Why are ASX lithium shares like Liontown having such a bumper session today?

Lithium shares are defying the broader market on Wednesday.

| More on:
A happy businessman pointing up, inidicating a rise in share price

Image source: Getty Images

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 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a fairly depressed kind of day so far this Wednesday. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 has slipped by around 0.15%. But ASX 200 lithium shares like Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) are having a very different experience.

Liontown shares are on fire today. This lithium stock is currently up a whopping 7.97% at $1.25 a share.

But these gains aren't just confined to the Liontown share price. The ASX's largest lithium stock, Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS), is experiencing something similar, with Pilbara shares up 5.54% so far today at $4.10 each.

Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) stock has risen 7.7%, while Arcadium Lithium plc (ASX: LTM) shares have increased by 4.43% at present.

So something is clearly in the water with lithium shares today.

Why are ASX 200 lithium shares like Liontown surging today?

Unfortunately, it's not really clear what that something in the water actually is. There's been no major ASX news out today from any of the big lithium stocks.

Looking at the US markets might provide some explanation, though.

Last night during US trading, we saw the share price of Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) rise significantly. Albemarle, a US$15 billion lithium giant, experienced a 5.82% surge in value last night, with the shares rising from US$121.52 up to US$128.59.

This was potentially a result of a major US broker in Mizuho raising its share price target from US$105 to US$115.

As one of the largest lithium stocks in the world, Albemarle shares often set the tone for what happens with the ASX's lithium players.

So that's one possible explanation for this bullishness we are seeing with Liontown shares and the like.

Another factor we can potentially point to is a growing sense that lithium prices may have found a bottom. ASX lithium shares like Liontown have been smashed in recent months as global lithium prices have plummeted. We saw this quantified in the recent ASX earnings reports from Pilbara Minerals and other lithium shares.

Have lithium prices found a bottom?

Sam Berridge, portfolio manager and resources specialist at Perennial Funds Management, recently told the Australian Financial Review (AFR) that "We are at the bottom… The big question is how long will [lithium] prices go sideways, and that depends on demand, rather than supply".

The same report quoted Ben Cleary of Tribeca Investment Partners, who said:

I don't expect [lithium spodumene] prices to bounce back towards where they were [around $US8,000 per tonne)… But I am comfortable that we could see long-term prices around $US1,200 which would still give Australian producers $US600 a tonne on a 50 per cent operating margin.

Of course, we also can't discount a simple reversion to mean for ASX lithium shares. Before this week, the Liontown share price, as well as that of Pilbara Minerals and other ASX lithium shares, were exploring multi-year lows. It's also possible that some investors are thinking that it's time to start buying back in at these historically low share prices.

Whatever the cause of today's strong bounce in lithium stocks, it will no doubt be welcomed by investors.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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

smiling worker stands before power generator technology
Materials Shares

Fortescue shares jump 5% on record performance

This mining giant was in fine form during the quarter.

Read more »

A man casually dressed looks to the side in a pensive, thoughtful manner with one hand under his chin, holding a mobile phone in his hand while thinking about something.
Materials Shares

Should you buy Pilbara Minerals shares today?

Let's see if analysts think investors should be buying the lithium giant's shares.

Read more »

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

Expert says this ASX mining stock could rise almost 30%

Let's see which miner is being tipped as a buy for investors right now.

Read more »

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

BHP shares charge higher on record copper and iron ore production

Let's see how the miner performed during the fourth quarter.

Read more »

A man stands with hands on hips surveying construction of three high-rise buildings.
Materials Shares

Building activity on the rise – will ASX materials shares benefit?

New data from the March quarter shows a sharp rise in building activity. 

Read more »

Man smiling at a laptop because of a rising share price.
Materials Shares

Macquarie predicts 11% upside for this ASX materials stock

Here's why the broker is positive on the stock.

Read more »

Miner and company person analysing results of a mining company.
Materials Shares

Rio Tinto share price falls on Q2 update

Let's see what the mining giant reported for the second quarter.

Read more »

a man in a hard hat and high visibility vest smiles as he stands in the foreground of heavy mining equipment on a mine site.
Materials Shares

Could these 3 ASX materials shares be set to double?

This broker has buy ratings and aggressive price targets for these holdings. 

Read more »