Why is the Lynas share price down 25% in a month?

The Lynas CEO exercised some performance rights this week, picking up almost 150,000 shares.

Key points
  • The Lynas share price has reset its 52-week low seven times this month, dipping to $6.18 per share yesterday 
  • Internal and external factors have pulled the ASX rare earths stock down since early February 
  • CEO Amanda Lacaze exercised some performance rights on Wednesday, acquiring almost 150,000 Lynas shares 

The Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) share price has lost a quarter of its value over the past four weeks.

The ASX rare earths share finished the session on Friday at $6.33, up 0.64% for the day.

A month ago it was trading around the $8.50 mark.

So, what's happened?

Man with his head on his head with a red declining arrow and A worried man holds his head and look at his computer as the Megaport share price crashes today

Image source: Getty Images

Why is the Lynas share price tumbling?

The Lynas share price has reset its 52-week low seven times this month.

The newest low came yesterday when Lynas shares dipped to $6.18 in intraday trading.

Lynas' fall began in early February when it was trading up around the $9.70 mark.

There has been a series of challenges.

In early February, Lynas' Malaysian licence was renewed, but with an environmental condition that means Lynas will have to close its cracking and leaching plant at the end of FY23 if it can't get an exemption.

The company has launched an appeal and time will tell us the outcome.

In late February, Lynas revealed a 32% cost increase in its 1H FY23 results, which of course the market didn't like. Down the Lynas share price went.

A few days later, electric vehicle (EV) giant Telsa Inc announced it won't use rare earths in its next-generation electric vehicles.

The market panicked, sending ASX rare earths shares tumbling. The Lynas share price dropped 6.8%.

Many experts said this was an overreaction, but as we all know, that sort of thing is common in markets! Negative sentiment and confusion can easily send share prices south.

What else is going on for Lynas?

The only price-sensitive news out of Lynas this month is actually positive. The company reported a $200 million investment by the Japanese Government on 7 March.

Not much else is going on, although yesterday Lynas did update the ASX on the holdings of its CEO Amanda Lacaze.

The notice revealed that Lacaze exercised some performance rights on Wednesday. This resulted in the acquisition of 147,433 Lynas shares through her family trust.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Tesla. 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

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

Why are Lynas Rare Earths shares crashing 6% today?

Are Lynas Rare Earths shares a buy, sell, or hold now?

Read more »

Businessman planning and analysing investment data.
Materials Shares

Forget PLS, this ASX lithium stock could rise 80%

Is this lithium miner about to roar higher? Here's what Bell Potter is predicting.

Read more »

Couple using their digital tablet together.
Materials Shares

Orica updates on North American supply and land sales

Orica secures key North American supply and updates on land sales, supporting future growth and shareholder value.

Read more »

Man analysing data on his laptop.
Materials Shares

Forget BHP and buy this ASX copper stock

Bell Potter thinks there could be big returns on offer from this stock.

Read more »

A brightly coloured graphic with a silver square showing the abbreviation Li and the word Lithium to represent lithium ASX shares such as Core Lithium with small coloured battery graphics surrounding
Materials Shares

Why are Core Lithium shares crashing 8% on Thursday?

A busy morning of announcements has investors taking notice.

Read more »

a man clasps his hand to his forehead as he looks down at his phone and grimaces with a pained expression on his face as he watches the Pilbara Minerals share price continue to fall
Materials Shares

PLS shares have surged 85% in a year. So why are short sellers circling?

Could the bears be getting ahead of themselves?

Read more »

Senior farmer in overalls standing beside flood area on field.
Materials Shares

Why is this ASX share crashing 8% on Wednesday?

A positive earnings outlook hasn't stopped the selling.

Read more »

A man and woman sit next to each other looking at each other and feeling excited and surprised after reading good news about their shares on a laptop.
Materials Shares

3 reasons to buy BHP shares for 2027

I take a closer look at what could keep this mining giant growing well beyond 2027.

Read more »