Sydney, Feb 9, 2026, 17:26 AEDT — Market closed
- PLS Group ended its latest session roughly 1.2% higher at A$4.17, bouncing between A$4.07 and A$4.24 during the day.
- China’s benchmark for lithium moved higher on Monday. Still, the latest positioning figures point to a steady climb in short bets against PLS, with the increase trailing behind the price shift.
- PLS reports its FY26 interim numbers Feb. 19. Investors want specifics from management on pricing, costs, and shipment volumes.
PLS Group Limited climbed Monday, finishing at A$4.17, a gain of roughly 1.2% from Friday’s A$4.12 close after a bumpy session. Investors appeared to take heart from more stable lithium pricing as the market braced for a wave of earnings reports. 1
Why it matters now: PLS stands out as a key lithium bellwether on the ASX, with its daily price swings frequently treated as a barometer for battery metal sentiment. Even a modest uptick tends to get noticed, especially as investors weigh whether the sector’s recent rally is losing steam or simply catching its breath.
The reference price for battery-grade lithium carbonate in China—a crucial ingredient in EV batteries—ticked up 0.74% to 135,500 yuan per tonne on Feb. 9, according to Trading Economics. Traders keep an eye on this benchmark for signals, despite Australian producers offering different grades and contract terms. 2
Australian shares edged higher, the S&P/ASX 200 finished up 1.85% in Sydney. Multiple sectors fueled the advance. When risk picks up, high-beta miners often get a boost along with the broader market. 3
Shares of miners tied to bulk and battery materials showed a mixed-to-stronger performance during the session. Mineral Resources edged up 0.8%, based on figures from Trading Economics. When lithium prices shift, traders often lump these names together and move in or out as a group, if only briefly. 4
Positioning, though, remains tricky. As of Feb. 2, short interest in PLS climbed to 8.17%, according to Market Index data released Monday—an increase of one percentage point from the previous week. The numbers come with a lag. Short interest refers to the proportion of shares sold short, effectively a wager on the price dropping. 5
Earnings are up next. According to an ASX release, PLS will post its FY26 interim numbers on Thursday, Feb. 19, with a webcast and investor call locked in for 6:00 a.m. AWST (9:00 a.m. AEDT). 6
PLS Group—previously Pilbara Minerals—counts its Pilgangoora site in Western Australia as its core hard-rock lithium asset, with another project coming up in Brazil. The company also runs a downstream JV alongside POSCO in South Korea. 7
Lithium’s path hasn’t been straightforward. Prices in China slipping again, hints of weaker demand, or even a policy change—any of these could erase Monday’s rally just as fast, with short positions still lurking in the backdrop.
Looking to the days ahead, investors are set to track lithium price movements, sector flow trends throughout reporting season, and fresh disclosures from the company. The main event: Feb. 19, when PLS releases its report and shares its outlook on pricing, costs, and demand.
