Hong Kong Stock Concept Tracking | Lithium Carbonate Prices Rise Again, Leading Listed Companies' Profits Are Secured (Including Concept Stocks)

Last week, the main contract price of lithium carbonate on the Shanghai Futures Exchange surged nearly 4%, reaching 162,000 yuan per ton, marking a new high since July 8. Copper Crown Jinyuan Futures Research pointed out that the resumption of production at the Contemporary Amperex Technology's salt lake lithium mine is currently the focus of the market. As the largest proven lithium mica mine in the world, it involves an annual production capacity of about 100,000 tons, and its resumption will significantly change supply expectations, serving as a core catalyst for future trading. China Securities Co., Ltd. research reports indicated that the tension between tight supply on the lithium side and broad expectations continues to disrupt market sentiment. The recovery progress of Jiangxi lithium mines remains a key variable. Even though lithium shipments from Zimbabwe have gradually arrived, raw material supply remains tight, and production recovery is limited. Demand remains stable, with downstream material manufacturers continuing to purchase based on low demand. Some have already started restocking for September. There is a high level of enthusiasm for price locking and restocking when prices fall below 150,000 yuan per ton. Under the expectation of the traditional peak season in September and October, spot purchasing volume is expected to remain strong. Market inventory continues to show a decreasing trend. According to SMM, this week, large sample inventories stand at 78,800 tons, continuing to decrease by 7,600 tons, and have shown an accelerated decrease for nine consecutive weeks. In September, downstream production scheduling continues to rise, and the low inventory situation will be maintained. With the arrival of the consumption peak season, lithium prices may gradually shift from being priced based on long-term expectations to reflecting recent fundamentals. The performance of lithium prices in the peak season is optimistic. Recently, Soochow released a report stating that the global energy storage demand growth rate for 2026 is expected to be revised upward to 73%, with demand reaching 1,111 GWh, a 40%+ growth to 1,572 GWh in 2027. Price increases in the lithium carbonate industry chain are to be expected, with both volume and profit expected to rise in the sector. Hong Kong-listed companies in the lithium carbonate-related industry chain: Tianqi Lithium Corporation (09696): In the first half of the year, the operating revenue was 12.242 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 153.32%; the net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was 4.242 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4,925.46%. Calculating, the net profit for the second quarter was 2.366 billion yuan, a quarter-on-quarter increase of 26%. The report shows that Tianqi Lithium Corporation's significant performance growth in the first half of the year is mainly due to the increase in lithium product prices and sales of lithium compounds and derivatives compared to the same period last year. Ganfeng Lithium Group (01772): Announced its mid-term results for 2026, with revenues of approximately 22.884 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.77 times; the profit attributable to parent company shareholders was approximately 4.258 billion yuan, turning a profit from a loss; basic earnings per share were 2.04 yuan. The announcement stated that the increase in total revenue was mainly due to a significant rise in the average sales price of lithium series products compared to the same period last year, in addition to the growth in energy storage demand driving the production and sales increase in the lithium battery sector, jointly promoting a substantial year-on-year increase in operating revenue and profits. Zijin Mining Group (02899): The semi-annual report showed that the "third growth pole" in the lithium sector has formed a scale contribution, achieving a lithium carbonate equivalent production of 44,000 tons, a substantial year-on-year increase. CNGR Advanced Material (02579): CNGR Advanced Material has laid out lithium mining resources in Argentina, controlling lithium resources amounting to over 10 million tons in lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). The company has positioned itself in two major salt lakes in Argentina, Jama and Solaroz, located in the core area of South America's "lithium triangle." According to plans, production is expected to gradually start from 2028. In the long term, these lithium resources will be incorporated into the company's global industrial chain to support its integrated development of "resourcessmeltingmaterialsrecycling." Jiangsu Lopal Tech. Group (02465): Announced mid-term results for 2026, with operating revenue of approximately 7.198 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 98.75%; the net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was approximately 421 million yuan, turning from a loss to a profit; basic earnings per share were 0.59 yuan. The announcement stated that the revenue growth was mainly due to the rise in income from lithium iron phosphate cathode material business during the reporting period. During the reporting period, the company officially initiated the construction of the first phase of the 120,000-ton high-pressure lithium iron phosphate capacity project in Changzhou Jintan and plans to advance the third phase of the 120,000-ton lithium iron phosphate capacity project in Indonesia.