Why has the Pilbara Minerals share price shot up 5% today?

Let's find out.

| 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

It's been a very bumpy day of trading for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) so far this Wednesday. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up by just 0.13% after swinging between gains and losses all trading day. But it's been a far better time for the Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price.

Pilbara shares are having a corker of a day today. This ASX 200 lithium stock is currently enjoying a 4.91% surge to $2.35 a share after closing at $2.24 a share yesterday. Not only that, but Pilbara is also the ASX 200's most traded share by volume so far this Wednesday, as we covered this afternoon.

So what's behind this market-beating performance from Pilbara?

Man pointing at a blue rising share price graph.

Image source: Getty Images

Why is the Pilbara share price having such a corker today?

Well, unfortunately for lovers of certainty, we don't exactly know. There hasn't been any news or announcements out of Pilbara today. Or indeed this week. 

However, we are seeing something of a trend emerge on the ASX today. It's not just Pilbara shares that are outperforming the market. It's been a fairly successful day for many of Pilbara's peers in the ASX lithium stock space.

Take the Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) share price. It's currently up a healthy 1.17% at 86 cents per share. Or Liontown Resources Limited (ASX: LTR). Liontown shares are up 0.75% at 94 cents each. 

Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE), formerly known as Orocobre, is also enjoying a 1.5% boost. Topping all of these shares is the Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) share price, which has gained an impressive 7.06% so far today to $5.61 a share.

So clearly investors are in the mood for buying ASX lithium shares today. This appears to be the most likely reason why the Pilbara share price has enjoyed such a positive trading day this Wednesday.

At the current Pilbara Minerals share price, this ASX 200 lithium stock has a market capitalisation of $7 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 83.33. 

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

A smiling woman holds a Facebook like sign above her head.
Materials Shares

Why this ASX mining stock could be a strong buy after major milestone

Bell Potter is recommending this stock to clients.

Read more »

A hand holding a lump of rare earths material against a blue sky.
Materials Shares

This ASX critical minerals company could more than double in value: Broker

An important US government milestone was achieved this week.

Read more »

A group of people gathered around a laptop computer with various expressions of interest, concern and surprise on their faces as they review the payouts from ASX dividend stocks. All are wearing glasses.
Resources Shares

Buy, hold, or sell? South32, Capstone Copper, and BHP shares

Let's see what the experts think.

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

PLS shares jump 320% in 12 months: Buy, sell or hold?

The lithium miner has flown from strength to strength over the past year.

Read more »

Business people standing at a mine site smiling.
Materials Shares

Morgans just placed buy ratings on these ASX materials stocks

These two stocks could be worth adding to your portfolio according to Morgans.

Read more »

Female miner in hard hat and safety vest on laptop with mining drill in background.
Materials Shares

Why Lynas could be one of the ASX's biggest winners again today

Lynas is gaining strategic value as rare earths tensions rise.

Read more »

Two workers on site discuss the next stage of this civil engineering job.
Materials Shares

Is takeover tension sending this ASX steel stock soaring?

Strong fundamentals and takeover speculation have pushed this share up 42%.

Read more »

Smiling worker in metal landfill.
Materials Shares

Another US milestone, another share price drop: What's going on with this ASX stock?

Metallium hits another US milestone, but shares slip again on Tuesday.

Read more »