Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are storming higher again in Thursday morning trade. At the time of writing, the shares are up another 2.32% to $52.42 a piece.
This week, the share price has increased by 21.1%, and since January, it has risen by 50.9%.
The miner's latest share price hike follows news of a new $1.2 billion lithium deal with the Korean giant POSCO, announced yesterday. Mineral Resources will sell a 30% interest in a new joint venture company, which would be formed to hold its interests in the Wodgina and Mt Marion lithium mines in Western Australia. The miner said the deal is in line with plans to sell down equity stakes to strengthen its balance sheet.
Following the announcement, analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) wrote a note to investors with their outlook on the stock.
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Rating unchanged, target price raised on Mineral Resources shares
The broker has confirmed its outperform rating on Mineral Resources shares. But it has also raised its target price to $47, up from $38 just last week.
At the time of writing, this implies a potential 10.3% downside over the next 12 months.
"Lower financing costs, strip ratio assumptions at Mt Marion and improved price realisation assumptions have more than offset impact from Mt Marion and Wodgina equity sell-down. EPS is up 3% for FY26E and 5-15% for FY27-FY31E. We raise our target price 24% to A$47.00 to reflect Mt Marion and Wodgina equity selldown and improved near-term earnings outlook. Retain Underperform," the broker said in its note.
"The implied valuation exceeds what consensus and MQe had for the asset valuation. However, we remain conservative given MIN's leverage to iron ore prices and near-term iron ore price headwinds."
What else does Macquarie have to say?
The broker noted that Mineral Resources' new deal with POSCO is expected to be completed in H1 CY26.
Analysts add that the deal values the miner's lithium holding at A$3.9 billion. This is higher than market estimates of A$2.7 billion and Macquarie's estimates of A$1.5 billion.
"Our analysis implies a US$1,400/ t spodumene price, superior to spot (~US$900-1,000/t), our long-term price (US$1,100/t) and potentially what peer valuations imply (PLS implies ~US$1,200, IGO implies ~US$1,000)," the broker said in its note.
Mineral Resources expects to receive post-tax cash proceeds of around A$1 billion. It plans to use the cash received to repay external debt and fortify its balance sheet, Macquarie explained.
Management also indicated there would be limited material capital spend on Mt Marion and Wodgina in the near term.
"MIN's net debt at the quarter-end was A$5.4b, and we expect the miner to reduce its net debt to A$3.7b by end of CY26", the broker said.
