Why are ASX lithium shares being hammered on Monday?

The battery is running flat for lithium shares on Monday…

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.

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

Image source: Getty Images

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 sitting at his desktop computer leans forward onto his elbows and yawns while he rubs his eyes as though he is very tired.
Resources Shares

Why did ASX 200 lithium stocks like PLS, Liontown and Mineral Resources shares get smashed in June?

Investors sent ASX lithium producers like Liontown, IGO, PLS and Mineral Resources crashing 15% to 30% in June. But why?

Read more »

Green battery on top of batteries.
Materials Shares

Guess which ASX stock is rocketing almost 30% today?

First commercial deliveries have sparked a big share price rally.

Read more »

A man rests his chin in his hands, pondering what is the answer?
Materials Shares

The ASX 200 sector that outperformed the benchmark 7 to 1 in FY26. Can it keep delivering?

Let's take a look.

Read more »

Middle age caucasian man smiling confident drinking coffee at home.
Materials Shares

Did BHP shares smash the market in FY 2026?

Was it a good year for this mining giant's shares? Let's run the numbers.

Read more »

Young successful engineer, with blueprints, notepad, and digital tablet, observing the project implementation on construction site and in mine.
Materials Shares

Up more than 400% over a year, why is this ASX rare earths share surging almost 20% higher?

Shares in Brazilian Critical Minerals Ltd (ASX: BCM) were charging higher on Tuesday morning after the company published a bankable…

Read more »

Man looking happy and excited as he looks at his mobile phone.
Materials Shares

Which ASX share is racing 5% higher on big news?

This news is going down well with the market. Here's what is happening.

Read more »

A hipster-looking man with bushy beard and multiple arm tattoos sits on the floor against a sofa reading a tablet with his hand on his chin as though he is deep in thought.
Materials Shares

Forget Rio Tinto and buy this ASX copper share

Here's an alternative to the mining behemoth for copper exposure according to Bell Potter.

Read more »

Two boys play outside on an old army tank.
Materials Shares

This small-cap ASX stock is soaring after a major US Army boost

This small-cap ASX stock is back in focus after a US Army boost.

Read more »