Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM) is a prominent player in the lithium industry, known for its significant role in the production of lithium, potassium, and other industrial chemicals. As a key supplier of lithium, SQM is integral to the electric vehicle and clean energy sectors. The company faces competition from other major lithium producers like Albemarle.
On August 19, 2025, SQM is scheduled to release its quarterly earnings. Analysts predict an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.52 and revenue of approximately $1.06 billion. This comes at a time when lithium prices are surging due to the suspension of operations at a major lithium mine in China, as highlighted by Investopedia.
The shutdown of the mine, which accounts for about 6% of the global lithium supply, has led to a significant increase in lithium prices. This has positively impacted SQM's stock, which saw a 7% rise. The market is reacting to the reduced supply, with lithium prices increasing by nearly 4% in a day and over 15% in the past month.
SQM's financial metrics provide insight into its market position. The company has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21.37, indicating investor confidence in its earnings potential. Its price-to-sales ratio of 1.44 suggests that investors are willing to pay $1.44 for every dollar of sales, reflecting a strong market position.
The enterprise value to sales ratio of 2.12 and the enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio of 7.09 highlight SQM's valuation relative to its sales and cash flow. With an earnings yield of 4.68% and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, SQM demonstrates a balanced financial structure. The current ratio of 2.88 further indicates its ability to meet short-term liabilities, showcasing financial stability.
