The market conditions for cobalt chloride and cobalt sulfate have generally continued a weak downward trend. Trading in the cobalt salt market remains sluggish, with weak downstream demand as the main source of pressure. The continued weakening of cost support is one of the core drivers behind the decline in cobalt salt prices. Prices for cobalt intermediates continue to fall, and the MHP cobalt payables has dropped to a historic low, continuously eroding cost support for cobalt salts. Weak demand is the direct cause of price pressure. The recovery in the traditional peak season for consumer electronics has fallen short of expectations, growth in terminal production schedules has slowed, and finished-product inventories in the midstream of the industrial chain have accumulated slowly. Cathode manufacturers are under pressure in terms of shipments, and downstream brand customers continue to push for lower prices.