Last week, cobalt intermediates prices sustained their upward momentum. During the week, a foreign miner, optimistic about the market outlook, placed purchase inquiries at USD $25.5 per pound in the domestic market, boosting overall market sentiment and driving cobalt intermediates prices further upward. Some market participants quoted prices around USD $26 per pound, while holders largely maintained a wait-and-see approach, showing reluctance to sell. There were no new developments regarding cobalt intermediates shipments during the week, with shipments expected to commence gradually in early February. The quota volumes are anticipated to arrive in concentrated batches around April, which is likely to ease the tightness in raw material supply and weaken upward price pressure. However, as miners exhibit a strong inclination to control the pace of shipments, cobalt intermediate prices are expected to remain supported to some extent.