Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares are racing higher in Thursday lunchtime trade.

At the time of writing, the ASX lithium stock is up around 9% to 26 cents a piece.

Today’s increase means the shares are now up 114% higher than 12 months ago.

But, thanks to a share price crash in March this year, the shares are still trying to claw back losses shed in 2026. For the year to date, the shares are down around 9%, at the time of writing.

Why is the ASX lithium stock climbing higher again today?

There isn’t any price-sensitive news out of the company this week to explain the latest share price rally.

It looks like the shares are rising on the back of an upswing in investor interest in the ASX lithium explorer and developer. Core Lithium shares were also sold off heavily over recent weeks, so a bounce-back is likely, with investors buying back in for cheap.

The lithium sector has been in the spotlight over the past week after news that a wave of mine restarts in China will tip the market back into oversupply next year. Trading Economics data shows that Lithium carbonate prices have fallen below CNY145,000 this month, their lowest in five months.

But it looks like Core Lithium shares are unfazed by the latest update. In fact, the share price is quickly travelling in the other direction.

Fact is, prices are still hugely higher than the CNY90,000 levels seen in January this year, and demand is still booming. EV sales continue to increase globally, and grid-scale battery storage is growing rapidly. Both markets are heavily reliant on lithium supply.

The successful restart of Core Lithium’s flagship Finniss operation in the Northern Territory is also likely to be attracting attention.

Late last month, the company announced that its underground decline development has now started at the BP33 deposit. This is a major step for Finniss, which sits about 88 kilometres by sealed road from Darwin Port.

The company said BP33 is expected to provide a long-life, low-cost underground production base, with a mine life of more than 10 years. It also remains open at depth, which means there could be room to extend the operation over time.

The underground development will run alongside the current open-pit mining at Grants.

Are Core Lithium shares a buy, sell, or hold?

According to the experts, there could be a huge upside ahead over the next 12 months.

TradingView data shows that three out of four analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares.

The average target price of 39.5 cents implies a 53% upside at the time of writing. But some think the lithium shares have the potential to rocket 169% higher to 70 cents each over the next 12 months. 

The post Why is this ASX lithium stock racing 9% higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• SpaceX shares continue to slide. What’s the next catalyst for a recovery?
• 9 ASX 200 shares with refreshed buy ratings this week
• 3 ASX 200 stocks smashing new 52-week-plus highs today
• Why Sandfire, Domino’s and Macquarie shares are making waves on Thursday
• 8 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP), Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares are grabbing financial headlines today.

Two of the large-cap stocks are underperforming the 0.7% gains posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) during the Thursday lunch hour, while one stock is racing ahead of those gains.

Here’s why all three are grabbing investor attention today.

Macquarie shares dip on CEO transition

After posting gains this morning, Macquarie shares have dipped into the red at the time of writing, down 0.1% at $254.65 each.

This comes after the ASX 200 diversified financial services company announced that Shemara Wikramanayake will step down from her role in November. Wikramanayake has held the top post for eight years.

Greg Ward will take over the reins following Wikramanayake’s retirement. Ward is currently Macquarie’s Head of Banking and Financial Services.

Commenting on the transition, Wikramanayake said:

I take confidence in the strength of the team, and particularly in Greg’s ability to build on the legacy of our six decades of history. We have worked together for 30 years, and his track record, leadership and integrity make him an excellent candidate to be Macquarie’s next CEO.

Sandfire shares lift on record quarterly sales

Unlike Macquarie shares, Sandfire shares are outperforming today, up 4.3% to $19.49 apiece.

Sandfire shares are making waves following the release of a strong June quarter update (Q4 FY 2026).

Among the highlights, the ASX 200 copper stock reported a 38% increase in copper equivalent (CuEq) production to 47,600 tonnes. This saw the miner achieve annual production guidance, producing 154,200 tonnes of CuEq in FY 2026.

Likely spurring investor spirits, Sandfire achieved record quarterly sales revenue of $574 million.

On the earnings front, underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) came in at $343 million. Management expects full-year FY 2026 underlying EBITDA to reach $867 million.

Turning to the balance sheet, as at 30 June, Sandfire had a net cash position of $353 million. That compares favourably to the company’s $123 million in net debt a year earlier.

Which brings us to…

Domino’s shares slip on court ruling

Like Macquarie shares, Domino’s shares are trailing the benchmark today.

Shares in the ASX 200 fast food pizza retailer are down 0.2% at the time of writing, changing hands for $16.85 apiece.

This follows news that the Federal Court ruled that Domino’s engaged in “misleading and deceptive conduct regarding the application of certified enterprise agreements”.

The ruling is part of a broader class action addressing alleged underpayment of franchisee employee wages from 2013 to 2018.

The ruling only relates to Mr Gall, the lead applicant’s claim. The court assessed Gall’s loss at just under $12,000.

Domino’s said it is reviewing the court’s judgment to assess the potential for appeal. The company noted that the potential liability for broader group members remains “highly uncertain and unquantifiable”.

The post Why Sandfire, Domino’s and Macquarie shares are making waves on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Domino’s Pizza Enterprises faces court ruling in class action earnings update
• Sandfire Resources posts record sales and cash in strong FY26 finish
• Macquarie Group announces new CEO as Shemara Wikramanayake prepares to retire
• This UK bank plans to disrupt CBA, ANZ, NAB and Westpac
• These ASX shares could generate $12,000 per year in passive income

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 positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are 0.6% higher at 8.875.9 points on Thursday.

This week, brokers have reduced their ratings on several ASX 200 shares.

Let’s take a look.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price is $110.20, down 1.7% today and down 65% over 12 months.

RBC Capital downgraded the ASX 200 healthcare share to a hold rating.

The broker reduced its 12-month price target from $125 to $117.

This implies a potential 6% upside ahead.

AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)

The AMP share price is $2.15, up 0.7% today and up 29% over 12 months.

Jarden downgraded AMP shares to a hold rating, but increased its price target from $1.65 to $2.

This suggests a potential 7% downside ahead for the ASX 200 financial share.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

The Wesfarmers share price is $88.76, down 1.3% today and up 6.8% over 12 months.

Morgan Stanley downgraded the ASX 200 consumer discretionary share to a sell rating today.

The broker lifted its 12-month price target slightly from $78.70 to $79.

This implies a potential 11% downside ahead.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

The Woolworths share price is $38.93, down 0.9% today and up 25% over 12 months.

JP Morgan downgraded the ASX 200 consumer staples share to a hold rating.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $37 to $39.50.

This indicates a potential capital gain of just 1% over the next year. 

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

The Coles share price is $23.50, up 0.4% today and up 16% over 12 months.

JP Morgan downgraded Coles shares to a hold rating with a $23.50 target.

This suggests the stock is fully valued at today’s price.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

The Flight Centre share price is $11.80, down 0.3% today and down 12% over 12 months.

Citi downgraded the ASX 200 travel share to a hold rating with a $13.20 target.

This suggests a potential 12% upside ahead.

Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)

The Centuria Industrial REIT share price is $3.01, up 1.9% today and down 4% over 12 months.

Bell Potter downgraded the real estate investment trust (REIT) to a hold rating with a $3.25 target yesterday.

This suggests potential capital growth of 8% over the next year. 

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price is $14.95, up 0.6% today and down 30% over 12 months.

RBC Capital downgraded the ASX 200 tech share to a hold rating with an $18 target.

This still implies a healthy potential 20% upside ahead.

The post 8 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much could a $100,000 ASX share portfolio pay in dividends?
• How much does Morgan Stanley think Wesfarmers shares will fall?
• Canaccord Genuity picks its top 3 ASX industrial shares
• How many Cochlear shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?
• Are Telix shares a buy, hold or sell following results?

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cochlear, JPMorgan Chase, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear, Flight Centre Travel Group, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.