Andy Chen

TradingKey - Citigroup (C) announced its first quarter 2026 financial results. During the period, net income attributable to common shareholders was $5.785 billion, compared to $4.064 billion a year ago, representing a year-on-year increase of 42.35% and a sharp quarter-on-quarter surge of 134%. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $3.06, up from $1.96 in the same period last year. Total revenue for the period reached $24.633 billion, compared to $21.596 billion previously, up 14% year-on-year and 24% quarter-on-quarter. The robust revenue growth was primarily driven by performance across Citigroup's five core businesses and its "Legacy Franchises."

TradingKey - Overnight, U.S. lithium mining stocks were among the top gainers. Sigma Lithium (SGML) led the sector, closing up 17.1%; Lithium Americas (LAC) rose 7.62%; Albemarle (ALB) climbed 6.79%; and SQM closed 6.71% higher. Looking back at the past year, the lithium battery sector has maintained a sustained rally. Albemarle (ALB) surged from its post-U.S.-China trade war low of $48.57 to a high of $205 this year. The key driver behind this move was better-than-expected energy storage demand triggered by the rise in AI computing power requirements. During this period, lithium carbonate futures rebounded from a mid-year low of 59,000 RMB/ton to the 150,000 RMB/ton level. However, judging by recent performance, the sector appears to have shifted from its previous unilateral upward trend toward a period of range-bound volatility.

TradingKey - During the US pre-market session, the three major index futures are all under pressure. As of press time (5:00 PM Beijing time), Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 0.48% to 47,895 points; Nasdaq 100 Index futures dropped 0.65% to 25,117 points; and S&P 500 Index futures declined 0.57% to 6,816.15 points.