ETF’s key holding SQM offers rewards but also risk

Article Excerpt

Sociedad Quimica Y Minera (ADR symbol SQM on New York) is currently the largest holding of the iShares MSCI Chile ETF (see above), making up 16% of its total assets. SQM is a large, low-cost producer of lithium, iodine, and specialty fertilizers. SQM’s share price fluctuates in large part along with the prices of the commodities it sells. Over the past two years, the share price was as high as $114 and as low as $47. In 2023, SQM likely generated $7.9 billion U.S. in revenue and net income of $2.3 billion U.S. While that’s good compared to its historical results, it will be far lower than the record results achieved in 2022. SQM made record profits in 2022. However, the price of lithium dropped by 80% in 2023 as ample supply and lower demand from electric vehicle manufacturers depressed prices. Potash prices also returned to historical averages. Going forward, lithium carbonate and hydroxide are used in lithium-ion batteries. SQM’s low-cost lithium deposit in the…