Lithium Prices Face a China Reopen Test as Albemarle Stock Jumps Nearly 4%
Albemarle shares rose 3.9% to $174.93 Monday, outpacing peers as lithium prices rebounded after China’s Spring Festival lull. Shanghai Metals Market reported battery-grade lithium carbonate futures in China briefly topped 150,000 yuan per ton, with February output expected to fall 15% from January due to plant maintenance. Albemarle recently idled its last Kemerton plant unit in Australia, citing weak economics.