group (ASX:FLT) acquired UK agency Fresh Approach, expanding its FCM meetings-and-events operations. The ASX benchmark closed down 1.7% at 8,497.80 on Thursday.