After a tough few months, lithium — a crucial element in electric vehicle batteries— is back in focus as prices rebound. Lithium futures on the LME were down over 45% year-to-date by the end of June and well off their record highs seen in late 2022. But last month, however, lithium prices started to bounce back. Battery-grade lithium carbonate prices in China rose around 10%, according to Refinitiv data. There are several reasons to believe the trend will continue in the second half of the year.
Though falling spot prices have raised red flags for investors over the long-term outlook of lithium miners, analysts believe spot prices will rise again as we get closer to the end of the year. “We expect pricing to find a bottom through the course of 2023 on the back of strong demand,” said Reg Spencer of Canaccord Genuity.
In the long run, the supply and demand story for the silver-white light metal seems to be in the miner’s favor, and now may be the perfect time to strike on some of the beaten-down names from the industry.
Sigma Lithium (SGML)
On Thursday July 27th, Sigma Lithium achieved its first shipment of 30,000 tons of battery-grade, carbon neutral, zero chemicals and zero tailings sustainable lithium (“Triple Zero Green Lithium”). Plans for the next shipment are in place for the end of August 2023 as well as a ramp-up of Phase 1 production. Currently the project is operating at approximately 75% of capacity, which leaves plenty of room for revenue growth.
The company also recently announced that it had obtained its environmental operating license to sell all Green Lithium products from current and future production, including any stockpiled product. SGML currently holds a 75% buy rating from the 8 analysts that cover it. A median price target of $53 indicates an upside potential of 37%.
Microvast Holdings, Inc. (MVST)
Headquartered in Stafford, Texas, Microvast Holdings, Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures various Li-ion battery solutions for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The company’s continued focus on R&D and technology investments offers improved battery performance at highly competitive prices. Microvast’s MV-C Gen 4 high-energy lithium-ion battery packs have been specifically designed for commercial vehicle applications, offering a high energy density of 53.5Ah, a long cycle life of 5,000+ cycles, and a modular pack design for easy installation.
“Microvast’s high-performance battery technologies provide the required high energy density, enabling us to deliver the high power and performance our industrial vehicles require to move heavy loads and perform demanding industrial applications,” explained Sven Woyciniuk, Head of Electrical Engineering at MAFI & TREPEL.
Analysts are only starting to take notice of MVST, with only two covering the stock. Nonetheless, both analysts see the stock as a Strong Buy and see a median increase of nearly 200% over the next twelve months. Microvast is a speculative play and may not be for everyone. Investors with a high tolerance for risk may want to consider this ticker for potential 6x gains.
Lithium Americas Corp (LAC)
Lithium Americas Corp has full ownership of two development-stage operations in Argentina. One of which is approaching initial production, expected to come later this year. The timeline has been disrupted on LAC’s US project –The Thacker Pass, Nevada lithium mine – due to ongoing legal and regulatory discrepancies. However, a US judge recently said she would rule “in the next couple of months” on whether former President Donald Trump erred in 2021 when he approved the company’s right to begin mining the US’s largest-known lithium resource. It seems likely that the outcome of the case will be positive for LAC, considering Washington’s push to boost domestic production of metals crucial to the green energy transition and wean the country off of Chinese supplies.
The high-growth -potential small-cap has been gaining the attention of the pros on Wall Street. “We believe 2023 could be an eventful year as there could be several key announcements on growth projects and Argentina divesture, which could be catalysts for the share price,” explained HSBC analyst Santhosh Seshadri. To this end, Seshadri recently initiated coverage of LAC with a Buy rating, backed by a $36 price target.
Most analysts agree with Seshadri’s thesis. LAC claims a Strong Buy consensus rating, based on 15 Buys vs. 1 Hold and no Sell ratings. At $36, the average price target makes room for 12-month gains of 80%.
and then