Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) shares are in a trading halt on Thursday after the company requested a pre-market pause.
The halt will remain in place pending the release of a further announcement to the market, or until the start of trade on Monday, 9 February.
Lotus shares last traded at $2.88 on Wednesday before the halt. The stock is now up around 43% for the year amid improving sentiment across the uranium sector.
According to the ASX notice, the trading pause was requested while the company finalises and releases additional information.
What investors know so far
While the initial ASX trading halt notice contained limited detail, Lotus has since released further information. That update outlines a funding initiative linked to the ramp-up at its Kayelekera uranium operation in Malawi.
The company said it has launched a non-underwritten institutional placement to raise approximately $76 million, alongside plans for a Share Purchase Plan (SPP) of up to $5 million.
The funding is intended to provide added balance sheet flexibility as the company transitions toward steady state production.
New shares under the placement are priced at $2.15 each, representing a discount to the last closing price, and will rank equally with existing ordinary shares.
Why Lotus is raising now
Lotus holds an 85% interest in the Kayelekera uranium project, a former producer that restarted operations in August 2025.
The company is targeting production of around 200,000 pounds of U3O8 per month in Q2 CY2026, equivalent to approximately 2.4 million pounds per annum.
First shipment of uranium concentrate is expected during Q2, with first cash receipts targeted for Q3 CY2026.
Product qualification is progressing, with preliminary confirmation already received from one western converter. Final product acceptance is expected during February, which is a key step toward commencing regular exports.
Management said the funding will help support working capital needs, inventory build, and remaining commissioning activities, including completion of the acid plant and grid connection.
Favourable long-term sector tailwinds remain
The announcement comes amid strong long-term demand expectations for uranium.
Governments globally continue to back nuclear power as part of broader decarbonisation and energy security strategies.
Many countries are extending the life of existing reactors, approving new builds, and committing to higher nuclear capacity targets over the coming decades. This shift has tightened long-term supply expectations and supported uranium prices.
What investors will watch next
Investors will now be watching closely for the lifting of the trading halt. Attention will then turn to placement completion and any further operational updates from Kayelekera.
With funding visibility improving, execution over the coming months is likely to be the key driver of shareholder returns.
