This ASX lithium stock is being sold off today. Here’s why

The Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price is under pressure on Thursday, down 4.91% to $2.035. The move follows the release of the company’s December quarterly update and a separate capital markets announcement.

Here’s what investors need to know.

A turning point quarter at Kathleen Valley

The December quarter saw Liontown start to deliver on its long-awaited ramp-up.

The company successfully completed open pit mining at Kathleen Valley and transitioned to a fully underground operation. Underground ore mined jumped 37% quarter on quarter to 308kt, while development metres increased 17%.

Liontown processed 642kt of ore during the quarter and produced 105,342 dry metric tonnes (dmt) of spodumene concentrate, up 21% on the prior quarter. Lithium recoveries improved to 63%, and plant availability held steady at 92%.

Costs also moved in the right direction. Unit operating costs fell 17% quarter on quarter to $910 per dmt sold, while all-in sustaining costs (AISC) declined 22% to $1,059 per dmt. The company also reported operating cash flow at breakeven, a significant improvement from the prior period.

Management reiterated that underground ramp-up remains on track, with production targeted to reach 1.5Mtpa by the end of FY26 and 2.8Mtpa steady state by FY27.

Pricing, sales and liquidity improve

Liontown generated $130 million in revenue during the quarter after selling 112,122 dmt of concentrate at an average realised price of US$900 per dmt on a SC6 basis.

SC6 is a standard grade of lithium concentrate containing about 6% lithium. It is the main product sold by hard-rock lithium miners.

One positive was Liontown’s first spot auction, which cleared at US$1,254 per dmt SC6. This showed buyers are willing to pay up outside long-term contracts. Liontown also signed a new binding offtake agreement with Canmax, giving it greater flexibility and more exposure to spot pricing.

The balance sheet remains strong. Liontown finished the quarter with $390 million in cash and 13,800 dmt of saleable concentrate on hand.

LG conversion removes a major overhang

Alongside the quarterly update, Liontown confirmed LG Energy Solution will convert its US$250 million convertible note into shares.

As a result, LG will own about 8% of the company. While this increases the number of shares on issue, it removes future interest costs and clears a long-standing uncertainty for investors.

After the conversion, Liontown will have no remaining convertible debt and more flexibility to fund growth.

Foolish takeaway

The company delivered a materially stronger operational quarter and removed a major overhang from its balance sheet. But with expectations high, the market appears to be focusing on near-term risks rather than longer-term progress.

Liontown is coming out of a heavy investment phase, with costs easing and underground production continuing to ramp up. If execution holds, the recent share price weakness may look attractive to patient investors.

The post This ASX lithium stock is being sold off today. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.