SQM reported profits of US$178.4 million in the third quarter of 2025, a 35.76% increase from the previous year, driven by a record high in lithium sales. The miner's shares rose 3.92%, helping push the Ipsa index to a new historical high. Contributions to Corfo reached US$70 million for the quarterly period.
SQM, Chile's leading lithium miner, released its third-quarter 2025 financial results, showing significant recovery. From July to September, the company posted profits of US$178.4 million, surpassing the US$131.4 million from the same period in 2024. This improvement stems from higher lithium prices and a record sales volume, the highest in the company's history, fueled by stronger-than-expected demand in electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems, which account for over 20% of global lithium demand.
Quarterly total revenues reached US$1.173 million, up 9% from US$1.076 million the previous year, while lithium and derivatives revenues hit US$603 million, a 21.4% increase from US$497 million. The average realized price at Salar de Atacama was about US$8.8 per kg, 3.5% higher than the prior quarter, indicating a positive shift in a volatile market.
For the first nine months of 2025, net profits totaled US$404 million, compared to losses of US$524 million in 2024. Total revenues dipped 5% to US$3.259 million, and lithium revenues fell 9% to US$1.551 million.
In the stock market, SQM shares surged 3.92% to $58,104, their highest since August 2023, with a 30% gain in November and nearly 60% year-to-date. This, alongside Latam's rise, drove the Ipsa up 0.66% to 9,873 points, a historical record, briefly touching 10,000 intraday.
Contributions to Corfo for mining rights at Salar de Atacama totaled US$205 million through September, down from US$314 million in 2024, but the 12-month quarterly figure rose 4% to US$70 million.
Analysts noted the 37.3% quarterly lithium volume growth and low costs, plus progress in the Codelco agreement, easing future operational uncertainties.