Lithium stocks declined today. As of press time, Tianqi Lithium (09696) fell 3.49% to HK$47.02, while Ganfeng Lithium (01772) dropped 2.43% to HK$47.44.

The lithium carbonate futures contract price has been rising since October, breaking through the thresholds of RMB 80,000 and RMB 90,000 per ton, and hitting a high of RMB 102,500 per ton on November 19—the highest level since June 2024.

Notably, total monthly lithium carbonate production continued to climb in November, increasing 3% month-on-month and surging 49% year-on-year, indicating sustained supply expansion in the domestic market.

A research report from Guoyuan Futures noted that while earlier market expectations suggested strong demand in December would accelerate inventory drawdowns, actual demand has underperformed based on destocking speed and downstream production schedules. Given that downstream sectors still hold substantial lithium salt inventories, combined with high lithium prices and year-end destocking pressures, demand-side support for lithium prices may weaken, potentially leading to a short-term downward trend in prices.