Why are ASX lithium shares being hammered on Monday?

The battery is running flat for lithium shares on Monday…

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Lithium shares are being hammered on Monday
  • This has been driven by concerns over the price of the battery making ingredient
  • Investors appear concerned that high prices are now over and won't be coming back

The lithium industry is a sea of red on Monday.

A large number of ASX lithium shares are under pressure and have sink deep into the red today.

What's going on with ASX lithium shares?

Investors have been selling down ASX lithium shares on Monday in response to heavy declines from their Wall Street-listed peers on Friday.

Lithium giants Albemarle, Livent, and SQM all fell 10% amid concerns over lithium prices.

This was driven by reports that the world's largest battery maker, CATL, is offering discounts to some of the Chinese automakers it supplies batteries.

According to Reuters, these discounts are being offer in response to a downturn in the price of lithium and a bid to win more orders. CATL has also reportedly been negotiating with its lithium suppliers to bring prices down.

This appears to indicate that CATL, which has a 37% global share of the EV batteries market, is confident that lithium prices have peaked and are now on the way back down again.

The state of play

Most ASX lithium shares are trading sharply lower today. Among the biggest moves are the shares listed below:

  • The Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) share price is down 5% to $11.30.
  • The Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) share price is down 4% to 92 cents.
  • The Lake Resources N.L. (ASX: LKE) share price is down 5% to 60.5 cents.
  • The Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price is down 4% to $1.29.
  • The Piedmont Lithium Inc (ASX: PLL) share price is down 13% to 93.5 cents.
  • The Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) is down 7% to $4.10.

Time will tell what happens with prices, but it seems that many investors are not sitting around to find out. Particularly given how spot prices have now fallen 30% since their November peak.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Allkem. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Materials Shares

A man scoots in superman pose across a bride, excited about a future with electric vehicles.
Materials Shares

PLS? Why did Pilbara Minerals shares just change name?

Pilbara has rebranded itself...

Read more »

A young male ASX investor raises his clenched fists in excitement because of rising ASX share prices today
Materials Shares

Why are Liontown shares rising today and up 18% this week?

This lithium miner's shares have been in demand with investors this week.

Read more »

Workers at a steel making factory
Materials Shares

Can this ASX 200 stock keep its end of year rally going?

Brokers are upbeat and see gains in 2026.

Read more »

A mining worker wearing a white hardhat and a high vis vest stands on a platform overlooking a huge mine, thinking about what comes next.
Resources Shares

ASX 200 mining shares outperform as iron ore and copper prices strengthen

BHP, Fortescue, and Rio Tinto shares reached new 52-week highs while the ASX 200 edged up 0.24%.

Read more »

A statuesque woman throws earth in the air in front of a rocky outcrop.
Materials Shares

Lithium price rebounds 25% in 2025: Which ASX lithium shares are a buy?

We reveal the latest broker ratings and 12-month share price targets on 3 popular ASX lithium shares.

Read more »

Focused man entrepreneur with glasses working, looking at laptop screen thinking about something intently while sitting in the office.
Materials Shares

'Stronger, sharper, and simpler': Rio Tinto shares fall despite major update

Let's see what this mining giant has released a strategy update.

Read more »

A little boy holds up a barbell with big silver weights at each end.
Materials Shares

$3,000 invested in this ASX silver share in July is now worth $6,577

That's a mighty impressive return in just a few months!

Read more »

Three miners looking at a tablet.
Materials Shares

How much upside does Macquarie tip for Rio Tinto shares?

Let's see what the broker thinks of this mining giant.

Read more »