Shares of lithium producer Livent Corp. closed flat in their public debut amid another broad decline in U.S. stock markets, an indication of the interest investors have in companies tied to the electric-vehicle market.

A spinoff from chemical manufacturer FMC Corp., Livent shares closed at $16.97 Thursday. On Wednesday, the company said the shares would go public at $17, less than the $18 to $20 a share range Livent had initially expected.