Lithium Giant SQM Boosts Supply Plans as Prices Flick Higher

SQM, the world’s biggest lithium producer by market value, boosted its sales guidance for this year and struck a note of optimism on prices after posting a 28% slump in second-quarter core earnings.

Attributable core earnings before items fell to $307.9 million last quarter, the firm said in a statement. But the Chilean producer of the battery metal is pressing ahead with an expansion, saying sales volumes from its domestic plants will grow 10% this year. It also lifted sales guidance for its Australian operations.