Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (ARCA: LIT)

에 대한 최신 뉴스 Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (ARCA:LIT)

Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF

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The fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of the underlying index and in American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) based on the securities in the underlying index. The underlying index is designed to measure broad-based equity market performance of global companies involved in the lithium industry. The fund is non-diversified.

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최근 연구에 따르면 아칸소주가 전기차(EV) 배터리와 기타 첨단 제품에 필수적인 리튬을 상당량 보유하고 있을 가능성이 제기되었다.

아칸소주가 전기차 배터리 수요 증가에 따라 1천 9백만 톤의 리튬을 보유 중으로 예상

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The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently discovered a significant lithium reserve beneath southwestern Arkansas. Through water testing and artificial intelligence, the agency found as much as 19 million tons of lithium — enough to supply the nation's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/clean-energy">green tech transition</a>.
"Our research was able to estimate total lithium present in the southwestern portion of the Smackover in Arkansas for the first time.&nbsp; We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more," <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/unlocking-arkansas-hidden-treasure-usgs-uses-machine-learning-show-large">said</a> Katherine Knierim, a hydrologist and the study's principal researcher.
The Smackover Formation is a leftover of an ancient sea that formed a porous and permeable limestone geologic unit that extends across the Southern U.S. states. Rich in oil and bromine, it has recently attracted attention for brine water — high-salinity waters that are a common byproduct of oil exploration.
Given the synergies, large oil producers such as Exxon Mobil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/02/37182798/exxons-lithium-experiment-could-be-winner-for-oil-company-state-of-arkansas">already active in Arkansas</a>. The company plans to begin extraction by 2027 and produce enough lithium for one million electric vehicles annually by 2030 through Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, which offers a quicker, more environmentally friendly method than traditional mining.
DLE also has high profitability potential, as demonstrated by Canadian pioneer Volt Lithium, which recently produced the first <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/08/40287108/volt-lithium-ceo-talks-up-new-mining-extraction-method-promises-major-production-advancements">battery-grade lithium</a> from brine in the Permian basin. The company estimates production costs at $2,900 per ton, even from low-concentration brine, while current prices hover around $10,500 per ton.
Despite significant lithium resources in the form of brine and clay deposits such as Thacker Pass in Nevada, domestic production has yet to catch up to domestic consumption. The U.S. imports 25% of its lithium, mainly from Australia and South America. This reliance on foreign sources and China's dominance in lithium processing have raised concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities.
The reasons include environmental concerns and opposition from the Indigenous population, as prospective deposits often crisscross disputed sites. With inert bureaucracy and high capex costs, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39870803/us-mine-development-delays-among-worlds-longest-second-only-to-zambia">average mine development</a> in the U.S. is 29 years.
Still, with heavyweights such as Exxon committed to tapping into Arkansas' and both local and federal decision-makers keeping a friendly stance toward battery metals — this Southern state might reach its goal of becoming an epicenter of U.S. lithium production.
Lithium stocks rallied on the news, with Piedmont Lithium (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLL#NASDAQ">PLL</a>) climbing 17% yesterday before giving back most of those gains today.
Major lithium ETFs Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIT#NYSE">LIT</a>) and Amplify Lithium &amp; Battery Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BATT#NYSE">BATT</a>) had modest gains between 2% and 3% Wednesday morning before running out of steam.
Read Next: • <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/10/41425070/vale-sets-samarco-dam-bill-estimate-at-30b-bhp-faces-uks-high-court">Vale Sets Samarco Dam Bill Estimate At $30B, BHP Faces UK&#8217;s High Court</a>
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Lithium Reserve Found In Arkansas With Help From AI: Why It Impacts Exxon Mobil

In a recent study, researchers have suggested that Arkansas could potentially hold a significant amount of lithium, a crucial component for electric car batteries and other high-tech products.
What Happened: The researchers, in a study published in the journal Science Advances, have estimated that there could be between 5.1 to 19 million tons of lithium in the Smackover Formation brines in southern Arkansas, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4945872-arkansas-19-million-tons-lithium-battery-power/">reported</a> The Hill. This amount could potentially make up 35 to 136% of the current U.S. lithium resource estimate.
The researchers used a machine-learning model trained on published and newly collected brine lithium concentration data to create a map of predicted lithium concentrations in Smackover Formation brines across southern Arkansas.
Lithium ETFs offer a way to diversify your investments across multiple companies poised to benefit from the growing demand for lithium. 
Some of the top lithium ETFs to consider include the Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIT#NYSE">LIT</a>), Amplify Lithium and Battery Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BATT#NYSE">BATT</a>), First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (NASDAQGM:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCLN#NASDAQGM">QCLN</a>), iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ICLN#NASDAQ">ICLN</a>), and the VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REMX#NYSE">REMX</a>).
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41422633/investors-lost-over-95-of-their-wealth-in-this-nvidia-linked-etf-while-jensen-huang-led-chip-gia?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Investors Lost Over 95% Of Their Wealth In This Nvidia-Linked ETF While Jensen Huang-Led Chip Giant Gained 220% In The Past Year: Here&#8217;s More</a>
Why It Matters: Automakers and tech companies are scrambling to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41360023/lithium-americas-shares-surge-as-gm-commits-625m-to-thacker-pass-project">secure their lithium supplies</a>, with some even investing in mining projects, such as General Motors&#8216; joint venture with Lithium Americas (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LAC#NYSE">LAC</a>) for the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada.
Meanwhile, in Europe, the Serbian parliament&#8217;s decision <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41289306/serbian-parliament-doesnt-pass-lithium-ban-keeps-rio-tintos-major-project-alive">not to ban lithium exploration and exploitation</a> has kept Rio Tinto&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIO#NYSE">RIO</a>) major Jadar project alive. 
In January, Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) revealed its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/02/37188987/interesting-elon-musk-captivated-by-microsofts-70-lithium-reduced-battery-innovation">collaboration with a U.S. national laboratory</a> to create an innovative battery material that decreases lithium consumption by 70%, attracting interest from Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk.
Moreover, in July 2022 Musk tweeted that &#8220;lithium batteries are the new oil,&#8221; responding to Craft Ventures co-founder David Sacks&#8216; comments about the importance of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/22/07/28056987/elon-musk-says-this-battery-metal-is-the-new-oil-but-should-the-vehicle-connoisseur-take-his">energy independence amid oil challenges</a> from Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine. 
Read Next: 
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</ul>
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

Arkansas May Be Sitting On 19M Tons Of Lithium Amid Rising Demand For EV Batteries: How To Invest In What Elon Musk Calls 'The New Oil'

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Lithium shares are trading lower. The commodity has been weighed down this year by an oversupply.

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LITH

Shares of lithium companies are trading higher. The US Department of Energy selected Standard Lithium and Equinor for an award negotiation of up to $225 million for the South West Arkansas project.

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CORRECTION: Lithium Stocks Are Higher

Shares of lithium companies are trading lower amid a drop in the price of the metal.

Shares of lithium companies are trading lower amid a drop in the price of lithium. Concerns over a growing Africa supply of the mineral may weigh negatively on the cost.

US Strategic Metals (USSM), a private company formerly known as Missouri Cobalt, has received a non-binding Letter of Interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank) for a potential $400 million debt funding package for Madison, their flagship <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mining" rel="noreferrer noopener">cobalt mining project</a>.
The loan, which could extend up to 15 years, may qualify for special consideration under EXIM Bank's China and Transformational Export Program, a congressional initiative aimed at bolstering American companies' competition with Chinese entities in critical sectors, including energy storage and renewable energy.
Now read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/24/08/40269515/we-are-in-a-race-against-time-says-ceo-as-alaska-energy-metals-finds-major-nickel-deposit" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘We Are In A Race Against Time,' Says CEO As Alaska Energy Metals Finds Major Nickel Deposit</a>
The Madison project, located near Cobalt Village in the Mine La Motte-Fredericktown Mining District, is considered one of the largest cobalt reserves in North America.
The site spans 7.3 square kilometers and has a rich history dating back to its discovery in 1847 and operation until 1961. In recent years, USSM has focused on rehabilitating the area designated a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency due to past environmental damage.
The project is estimated to hold 72 million pounds of recoverable cobalt, 105 million pounds of nickel, and 103 million pounds of copper—essential materials for the green energy sector.
Cobalt is essential in the production of lithium-ion batteries. According to<a target="_blank" href="https://www.giiresearch.com/report/gd1422138-global-cobalt-mining-update.html" rel="noreferrer noopener"> GlobalData</a>, the U.S. contributes a mere 0.36% to global cobalt production, an amount insufficient to meet domestic industrial needs.
However, the cobalt market has been volatile. After a sharp price surge from $30,000 per metric ton in April 2020 to $82,000 in April 2022, cobalt prices have since plummeted below $30,000.
This price collapse has significantly impacted U.S. domestic production, including the temporary halt of operations at the only operating cobalt mine in Idaho.
A $400 million investment could significantly reduce the US's reliance on foreign sources of cobalt. Currently, the Democratic Republic of Congo dominates global production with over 70% of the market share. Yet, it is an unstable jurisdiction that, per the Associated Press, recently experienced a failed coup d&#8217;état and has been criticized for using<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38989518/apple-supply-chain-includes-blood-minerals-from-congo-lawyers" rel="noreferrer noopener"> illegal child labor</a>.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/24/08/40269672/renergen-launches-liquid-helium-production-begins-sales-to-global-customers" rel="noreferrer noopener">Renergen Launches Liquid Helium Production, Begins Sales To Global Customers</a>
Benzinga Mining is the bridge between mining companies and retail investors. Reach out to <a href="mailto:licensing@benzinga.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">licensing@benzinga.com</a> to get started!
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US Strategic Metals Secures $400M Funding Proposal For Cobalt Project In Missouri

Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) shares are trading higher on Wednesday. The company reportedly intends to conduct additional auctions for lithium, the metal used in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/electric-vehicles">electric vehicle batteries.</a>
This move aims to enhance price transparency and foster a clearer understanding of the typically opaque market, reported Reuters.
The company also expects to strengthen supply contracts with automakers eager for a stable and consistent supply.
As per the report, despite lithium&#8217;s surge in popularity over the past decade, confusing futures pricing from market leader China has obscured a clear global reference point for its price.
The issue became particularly pronounced when Chinese prices plummeted last year, causing a decline in the shares of Albemarle and other Western lithium producers.
The London Metal Exchange has yet to roll out its long-anticipated lithium futures contract, and the trading volumes of the lithium contract on the CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CME#NASDAQ">CME</a>) are considerably smaller than those of copper and other essential minerals.
Albemarle intends to share its auction data with Fastmarkets and other pricing agencies to develop publicly available prices noting that many of the company&#8217;s long-term contracts are tied to this data.
Eric Norris, head of Albemarle&#8217;s energy storage business, told Reuters, &#8220;Our intent is to do more of them in more parts of the world and for various types and grades of lithium&#8221;
&#8220;With the recent drop in lithium prices, now may be the right time for industry consolidation&#8230; There should be bigger players with bigger balance sheets &#8230; in this space in order to credibly support the growth going forward,&#8221; he added.
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LITP#NASDAQ">LITP</a>) and Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIT#NYSE">LIT</a>).
Price Action: ALB shares are up 5.3% at $97.72 premarket at last check Wednesday.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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What's Going With Albemarle Shares Today

Exxon Mobil Has No Plans To Expand Into Hard Rock Lithium Mining Or Develop Its Own Direct Lithium Extraction Technology; Focuses On Core Competencies In Subsurface Fluids; Considering Lithium Expansion Projects Globally, Says Executive Patrick Howarth

The growing trend of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) adoption is poised to reshape the landscape for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/05/39063832/as-ev-adoption-stalls-due-to-chicken-and-the-egg-situation-hybrids-race-ahead">essential raw materials</a>.
Bill Peterson from JPMorgan outlines how this shift impacts the demand for lithium, rare earths, copper and aluminum.
For investors, this shift comes with significant implications in related ETFs such as the Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIT#NYSE">LIT</a>), Amplify Lithium &amp; Battery Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BATT#NYSE">BATT</a>), WisdomTree Battery Value Chain and Innovation Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBAT#NYSE">WBAT</a>) and the United States Copper Index Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPER#NYSE">CPER</a>).
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lithium and Rare Earths: Balancing Act</h3>
The demand for lithium and rare earths is projected to decline due to lower battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales. BEVs traditionally contain a higher content of these materials. 
While HEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are set to increase, their cumulative demand for lithium and rare earths won&#8217;t fully offset the drop from BEVs.
Related: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/05/39063832/as-ev-adoption-stalls-due-to-chicken-and-the-egg-situation-hybrids-race-ahead">As EV Adoption Stalls Due To &#8216;Chicken And The Egg&#8217; Situation, Hybrids Race Ahead</a>
This nuanced demand scenario should be closely monitored by investors in Lithium Americas Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LAC#NYSE">LAC</a>), Piedmont Lithium Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLL#NASDAQ">PLL</a>) and MP Materials Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MP#NYSE">MP</a>). 
These companies remain crucial due to the limited domestic supply sources in the US and the prioritization of IRA-qualified materials.
ETFs such as LIT, BATT and WBAT are also sensitive to changes in lithium and rare earth market dynamics.
Investors in these companies and related ETFs should note the strategic value and geopolitical factors at play, which could sustain their market positions despite shifting demand forecasts.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Copper: A Shining Opportunity</h3>
Contrary to the trend in lithium and rare earths, copper demand is expected to rise due to higher HEV and PHEV sales. 
While these vehicles use less copper per unit compared to BEVs, their increasing numbers will result in a net demand increase.
Investors in the United States Copper Index Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPER#NYSE">CPER</a>) should find this particularly relevant, as copper&#8217;s uplift in demand could positively influence market prices and the fund&#8217;s performance.
Aluminum demand is unlikely to see significant long-term changes. 
However, potential short-term supply and demand fluctuations could arise if hybrid vehicle trends evolve as projected. This stability is noteworthy for those considering investments in broader commodity ETFs and funds that include aluminum exposure.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Investor Implications</h3>
For investors in ETFs such as LIT, BATT, WBAT and CPER, the evolving hybrid vehicle market presents both challenges and opportunities. Monitoring the demand trends for these critical metals and adjusting portfolios accordingly could enhance investment strategies and returns.
As hybrid vehicles gain traction, the demand dynamics for lithium, rare earths, copper and aluminum are set to shift. Copper stands out with a positive demand outlook, while lithium and rare earths face a more complex scenario.
Strategic domestic suppliers such as Lithium Americas, Piedmont Lithium Inc and MP Materials Corp are well-positioned despite these shifts, offering potential stability for investors.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/24/02/37203815/ev-battery-metal-market-faces-downturn-as-prices-plummet-whats-next-for-the-industry">EV Battery Metal Market Faces Downturn As Prices Plummet: What&#8217;s Next For The Industry?</a>

Analyst Color

Long Ideas

Specialty ETFs

Analyst Ratings

Trading Ideas

CPER

WBAT

Hybrid Vehicle Adoption: Key Implications For Lithium, Rare Earths, Copper And Aluminum Investors

Shares of lithium stocks are trading higher. Chile opened 26 lithium salt flats for investment.

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is experiencing a significant shift as producers of lithium and nickel, essential components in lithium-ion batteries, are pausing projects and shutting down mines in a bid to conserve cash. This move comes in the wake of a dramatic decrease in commodity prices, with lithium prices dropping by up to 90% since last year, and nickel prices seeing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-lithium-stocks">a reduction by about half.</a>
Albemarle Rethinks South Carolina Project Amid Price Crash
According to the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/commodities-futures/the-boom-in-battery-metals-for-evs-is-turning-to-bust-5630493c">Wall Street Journal</a>, Albemarle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>), a key player in the production of battery metals, is reevaluating its plans for a high-tech $1.3 billion lithium processing plant in South Carolina. 
This project, intended to support South Carolina&#8217;s growing electric-vehicle industry, is now on hold due to the sharp decline in battery metal prices and a slowdown in the growth of electric-vehicle sales in both the U.S. and China. 
As a result, Albemarle is implementing company-wide cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and delays in other investments.
Glencore and BHP Group Face Setbacks
Glencore, a Swiss mining and trading giant, announced the suspension of operations at an unprofitable nickel mine and processing plant in New Caledonia, citing high operating costs and a weak market. The company is looking for buyers for its stake in this venture that contributes over 6% to the world&#8217;s nickel supply.
Meanwhile, BHP Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BHP#NYSE">BHP</a>), the world&#8217;s largest miner by market value, has indicated that it may need to close its Australian nickel business temporarily. Despite having supply agreements with major automakers like Tesla and Ford Motor, BHP is wary of a quick market recovery.
Industry Challenges and Investment Slowdown
The global supply of lithium and nickel has surged as producers expanded operations to meet the anticipated demand from the EV industry. However, with the growth of EV sales slowing down, several automakers, including Ford, General Motors, and Volvo, are adopting a more cautious approach, delaying investments due to uncertain consumer demand. 
This cautious stance is further evidenced by the bankruptcy filing of British electric-vehicle maker Arrival&#8217;s U.K. business, attributing its challenges to adverse macroeconomic conditions.
ETFs Reflect Market Downturn
The downturn has also impacted investment products linked to the battery metal sector. The Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIT#NYSE">LIT</a>), which offers exposure to global lithium companies, has declined by 37% in the past year, with a more than 50% drop since its peak in 2021. Similarly, the Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIKL#NASDAQ">NIKL</a>) has experienced a 45% decrease since July 2023.
Chart: Significant Decline in Lithium and Nickel-Related Stocks Since Last Summer 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="495" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/19155604/image-41-1024x495.png" alt="" class="wp-image-220984" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/19155604/image-41-1024x495.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/19155604/image-41-300x145.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/19155604/image-41-768x372.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/19155604/image-41-1536x743.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/19155604/image-41.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Looking Ahead: Potential for Recovery Amid Challenges
Despite the current downturn, some industry analysts believe that the scale of the cutbacks might be moderate, suggesting that miners are still optimistic about long-term demand. Lower metal prices could eventually benefit automotive companies by enabling them to offer cheaper models and discounts, potentially reigniting sales growth. 
However, the current slowdown in mining operations poses a risk of future shortages if demand for EVs surges again, potentially leaving car manufacturers in search of supplies.
Read now: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/02/37169552/exclusive-value-investor-is-very-happy-to-take-advantage-of-top-gold-miner-at-histo">EXCLUSIVE: Value Investor Is &#8216;Very Happy To Take Advantage&#8217; Of Top Gold Miner At Historical Discount</a>
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NIKL

EV Battery Metal Market Faces Downturn As Prices Plummet: What's Next For The Industry?

We performed a screening of mid-cap ETFs &#8211; defined as having Assets Under Management (AUM) between $2 billion and $10 billion &#8211; to determine what funds had the largest change in net assets on the week, according to data from <a href="http://etfdb.com">etfdb.com</a>. Only non-leveraged funds were considered.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Winners</h2>
abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGOL#NYSE">SGOL</a>)
SGOL was up 2.71% on the week.
The abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF provides exposure to the spot price of gold. The fund holds real gold bullion in its vault in Switzerland.
SGOL has $2.78 billion in AUM and an expense ratio of 0.17%.
YTD, SGOL is up 8.41%.
SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLDM#NYSE">GLDM</a>)
GLDM is up 2.61% over the trailing week.
SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust, like SGOL, provides exposure to gold without the need to personally own bullion. The price will move synchronously with the spot price of gold.
GLDM has $6.19 billion in AUM and an expense ratio of 0.10%.&nbsp;
GLDM is up 8.48% YTD.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Losers</h2>
Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIT#NYSE">LIT</a>)
LIT is down 7.50% over the trailing week.
The Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF is designed to offer exposure to companies involved in the lithium industry, from exploration and mining to the development and manufacture of new technologies. Lithium and lithium-ion batteries are a critical component of much of the technology that drives the modern world.
The fund has $3.37 billion in AUM and an expense ratio of 0.75%. LIT has 42 holdings, with the 10 largest comprising 55.94% of the fund.
The fund's largest holdings are Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) and Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) making up 7.91% and 7.58% of the fund, respectively.
LIT is down 16.18% YTD.
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EDV#NYSE">EDV</a>)
EDV is down 7.48% over the trailing week.
The Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF provides exposure to long-dated US treasuries. The maturity dates range from 20 to 30 years.
The fund has $2.19 billion in AUM and an expense ratio of .06%.
EDV is down 21.71% YTD.

GLDM

SGOL

Gold Up For Another Week Approaching All-Time High, Gold Funds Pop - ETF Winners And Losers: Mid-Cap Returns

Lithium is a metal that has soared in popularity and demand in recent years thanks to its inclusion<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/electric-vehicles"> in electric vehicles.</a>
A disclosure of a new lithium deposit that could be the biggest in the world could be good news for the electric vehicle sector and a company that has rights to the mining area.
What Happened: With electric vehicle sales expected to increase over time and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34453211/global-ev-market-share-reaches-15-in-2023-top-players-vehicles-and-companies-dominating-sector"> gain market share </a>over traditional automakers, investors may be looking for ways to invest in the growth.
There are multiple ways to invest in electric vehicle growth including stocks and ETFs and one area of focus could be lithium, given its placement in the supply chain.
With more lithium needed to produce more battery-powered electric vehicles, the sector may have gotten great news with the discovery that 20 to 40 million tons of lithium could be contained within a volcanic crater near the Nevada and Oregon border.
This total, <a href="https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/lithium-discovery-in-us-volcano-could-be-biggest-deposit-ever-found/4018032.article">reported </a>by Chemistry World, would make the lithium deposit the largest in the world.
The area is not currently mined, with Native Americans contesting mine development according to the report.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/23/07/33443954/as-electric-vehicle-transition-charges-higher-this-etf-tracks-lithium-a-critical-battery">As Electric Vehicle Transition Charges Higher, This ETF Tracks Lithium</a>
Why It&rsquo;s Important: Lithium Americas Corp&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lac#NYSE">LAC</a>) owns rights to the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada in the region. The company&rsquo;s geologist Thomas Benson was part of the research team that reported on the new discovery.
Benson said Lithium Americas could begin mining in the region in 2026. The company will remove the clay with water and then separate out the lithium. Benson said the Tacker Pass region is &ldquo;unique.&rdquo;
A leading geologist said the discovery could be significant.
&ldquo;It they can extract the lithium in a very low energy-intensive way, or in a process that does not consume much acid, then this can be economically very significant,&rdquo; Geologist Anouk Borst said. &ldquo;The U.S. would have its own supply of lithium and industries would be less scared about supply shortages.&rdquo;
Tesla CEO Elon Musk <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1700805058370113934">highlighted </a>the importance of lithium in a reply to a X, formerly known as Twitter,&nbsp;user who shared the article.
&ldquo;Lithium ore is quite common throughout the world. The limiting factor is lithium refining,&rdquo; Musk said. &ldquo;Refining matters more than ore.&rdquo;
Lithium Americas has several lithium facilities in the pre-production stages and could become a major player in lithium refining.
The company reported second-quarter financial results in August with earnings per share of 16 cents beating a Street consensus estimate of a loss of 10 cents per share.
Piper Sandler<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LAC/analyst-ratings"> maintained an Overweight</a> rating on the stock and lowered the price target from $33 to $29 after the results.
Investors have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-lithium-etf">several ETFs</a> to choose from that include lithium-related companies including the Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lit#NYSE">LIT</a>) and the Amplify Lithium &amp; Battery Technology ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/batt#NYSE">BATT</a>). Lithium Americas Corp is a holding in both ETFs.
LAC Price Action: Lithium Americas shares trade at $19.26, gaining 7% over the past five trading days. The stock has traded between $16.07 and $31.98 over the past 52 weeks.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-invest-in-lithium">How To Invest In Lithium</a>
Photo: Shutterstock 
&nbsp;

Was The Biggest Lithium Deposit Just Found? Here's The Stock Investors Should Know

We performed a screening of medium-cap ETFs, defined as having Assets Under Management (AUM) between $2 billion and $10 billion - to determine what funds had the largest positive and negative returns on the week, according to data from <a href="http://etfdb.com">etfdb.com</a>. Only non-leveraged funds were considered.
<h2>Winners</h2>
SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF (NYSEARCA: KRE)
KRE is up 7.54% over the trailing week.
The SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF is linked to an equal weighted index of regional bank stocks, an industry that has seen much turmoil this year after the collapse of several high profile banks. KRE is more diversified and evenly distributed than its competitors.
The fund has $3.60 billion in AUM and an expense ratio of 0.35%. KRE has holdings in 141 companies, with the 10 largest comprising 21.46% of the fund.
The fund&rsquo;s largest holdings are Western Alliance Bancorp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wal#NYSE">WAL</a>) and Zions Bancorporation, N.A. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/zion#NASDAQ">ZION</a>) making up 2.29% and 2.26% of the fund, respectively.
KRE is down 19.64% YTD.
SPDR S&amp;P Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF (NYSEARCA: XOP)
XOP is up 5.43% over the trailing week.
The SPDR S&amp;P Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF offers exposure to the exploration and production sub sector of the domestic oil market. Like many of State Street&rsquo;s products, it is equal weighted, making it a balanced option.
The fund has $3.76 billion in AUM and an expense ratio of 0.35%. XOP has holdings in 61 companies, with the 10 largest comprising 24.51% of the fund.
The fund&rsquo;s largest holdings are Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/swn#NYSE">SWN</a>) and SM Energy Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sm#NYSE">SM</a>) making up 2.62% and 2.6% of the fund, respectively.
XOP is up 1.63% YTD.
<h2>Losers</h2>
Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lit#NASDAQ">LIT</a>)
LIT was down 4.18% on the week.
The Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF offers exposure to companies participating in the lithium ion battery industry. Li ion batteries are a crucial part of modern technology and underpin the entire EV market. 
LIT has $3.40 billion in AUM and an expense ratio of 0.75%. The fund has holdings in 41 companies, with the 10 largest comprising 53.36% of the fund.
The fund&rsquo;s largest holdings are Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/alb#NYSE">ALB</a>) and Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) making up 8.97% and 6.37% of the fund, respectively.
YTD, LIT is up 11.43%.
KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSEARCA: KWEB)
KWEB was down 3.69% on the week.
KraneShares CSI China Internet ETFis the only ETF on the market that offers pureplay exposure to Chinese software and information technology stocks. These companies directly compete with the FANG behemoths that dominate the US market.
KWEB has $5.32 billion in AUM and an expense ratio of 0.69%. The fund has holdings in 32 companies, with the 10 largest comprising 60.52% of the fund.
The fund&rsquo;s largest holdings are Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HKG: 700) and Alibaba Group Holding Limited (HKG: 9988) making up 9.39% and 9.39% of the fund, respectively.
YTD, KWEB is down 6.72%.
Featured photo by<a href="https://unsplash.com/@etiennemartin?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText"> Etienne Martin</a> on<a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/bank?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText"> Unsplash</a>

ZION

ETF Winners And Losers: Medium-Cap Returns - Regional Banks Bounce While Lithium Stocks Slump, KRE Up 7.54%, LIT Down 4.18%

<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-to-subsidize-half-of-costs-for-lithium-and-key-mineral-projects#:~:text=Japan%20to%20subsidize%20half%20of%20costs%20for%20lithium%20and%20key%20mineral%20projects,-Push%20to%20reduc" title="https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-to-subsidize-half-of-costs-for-lithium-and-key-mineral-projects#:~:text=Japan%20to%20subsidize%20half%20of%20costs%20for%20lithium%20and%20key%20mineral%20projects,-Push%20to%20reduc">https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-to-subsidize-half-of-costs-for-lithium-and-key-mineral-projects#:~:text=Japan%20to%20subsidize%20half%20of%20costs%20for%20lithium%20and%20key%20mineral%20projects,-Push%20to%20reduc</a>
<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-to-subsidize-half-of-costs-for-lithium-and-key-mineral-projects#:~:text=Japan%20to%20subsidize%20half%20of%20costs%20for%20lithium%20and%20key%20mineral%20projects,-Push%20to%20reduce&amp;text=TOKYO%20%2D%2D%20The%20Ministry%20of,Japanese%20companies%2C%20Nikkei%20has%20learned" title="https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-to-subsidize-half-of-costs-for-lithium-and-key-mineral-projects#:~:text=Japan%20to%20subsidize%20half%20of%20costs%20for%20lithium%20and%20key%20mineral%20projects,-Push%20to%20reduce&amp;text=TOKYO%20%2D%2D%20The%20Ministry%20of,Japanese%20companies%2C%20Nikkei%20has%20learned">https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-to-subsidize-half-of-costs-for-lithium-and-key-mineral-projects#:~:text=Japan%20to%20subsidize%20half%20of%20costs%20for%20lithium%20and%20key%20mineral%20projects,-Push%20to%20reduce&amp;text=TOKYO%20%2D%2D%20The%20Ministry%20of,Japanese%20companies%2C%20Nikkei%20has%20learned</a>.

Macro Economic Events

Economics

'Japan to subsidize half of costs for lithium and key mineral projects' -Nikkei

Lithium is quickly becoming one of the most precious commodities of the day.
As the world desperately tries to move towards more sustainable alternatives to carbon-emitting technology, the metal is becoming a key in the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and away from fossil fuels.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/22/08/28603952/bidens-inflation-bill-seen-cutting-1-9t-in-economic-damage-latest-analysis-finds">several provisions aimed at stimulating the clean energy economy</a>, such as&nbsp;solar, wind and clean hydrogen, by committing between $0.7 and $1.9 trillion in climate-related benefits through 2050.
Part of that included&nbsp;expanding tax credits for EVs and pushing for domestic sourcing of materials to promote a local EV supply chain.
&ldquo;Everybody needs lithium,&rdquo; said Eric Norris, lithium president of Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/alb#NYSE">ALB</a>), <a href="https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/lithium-rally-has-more-room-to-run-thanks-to-us-climate-bill-1.1856939">as</a><a href="http://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/lithium-rally-has-more-room-to-run-thanks-to-us-climate-bill-1.1856939">&nbsp;per&nbsp;</a>Bloomberg.
Lithium production is entering a more regionalized phase through the formation of new supply chains. Together with increased demand from a rise in EV sales, the metal is experiencing&nbsp;an unprecedented price boost.
Since the act went into law in August, more than $13 billion in investment has gone toward raw material production for batteries and EV manufacturing.
In mid-November, prices for raw lithium reached an all-time high in China. The commodity has since dropped -3.54% but it&rsquo;s still up on a year-over-year basis by 156.85%.
Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (ARCA: LIT) has not yet caught on. The ETF tracks the Solactive Global Lithium Index and invests in the full lithium cycle, from mining and refining the metal, through battery production.
The ETF was down 21.8% since January, underperforming the S&amp;P 500 by 4.5&nbsp;basis points.
Fully-integrated lithium company Livent Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lthm#NYSE">LTHM</a>), which was selling at $23.92, was only down 6.45% since January, outperforming the general equity market. The stock, however, was down almost 50% from its price one month ago.
While the lithium industry was experiencing a correction from its mid-November highs, the basic principles behind its thesis (rising demand for a scarce resource) should continue to support the industry&rsquo;s fundamentals in the medium to long term.
&ldquo;If you take those forecasts of demand, then we can never expand lithium supply quickly enough to catch up,&rdquo; said Livent CEO&nbsp;Paul Graves&nbsp;in a recent interview with the <a href="http://www.ft.com/content/511e45e0-fd87-4197-b690-a03597d62768">Financial Times</a>.
While demand for the metal soars, the global infrastructure is still not in place to meet it.
Shortages in lithium could&nbsp;be a new normal for the next decade, said the executive, leading to fewer car sales and hampering plans to decarbonize the auto industry as soon as it&#39;s needed to meet climate change goals.
Albemarle Corporation&#39;s&nbsp;lithium division, which accounted for 41.0% of revenue in 2021, was up 7.7% since January but its price throughout the year had&nbsp;shown unsettling volatility.
Now sitting at $254.34&nbsp;per share, the company had a 52-year high of $334.55 and a low of $169.93.
While the price of raw lithium was expected to continue on an upwards course, industries based around processing and manufacturing with the commodity present a more complex landscape.
Major macroeconomic factors can exert strong effects on demand for new vehicles and affect those companies on the battery side of the lithium industry. Companies purely focused on the extraction and sale of lithium as a raw material such as&nbsp;Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sqm#NYSE">SQM</a>) might have the advantage through volatile times, but risk losing the upper hand in the long term.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/12/29986092/warren-buffett-still-loves-byd-despite-berkshires-stake-cut-assures-ev-company-exec-very-natural-for">Warren Buffett Still Loves BYD Despite Berkshire&#39;s Stake Cut, Assures EV Company Exec: &#39;Very Natural For Him To...&#39;</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

LTHM

Lithium Is Becoming The New 'White Gold' — But Its Use Can Present More Complex Challenges

Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/alb#NYSE">ALB</a>) and a number of other stocks in the lithium sector gained ground recently, not only because the S&amp;P 500 experienced a bullish reaction to the release of the Federal Reserve&#39;s monthly minutes, where the Fed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/07/28231431/federal-reserve-issues-second-straight-0-75-interest-rate-hike-largest-since-1994">raised the benchmark interest rate</a> by 0.75% for a second month in a row.
Tesla&nbsp;Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk&nbsp;took to Twitter Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/twtr#NYSE">TWTR</a>) on July 13&nbsp;to <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1547271599555940352?s=20&amp;t=KicUOGyU2l7uYRvLhRL5Fw">post</a> that &ldquo;lithium batteries are the new oil.&rdquo;
The comment was in response to a statement Craft Ventures co-founder and partner David Sacks made on the micro-blogging platform, which said&nbsp;&quot;If this year proves anything, it&rsquo;s that there can be no security without energy independence,&rdquo; likely in reference to the ongoing oil woes caused by Russia&rsquo;s invasion of Ukraine.
Musk replied, &ldquo;Absolutely,&rdquo; before comparing the EV battery metal to oil using a saying regularly reserved&nbsp;for describing clothing trends.
A Look At The Markets: Although the world is slowly but steadily moving toward EV adoption, markets are controlled by supply and demand. While lithium is experiencing high demand due to the increase in electric vehicle production, rising inflation and a looming recession could thwart the heavy adoption of the technology by consumers in the near term.
Oil is also in a tricky situation because, despite the transition away from traditional gasoline-powered engines, the war in Ukraine has pushed to the forefront how dependent the world remains on fossil fuels.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/07/28273450/did-elon-musk-predict-the-u-s-recession">Did Elon Musk Predict The US Recession?</a>
Lithium Vs.&nbsp;Oil ETFs: Lithium-based ETF, Global X Lithium and Battery ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lit#NYSE">LIT</a>) experienced a massive bull run between April and November 2021, but has since been in decline. LIT has plunged about 23% since its Nov. 22, 2021, all-time high of $97.13 and is down 13% year-to-date.
On the other hand, the United States Oil ETF&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/uso#NYSE">USO</a>), which holds mostly short-term NYMEX futures contracts on WTI crude oil experienced a longer bull cycle, soaring 100% higher between Dec. 2, 2021, and its June 8 all-time high of $92.20. The ETF has since retraced about 15% from the all-time high, but is trading up about 44% year-to-date.
The Benzinga Take: Eventually, Elon Musk&rsquo;s statement will become fact, as the paradigm continues to shift and&nbsp;countries around the globe work to meet their green initiatives to&nbsp;phase out gas-guzzling vehicles in favor of electric modes of transportation.
For the time being, although lithium is more in vogue, the world depends on oil and EVs remain largely a luxury.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/07/28277145/elon-musk-countersues-twitter-over-44bln-deal-heres-what-you-need-to-know">Elon Musk Countersues Twitter Over $44B Deal: Here&#39;s What You Need To Know</a>
Photo:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/tunasalmon">tunasalmon</a>&nbsp;via Shutterstock

Movers

TWTR

Elon Musk Says This Battery Metal Is The New Oil: But Should The Vehicle Connoisseur Take His Foot Off The Accelerator?

The surging cost of lithium could impact the electric vehicle market as the commodity is a major component for companies like Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>). Here&rsquo;s what Tesla CEO Elon Musk is suggesting to help offset the rising price.
What Happened: A tweet shared recently from the Twitter Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/twtr#NYSE">TWTR</a>) account <a href="https://twitter.com/stats_feed/status/1512445210097160195">World of Statistics</a> highlighted the rising price of lithium.
Lithium is now trading at $78,032 per ton according to the post. Here&rsquo;s a look at how that stacks up with recent years.
<ul>
<li>2012: $4,450</li>
<li>2013: $4,750</li>
<li>2014: $4,680</li>
<li>2015: $5,110</li>
<li>2016: $8,840</li>
<li>2017: $12,070</li>
<li>2018: $14,660</li>
<li>2019: $11,310</li>
<li>2020: $6,800</li>
<li>2021: $17,000</li>
</ul>
The post prompted a <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1512505545416224783">response </a>from Musk, who said that Tesla could consider getting into the mining and refining business.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Price of lithium has gone to insane levels! Tesla might actually have to get into the mining &amp; refining directly at scale, unless costs improve.
There is no shortage of the element itself, as lithium is almost everywhere on Earth, but pace of extraction/refinement is slow.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1512505545416224783?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Several analysts recently shared their takes on the rising cost of commodities and the impact on the electric vehicle industry.
Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/03/26278500/rising-battery-costs-pressure-ev-manufacturers-why-morgan-stanley-says-tesla-is-bet">said </a>there might be little relief for companies that need lithium for vehicles.
&ldquo;Lower margins and/or demand destruction may be on the horizon,&rdquo; Jonas said.
Why It&rsquo;s Important: The note from Jonas highlighted that many battery manufacturers buy lithium at spot prices and don&rsquo;t lock in costs with long-term contracts. As a result, batteries might cost 25% more to make.
Jonas singled out Tesla as being a company that could hold up better than others due to its scale and vertical integration.
AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amc#NYSE">AMC</a>) recently made headlines for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/penny-stocks/22/03/26404173/exclusive-hycroft-mining-ceo-talks-amc-investment-unlocking-value-for-shareholders-and-whats">acquiring </a>a stake in Hycroft Mining Holding Co (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hymc#NASDAQ">HYMC</a>), a gold and silver mining company.
While AMC&rsquo;s investment was more about exploring a new sector, Tesla could take a similar approach and invest in or acquire lithium mining companies to help its supply chain.
Tesla <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/21/11/23797736/tesla-expands-battery-production-plans-signs-supply-agreement-with-ganfeng-lithium">signed </a>a contract for lithium with Ganfeng Lithium, the largest lithium company in the world, that will last for a three-year period dating to the end of 2024.
Tesla also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/02/25655400/tesla-secures-5-year-lithium-supply-deal-starting-next-year-with-australias-liontown">signed </a>a deal with Liontown Resources, a leading Australian miner, to provide lithium to the electric vehicle company.
Back in 2020 at its Battery Day, Musk <a href="https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/tesla-may-enter-the-lithium-mining-business-elon-musk-hinted#:~:text=During%20Battery%20Day%20in%202020%2C%20Musk%20announced%20that%20Tesla%20had,and%20a%20solution%20was%20found.">announced </a>the company acquired the rights to a 10,000-acre lithium clay deposit in Nevada. The company has been relatively quiet on its plans for the area, but some have <a href="https://www.hotcars.com/where-does-tesla-get-its-lithium/">pointed </a>to it taking years to be built out.
Given the increased prices of lithium, Musk&rsquo;s comments and the increased competition for lithium for their electric vehicles, Tesla could be serious about making acquisitions in the lithium space to help with its own supply chain.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/03/26230405/heres-how-much-the-cheapest-tesla-vehicle-is-now-after-price-increases">Here&#39;s How Much The Cheapest Tesla Vehicle Is Now After Price Increases&nbsp;</a>
Stocks to Watch: There are a handful of publicly traded lithium companies that could turn out to be acquisition targets by Tesla and other automotive companies to help with the supply chain.
Here are some of the largest publicly traded lithium related companies:
Livent Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lthm#NYSE">LTHM</a>)
Pilbara Minerals (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pilbf#OTC">PILBF</a>)
Albemarle Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/alb#NYSE">ALB</a>)
Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sqm#NYSE">SQM</a>)
Ganfeng Lithium Co Ltd (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gnenf#OTC">GNENF</a>)
Piedmont Lithium (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pll#NASDAQ">PLL</a>)
Lithium Americas Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lac#NYSE">LAC</a>)
Investors looking for a pure play option for exposure to lithium stocks can also consider the Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (ARCA:LIT).

Penny Stocks

Small Cap

GNENF

Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation - Class A Common Stock

HYMC

PILBF

Will Tesla Pull An AMC And Invest In Mining Companies? Here's What Elon Musk Suggested

Piedmont Lithium cut to Sell equivalent at JPM as weak pricing seen for 'several years'

Consensus Price Forecasts - U.S. Rate Cut, China Stimulus Boost Metals Prices

Lithium shares surge as USGS says Arkansas reserves may total 19M tons

Ioneer wins Biden administration's first approval for U.S. lithium mine

Lithium Miners News For The Month Of October 2024

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Celebrating 30 Years Of The Global Hard Assets Fund

Critical minerals: China likely to remain dominant force over coming year, BMI says

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Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF

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화요일, 10월 22, 2024

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