Iluka Resources shares in focus as 2025 production beats guidance

The Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) share price is in focus after the company exceeded its 2025 production guidance, delivering 559kt of zircon, rutile, and synthetic rutile, and reducing unit cash costs below forecast.

What did Iluka Resources report?

• Full year 2025 Z/R/SR (zircon, rutile, synthetic rutile) production: 559kt, up 13% on 2024 and above guidance
• Mineral sands revenue for 2025: $976 million, down 13.5% on 2024
• Unit cash costs of production: $1,054 per tonne for 2025, 19% lower than 2024 and below guidance
• Total capital expenditure for 2025: $862 million, mainly on Eneabba rare earths refinery and Balranald
• Net debt at 31 December 2025: $473 million for mineral sands, $584 million for rare earths
• Dividends received from Deterra: $23 million, distributed 100% to shareholders

What else do investors need to know?

Iluka’s Q4 production rose despite the idling of the SR2 kiln from December, as higher zircon-in-concentrate output offset lower synthetic rutile. The company’s quarterly review led to a cost base overhaul, cutting around 120 roles and targeting $36 million in 2026 savings.

The Eneabba rare earths refinery in Western Australia continued as a key investment focus, reaching $865 million in capital spend by year end. Mining began at Balranald in New South Wales, meeting or exceeding expected extraction rates, with ramp-up underway.

Market conditions for mineral sands remained subdued in Q4, especially in China, with lower pricing and customers keeping inventories lean. Iluka remains flexible, able to adjust synthetic rutile output if market demand recovers.

What’s next for Iluka Resources?

Iluka’s 2026 production guidance assumes Cataby and SR2 remain idle, with Balranald ramping up during the first half of the year. The company is prepared to restart SR2 if conditions improve.

Mineral sands capital expenditure in 2026 will focus mainly on the completion of Balranald, as well as ongoing studies for the Wimmera and Typhoon projects. For its rare earths segment, Eneabba construction remains on track, further positioning Iluka to diversify earnings as the project progresses.

Iluka Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Iluka Resources shares have risen 42%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

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The post Iluka Resources shares in focus as 2025 production beats guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.