Where next for this battery material? Let's see what analysts at...

Where next for this battery material? Let's see what analysts at Goldman Sachs are forecasting.

As a reminder, Goldman Sachs has been spot on about lithium prices over the last 18 months, correctly calling this collapse when others in the industry were adamant that demand would keep prices high. So, clearly it can pay to listen to what its analysts say about the price of the battery making ingredient.

Moving on, here's how spot prices are looking this week compared to the average of last year:

• Lithium carbonate – China: US$11,867 per tonne (2023 average: US$32,694)
• Lithium hydroxide – China: US$9,899 per tonne (2023 average: US$32,452)
• Spodumene 6%: US$1,000 per tonne (2023 average: US$3,712)

But where next from here? Let's see what Goldman is forecasting for lithium prices out as far as 2027.

Lithium carbonate – China:

• 2024: US$12,847 per tonne
• 2025: US$11,000 per tonne
• 2026: US$13,323 per tonne
• 2027: US$15,646 per tonne

Lithium hydroxide – China:

• 2024: US$13,795 per tonne
• 2025: US$12,500 per tonne
• 2026: US$14,323 per tonne
• 2027: US$16,146 per tonne

Spodumene 6%:

• 2024: US$1,175 per tonne
• 2025: US$800 per tonne
• 2026: US$978 per tonne
• 2027: US$1,155 per tonne

(The motely fool)