There haven't been many months that have been positive for the Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) share price lately.
And barring an absolute miracle this afternoon, March certainly won't be one of them.
As things stand, the Core Lithium share price is on course to record a monthly decline of 27%.
Why is the Core Lithium share price being hammered again?
It has been an eventful month for this lithium miner, but sadly not in a good way.
This month, the lithium miner was dumped out of the ASX 200 index, saw its CEO exit immediately out of the blue, and posted a big half-year loss.
In respect to the latter, Core Lithium reported first-half revenue of $134.8 million but 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, its decision to suspend production, a non-cash impairment of $119.6 million, and provisions for onerous contracts of $27.6 million.
What's next?
The bad news is that the few brokers that still cover the company don't see value in the Core Lithium share price despite its fall from grace.
For example, earlier this month, Citi retained its sell rating and slashed its price target down to 11 cents.
Goldman Sachs also remains bearish. Its analysts reiterated their sell rating and cut their price target to 13 cents.
Goldman appears to believe that lithium prices will stay at levels that are not workable for Core Lithium for some time to come.
As a result, the broker is forecasting revenue of just $18 million in FY 2025 and then $34 million in FY 2026. This compares unfavourably to the revenue of $134.8 million it generated during the first six months of FY 2024.
These certainly are tough times for Core Lithium and its share price. If there isn't a significant uptick in lithium prices in the near term, the next couple of years could be very bleak for shareholders.
