Why ASX 200 lithium stocks like Liontown and Mineral Resources are making waves today

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium stocks are enjoying a strong run today amid resilient global lithium prices.

In early afternoon trade on Thursday, the ASX 200 is up 0.2%, with the Aussie lithium miners broadly outpacing those gains.

At time of writing:

• Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are up 1.7% at $62.41
• Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares are up 0.7% at $2.19
• Pls Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) – formerly Pilbara Minerals – shares are up 1.1% at $4.93
• IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) shares are up 2.4% at $9.34

The miners aren’t just beating the benchmark returns today. In fact, all four of these ASX 200 lithium stocks have smashed the 8% returns delivered by the ASX 200 over the past year.

Here’s what I mean:

• Mineral Resources shares are up 69% in a year
• Liontown shares are up 279% in a year
• PLS shares are up 115% in a year
• IGO shares are up 83% in a year

What’s sending ASX 200 lithium stocks like Liontown shares soaring?

The common thread helping lift the Aussie lithium miners has been the rebounding lithium price.

Following the collapse in lithium prices in 2023, many global miners and ASX 200 lithium stocks reduced or entirely paused their lithium production. But with strong demand from energy storage systems (ESS) and electric vehicles (EVs), amid reduced global supplies, lithium prices just hit the highest levels in more than two years.

A lot of that growing demand is being driven by China.

According to Trading Economics, China intends to double its EV charging capacity by 2027. And with an eye on fast-growing EV sales, lithium producer Ganfeng expects lithium demand to increase by 30% in 2026.

“Fundamentals of the lithium market are strong,” Reg Spencer, a mining analyst at Canaccord Genuity, said in late December.

“The reality is that spodumene prices have doubled, chemical prices in China have almost doubled, and I still haven’t seen any new Western greenfield projects sanctioned,” he added.

And it takes a long time to build a new greenfield mine.

These tightening supply and demand dynamics appear favourable for ASX 200 lithium stocks, including IGO and Mineral Resources shares in the months ahead.

Indeed, Barrenjoey forecasts spodumene prices will rise to US$3,250 per tonne in 2026, forecasting a 40% year on year increase in ESS battery shipments.

(Spodumene, if you’re not familiar, is a lithium bearing ore mined in Australia.)

According to the broker (quoted by The Australian Financial Review), the factors pushing lithium prices higher are “set to sustain into 2026 and the medium term, particularly in regions with higher renewable energy penetration demanding increased ESS capacity for grid stability and reliability”.

Stay tuned!

The post Why ASX 200 lithium stocks like Liontown and Mineral Resources are making waves today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.