Allkem share price falls despite record quarter

This lithium share had a strong finish to FY 2022…

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Allkem had a strong finish to FY 2022
  • The lithium miner delivered record quarters from its Mt Cattlin and Olaroz operations
  • Strong lithium prices are predicted to continue into the first quarter of FY 2023

The Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) share price is falling on Wednesday following the release of the company's quarterly update.

In early trade, the lithium miner's shares are down 1% to $9.72.

Allkem share price falls despite record quarter

The Allkem share price is falling today despite the company revealing that it had a strong finish to the financial year.

During the three months ended 30 June, Allkem delivered record quarterly group revenue of approximately US$337 million and a group gross operating cash margin of approximately US$292 million.

This means that group revenue for FY 2022 (including Mt Cattlin from the merger date of 25 August 2021) was US$762 million and its group gross operating cash margin was approximately US$594 million (excluding corporate and other non-operating costs).

Allkem finished the year with a hefty cash balance of US$663.2 million, which is an increase of US$213.1 million since the end of March.

What were the drivers of its record result?

The key Mt Cattlin and Olaroz operations finished the year strongly.

In respect to the former, the Mt Cattlin operation achieved production of 24,845 dry metric tonnes (dmt) and shipments of 37,837 dmt despite COVID-19 cases impacting the mine site over the quarter.

This led to the company delivering record quarterly Mt Cattlin revenue of US$188.9 million with a gross cash margin of 84% based on average pricing of US$4,992 per dmt.

In light of this strong quarter, Mt Cattlin reported record full-year production of 193,563 dmt.

It was a similar story over in Argentina at the company's Olaroz Lithium Facility. During the quarter, Allkem reported production and sales of lithium carbonate of 3,445 tonnes and 3,440 tonnes, respectively.

This led to the Olaroz Lithium Facility generating record quarterly revenue of ~US$141 million with a gross cash margin of 90% based on average pricing of US$41,033 per tonne.

Once again, this meant record full year production at Olaroz Lithium Facility of 12,863 tonnes of lithium carbonate. Approximately 47% of this was battery grade material, which was in line with targets.

Outlook

It could be the company's outlook that is underwhelming investors and weighing on the Allkem share price today.

Allkem revealed that it is targeting Mt Cattlin spodumene production of approximately 160ktpa to 170ktpa. This will be down from 193.5ktpa in FY 2022.

Management also warned that costs will be higher in FY 2023. This is due to ongoing developments, lower production volumes, and labour shortages in Western Australia.

However, with customer demand in the spodumene market remaining robust, the company is expecting spodumene concentrate pricing in the September quarter to be higher than the June quarter.

No real guidance was given for Olaroz other than management expecting the lithium carbonate sales price for the September quarter to remain similar to the June quarter.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Allkem Limited. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Materials Shares

A male sharemarket analyst sits at his desk looking intently at his laptop with two other monitors next to him showing stock price movements
Materials Shares

How much upside does Macquarie forecast for Pilbara Minerals shares?

Is the broker bullish or bearish on this lithium giant? Let's find out.

Read more »

Group of miners working at a coal mine with one smiling and holding up a piece of coal.
Materials Shares

How much upside does Macquarie project for South32 shares?

Is this miner's luck about to change?

Read more »

A group of miners in hard hats sitting in a mine chatting on a break as ASX coal shares perform well today
Materials Shares

Down but not out: Can these ASX mining shares bounce back?

Here’s what one broker is predicting for Australia’s largest mining companies. 

Read more »

Broker analysing the share price.
Materials Shares

Buy, hold, or sell? Broker's verdict on 3 ASX 200 materials shares

Materials was one of four market sectors that weakened in overall value in FY25.

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.
Materials Shares

Why is this ASX mining stock crashing 14% today?

Let's see what is causing investors to hit the sell button on Monday.

Read more »

Three miners stand together at a mine site studying documents with equipment in the background
Materials Shares

$10,000 invested in BHP shares in FY25 is now worth

Did the Big Australian outperform or underperform during the last financial year?

Read more »

A male investor sits at his desk pondering at his laptop screen with a piece of paper in his hand.
Share Market News

Why did Macquarie just downgrade Liontown resources shares?

Here’s what the broker had to say about this materials company. 

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.
Materials Shares

Why did Macquarie downgrade Mineral Resources shares?

The broker is no longer bullish on this mining and mining services company.

Read more »