During this time, the ASX lithium share has risen a sizeable 45%.

But if you thought the gains were over, think again! 

Why this ASX lithium share could keep rising

Bell Potter was pleased to see the lithium developer announce agreements with the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation (KIND) and Hyundai Engineering. The broker believes it is a testament to the quality of the company's Rhyolite Ridge project. It said:

While the engagement remains non-binding, the calibre of and the commentary from these counterparties provides a strong endorsement of INR's Rhyolite Ridge project development pathway. The MOUs are clearly part of INR's Strategic Partnering Process to introduce new project-level equity funding in support of a Final Investment Decision. 

Rhyolite Ridge is fully permitted; an October 2025 project economic update outlined potential production of 27.8ktpa lithium hydroxide and 135.5ktpa boric acid at a capital cost of US$1.7b and with a lithium AISC of US$4,628/t LCE (net of boron coproduct credits). The project is also backed by a US$996m US Department of Energy concessional loan. With cash of US$62m (31 March 2026), INR is fully funded to FID.

Big potential returns

In response to the news, Bell Potter has retained its speculative buy rating and 40 cents price target on the ASX lithium share.

Based on its current share price of 14.5 cents, this implies potential upside of 175% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its investment thesis, Bell Potter said:

Rhyolite Ridge is strategically important as a fully permitted, near-term and USlocated source of lithium and boron supply. Both lithium and boron are USGS-designated critical minerals. Rhyolite Ridge received development approval in October 2024 and engineering design is 70% complete. Lithium markets have recently strengthened, and we expect that continued growth in underlying demand and limited new sources of supply will support lithium chemicals prices over the medium to long term. Our INR valuation is $0.40/sh. 

Key INR value catalysts are the outcomes of the Strategic Partnering Process in the lead-up to a Final Investment Decision and commencement of development, all expected in 2H 2026. INR is an asset development company with forecast cash flows only; our Speculative risk rating recognises this higher level of investment risk and share price volatility.

The post Why this red hot ASX lithium share could rise 175% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)

The Beach Energy share price is up 2.5% to 85.5 cents. This is despite there being no news out of the energy producer. However, with its shares down heavily over the past month, some investors may believe that the selling has been overdone. Beach Energy shares are down 22% since this time last month.

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

The Ioneer share price is up 7% to 15 cents. This morning, this ASX lithium stock announced that it has received a conditional award from the United States Army. This relates to a long-term land lease on the Tooele Army Depot for the purpose of establishing a critical mineral processing facility. The company highlights that it is one of only four companies to be selected for the award and "is proud to be partnering with the U.S. Army to help build a secure, domestic boron supply chain." Ioneer's construction ready Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project hosts the largest undeveloped boron ore reserve in the world outside of Turkiye. It is also the only undeveloped boron ore reserve in North America.

Solstice Minerals Ltd (ASX: SLS)

The Solstice Minerals share price is up 27% to $1.99. Investors have been buying this mineral exploration company after it announced multiple wide, high-grade copper-gold intercepts from its first diamond drillhole at the Nanadie Copper-Gold Project in Western Australia. Management notes that this confirms it as an extraordinarily well mineralised drillhole. Solstice Minerals' CEO and managing director, Nick Castleden, said: "We are delighted to release an outstanding set of wide, high-grade copper-gold intercepts in our first diamond drillhole at Nanadie, providing strong validation of our geological model and providing definitive evidence that this part of the deposit hosts multiple zones of high-grade mineralisation that extend to substantial depths beyond the current MRE limits."

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

The Transurban share price is up 1% to $15.33. This follows the release of an update on its North American operations. Transurban revealed that 95 Express Lanes, which Transurban indirectly holds a 50% interest, has entered a development framework agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation. This will see the two parties assess an enhanced Bi-Directional Project on the I-95 Express Lanes. It notes that the proposed project scope would add approximately 120 additional new lane miles.

The post Why Beach Energy, Ioneer, Solstice Minerals, and Transurban shares are pushing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR) share price is up 7.14% to 15 cents.

Despite the gain, it has been a rollercoaster ride for shareholders. The stock is still down around 19% in 2026, but it has jumped 54% over the past 12 months.

The latest release seems to have hit the right note, with critical minerals still a major focus in the US.

Here's what Ioneer announced.

Ioneer lands US Army-linked award

In a statement to the ASX, Ioneer said it received a conditional US Army award for land at Utah's Toole Army Depot.

The company said the long-term lease would support the development of a critical mineral processing facility.

Fortunately, Ioneer was one of four companies selected, alongside Empire State Mines, EnergyX, and REalloys.

The US Army is looking to use parts of its land to help build more domestic processing capacity for critical minerals. These include lithium, boron, graphite, and rare earths, which are used across defence, energy, and advanced manufacturing supply chains.

Ioneer said the award is tied to its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada.

The company describes Rhyolite Ridge as the largest undeveloped boron ore reserve in the world outside Turkey. It also said the project is the only known lithium-boron deposit in North America.

Why this is a big deal

The land lease is useful, but this update is really about the bigger opportunity around Ioneer.

The US is trying to build more mineral processing capacity at home, especially for materials used in defence, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

And this is where Rhyolite Ridge stands out.

It's not just another lithium project. It has a large boron resource, which gives Ioneer another way into America's supply chain push.

Boron doesn't get mentioned as much as lithium. However, Ioneer said it is used in military armour, high-strength magnets, semiconductors, and nuclear applications.

The company also noted that the US government added boron to its list of critical minerals in November 2025.

The US Army release said, "The ability to process critical minerals on U.S. soil is a national-defence priority required for munitions, missiles, sensors, batteries, and the platforms our soldiers depend on."

What investors will be watching now

While today's update is a positive one, there is still plenty of work ahead.

Keep in mind that the lease award is conditional, and Ioneer still needs to keep moving Rhyolite Ridge toward development.

This means attention turns to progress on funding, approvals, construction plans, and a final investment decision (FID).

Fortunately, there has been some progress on that front.

Recent reports have pointed to support from South Korean groups Hyundai Engineering and Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development for the project.

The post This small-cap ASX stock is soaring after a major US Army boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

And while it is undoubtedly one of the highest-quality lithium miners in the world, a strong gain over the past 12 months could mean that upside is limited from here.

That certainly isn't the case for the ASX lithium share in this article according to the team at Bell Potter, with the broker suggesting that it could more than double in value.

Which ASX lithium share?

The share that Bell Potter is bullish on is lithium developer Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR).

It is the owner of the Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project in Nevada, USA.

Bell Potter notes that the project is designed to produce +24ktpa lithium carbonate equivalent and +135ktpa boric acid over the first 25 years.

However, it points out that ore reserves suggest that it could support an 82-year project life at this initial production rate.

Bell Potter was pleased to see that the South Korean government and Hyundai Engineering have taken a shine to the project and has signed non-binding letters of intent this week. It said:

While non-binding, the calibre and commentary from these counterparties provides strong endorsement of INR's project development pathway. INR is currently running a Strategic Partnering Process to introduce new project-level equity funding in support of a Final Investment Decision at Rhyolite Ridge. It is reasonable to assume that the KIND, MOLIT and Hyundai LOIs are part of this process.

The Rhyolite Ridge project is fully permitted; an October 2025 project economic update outlined potential production of 27.8ktpa lithium hydroxide and 135.5ktpa boric acid at a capital cost of US$1.7b and with a lithium AISC of US$4,628/t LCE (net of boron co-product credits). The project is also backed by a US$996m US Department of Energy concessional loan. With cash of US$62m and no debt (31 March 2026), INR is fully funded to FID.

Should you invest?

According to the note, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating on the ASX lithium share with a slightly improved price target of 40 cents (from 39 cents).

Based on its current share price of 15.5 cents, this implies potential upside of approximately 160% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter said:

Rhyolite Ridge is strategically important as a fully permitted, near-term and US-located source of lithium and boron supply. Both lithium and boron are USGS-designated critical minerals. Rhyolite Ridge received development approval in October 2024 and engineering design is 70% complete. Lithium markets have recently strengthened, and we expect continued growth in underlying demand and limited new sources of supply will support lithium chemicals prices over the medium to long term. Our INR valuation is $0.40/sh.

Key INR value catalysts are the outcomes of the Strategic Partnering Process in the lead-up to a Final Investment Decision and commencement of development, all expected in 2H 2026.

The post Forget PLS shares, this US-focused ASX lithium share could rise 100%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to edge higher

It looks set to be a mildly positive session for Australian investors on Thursday after a mixed night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 9 points or 0.1% higher this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones was up 0.35%, but the S&P 500 fell 0.1% and the Nasdaq tumbled 0.45%.

Buy Ioneer shares

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR) shares could be undervalued according to Bell Potter. In response to news of non-binding letters of intent with South Korean entities, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating on the ASX lithium stock with an improved price target of 40 cents. This is more than double its current share price. It said: "Rhyolite Ridge is strategically important as a fully permitted, near-term and US-located source of lithium and boron supply. Both lithium and boron are USGS-designated critical minerals. […]  Lithium markets have recently strengthened, and we expect continued growth in underlying demand and limited new sources of supply will support lithium chemicals prices over the medium to long term."

Oil prices sink

It could be a poor session for ASX 200 energy shares Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) after oil prices sank again overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 4.6% to US$69.82 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 5.15% to US$73.11 a barrel. This was driven by reports that tankers are successfully transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

BHP and Rio Tinto shares on watch

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares could have a poor session on Thursday after their NYSE-listed shares dropped on Wall Street overnight. BHP shares were down almost 2% and Rio Tinto shares were down over 1.5%. This may have been driven by a pullback in commodity prices. This includes a 2.6% decline in the copper price to US$5.99 per pound.

Gold price tumbles

It could be a difficult session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price tumbled overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 3.35% to US$4,010.3 an ounce. The gold price hit a seven-month low on rising US interest rate hike bets.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are climbing:

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

The A2 Milk share price is up 3% to $6.97. Investors have been buying this infant formula company's shares this week after it received approval from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) to transition two China label infant milk formula (IMF) product registrations. A2 Milk's CEO, David Bortolussi, said: "SAMR approval marks a significant milestone in our China growth strategy and Supply Chain transformation. It supports long-term growth in our core IMF business through market access and innovation, accelerates the development of advanced nutritional manufacturing capability, and captures attractive financial returns through incremental brand contribution and vertical margin capture."

Calix Ltd (ASX: CXL)

The Calix share price is up 9.5% to 40 cents. This morning, this industrial technology company announced a joint development agreement (JDA) with Ambuja Cements Limited (Ambuja Cements). It is a subsidiary of the Adani Group. The two parties will work together on a commercial scale project at the Sanghi cement plant in Gujarat, India. Ambuja Cements' director, Karan Adani, said: "The cement industry's transition to a lower-carbon future will require bold thinking, technological innovation and collaboration across the value chain. Our partnership with [Calix subsidiary] Leilac reflects our commitment to evaluating next-generation technologies that can reduce process emissions while improving energy efficiency and supporting long-term sustainable growth. This initiative aligns with our vision of building world-class manufacturing operations for the future."

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price is up 2.5% to $115.66. This is despite there being no news out of the biotechnology giant on Tuesday. However, it is worth noting that CSL's shares have been rebounding from their multi-year low this month. So much so, CSL shares have risen by 22% since the start of the month.

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

The Ioneer share price is up 18% to 16.5 cents. This morning, the lithium developer announced strategic non-binding letters of intent (LOIs) with the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation and Hyundai Engineering Co. These will see the parties work together to advance the development of the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project. Ioneer's managing director, Bernard Rowe, said: "Rhyolite Ridge has been a decade in the making — through ongoing partnerships, permitting, and financing. Working with trusted Korean partners with a track record of on-time and on-budget delivery brings us closer to breaking ground and delivering urgently needed lithium and boron. We're delighted to work with KIND and Hyundai Engineering and look forward to what we'll accomplish together."

The post Why A2 Milk, Calix, CSL, and Ioneer shares are charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In morning trade, the ASX lithium share is up 25% to 17.5 cents.

Why is this ASX lithium share jumping?

Investors have been scrambling to buy the company's shares today after it released a big update on its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project.

According to the release, the company has entered into strategic non-binding letters of intent (LOI) with the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation and Hyundai Engineering Co.

The former is the Republic of Korea's specialised public institution mandated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to facilitate and invest in overseas infrastructure and public-private partnership projects.

The latter is a leading Korean and international engineering, procurement, and construction company.

The LOI will see the parties work together to advance the development of the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project.

The ASX lithium share believes the project holds significant strategic value for both the Republic of Korea and the United States.

It notes that Rhyolite Ridge hosts the only known lithium-boron reserve in North America, one of two globally, and the only project of its kind in active development.

The parties intend to formalise their cooperation through the execution of Memorandums of Understanding, which are expected in July 2026.

Rhyolite Ridge Project

Ioneer reiterated that it is targeting a final investment decision for the second half of 2026, with first commercial production expected in 2029.

Once operational, Rhyolite Ridge will process ore into final products entirely on-site with annual lithium hydroxide and annual boric acid production of 27,800 tonnes per annum (tpa) and 135,500 tpa, respectively.

Commenting on the news, Ioneer's managing director, Bernard Rowe, said:

Rhyolite Ridge has been a decade in the making — through ongoing partnerships, permitting, and financing. Working with trusted Korean partners with a track record of on-time and on-budget delivery brings us closer to breaking ground and delivering urgently needed lithium and boron.

We're delighted to work with KIND and Hyundai Engineering and look forward to what we'll accomplish together.

KIND's director of plant business division, Chris Soeung Kim, spoke positively about the agreement, adding:

KIND, as a specialized PPP investment institution under the MOLIT, has been actively advancing investments in U.S. energy, infrastructure, and critical minerals projects. We view this project as a major milestone that will further strengthen bilateral cooperation and deepen the strategic partnership between the Republic of Korea and the United States.

The post Guess which ASX lithium share is jumping 25% on big news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because if Bell Potter is on the money with its recommendation, this stock could more than double in value between now and this time next year.

Which ASX lithium stock?

The stock that has caught the eye of Bell Potter this week is Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR).

It is the 100% owner of the fully permitted Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project in Nevada, United States.

Bell Potter notes that the project is designed to produce +24kt per annum lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) and +135kt per annum boric acid over the first 25 years.

However, it may not stop there. The broker highlights that ore reserves could support an 82-year project life at this initial production rate.

Furthermore, in the ASX lithium stock's most recent economic update, it outlines low all-in sustaining costs of US$4,628 per tonne of LCE, benefiting from boric acid co-production.

The company has binding lithium offtake contracts with Ford, Toyota, Panasonic, and EcoPro.

What is Bell Potter saying?

Bell Potter highlights that the ASX lithium stock recently raised funds. It believes the company now has sufficient cash to see it through 2026. Importantly, this includes the completion of its Rhyolite Ridge strategic partnering process to a final investment decision. The broker said:

INR recently completed a $72m equity placement at $0.18/sh, taking its pro forma December 2025 cash position to around $90m. The placement ensures that INR is fully funded through 2026, including the completion of its Rhyolite Ridge strategic partnering process to a Final Investment Decision. It will fund long lead items and early works and support development permitting and general corporate working capital.

Importantly, the funding strengthens INR's negotiating position with potential partners, which we expect will likely include a consortium of strategic offtake counterparties and private equity groups. INR also is in a strong position to retain a majority equity stake in Rhyolite Ridge on completion of the partnering process.

Big potential returns

In response to the fund raising, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating on the ASX lithium stock with a trimmed price target of 39 cents.

Based on its current share price of 14 cents, this implies potential upside of almost 180% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on the stock, the broker said:

The Rhyolite Ridge sell-down should materially de-risk INR's project development equity funding requirements. Lithium markets have recently strengthened; we expect supply chain restocking will coincide with growth in underlying demand, and support lithium chemicals prices over the medium to long term. Rhyolite Ridge is large-scale and low cost, and has expansion potential beyond its Stage 1 development. Our INR valuation is now $0.39/sh (previously $0.46/sh), factoring in the balance of improved project economic assumptions offset by dilution from the recent capital raise.

However, it warns that "INR is an asset development company with forecast cash flows only; our Speculative risk rating recognises this higher level of investment risk and share price volatility." As a result, Ioneer would only be suitable for investors with a high tolerance for risk.

The post Forget PLS, Bell Potter says this ASX lithium stock could rise 150%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are dropping:

Imricor Medical Systems Inc (ASX: IMR)

The Imricor Medical Systems share price is down 2% to $2.01. This may have been driven by profit-taking from investors following a strong gain on Thursday. Investors were buying the medical device company's shares after it received US FDA approval for its NorthStar Mapping System. NorthStar is the first and only MRI-native 3D mapping and guidance system to receive FDA clearance. Imricor's chair and CEO, Steve Wedan, commented: "At Imricor, we have been building a comprehensive suite of uniquely MRI-compatible devices for two decades. These devices, which include both consumable products and capital equipment, enable doctors to harness the superior soft tissue imaging of MRI to precisely guide minimally invasive procedures in a 100% radiation-free setting."

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

The Ioneer share price is down 18% to 17 cents. Investors have been selling this lithium developer's shares after it raised capital. Ioneer revealed that it has received firm commitments from institutional, professional, and sophisticated investors to raise approximately US$50 million (approximately A$72 million) at a discount of 18 cents per new share. The company's executive chair, James Calaway, said: "The result of this offering is a strong endorsement of Ioneer's strategy and the market's understanding of the unique value and importance of Rhyolite Ridge to help onshore U.S. critical minerals production. This funding milestone allows us to aggressively move towards commencing construction and advancing discussions with potential strategic partners."

Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR)

The Star Entertainment share price is down 12.5% to 14 cents. This follows the release of the casino and resorts operator's quarterly update. Star reported a 6% increase in revenue to $301 million and positive group EBITDA of $6 million. The latter compares to an EBITDA loss of $13 million in the first quarter. It seems that the market was expecting even more from Star Entertainment.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

The Whitehaven Coal share price is down 4% to $9.06. This may have been driven by a broker note out of Bell Potter this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the coal miner's shares to a sell rating with an $8.40 price target. It said: "We move to a Sell recommendation with strong recent share price performance. In the medium term, WHC are positioned to capitalise when coal markets sustainably improve with a diversified portfolio of assets in Queensland and New South Wales and strong organic growth optionality."

The post Why Imricor, Ioneer, Star, and Whitehaven Coal shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In morning trade on Friday, the ASX lithium stock is down 18% to 17 cents.

Why is this ASX lithium stock crashing today?

The catalyst for today's weakness has been the lithium and boron company announcing the receipt of firm commitments from institutional, professional, and sophisticated investors to raise approximately US$50 million (approximately A$72 million).

These funds are being raised through a single-tranche placement comprising the issue of approximately 400 million new shares at an issue price of 18 Australian cents per new share.

The ASX lithium stock advised that the placement was strongly supported by new and existing shareholders, which it believes reflects the world class nature of the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project. It is one of only a small number of lithium-boron ore deposits globally and a linchpin project in Nevada's burgeoning Lithium Loop.

Why is it raising funds?

The company advised that the cash injection will provide critical funding that will put it in a strong financial position through the completion of the strategic partnering process, a final investment decision, and long lead items and early construction works.

It notes that Rhyolite Ridge stands ready to onshore U.S. production of two critical materials and is the only permitted, shovel ready lithium-boron project in the country.

The ASX lithium stock's executive chair, James Calaway, was pleased with the success of the equity raise. He said:

The result of this offering is a strong endorsement of Ioneer's strategy and the market's understanding of the unique value and importance of Rhyolite Ridge to help onshore U.S. critical minerals production. This funding milestone allows us to aggressively move towards commencing construction and advancing discussions with potential strategic partners.

This sentiment was echoed by the company's managing director, Bernard Rowe. He said:

This capital raise demonstrates clear market confidence in Ioneer and the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project. With permitting complete, these funds enable us to strengthen our position as a key U.S. domestic supplier of two critical minerals and efficiently move toward construction.

The new Ioneer shares issued from this placement are expected to commence trading on the ASX boards next week on Friday 6 February.

Despite today's heavy decline, this ASX lithium stock remains up by approximately 45% over the past six months. This has been driven by improving lithium prices.

The post Why is this ASX lithium stock crashing 18% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Ioneer shares last traded at 21 cents at Wednesday's close. Despite recent volatility, the stock is still up around 14% so far this year.

Trading is expected to resume once the announcement is released or by the start of trade on Monday, 2 February, at the latest.

Why Ioneer asked for a trading halt

According to the ASX notice, the trading halt relates to an upcoming announcement connected to a material capital raising.

While Ioneer has not provided further details at this stage, the wording indicates the company is preparing to outline funding plans that could be important for the next phase of its development.

Capital management has been a key focus for the company as it advances its flagship project and secures long-term funding support.

A quick refresher on Ioneer's main asset

Ioneer is developing the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium Boron Project in Nevada, United States.

The deposit contains both lithium and boron. Lithium is used in electric vehicle batteries, while boron is used in advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies, and specialist glass products.

It is one of only two known lithium boron deposits globally. That level of scarcity has helped put the project on the radar of governments and policymakers as they work to secure more reliable supply chains for critical minerals, particularly outside China.

The project already has key permits in place and has secured conditional support from the US Department of Energy. That loan is intended to help fund construction once final funding arrangements are confirmed.

Funding and partners remain the big focus

Last year, Ioneer restarted its search for a strategic partner after a previous deal fell over. Management said it expects that process to be completed in the first half of 2026.

Any capital raising announced this week could be linked to that broader funding plan. It could also be aimed at strengthening the balance sheet ahead of construction or partner negotiations.

Investors will be watching the size and pricing of any capital raise closely. Those details are likely to shape the market's response once trading resumes.

What investors are watching next

With the share price halted, attention is now on what the announcement means for the company's development timeline.

Investors will be looking for signs that Ioneer is moving closer to construction at Rhyolite Ridge, either through new funding, progress on a strategic partner, or both.

Foolish Takeaway

Ioneer has a rare critical minerals project, but funding remains the key piece still to fall into place.

With shares halted, investors are now waiting to see whether the upcoming announcement moves the Rhyolite Ridge project closer to construction.

The post Guess which ASX lithium stock plunged into a halt as the market awaits news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here are a few that it currently rates as buys:

Delta Lithium Ltd (ASX: DLI)

Bell Potter is bullish on this small-cap ASX lithium stock and has a speculative buy rating and 41 cents price target on its shares.

Commenting on the lithium developer, the broker said:

DLI's core assets provide exposure to essential minerals including lithium, tantalum and rubidium; its 41% shareholding in advanced gold explorer Ballard Mining (BM1, Speculative Buy, Valuation $1.05/sh) adds material gold price leverage.

Our DLI valuation is based on conservative EV/Resource multiples at Mt Ida and Yinnetharra and a market value of DLI's BM1 shareholding. If we incorporate our BM1 valuation, our DLI valuation would lift to $0.47/sh. DLI is an asset development company with prospective operations and cash flows. Our Speculative risk rating recognises this higher level of risk and volatility of returns.

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

Another ASX lithium stock that gets the speculative thumbs up is Ioneer. The broker is feeling very upbeat on the US-based Rhyolite Ridge project, especially given the government support it has received.

Bell Potter has a speculative buy rating and 46 cents price target on its shares. It said:

INR's Rhyolite Ridge sell-down process should de-risk the project's equity funding requirements. We expect the USA DoE to remain supportive; Lithium America's (NYSE:LAC, not rated) recent US$2.3b DoE Thacker Pass (also in Nevada) debt support is a positive analogue. INR's Rhyolite Ridge project is strategic because of its US location, large scale, low cost, boric acid co-product and expansion potential. INR is an asset development company with forecast cash flows only; our Speculative risk rating recognises this higher level of investment risk and share price volatility.

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

Lithium miner Liontown has been given a buy rating and $2.48 price target. The broker likes the company due to its Kathleen Valley Lithium Project, which it notes is highly strategic. Commenting on the ASX lithium stock, it said:

LTR's 100% owned Kathleen Valley lithium project is highly strategic in terms of scale, long project life and location in a tier-one mining jurisdiction. LTR has offtake contracts with top-tier EV and battery OEMs. Over FY26, LTR will de-risk the ramp up of Kathleen Valley. LTR has a strong balance sheet with long tenor debt finance.

Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL)

A final ASX lithium stock that is rated highly by Bell Potter is Vulcan Energy. It has a speculative buy rating and $6.10 price target on the lithium developer's shares.

Bell Potter believes Vulcan Energy could be highly profitable when its Lionheart Lithium Project is operating at full capacity. It said:

VUL's Lionheart Lithium Project location (Germany), near-term production and novel technology, position VUL to benefit as lithium markets rebalance over the medium term. On our lithium price outlook (long term LH US$20,000/t), average annual EBITDA is €290m (real).

The post Bell Potter names the ASX lithium stocks to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

And some leading ASX 200 mining stocks have been riding the wave.

For example, shares in Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) have rocketed by 200% in the past six months.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares have also more than doubled across the same timeframe.

And fellow Western Australian lithium miner Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) has delivered a 104% return for its shareholders.

Looking ahead, this upbeat sentiment in the lithium sector could be set to continue, according to financial services firm Bell Potter.

The broker stated:

Lithium market supply-demand fundamentals are improving into 2026, supporting higher prices. Demand from Electric Vehicle take-up and Energy Stationary Storage continues to experience high rates of growth. While there is idled capacity on the lithium supply-side, we expect sustained higher prices will be required to support any production restarts.

And one ASX lithium stock could be set to benefit from this positive outlook.

Strategically important ASX lithium stock

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR) is advancing its wholly owned Rhyolite Ridge lithium and boron project in the US state of Nevada.

A recent economic evaluation pointed to annual production totalling more than 24,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, alongside 135,000 tonnes of boric acid.

And according to Bell Potter, the project represents a strategically important source of future lithium supply in the US.

It noted:

In January 2025, Rhyolite Ridge received funding support from the US Department of Energy through a US$996m, 20-year loan. The company is currently running a project sell-down process, which we expect to materially de-risk the development's remaining funding requirements. Project development should commence in 2026 to enable first production in 2029.

Not only that, but the prospect of boron production also appears to have caught the eye of Bell Potter analysts.

Critical mineral

Bell Potter noted that boron recently joined lithium on the US list of critical minerals.

In essence, boron is a rare mineral that plays a vital role in a wide range of sectors such as energy, defence, aerospace, and agriculture.

It also boasts everyday applications, including in cookware, consumer electronics, and medicine.

According to Ioneer, Turkey and the US account for about 80% of global boron production, including 30% supply coming from just the one mine in California.

It believes that Rhyolite Ridge could be the only construction-ready and fully permitted boron deposit in the US, and possibly the world.

Overall, boron is forecast to account for about 25% of the project's future revenue.

Share price in focus for this ASX lithium stock

Ioneer shares have already jumped by 50% over the past six months, rising to $0.17 per share at the time of writing.

However, Bell Potter believes that this powerful rally could continue into 2026.

The broker has placed a speculative buy rating on the company, with a price target of $0.36 per share.

This equates to 112% upside potential for investors in this ASX mining stock.

The post Forget Pilbara Minerals! Expert says this ASX lithium stock could soar 112% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The good news is that there are many ways for Aussie investors to gain exposure to critical metals on the local stock exchange.

But which ones could be buys? Let's take a look at three of the best to buy now according to analysts at Bell Potter.

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

This lithium-boron producer has caught the eye of Bell Potter. It has a speculative buy rating and 36 cents price target on its shares.

The broker was pleased with the funding support it received from the US Department of Energy for the Rhyolite Ridge project and believes this is the first step in de-risking its development. It said:

In January 2025, Rhyolite Ridge received funding support from the US Department of Energy through a US$996m, 20-year loan. The company is currently running a project selldown process, which we expect to materially de-risk the development's remaining funding requirements. Project development should commence in 2026 to enable first production in 2029. The US Department of Interior, in consultation with the US Geological Survey, recently added boron to the final 2025 List of Critical Minerals; this list also includes lithium. Buy (Speculative), Valuation $0.36

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

Bell Potter rates lithium miner Liontown highly and has a buy rating and $1.52 price target on its shares. It believes that 2026 will see the company de-risk its Kathleen Valley operation. The broker said:

Over 2026, LTR will further de-risk the ramp-up of production at Kathleen Valley as ore stockpiles support the operation's transition to all underground mining. LTR has a strong balance sheet and is highly leveraged to lithium markets, which we expect to further improve.

WA1 Resources Ltd (ASX: WA1)

A third ASX critical minerals stock that Bell Potter is recommending to clients is niobium developer WA1 Resources. It has a speculative buy rating and $24.80 price target on its shares.

The broker highlights that the company owns the Luni deposit, which is the highest grade niobium deposit outside Brazil. It said:

WA1's Luni deposit in the West Arunta, Western Australia, is the highest grade niobium deposit outside of Brazil and bears similarities to the global significance of LYC's Mt Weld deposit in the rare earth sector. Brazil accounts for ~90% of global supply of Niobium, a key micro alloy in steel. We anticipate a Resource update during CY26 and a potential initial study, which builds on process flowsheet work conducted over the last ~1.5 years, and recent infill drilling.

The post Bell Potter names the best ASX critical minerals stocks to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In afternoon trade, the ASX lithium share is up 17% to 25.2 cents.

This means its shares are now up 80% in a month.

Why is this ASX lithium share shooting higher?

Today's gain could have been driven by a delayed response to a bullish broker note out of Bell Potter on Wednesday.

That note reveals that the broker has initiated coverage on the US based lithium developer with a positive view.

It highlights that the company is well-placed to be a major lithium supplier in North America and anticipates average annual EBITDA of US$360 million from its Rhyolite Ridge operation during the first five years of operation. It said:

INR's fully permitted, 100%-owned Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project is located in Nevada, USA. The project is designed to produce +22ktpa Lithium Carbonate Equivalent and 127ktpa boric acid over the first 25 years; Ore Reserves support an 82- year project life at initial production rates. INR's most recent economic update (September 2025) outlines low all-in sustaining costs of US$5,626/t LCE, benefiting from boric acid co-production (20-25% of revenues).

INR has binding lithium offtake contracts with Ford, Toyota/Panasonic and EcoPro. On our long-term price outlook (lithium carbonate US$19,000/t), Rhyolite Ridge generates average annual EBITDA of around US$360m in its first five years of steady-state production (2030-34).

Another positive is the significant debt funding it has received from the US Department of Energy (DoE). It adds:

In January 2025, INR announced the closing of a US$996m, 20-year loan from the US Department of Energy. An asset-level sell-down process for development capital is now underway. The Rhyolite Ridge capital cost estimate is around US$1.7b (including 10% contingency); INR's NPV8 estimate of Rhyolite Ridge is US$1.4b (at average US$23,040/t lithium hydroxide). We expect the sell-down (up to 50%) to conclude by early 2026 to support FID in mid-2026 and first production from 2029.

Time to buy

According to the note, the broker has initiated coverage on the ASX lithium share with a speculative buy rating and 36 cents price target.

Based on its current share price, this implies potential upside of almost 45% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its initiation, the broker said:

The Rhyolite Ridge sell-down process should materially de-risk INR's equity funding requirements. We expect the USA DoE to remain supportive; Lithium America's (NYSE: LAC), not rated) recent US$2.3b DoE Thacker Pass (also in Nevada) debt support is a positive analogue. INR's Rhyolite Ridge project is strategic because of its US location, large scale, low cost, boric acid co-product and expansion potential.

The post Bell Potter just put a buy rating on this rocketing ASX lithium share appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here's why they are falling:

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

The Ioneer share price is down 8% to 16.5 cents. This is despite there being no news out of the US-based lithium developer. However, it is worth noting that the company's shares rocketed higher last week. So, today's decline could have been driven by profit-taking from some investors. Ioneer's shares remain up 18% since this time last week despite today's pullback. The catalyst for this gain appears to have been news that the US government was buying a stake in a fellow US-based lithium company. Investors may believe that Ioneer has potential to get an investment in the future as well.

Metal Powder Works Ltd (ASX: MPW)

The Metal Powder Works share price is down almost 5% to $4.06. This follows the release of the advanced metal powder production technology developer's annual report this morning. That report included consolidated financial statements following the reverse acquisition of Metal Powder Works Inc, which ultimately led to its listing earlier this year. It posted a loss of US$6.2 million.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

The Rio Tinto share price is down over 2% to $120.44. This may have been driven by a pullback in the iron ore price. According to Bloomberg, iron ore prices pulled back ahead of a major holiday in China that will see mainland markets close for a week from Wednesday.

Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX)

The Strike Energy share price is down 3% to 10.7 cents. This has been driven by the release of the energy company's full year results. Strike Energy posted a 59% increase in revenue to $72.7 million and an 87% jump in underlying EBITDA to $41.6 million. However, due to impairments, it recorded a massive net loss of $157.3 million for FY 2025. This relates to the downward revision in reserves at Walyering. Strike Energy's managing director and CEO, Peter Stokes, was pleased with the year. He said: "FY25 was a pivotal year for Strike. The completion of our Strategic Review has provided a clear roadmap to unlock value across our unique Perth Basin asset base. With production at Walyering delivering cashflows, construction underway at South Erregulla, West Erregulla progressing towards development and significant prospectivity providing a strong potential growth pipeline, Strike is firmly positioned to play a critical role in Western Australia's energy transition."

The post Why Ioneer, Metal Powder Works, Rio Tinto, and Strike Energy shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX)

The 4D Medical share price is up 38% to $1.06. Investors have been buying this respiratory imaging technology company's shares this week after it announced that its ventilation-perfusion product, CT:VQ, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance. It has then followed this up with another big announcement this morning. 4D Medical revealed that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have confirmed that reimbursement for the groundbreaking software falls under Category III Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 0721T and 0722T, and will be paid at US$650.50 per scan, effective immediately. Management believes that this is "accelerating the path to broad market adoption."

COG Financial Services Ltd (ASX: COG)

The COG Financial Services share price is up over 7% to $1.88. This morning, this financial services company announced an agreement to acquire salary packaging and novated leasing business EasiFleet for $40 million. This represents a multiple of 6 times FY 2025 EBITDA on a post synergies basis. COG's CEO, Andrew Bennett, said: "With the acquisition of EasiFleet, the Paywise Group now holds contracts with Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory Governments. This national coverage enables the Group to provide novated leasing and salary packaging services to a significant proportion of the Australian public sector workforce."

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

The Collins Foods share price is up a further 1.5% to $10.41. This KFC restaurant operator's shares have been racing higher this week following the release of a trading update. Collins Foods revealed that for the first 18 weeks of FY 2026, total company sales were up 6.7% on prior corresponding period. This was driven by KFC same store sales growth in all markets. In response to the update, this morning Morgans retained its buy rating on the company's shares with an improved price target of $12.20 (from $10.10).

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

The Ioneer share price is up 4% to 12 cents. This morning, this mineral exploration company announced a material improvement in project economics for its 100%-owned Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project. This includes a 38% increase in unlevered life of mine NPV to US$1,888 million. Managing Director Bernard Rowe said: "Reducing the leach retention time to two days has allowed us to mine and process 25% more ore annually due to the more efficient use of our sulphuric acid. This has resulted in a material increase in production volumes of both lithium and boron chemicals. Importantly, this material improvement does not require additional capital expenditure or change to plant design."

The post Why 4DMedical, COG, Collins Foods, and Ioneer shares are racing higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are dropping:

Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

The Accent share price is down 23% to $1.39. This has been driven by the release of a disappointing trading update from the footwear-focused retailer after the market close on Thursday. Due to tough trading conditions, Accent Group expects its group EBIT to be in a range of $108 million to $111 million for FY 2025. This is well short of the consensus estimate of $133 million. Bell Potter remains positive, though. It has retained its buy rating with a reduced price target of $2.10.

Cettire Ltd (ASX: CTT)

The Cettire share price is down a further 16% to 27 cents. This online luxury products retailer's shares have been sold off this week after it released another poor trading update. Cettire revealed that its adjusted EBITDA was negative $6.9 million for the first two months of the fourth quarter. This compares to positive EBITDA of $12.1 million for the first half. Just over a year ago, its founder CEO, Dean Mintz, sold $127 million worth of shares. Cettire's market capitalisation is now under $100 million.

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

The Ioneer share price is down 13% to 10 cents. This morning, this emerging lithium–boron producer received firm commitments from institutional, professional, and sophisticated investors to raise approximately US$16 million (~A$25 million) through a placement. These funds are being raised at an issue price of 10 cents per new share, which represents a 13% discount to its last closing price. Executive chair, James Calaway, said: "Rhyolite Ridge continues to demonstrate it is a world-leading lithium project, helping accelerate the electric vehicle transition and securing a cleaner future for our children and grandchildren. This Placement represents another step forward towards ensuring this world-class project operates efficiently and sustainably."

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The Pro Medicus share price is down over 3.5% to $269.00. Investors have been selling Pro Medicus and other ASX tech stocks today in response to rising tensions in the Middle East. This has led to investors switching out of risk on assets and into risk off assets like gold miners. The S&P/ASX All Technology Index is down 1.5% at the time of writing.

The post Why Accent, Cettire, Ioneer, and Pro Medicus shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In morning trade, the ASX 300 lithium stock is down a sizeable 17% to 9.5 cents.

Why is this ASX 300 lithium stock sinking today?

The catalyst for today's decline has been news that the emerging lithium–boron producer has raised capital through a placement.

According to the release, the ASX 300 lithium stock has received firm commitments from institutional, professional, and sophisticated investors to raise approximately US$16 million (~A$25 million).

These funds will be raised through a single-tranche placement comprising the issue of approximately 253 million new fully paid ordinary shares at an issue price of 10 cents per new share. This represents a 13% discount to its last closing price.

The company advised that the placement was strongly supported by new and existing shareholders, which it believes reflects the world class nature of its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project.

The Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project is the only known lithium-boron deposit in North America, one of only two known such deposits in the world, and a key project in Nevada's burgeoning Lithium Loop. The company has offtake agreements with Ford Motor Company and Prime Planet & Energy Solutions (joint venture between Toyota and Panasonic), and Korea's EcoPro Innovation.

Management highlights that this equity raising will provide critical funding that will support the company through to completion a strategic partnering process and then to a final investment decision.

It will now seek to raise a further US$3.3 million (A$5 million) from retail shareholders through a non-underwritten share purchase plan (SPP). These new shares are being offered to eligible shareholders at the same price as the placement.

'A world-leading lithium project'

The ASX 300 lithium stock's executive chair, James Calaway, was pleased with the placement. He said:

Rhyolite Ridge continues to demonstrate it is a world-leading lithium project, helping accelerate the electric vehicle transition and securing a cleaner future for our children and grandchildren. This Placement represents another step forward towards ensuring this world-class project operates efficiently and sustainably.

This sentiment was echoed by the company's managing director, Bernard Rowe. He commented:

Ioneer is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Placement with strong engagement from new and existing investors, signalling market confidence the Rhyolite Ridge Project despite significant headwinds in the lithium market.

Following today's decline, the lithium developer's shares are down approximately 40% since the start of the year.

The post Why is this ASX 300 lithium stock sinking 17% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are dropping:

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

The Coles Group share price is down over 3% to $19.14. This has been driven by the supermarket giant's shares going ex-dividend this morning. When this happens, it means the rights to an upcoming dividend are settled. As a result, new buyers of Coles' shares will not be entitled to this dividend and its share price has dropped to reflect this. Last month, Coles released its half year results and declared a fully franked 37 cents per share interim dividend. It will be paid to eligible shareholders later this month on 27 March.

Ioneer Ltd (ASX: INR)

The Ioneer share price is down 3.5% to 14 cents. This morning, this emerging lithium–boron producer released an update on the Rhyolite Ridge project. According to the release, recent drilling activities have led to a 45% increase in the mineral resource estimate for the lithium-boron project in Nevada, USA. This estimate includes new data from twelve drill holes completed in 2024. It seems that the market may have been looking for a larger increase. Nevertheless, the company's managing director, Bernard Rowe, was pleased with the news. He said: "Today's updated Resource reinforces the remarkable flexibility of Rhyolite Ridge's unique mineralogy. It allows Ioneer to match prevailing market conditions and blend our ore to produce a valuable boric acid coproduct, whose market is separate from the Project's primary lithium product. No other lithium project has this flexibility and economic advantage. In times of low lithium pricing as exists today, the Company can prioritize the high-boron ore over the low-boron ore to optimize the relative proportion of total revenue derived from boron."

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

The Treasury Wine share price is down 4.5% to $10.10. Like Coles, this has been driven by the wine giant's shares going ex-dividend this morning for its latest dividend. The Penfolds owner released its half year results last month and declared a partially franked 20 cents per share interim dividend. It will be paying this dividend to eligible shareholders on 2 April.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

The Woolworths share price is down almost 3% to $29.09. This is another ASX share that has gone ex-dividend today and is falling in response. Last month, Australia's largest supermarket chain released its half year results and declared a fully franked interim dividend of 39 cents per share. This is due to be paid to eligible shareholders next month on 23 April.

The post Why Coles, Ioneer, Treasury Wine, and Woolworths shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.