3 reasons why this fund manager thinks Mineral Resources shares are 'incredibly undervalued'

An expert believes this is an opportunity worth digging into.

| More on:
Miner looking at a tablet.

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 ASX mining share Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) has fallen heavily in the last few months. But one fund manager thinks this business is great value and is a big opportunity.

Fund manager L1 is so bullish about the business that it invested last week to increase its stake to 9.19% of the miner. It now owns 18.06 million shares of the company.

Mineral Resources shares plunged 35% in February and are now down over 70% from May 2024, as the chart below shows.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Mineral Resources PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL1 May 202411 Mar 2025Zoom ▾May '24Jun '24Jul '24Aug '24Sep '24Oct '24Nov '24Dec '24Jan '25Feb '25Mar '25Jul '24Jul '24Oct '24Oct '24Jan '25Jan '25www.fool.com.au

Why did the Mineral Resources share price fall so hard in February?

L1 explained that the February pain was caused by a three-month delay in ramping up the company's Onslow iron ore project and an additional $300 million capital expenditure to upgrade and repair the haul road connecting the project to the port after "severe weather damage".

The fund manager said the update was disappointing, but the Mineral Resources' share price reaction was excessive as it reduced the company's market capitalisation by approximately $2.6 billion.

L1 acknowledged concerns about the balance sheet are valid, though the investment team believe its gearing metrics are set to "dramatically improve" over the next 12 months as elevated capital expenditure comes to an end, Onslow earnings begin to contribute, and mining services earnings move structurally higher. The fund manager noted Mineral Resources has no near-term debt maturities and has several asset sale options to assist with deleveraging.

L1 thinks the company is undervalued because investors get three highly valuable business segments with an enterprise value of around $9.2 billion.

Mining services

The fund manager said that Mineral Resources' mining services division is "high quality" and has grown its operating profit (EBITDA) at over 20% per year over the past five years.

L1 believes the mining services segment is on track to achieve around $1 billion of EBITDA in FY27, with growth underpinned by long-life contracts. The investment team said:

In our view, this division alone would be worth close to the entire enterprise value of the company.

Iron ore

The second reason why L1 likes Mineral Resources shares is because its iron ore business is rapidly growing.

The fund manager pointed out that the ramp-up of the Onslow project later this year has the potential to deliver around $750 million of EBITDA in FY27, assuming an iron ore price of US$90 per tonne (which is 10% lower than the current iron ore price).

Lithium business

The third reason L1 thinks the ASX mining stock is attractive is due to the lithium division, with the main asset being a 50% stake in Wodgina, one of the largest hard rock lithium mines in the world.

The fund manager thinks the lithium segment is implicitly being valued at zero because the lithium price is at a major cyclical low. L1 noted that a large part of the lithium mining industry is loss-making at the current lithium price.

Based on valuations of similar lithium businesses with a similar size production base and cost profile, the miner could be "easily valued at around $3 billion" for Mineral Resources' interest.

Foolish takeaway

L1 also noted that the company is making steady progress in its governance refresh program. A new chairperson is expected to be announced in the quarter of the three months to June 2025.

The fund manager concluded the thoughts on Mineral Resources shares with the following:

Overall, we think the risk-reward at the current share price of around $21 is extremely compelling, with significant upside potential as Mineral Resources executes its key growth projects.

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the 'five best ASX stocks' for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Resources Shares

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

Mineral Resources share price slides despite significant reserves growth

An 89% resources upgrade hasn’t boosted Mineral Resources shares today.

Read more »

Copal miner standing in front of coal.
Resources Shares

How much upside does Macquarie tip for New Hope shares?

A softer-than-expected quarter has impacted the broker's view.

Read more »

2 people at mining site, bhp share price, mining shares
Resources Shares

Rio Tinto share price pushes higher on $1.4 billion lithium agreement

Rio Tinto shares are gaining major lithium exposure.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

Up 73% since April, why Mineral Resources shares could keep charging higher

A leading expert says that Mineral Resources shares remain ‘heavily undervalued’. But why?

Read more »

Frustrated stock trader screaming while looking at mobile phone, symbolising a falling share price.
Resources Shares

Guess which ASX 200 mining stock is sinking 7% following its quarterly update

Let's see how this miner performed during the third quarter.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

What's the latest broker ratings on BHP shares?

There's an air of caution floating about BHP shares even with bullish ratings.

Read more »

A young African mine worker is standing with a smile in front of a large haul dump truck wearing his personal protective wear.
Resources Shares

BHP shares last traded at $50 in 2023. When will they get back there?

Let’s dig into the potential for BHP shares to rise.

Read more »

Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.
Share Gainers

Guess which ASX All Ords stock just rocketed 21% on 'exceptional' results

Investors are sending the ASX All Ords stock flying higher on Wednesday. But why?

Read more »