Why is the Core Lithium share price down 15% in June?

Core Lithium shares have been sold off in June.

| 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

The Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) share price has been sold off this month.

As things stand, the lithium miner's shares are on course to record a 15% decline in June.

This means its shares are now down 52% since hitting a 52-week high of $1.88.

A male investor wearing a blue shirt looks off to the side with a miffed look on his face as the share price declines.

Image source: Getty Images

What's going on with the Core Lithium share price this month?

It has been a very quiet month for Core Lithium. In fact, there was not a single announcement out of the miner in June.

This lack of positive news flow could be partly to blame for the weakness in the Core Lithium share price. Particularly for a company that most brokers believe is severely overvalued. With nothing to prop up the share price, it's not hard to see why it was on a downward trajectory.

In addition, short sellers continue to target the company for the same reason. And what a lot of short sellers!

The most recent data out of ASIC shows that Core Lithium is the third most shorted ASX share with approximately 9.3% of its shares held short.

That equates to almost 172.3 million shares with a value of approximately $155 million. That's a lot of smart money betting on the Core Lithium share price falling from current levels. Clearly, they are not messing around.

But how far could they fall?

The team at Citi is arguably the most bearish broker when it comes to Core Lithium.

Its analysts currently have a sell rating and 75 cents price target on its shares. This implies a potential downside of approximately 17% for investors from current levels over the next 12 months.

Food for thought for shareholders.

Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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 mine worker holds his phone in one hand and a tablet in the other as he stands in front of heavy machinery at a mine site.
Materials Shares

Rio Tinto shares charge higher on big copper news

The Resolution Copper project was given a major boost today.

Read more »

Stock market crash concept of young man screaming at laptop on the sofa.
Materials Shares

Why the IperionX share price just crashed 22% today

Investors dump IperionX shares after its recent results spark heavy selling.

Read more »

A miner shakes hands with a businessman or banker inside an underground mine setting.
Materials Shares

Rare earth stocks are tumbling today. Here's why the Lynas share price is holding up

Lynas has already been one of the best-performing resources stocks on the ASX over the past year.

Read more »

Young successful engineer, with blueprints, notepad, and digital tablet, observing the project implementation on construction site and in mine.
Materials Shares

Are Rio Tinto or BHP shares a better buy right now?

Should investors buy the dip or wait it out?

Read more »

A man sitting at his desktop computer leans forward onto his elbows and yawns while he rubs his eyes as though he is very tired.
Earnings Results

Liontown shares drop on $184m half-year loss

Let's see what this lithium miner reported today.

Read more »

Female South32 miner smiling with mining machinery in the background.
Materials Shares

Up 192%, where to from here for Lynas shares?

Lynas has found itself in a strategic sweet spot, but can it keep the rally going?

Read more »

A woman smiles as she checks her phone in one hand with a takeaway coffee in the other as she charges her electric vehicle at a charging station.
Materials Shares

Why I'd buy and hold PLS shares for 10 years

I think the global shift toward electrification could create strong long-term demand for lithium.

Read more »

A businessman holding a briefcase jumps into the sky celebrating the rising share price.
Materials Shares

Why the Lynas share price is roaring 14% today

Lynas shares soar after locking in a rare earths supply deal.

Read more »