Australian lithium producers say a tentative recovery in lithium prices is beginning to ease the sector’s year-long downturn. Spot prices for the battery metal have inched higher in recent weeks on stronger-than-expected electric-vehicle sales and speculation that China may limit exports, according to industry executives cited by Nikkei Asia. The nascent rebound offers some relief to companies that have spent the past year writing down assets, cutting costs and shelving expansion plans. A series of corporate updates this week from Australian miners underscored the strain, detailing additional impairments and tighter capital spending even as they signalled early signs of demand stabilising. Investors are now turning to Albemarle Corp., the world’s largest lithium producer, which reports second-quarter results shortly and is expected to post a profit decline. Analysts say the company’s guidance will be scrutinised for evidence that the improvement in pricing is translating into firmer orders for the rest of 2025.