Lithium Prices Hold Near Highs While Battery Tech ETF Pauses

Lithium carbonate prices were holding up at one-year highs on April 24, with the TradingEconomics chart indicating the commodity at 173,000 CNY per ton. The one-year chart pattern shows a strong recovery from the mid-2025 lows of 60,000-70,000 CNY/T and a sharp acceleration into late 2025 and early 2026. The cycle saw prices briefly move above 180,000 CNY/T and is currently below this level.

That means lithium is in a good position on the longer-term chart. The market structure has changed from a long base to an uptrend with higher highs and higher lows in most of the last six months. The recent move also suggests buyers are still holding the upper range—a retrace of the rally is not underway.

Analyst Points: 120% Surge In Lithium Carbonate

In a post on X, Steve Hanke said the Wall Street Journal reported lithium carbonate prices have increased by over 120% in the last six months. He also attributed the move to the demand for batteries in the artificial intelligence (AI) data industry and said the growing demand for power is driving lithium demand.

The shape of his post looks like a price chart. The fastest leg of the rally started late in 2025 with lithium carbonate decisively breaking out above the 100,000 CNY/T level and then accelerating to the 160,000 to 180,000 CNY/T range. The commodity remains high despite a couple of corrections.

The TradingEconomics one-year chart also reveals that the market has shrugged off one or two corrections to remain firmly in the bull camp. Each correction has brought the commodity back to the 140,000 to 160,000 CNY/T band, and then it has rebounded to new highs, with the latest reading at 173,000 CNY/T holding lithium up around the top of that band.

Lithium ETFs Are Flatter Than the Commodity Itself

The short-term outlook is less frothy in equities. The Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) was at $83.62, or 0.05% lower for the session on the TradingView chart. The intraday price range remained tight, with the ETF trading around the $83.60-$83.85 zone, rather than making a strong push above.

The volume was also thin on the most recent TradingView chart, with only 5 units displayed. These lower levels of activity are consistent with the ETF trading in a range while waiting for a clearer trend.

That contrast matters. On the one hand, pure lithium carbonate is still trading at the top of its range. On the other side, the ETF is holding steady after its previous surge and is no longer showing the same short-term momentum. The price candles depict a mix of small gains and losses, which is an indication of consolidation.

ETF Momentum Has Weakened; MACD Shows

The ETF’s momentum also weakened. According to TradingView, the MACD line was 0.0653, less than the signal line of 0.1130, and the histogram was -0.0477. This maintains negative short-term momentum despite the price being near new highs.

Put another way, the commodity is still healthier than the ETF. Lithium carbonate is still in a long-term uptrend, and the ETF is cooling off. The ETF’s near-term support is at $83.50, with resistance at $83.80 to $84.00.

The charts remain a relative tale of two speeds for now. The lithium carbonate price is still close to its best of the year on the back of a strong six-month rally. The lithium/battery-tech ETF is, however, taking things more slowly, with price holding but momentum neutral.