Core Lithium shares crash 9% after posting massive half-year loss

This lithium miner is having a very tough time due to weak prices.

| More on:
A young male investor wearing a white business shirt screams in frustration with his hands grasping his hair after ASX 200 shares fell rapidly today and appear to be heading into a stock market crash

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

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares are under pressure again on Wednesday.

In morning trade, the lithium miner's shares are down 9% to 20 cents.

This leaves the company's shares trading within touching distance of their record low.

Why are Core Lithium shares sinking?

Investors have been hitting the sell button today in response to the miner's half-year results.

After the market close on Tuesday, Core Lithium revealed first-half revenue of $134.8 million and a loss after tax of $167.6 million.

This reflects a 75% decline in its spodumene concentrate realised price to US$2,098 per tonne and its decision to suspend production.

In addition, its loss after tax includes a non-cash impairment of $119.6 million and provisions for onerous contracts of $27.6 million.

Commenting on the half, the company's CEO, Gareth Manderson, said:

I am pleased to be able to report that together with my team we have responded rapidly to the changing market conditions and taken the action required to put the business in the best position possible to weather the current market conditions. While this has meant suspending our mining activity, the processing of ore stockpiles provides an opportunity to generate revenue and puts the business in the best cash position possible to pursue the options available and realise value for our shareholders.

Though, Manderson won't be sticking around to see how Core Lithium fares in the future. The CEO also announced his exit with these results. Doug Warden, Core Lithium's current CFO, will assume the role as interim CEO while an executive search is undertaken.

Outlook

Core Lithium's production will remain suspended for the foreseeable future and it will instead continue to process its existing ore stockpiles to produce spodumene concentrate.

In light of this, it has reaffirmed its revised guidance for FY 2024 production of 90,000 tonnes to 95,000 tonnes of 4.77% spodumene concentrate production and sales of 80,000 tonnes to 90,000 tonnes.

In addition, the miner's exploration team is reviewing the local and regional prospectivity of its lithium tenements and gold, uranium, and base metal projects.

Core Lithium shares are now down almost 80% since this time last year.

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 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 mine worker holds his phone in one hand and a tablet in the other as he stands in front of heavy machinery at a mine site.
Materials Shares

ASX lithium shares tumble as falling prices hit export values

Here are all the details from a new report released today.

Read more »

A man slumps crankily over his morning coffee as it pours with rain outside.
Materials Shares

Why are Sayona Mining shares getting thumped today?

Should this miner have put its lithium operation on care and maintenance?

Read more »

Three miners stand together at a mine site studying documents with equipment in the background
Materials Shares

BHP shares sink on $60b Anglo American takeover news

The Big Australian could be on the verge of a major acquisition.

Read more »

A man in trendy clothing sits on a bench in a shopping mall looking at his phone with interest and a surprised look on his face.
Materials Shares

Dirt cheap! Why Lynas shares could rise 18%

Bell Potter sees a lot of value in this rare earths miner's shares.

Read more »

A man sits in despair at his computer with his hands either side of his head, staring into the screen with a pained and anguished look on his face, in a home office setting.
Materials Shares

Why Fortescue shares could crash 30%

One leading broker believes this mining giant's shares are severely overvalued.

Read more »

Man holding a calculator with Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Materials Shares

Here's the Pilbara Minerals dividend forecast through to 2028

Let's see what analysts are predicting for this lithium giant's dividends.

Read more »

A man wearing glasses and a white t-shirt pumps his fists in the air looking excited and happy about the rising OBX share price
Materials Shares

Guess which ASX lithium stock is rocketing 15% on big news

Why are investors buying this lithium share on Wednesday?

Read more »

a mine worker holds his phone in one hand and a tablet in the other as he stands in front of heavy machinery at a mine site.
Materials Shares

Mineral Resources share price tumbles amid ongoing lithium price weakness

ASX 200 investors are bidding down the Mineral Resources share price on Wednesday.

Read more »