As the close of trading draws near, the top 5 best-performing shares of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) are all mining stocks.

Leading the bunch is ASX gold share Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS), up 6.15% to 95 cents.

Next on the list is ASX lithium share Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE), up 5.77% to $12.01.

Then we have gold miner Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), whose share price is up 4.78% to $2.85.

It’s followed by iron ore share Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA), up 4.6% to $7.70.

Rounding out the top 5 are Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares, up 4.6% to $86.34.

What’s pushing ASX 200 mining shares higher?

Ramelius Resources has not reported any news today. However, Ramelius shares have risen by 14% since the miner released its 1H FY23 results on 21 February.

The miner reported a small decline in sales revenue to $304.8 million and a 33.7% decline in underlying EBITDA to $106.3 million. However, it reaffirmed its FY23 production guidance of between 240,000 ounces and 280,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of between $1,750 per ounce and $1,950 per ounce.

Moving on to Allkem shares, which are shining brightly today after top broker Goldman Sachs backed the company to withstand the coming decline in lithium prices better than other ASX lithium shares.

The broker reckons there’s a 30%-plus upside for Allkem shares over the next 12 months.

As my Fool colleague James reports, Goldman says Allkem’s production growth potential and downstream opportunity will see it through a big decline in lithium prices over the next few years.

Evolution Mining told the ASX yesterday it has seen ongoing drilling success at its Ernest Henry site. Investors are excited about the news, with Evolution shares up 7% since the announcement.

Evolution Mining CEO Lawrie Conway said: “The significance of the recent drilling intercepts released today indicates that Bert, which is located adjacent to the open pit, is a sizable mineralisation domain that remains open down-plunge.”

There’s been no news from Champion Iron over the past three weeks.

Finally, Mineral Resources shares are also up on no news today. However, last week the company revealed incredible earnings growth in its 1H FY23 report.

Its net profit after tax (NPAT) went up 1,890% to $390 million over the half. Revenue increased by 74% to $2,350 million, driven by turbocharged lithium revenue of $997.2 million, up from $143 million year over year.

The post Why are ASX 200 mining shares leading the market today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Investing in ASX 200 lithium stocks? Here’s why this 6% decline in China matters
• Why Allkem, Argosy Minerals, Mayne Pharma, and NextDC shares are racing higher
• Own ASX lithium shares? Here is the latest Goldman Sachs lithium price forecast
• Broker says buy ASX 200 lithium share Allkem for 34% upside
• Get a second income with these ASX dividend shares: experts

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Allkem. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. 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.

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S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium stocks are shrugging off some potentially concerning news about the outlook for the battery-critical metal. At least for now.

We’ll get to that news in a tick.

First, here’s how the top five lithium shares are performing in afternoon trade today:

• Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares are up 2.4%
• Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares are up 2.7%
• Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) shares are up 5.2%
• IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) shares are up 2.8%
• Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are up 3.49%

Looks like greed is trumping fear for investors in ASX 200 lithium stocks today.

But should they be concerned?

Why this 6% decline in China matters for ASX 200 lithium stocks

China produces approximately 75% of the world’s lithium-ion batteries each year.

And the Middle Kingdom boasts by far the largest production and sales figures for EVs of any nation on Earth.

In December alone, the China Automobile Association reported China produced 795,000 EVs. And the nation’s dealers dipped into their inventories, with a whopping 814,000 EVs sold.

The story was much the same throughout 2022. And this surge in demand helped drive lithium prices to all-time highs last year. Since that peak, prices have retraced some 30%. But many analysts are forecasting they could have further to fall.

The decline is partly demand related.

As Reuters reports, January saw a 6.3% decline in sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids in China. That’s after the sector grew 90% in 2022.

Commenting on the potential impact, Barrenjoey analysts said, “While we remain positive on the long-term outlook for lithium, the short-term outlook is less clear, with a clear acceleration in China EV sales needed to allay market fears.”

January’s decline is likely linked to the government’s plan to end subsidies for EVs. But it’s fuelling concerns that demand growth may slow just as supply growth looks set to explode.

Too much lithium?

ASX 200 lithium stocks could come under pressure more from a potential excess supply hitting the markets than from any big fall in demand.

And some analysts are forecasting this will see prices for the battery-critical metal continue to fall.

Chinese spot prices for lithium carbonate have dropped from some 600,000 yuan ($128,000) per tonne at the November peak to around 400,000 yuan ($86,000) today.

Commenting on market dynamics, vice president at Rystad Energy Susan Zou said (as quoted by Reuters):

Demand is still healthy, but battery and EV makers are currently destocking instead of placing new orders. The subdued spot demand therefore is weighing on sentiment and pressing down prices..

A lithium carbonate price of 200,000-300,000 yuan per tonne is where both upstream and downstream will feel comfortable.

“Supply is coming on stream faster than you can say ‘boo’,” Ord Minnett analyst Dylan Kelly added. “Demand remains strong, but prices have been unsustainable for some time now.”

Indeed, many lithium miners are not yet at the production stage. As they do begin producing, global supplies will ramp up.

Even among the ASX 200 lithium stocks, only Allkem, Mineral Resources, and Pilbara Minerals are currently producing.

Core Lithium looks to be next in line. Maiden spodumene concentrate production from its Finniss Lithium Project is expected to commence in the first half of 2023.

The post Investing in ASX 200 lithium stocks? Here’s why this 6% decline in China matters appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Wednesday
• Why Allkem, Argosy Minerals, Mayne Pharma, and NextDC shares are racing higher
• Why did the Pilbara Minerals share price sink 9% in February?
• Own ASX lithium shares? Here is the latest Goldman Sachs lithium price forecast
• Broker says buy ASX 200 lithium share Allkem for 34% upside

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

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The February earnings season saw plenty of ups and downs, as well as some insider buying among these S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares.

They’ve each seen directors trading in their company’s stocks over the last week.

So, which ASX 200 directors were buying, and how much were they snapping up? Let’s take a look.

6 ASX 200 directors buying their company shares

Insider buying is often taken as a sign those working behind the scenes at an ASX 200 company are bullish on its share price’s future.

Thus, a barrage of director trades in Dexus Property Group (ASX: DXS) stock might have pricked the ears of market watchers. Particularly the $216,794 trade made by director Paula Dwyer, who snapped up 25,000 shares last Wednesday.

And Dwyer’s wasn’t the only insider to buy. Directors Elana Rubin and Rhoda Phillippo forked out $50,052 and $21,357 respectively for parcels of 5,813 shares and 2,500 shares over the course of the week.

AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) has also seen recent insider buying, with director John Pollaers buying 10,000 shares for around $6.92 apiece.

Over at ASX 200 financials giant AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP), director Michael Sammells was on a share-buying spree. He snapped up 50,000 stocks in the company for around $1.09 apiece – sneaking in before it traded ex-dividend.

Meanwhile, Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) director Debra Goodin bought 486 shares in the personal protective equipment manufacturer for a total of $12,959.34.

Director of hauling company Aurizon Holdings Limited (ASX: AZJ), Lyell Strambi, also got in on the insider buying action over the last week. He bought 5,952 shares for $3.36 each – a total of approximately $20,000.

And finally, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) director David Foster bought 1,021 shares in the regional bank for $9.79 apiece – forking out $9,996 for the additional parcel.

The post 6 ASX 200 directors buying up their company shares in the past week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• AMP shares drop then pop amid ex-dividend and delay of $225 million sale
• Why is the AMP share price sinking today?
• These ASX 200 shares were crushed in February
• Hoping to bag the newly reinstated AMP dividend? Read this
• I’d invest $5,000 into these excellent ASX shares for the long term

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell and Aurizon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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Many of Australia’s top brokers have been busy adjusting their financial models again, leading to the release of a number of broker notes this week.

Three ASX shares brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here’s why they are bullish on them:

Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN)

According to a note out of Goldman Sachs, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this retail giant’s shares with a trimmed price target of $4.70. Although disappointed with the company’s first-half performance, Goldman believes the half represents the peak cash drag on franchisee support and sees a lot of value in its property. The broker also notes that ex-property, its shares are trading at just 6x FY 2024 estimated earnings. This compares to 14.5x earnings for its arch-rival. The Harvey Norman share price is trading at $3.78 this afternoon.

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

A note out of Morgans reveals that its analysts have retained their add rating on this data centre operator’s shares with a reduced price target of $13.00. Morgans notes that NextDC delivered earnings slightly ahead of its expectations during the first half. The broker also highlights that management is expecting some material contract wins in the second half. The NextDC share price is fetching $10.55 on Wednesday.

Tyro Payments Ltd (ASX: TYR)

Another note out of Morgans revealed that its analysts have retained their add rating on this payments company’s shares with an improved price target of $1.89. It was pleased with Tyro’s performance in the first half. And based on its decent start to the second half, the broker expects the company to achieve its guidance in FY 2023. It also isn’t ruling out another takeover approach this year, which it suspects would drive its shares beyond its price target. The Tyro share price is trading at $1.59 today.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Why Allkem, Argosy Minerals, Mayne Pharma, and NextDC shares are racing higher
• Buying opportunity? Harvey Norman boss says share slump is a ‘total overreaction’
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Why Accent, Adbri, Harvey Norman, and Pointsbet shares are sinking
• 3 ASX 200 shares making big moves on earnings announcements

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nextdc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman and Tyro Payments. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Tyro Payments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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