Thursday's ETF Movers: EBI and LIT Show Contrasting Trends

The Longview Advantage ETF outperformed other ETFs on Thursday, up 0.9% with Kimball Electronics and Eastman Kodak contributing to the gains. The Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF underperformed, down 2.8% with Lithium Americas and Lucid Group experiencing the weakest performance.

Eastman Kodak, the iconic 145-year-old company, is currently grappling with its most severe financial crisis in over a decade [1]. Despite this, Kodak is actively pursuing a path to solvency through an expected pension fund payout and potential debt restructuring. The company has no plans to cease operations, go out of business, or file for bankruptcy protection [1].

Kodak executives have flagged nearly $500 million in debt due within the next year, with no committed financing or liquidity to cover these obligations. In regulatory filings, Kodak warned that these conditions raise "substantial doubt" about its ability to continue operating as a going concern [1]. However, Kodak is confident that it will repay, extend, or refinance its debt and preferred stock on or before its due date. Upon completion of these transactions, expected to be early next year, Kodak anticipates having a stronger balance sheet and being virtually net debt-free [1].

The company has diversified its product line to include Advanced Materials & Chemicals, commercial printing supplies, and brand licensing for digital cameras and batteries. However, these segments are not currently generating sufficient income to support a large company [1].

In a separate development, the lithium market experienced significant volatility on Monday after the suspension of a major Chinese mine. Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) halted operations at the Jianxiawo mine after its mining permit expired, causing a rally in lithium stocks and ETFs [2]. The suspension fueled hopes of easing the global supply glut, with Albemarle, Piedmont Lithium, Lithium Americas, and Chile’s SQM experiencing significant gains [2].

The Jianxiawo mine, the largest in China’s Yichun lithium hub, accounts for about 6% of global output and controls more than one-third of the global EV battery market. The mine’s closure is expected to last about three months while CATL seeks license renewal [2]. Analysts suggest that the closure could shake domestic supply chains, benefit foreign producers, and support overseas lithium miners in the short term [2].

In the long term, the market is set to tighten as demand for lithium-ion batteries surges with the clean energy transition and electric vehicle (EV) adoption acceleration. The IEA projects that sustained demand growth could push the market into deficit, supporting a potential recovery in prices [2].

On Thursday, the Longview Advantage ETF outperformed other ETFs, up 0.9%, with Kimball Electronics and Eastman Kodak contributing to the gains. The Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF underperformed, down 2.8%, with Lithium Americas and Lucid Group experiencing the weakest performance [1, 2].

References:
[1] https://www.newsshooter.com/2025/08/14/eastman-kodak-struggles-to-survive/
[2] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/TSLA/pressreleases/34083590/mine-closure-in-china-sparks-lithium-etfs-rally/