Down 66% in a year, are Mineral Resources shares now a good buy?

Are the headwinds battering Mineral Resources shares set to reverse?

| 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

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are falling hard today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium miner and diversified resources producer closed yesterday trading for $24.86. In late morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $22.93 apiece, down 7.8%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.5% at this same time. The benchmark Aussie index is following the lead of US stock markets, where the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) closed down 1.1% overnight amid continuing tariff jitters.

With today's intraday slump factored in, Mineral Resources shares are down a painful 66.4% since this time last year, when those same shares were worth $68.21 each.

Adding to shareholder pain, Mineral Resources suspended its dividend when the company reported its half-year results in February.

But with the ASX 200 mining stock having lost two-thirds of its market valuation over the last 12 months, is it time to go bargain hunting?

For some greater insight into that question, we defer to Peak Asset Management's Niv Dagan (courtesy of The Bull).

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.

Image source: Getty Images

Mineral Resources shares still facing challenges

"MIN is a leading diversified resources company, with extensive operations in lithium, iron ore, energy and mining services across Western Australia," said Dagan, who has a sell recommendation on Mineral Resources shares.

Dagan pointed to the miner's half-year results as cause for concern. He said:

Revenue of $2.290 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2025 was down 9% on the prior corresponding period due to weaker iron ore and lithium prices. The company reported a statutory net loss after tax of $807 million. The result included $352 million of post-tax impairment charges related to its Bald Hill lithium project.

The company didn't declare an interim dividend. The company's Onslow haul road needs to be repaired at a cost of about $230 million.

And Dagan expects that Mineral Resources shares aren't out of the woods quite yet.

"In our view, lingering debt issues and potentially weaker commodity prices are among the challenges faced by the company," he said.

What's the latest from the ASX 200 mining stock?

Atop weaker commodity prices, Mineral Resources shares also faced headwinds in recent months from inclement weather.

In January, the miner reported losing eight days of transhipping at Onslow Iron due to a severe impact from Tropical Cyclone Sean.

Still, Mineral Resources' managing director, Chris Ellison, was pleased with the company's half-year performance.

"Across the first half we made huge progress in ramping up production at Onslow Iron, a project that will transform the quality of our earnings across commodities and mining services," he said.

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 Resources Shares

Flying Australian dollars, symbolising dividends.
Share Market News

Here's the dividend forecast out to 2028 for Fortescue shares

How big could the miner’s dividends be in the next few years?

Read more »

Mining trucks going in different directions.
Resources Shares

Why BHP shares are 'not quite ready' to go green

BHP has set a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Here’s why the mining giant may struggle to…

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.
Resources Shares

Should I sell my BHP shares in June?

The mining giants shares spiked to an all-time high in mid-May, and have remained resilient ever since.

Read more »

Mining equipment and red iron ore against blue sky.
Resources Shares

Warning: Champion Iron shares slide as profits take a hit

Champion Iron’s latest result has given investors plenty to weigh.

Read more »

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

Buying Rio Tinto, BHP or Fortescue shares? Here's why CMRG matters

China remains the dominant market for Rio Tinto, BHP, and Fortescue’s iron ore exports.

Read more »

Two workers working with a large copper coil in a factory.
Resources Shares

Why BHP shares hitting a fresh all-time high could be just the beginning

Here is why the rally in BHP shares could have further to run.

Read more »

Workers inspecting a gas pipeline.
Resources Shares

Santos shares just hit a four-year high. Here's why they could keep rising.

Santos shares hit a four-year high at its 2026 Investor Briefing Day. Here's what management told the market and whether…

Read more »

Two flags - one from China, the other Australian - sit together on a desk
Resources Shares

BHP shares near 52-week high, but China just made things more complicated

Investors are still backing BHP despite tougher China talks.

Read more »