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 female engineer using a measuring instrument to measure the quality of steel pipe.
Materials Shares

Up 75% in a year, this ASX stock just landed a $229 million contract

GR Engineering has given investors another update to digest.

Read more »

A young man punches the air in delight as he reacts to great news on his mobile phone.
Materials Shares

This ASX rare earths stock is rocketing 14% on big news

A big announcement is getting investors excited on Thursday.

Read more »

Astronaut floats in space looking down on Earth
Materials Shares

IperionX expands U.S. titanium manufacturing with new six-axis press

IperionX boosts its U.S. titanium manufacturing capabilities, commissioning a new press to expand supply for defence and aerospace.

Read more »

three young children weariing business suits, helmets and old fashioned aviator goggles wear aeroplane wings on their backs and jump with one arm outstretched into the air in an arid, sandy landscape.
Materials Shares

Up 250% in a year, Core Lithium shares surging again today on big Finniss news

Investors are piling into Core Lithium shares on Wednesday.

Read more »

Male building supervisor stands and smiles with his arms crossed at a building site with workers behind him.
Materials Shares

James Hardie earnings: FY26 profit drops as sales lift 25%

James Hardie shares are in focus after the company posted higher sales but a sharp fall in annual profit, pointing…

Read more »

Miner looking at his notes.
Materials Shares

Why this ASX critical minerals stock is falling despite a US defence win

A US defence contract has not stopped Metallium shares falling today.

Read more »

A construction worker sits pensively at his desk with his arm propping up his chin as he looks at his laptop computer.
Materials Shares

Can these soaring ASX materials stocks keep rising?

These companies ignored the broader market sell-off to start the week.

Read more »

Engineer looking at mining trucks at a mine site.
Materials Shares

Which ASX rare earths company is spinning out a new aluminium company?

Shareholders will reap gains under this plan.

Read more »