Why are Pilbara Minerals and ASX lithium shares getting hammered today?

The outlook for lithium could be challenged according to one leading broker.

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 market may be falling today but one group of shares is tumbling more than most – ASX lithium shares.

The battery materials industry is a sea of red on Thursday morning, with heavy declines being printed from lithium miners, explorers, and developers.

Here's a quick summary of how a handful of ASX lithium shares are performing this morning:

  • The Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) share price is down 4% to $11.29.
  • The Azure Minerals Ltd (ASX: AZS) share price is 3.5% to $2.41.
  • The Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) share price is down 3% to 34.5 cents.
  • The Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price is down 5% to $3.87.
  • The Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) share price is down 3.5% to 8.4 cents
A man slumps crankily over his morning coffee as it pours with rain outside.

Image source: Getty Images

Why are ASX lithium shares being sold off?

Investors have been hitting the sell button today following a particularly poor night of trade for their peers on Wall Street.

For example, lithium giant Albemarle Corp (NYSE: ALB), Livent Corp (NYSE: LTHM), and Sociedad Quimica y Minr de Chile SA (NYSE: SQM) ended the session down approximately 10%, 8%, and 7%, respectively.

This was driven largely by a broker note out of Bank of America which revealed that its analysts believe that the outlook for lithium is challenged. So much so, they expect the lithium market to be oversupplied in both 2024 and 2025.

This could mean a tough couple of years for lithium miners if prices of the battery-making ingredient come tumbling down. It also calls into question the valuations of some of the smaller developers that may have based their studies on higher assumed prices.

Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Allkem. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bank of America. 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 bearded man holds both arms up diagonally and points with his index fingers to the sky with a thrilled look on his face.
Materials Shares

Which ASX mining stock could rise 120% according to a leading broker?

Bell Potter thinks this mining stock could be seriously undervalued.

Read more »

Male building supervisor stands and smiles with his arms crossed at a building site with workers behind him.
Materials Shares

Down 25%! Is this resurgent ASX 200 stock a strong buy?

Analysts at Morgans see more than 60% upside ahead.

Read more »

A man wearing a suit holds his arms aloft, attached to a large lithium battery with green charging symbols on it.
Materials Shares

Should I buy PLS Group shares in April?

Can the ASX lithium share continue charging higher?

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 rare earths share sinking 13% today?

What's going on with this share today? Let's dig deeper into things.

Read more »

A construction worker leaps high in the air on a building site.
Materials Shares

Why are James Hardie shares storming higher today?

After a steep sell-off, investors may start to see strength and long-term potential.

Read more »

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

Which ASX rare earths company's shares are trading higher on new funding news?

Two major government finance agencies have signed on.

Read more »

A man sitting at his dining table looks at his laptop and ponders the share price.
Materials Shares

ASX lithium shares 'compelling' as top broker adjusts ratings

UBS predicts the global oil shock caused by the war in Iran will drive higher demand for electric vehicles.

Read more »

Three workers jump in the air at a steel factory.
Materials Shares

This ASX steel stock is unlocking hidden value. So why is it falling today?

BlueScope shares fall after an update on surplus land developments.

Read more »