Company Reports

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile is a large, low-cost producer of lithium, iodine, and nitrates used in specialty fertilizers. SQM’s crown jewels are its geologically advantaged lithium and caliche ore assets in Chile. SQM’s low-cost lithium deposit in the Salar de Atacama boasts the highest concentration of lithium globally and benefits from high evaporation rates in the Chilean desert. As electric vehicle penetration increases, we expect double-digit annual growth for global lithium demand, one of the best growth profiles among commodities.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera reported strong second-quarter earnings as adjusted EBITDA more than quadrupled year over year driven by higher lithium prices and volumes.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera reported strong first-quarter results as higher lithium prices and volumes drove a more than 150% year-over-year gross profit increase.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile is a large, low-cost producer of lithium, iodine, and nitrates used in specialty fertilizers. SQM’s crown jewels are its geologically advantaged lithium and caliche ore assets in Chile. SQM’s low-cost lithium deposit in the Salar de Atacama boasts the highest concentration of lithium globally and benefits from high evaporation rates in the Chilean desert. As electric vehicle penetration increases, we expect double-digit annual growth for global lithium demand, one of the best growth profiles among commodities.

SQM's fourth-quarter earnings reflected improving sequential lithium prices, with profits up versus the third quarter. SQM shares were down 1% at the time of writing on Feb. 12, as part of a broader market selloff despite management's outlook for higher lithium prices in 2026.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile is a large, low-cost producer of lithium, iodine, and nitrates used in specialty fertilizers. SQM’s crown jewels are its geologically advantaged lithium and caliche ore assets in Chile. SQM’s low-cost lithium deposit in the Salar de Atacama boasts the highest concentration of lithium globally and benefits from high evaporation rates in the Chilean desert. As electric vehicle penetration increases, we expect double-digit annual growth for global lithium demand, one of the best growth profiles among commodities.

On Feb. 25, Reuters reported that the Zimbabwe government has banned the export of all lithium concentrate materials. The shares of lithium producers Albemarle and SQM were up 8% and 6%, respectively, at the time of writing on Feb. 25.

Tianqi Lithium announced it plans to sell as many as 3.57 million shares it holds of Socieded Quimica y Minera. SQM shares were down 8% at the time of writing on Feb. 4 on the news.

SQM's third-quarter earnings reflected lower lithium prices. Yet, operating profits were higher year over year as higher volumes and reduced unit production costs more than offset lower prices. SQM shares were up 5% on Nov. 19 at the time of writing on optimism for rising lithium prices.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile is a large, low-cost producer of lithium, iodine, and nitrates used in specialty fertilizers. SQM’s crown jewels are its geologically advantaged lithium and caliche ore assets located in Chile. SQM’s low-cost lithium deposit in the Salar de Atacama boasts the highest concentration of lithium globally and benefits from high evaporation rates in the Chilean desert. As electric vehicle penetration increases, we expect double-digit annual growth for global lithium demand, one of the best growth profiles among commodities.

Multiple media outlets reported battery maker and lithium producer Contemporary Amperex Technologies is close to obtaining its permits to resume lithium production at its largest mine. Lithium futures prices and producer shares fell on the news Sept. 9.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile is a large, low-cost producer of lithium, iodine, and nitrates used in specialty fertilizers. SQM’s crown jewels are its geologically advantaged lithium and caliche ore assets located in Chile. SQM’s low-cost lithium deposit in the Salar de Atacama boasts the highest concentration of lithium globally and benefits from high evaporation rates in the Chilean desert. As electric vehicle penetration increases, we expect double-digit annual growth for global lithium demand, one of the best growth profiles among commodities.

SQM reported second-quarter results largely in line with our outlook for the cadence of the year. Profits were down due to low lithium prices, but the company continues to increase volumes in both its Chilean and Australian resources. SQM shares were down nearly 2% at the time of writing.

Battery maker and lithium producer Contemporary Amperex Technologies announced it was suspending production at one of its largest lithium mines for six to 12 months due to an expired mining permit. Lithium futures prices and producer shares rallied on the news.

SQM reported first-quarter earnings with gross profits down nearly 20% versus the prior-year quarter as lower lithium prices weighed on results. SQM shares were down nearly 3% at the time of writing on the news that management plans to continue its lithium expansion despite lower prices.

Through its access to high-quality mineral deposits, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile is a large, low-cost producer of lithium, iodine, and nitrates used in specialty fertilizers. SQM’s crown jewels are its geologically advantaged lithium and caliche ore assets. SQM’s low-cost lithium deposit in the Salar de Atacama boasts the highest concentration of lithium globally and benefits from high evaporation rates in the Chilean desert. As electric vehicle penetration increases, we expect double-digit annual growth for global lithium demand, one of the best growth profiles among commodities.

Demand from China has been the main driver of rising commodity prices in the past two decades. More recently, gold is close to historical highs on safe-haven demand. However, driven by weak China steel end-user demand and slower global growth, most other commodity prices have fallen.

Gold is higher in the March quarter as worries over tariffs affecting economic growth see a flight to safety. Despite likely slower global growth, copper is up as investors try to get ahead of potential tariffs on US copper imports. Iron ore is flat, while metallurgical and thermal coal are down.

President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs, which featured a minimum 10% tariff on all US imports, with only limited exceptions, and higher rates for select countries. Most US-listed lithium producers were down on the news.

Battery electric vehicle sales stalled in the US and Europe in 2024 after a postpandemic rise. With sales growing in China and globally, many companies throughout the EV supply chain stand to benefit from the transition to EVs.