Why did the IGO share price just sink to a 52-week low?

IGO shares are on a downward trajectory. What's going on?

| 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

The IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) share price has continued its disappointing run on Thursday.

So much so, the battery materials producer's shares have just dropped 4% to a 52-week low of $11.56.

This latest decline means that IGO's shares are down over 20% since this time last month.

A woman screams and holds her hands up in frustration.

Image source: Getty Images

Why is the IGO share price at a 52-week low?

Investors have been selling IGO and other battery materials shares in recent weeks after lithium prices fell sharply.

Unfortunately, the team at Citi doesn't believe there's any relief in sight for companies like IGO.

A note this week reveals that its analysts have warned that lithium prices could fall a further 20% from current levels.

It is partly for this reason that the broker currently has a neutral rating on its shares.

One small positive, though, is that this recent lithium price weakness could benefit IGO in the long run. That's because the broker suspects that the weak prices could lead to a reduction in project developments and ultimately medium-term supply.

This could mean that when electric vehicle demand grows in the coming years, it will start to put pressure on the supply side of the equation.

Should you buy the dip?

One broker that sees huge upside potential in the IGO share price is lithium bull Macquarie.

Its analysts recently put an outperform rating and $18 price target on its shares. This implies over 50% upside from current levels over the next 12 months.

In addition, the broker is forecasting dividends per share of 35 cents in FY 2024 and 70 cents in FY 2025. This implies dividend yields of 3% and 6%, respectively.

Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. 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

Three miners wearing hard hats and high vis vests take a break on site at a mine as the Fortescue share price drops in FY22
Materials Shares

Stanmore Resources posts production recovery and secures debt refinancing in quarterly report

Stanmore Resources reported a production rebound and major debt refinancing in its latest quarterly activities report.

Read more »

Two men in hard hats and high visibility jackets look together at a laptop screen at a mine site.
Materials Shares

Vulcan Energy kicks off construction at Lionheart geothermal and lithium project

Vulcan Energy has begun civil construction at its Lionheart geothermal and lithium project in Germany, targeting clean energy and battery…

Read more »

Young businesswoman sitting in kitchen and working on laptop.
Materials Shares

GR Engineering Services wins $229.5m BHP Yandi EPC contract

GR Engineering Services wins a substantial EPC contract for the Yandi upgrade with BHP.

Read more »

Two miners dressed in hard hats and high vis gear standing at an outdoor mining site discussing a mineral find with one holding a rock and the other looking at a tablet.
Materials Shares

Why is this ASX lithium stock racing 9% higher today?

Here's what brokers tip for the shares next.

Read more »

A smiling miner wearing a high vis vest and yellow hardhat does the thumbs up in front of an open pit copper mine.
Materials Shares

Sandfire Resources posts record sales and cash in strong FY26 finish

The copper miner finished the year with a strong fourth-quarter performance.

Read more »

Hammer next to broken piggy bank.
Materials Shares

Why are Lynas shares getting hammered on Wednesday?

Investors are punishing Lynas Rare Earths shares today. But why.

Read more »

An engineer takes a break on a staircase and looks out over a huge open pit coal mine as the sun rises in the background.
Materials Shares

BHP shares soared 62% in FY26. Can they keep climbing?

The mining giant surged 62%. Can it keep going?

Read more »

A smiling businessman sits at a desk with bags of money, indicating a share price rise after funding has been approved
Materials Shares

Fletcher Building secures $60m for local cement production in NZ

Fletcher Building struck a $60m government deal to secure New Zealand’s only cement plant until 2040 and drive further decarbonisation.

Read more »