Wisetech shares closed 2.12% higher on Thursday afternoon, at $64.21 each. Over the past month the shares have dropped 22.62% and over the year they’re down a painful 53.63%.
The company provides logistics software that aims to improve the world’s supply chains. Wisetech has a good growth pipeline, and I think this year’s price plunge is the result of an overdone investor sell-off. Â
Analysts think the company’s share price will rebound too. Earlier this week, DP Wealth Advisory said it thinks the beaten-down tech stock as a buy. The broker said that long-term fundamentals and market leadership support a great buying opportunity for investors.
Bell Potter, Morgans, and Shaw and Partners’ Jed Richards also all have a buy rating on the stock.
TradingView data shows that analysts forecast a maximum price target as high as $177.97. At the time of writing that implies the ASX 200 tech share has a potential upside of 177.18% over the next 12 months.
Meanwhile, the Pro Medicus share price closed 1.07% higher at $253.04 a piece on Thursday afternoon. The shares have dropped 11.79% over the past month but are still 17.9% higher than this time last year.
Pro Medicus specialises in advanced medical imaging software through its Visage platform. It enables radiologists to review scans with high speed and efficiency. The company has a growing recurring revenue, great margins and a ultra-light capital business model too, which means it’s poised for strong growth.
Analysts are very positive on the stock too with Pro Medicus shares making a few list of top-buys or ASX growth share picks. The team at Citi recently upgraded Pro Medicus to a buy rating with a $350.00 price target. Morgans has also upgraded Pro Medicus’ shares to an accumulate rating with a slightly more bearish $290.00 price target. These price targets imply a potential 14.6% to 38.3% upside for investors over the next 12 months.
For investors looking for exposure to Australia’s hot property market without the risk, a real estate investment trust (REIT) with strong growth prospects is a sensible buy.
DigiCo’s share price closed 3.33% higher on Thursday afternoon, at $2.48 a piece. That’s a 12.06% drop over the month, and over the year, the shares are 50.4% lower thanks for a huge sell off in March.
On the surface the annual decline might look concerning, but I think it makes for a great buying opportunity. The company recently held a strong annual general meeting (AGM) and said it has surpassed guidance for FY25.
Macquarie thinks the low price presents a good buying opportunity, too. The broker has an outperform rating on the shares and a $4.16 target price. At the time of writing, that implies a potential 67.74% upside over the next 12 months.
Should you invest $1,000 in DigiCo Infrastructure REIT right now?
Before you buy DigiCo Infrastructure REIT shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and DigiCo Infrastructure REIT wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
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 positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back on form and raced higher. The benchmark index rose 1.25% to 8,552.7 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to sink
The Australian share market looks set to give back yesterday’s gains on Friday following a poor night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 134 points or 1.55% lower this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 0.45%, the S&P 500 is 1% lower, and the Nasdaq is tumbling 1.5%.
Oil prices fall
It could be a poor finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) after oil prices pulled back overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 0.5% to US$59.14 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.4% to US$63.27 a barrel. Ukraine-Russia peace talks appear to be behind this.
Annual general meetings
The annual general meetings continue on Friday with another group of ASX 200 shares holdings their events for 2025. This includes fashion jewellery retailer Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), logistics solutions technology company WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and gold miner Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL). It is possible that trading updates could be released before they hold their respective events.
Gold price falls
ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a subdued finish to the week after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.35% to US$4,069 an ounce. The was driven by strong US economic data, which has reduced the likelihood of a rate cut next month.
Hold QBE shares
QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) shares are fairly valued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its hold rating and $21.20 price target on this insurance giant’s shares. It said: “We have not changed our assumptions and any change to our forecasts is driven by changing fx rates (we use spot rates as a forecast). We will review our forecasts post the Q3 update, noting the upside with the shares below $20/sh. For now, we maintain our target price at $21.20/sh and keep our HOLD recommendation.”
Should you invest $1,000 in Evolution Mining Limited right now?
Before you buy Evolution Mining Limited shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Evolution Mining Limited wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Lovisa and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed 1.24% higher on Thursday afternoon. It was a welcome reprieve for investors after this week’s sell-off. Over the past month the index is now down 5.96% and for the year it is 2.76% higher.
While the index rebounded yesterday, there are still some ASX 200 stocks I’m going to steer clear of next week.
It’s been a big week for the AI-drone operator. Yesterday, its shares closed 4.06% lower at $1.89 a piece. The latest decline marks a nearly 60% decline over the past month wiping a big chunk of the company’s impressive annual gains. Thankfully the shares are still trading nearly 160% higher than this time last year.
I still believe that the sharp sell-off of Droneshield shares is more about investor sentiment than a risk of overpricing or issues with the core business. The company also has robust growth plans ahead. But this week’s flurry of company announcements, I’m staying clear until the dust has settled.
In a short statement to the ASX on Wednesday morning, the company said Matt McCrann, who joined the company in 2019 and who had been the US CEO since 2022, “has resigned from the business, effective immediately”. There was no explanation for his departure.
The company also responded to an ASX Aware Letter this week. Droneshield was asked to explain recent share sales and the accidental release, and retraction, of a $7.6 million contract mistakenly announced as new.
The Helia share price closed 0.17% lower on Thursday afternoon, to $5.86. Over the past month the shares have climbed 5.59% and over the year they’re now an impressive 34.10% higher.Â
But, in a note to investors yesterday, analysts at Macquarie said they think the stock is about to start nosediving. The broker confirmed its underperform rating on Helia shares and reduced its target price to $3.95 per share. At the time of writing, this implies around 32% downside for investors over the next 12 months.Â
“While conditions are supportive near-term, at current valuations (~1.6x P/NTA), investors are both overpaying for the potential of capital returns, and have priced in favourable conditions indefinitely. Maintain Underperform,” the broker said.
New Hope finished 0.5% lower yesterday to close at $4.02. The shares have climbed 3.61% over the past month but it’s not enough to make up for the 15.19% slump over the year.Â
The latest decline follows the Australian thermal coal miner’s quarterly production and earnings update earlier this week. New Hope achieved a 7.1% increase in saleable coal production and a 15.5% rise in underlying EBITDA, with coal sales and prices also improving. But the results were lower than market expectations. Analysts weren’t pleased that the ASX 200 miner missed FY26 guidance.
Analysts overall seem divided about the stock. Ratings are split between buys, holds and strong sells and the average target price is $3.87, which represents nearly 4% downside for investors, according to Tradingview data at the time of writing.
Should you invest $1,000 in DroneShield Limited right now?
Before you buy DroneShield Limited shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and DroneShield Limited wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
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 positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.
The S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) closed up a heady 1.26% on Thursday, with one ASX 300 stock racing ahead of those gains.
The fast-rising stock in question is agricultural chemical and seed technology company Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF).
Nufarm shares closed up 8.02% yesterday, trading for $2.56 apiece. This marked the second day of stellar gains for the ASX 300 stock, with Nufarm shares closing up 10.8% on Wednesday.
That big boost followed on Wednesday morning’s release of Nufarm’s full-year FY 2025 results. And it now sees Nufarm shares up 24.88% since 7 November’s closing bell.
Despite those strong gains, the Nufarm share price remains down 27.68% year to date.
But looking to the year ahead, the analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) expect further gains from the agricultural company.
Here’s why.
Macquarie lifts price target for ASX 300 stock
In FY 2025, Nufarm reported underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $302.5 million. While that was down 3% from FY 2024, investors were clearly pleased with the result following on a weak first-half (H1 FY 2025) report.
Nufarm’s Crop Protection segment performed strongly, with underlying EBITDA up 18% year on year. Earnings from the company’s Seed Technologies business, however, plunged 78%. That was driven by losses in Omega-3, impacted by a decline in fish oil prices.
Looking ahead, the ASX 300 stock expects to post earnings growth in FY 2026.
And the team at Macquarie believe that’s achievable.
The broker noted:
Positive FY26 outlook for strong EBITDA growth (we forecast 25% EBITDA growth to $377m). This includes ongoing solid growth in Crop Protection driven by + mix and stronger vols. Agchem prices showing some improvement off a low base and same for fish oil prices.
Nufarm’s management also said they expect earnings growth to see the company’s leverage come down to 2.0 gearing level by end of FY 2026.
Commenting on the Nufarm’s debt outlook, Macquarie said:
NUF sees path back to 2.0x gearing range in FY26 (2.7x in FY25) as passed peak capex (<$200m in FY26 or -c$50m vs pcp), less Omega 3 cash drag (not producing new crop in FY26 and selling out of existing inventory) and cost saves targeting $50m benefits. 1H26 net debt to increase seasonally back to 1H25 levels but with lower gearing (we fct 3.9x 1H26e vs 4.5x pcp) and then it’s all about delivery in key 2H26 period.
With this in mind, Macquarie maintained its neutral rating on the ASX 300 stock. But the broker did raise its 12-month price target to $2.77, up from the prior $2.55 a share.
That’s more than 8% above Thursday’s closing price.
Should you invest $1,000 in Nufarm Limited right now?
Before you buy Nufarm Limited shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Nufarm Limited wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
This is, in the grand scheme of the world, not a big deal. But to me, this is torture.
I'm attempting to publicly shame both Meta and Slack into fixing this so I can enjoy my life again.
I wouldn't ever actually admit to enjoying the workplace chat app Slack (that would be horrifically uncool). But the data speaks for itself.
Slack sends out a year-end wrap-up with data for its enterprise accounts, including which users posted the most lines of text. For 2024, I was Business Insider's second most prolific Slack poster, which is incredibly embarrassing and not a compliment at all.
Look, I love chatting! I love sharing links and musings with my colleagues! Fire me! (To my editor reading this: Please don't, I promise I'll get back to work.)
But despite this, there's one thing that stymies me over and over — and I know I'm not the only one out there who is plagued by this problem.
Whenever you post a link to an Instagram or Threads post in Slack, the link doesn't "unfurl" with a preview. Basically, it looks like this:
This was an amusing Reel of a state senator doing the "67" hand motions, but too bad it won't show.
Business Insider / sadness
If you're unfamiliar with Slack (or don't paste social media links into Slack because you use it like a responsible professional), the thing is that posts from X, LinkedIn, Reddit, and even BlueSky do actually work!
For example, an X post unfurls like this:
An X post does work in Slack.
Business Insider
What's frustrating is that Instagram used to work on Slack. I remember those glory days! It was probably only two or so years ago — my guess here — that it stopped working.
So why is this happening? If X and Bluesky can do it, why can't Instagram and Threads?
I'm not sure of the answer, but I have some good guesses.
First, I don't think it's a case where Slack and Meta are mad at each other and are revoking this access to spite each other. If you think that sounds ridiculous — why would a big company make things harder for its users just to settle some petty beef? — keep in mind that Instagram did exactly that when it stopped allowing Instagram posts to fully display on Twitter back in 2012.
As far as I know, Meta and Slack aren't locked in a vicious fight. Meta isn't above being petty when it comes to competitors like TikTok or companies that threaten its business like Apple — but Slack, which is owned by Salesforce, isn't really an enemy or direct competitor. Sure, some people use Slack for group chats with friends, which might compete with WhatsApp, but mainly it's for workplace productivity.
A representative for Slack told Business Insider, "Thanks for flagging! We are looking into it." Meta didn't have a response.
I am not an engineer or a computer programmer, so I am not going to pretend that I know the exact solution here.
But I refuse to accept that no one has the technical expertise to come up with a solution for the thousands — millions, perhaps! — of people with fake email jobs who need to post Instagram links to their coworkers on Slack.
Despite some of the terrifying and bad ways that social media and technology have affected our lives, I still maintain optimism. I believe that a repaired union between Slack and Instagram will improve my life by at least 2%! We all deserve better!
Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares were once a sizeable part of my portfolio, but I recently sold my last holdings in the ASX mining share.
This year has been rough for the ASX mining share, as the chart below shows. But, I’m pleased I was able to sell at a good price and move on to businesses I’m more optimistic about.
I originally bought Fortescue shares (at a low price) when there were significant concerns about the iron ore sector due to slowing demand from China, which buys a large majority of the iron ore exported from Australia.
When demand drops (or supply increases), it can lead to a decline in the iron ore price. That situation can create a good time to buy.
But a key driver of my original investment was also based on the company’s green energy goals.
Why I decided to sell out of Fortescue shares
A few years ago, the company outlined its plans to become a major producer of green hydrogen and green ammonia, positioning itself to diversify its earnings and tap into what seemed to be a promising area for long-term growth. It even signed a few customers for green hydrogen.
However, things have changed a lot since the early 2020s.
While the US may have been a key driver of a possible green energy future under President Biden, there has been a clear shift in the last year (or longer) in some areas of the world.
Rising inflation seemed to mean climate action became less important for households, politicians, and businesses. President Trump’s win also changed the energy focus of the world’s biggest economy.
Fortescue’s priority now seems to be decarbonising its own operations. That’s probably a prudent move, but the step down in ambitions about green energy production reduced my interest in the business’ long-term prospects.
The other reason I decided to sell Fortescue shares was that the iron ore supply and demand relationship no longer looks as appealing as it once did.
China’s economy is not firing, and with US tariffs on the country, I’m not sure how strongly it’s going to perform in the foreseeable future. Plus, major iron ore miners are trying to increase production, adding to the supply side of the equation. The new Simandou project in Africa, in particular, could be a headwind for the iron ore price, unless Chinese demand surprises positively.
Taking all of the above into account, I thought the higher Fortescue share price would be a good time to offload shares.
If the iron ore price and Fortescue share price were to sink in the short term, I may see it as an opportunistic turnaround idea, but it’s not at the top of my watchlist.
Valuation
Based on the forecasts from Commsec, the Fortescue share price is valued at 14 times FY26’s estimated earnings, with a possible grossed-up dividend yield of 6.5%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.
Should you invest $1,000 in Fortescue Metals Group right now?
Before you buy Fortescue Metals Group shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Fortescue Metals Group wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.
Lainey Wilson onstage at the CMA Awards in Nashville.
Seth Herald/Reuters
The 2025 CMA Awards were hosted in Nashville on Wednesday night.
Stars like Lainey Wilson and Kelsea Ballerini impressed with bold, unique outfits.
Other stars, like Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley, clashed on the red carpet.
Cowboy hats, camo, and sparkles were all over the 2025 CMA Awards.
Musicians gathered at the Bridgestone Arenain Nashville on Wednesday to celebrate country music's biggest night.
Attendees like Lainey Wilson delivered memorable performances onstage and had equally strong fashion moments on the red carpet. There were also a few artists who fell short with underwhelming looks.
Here are the best and worst outfits from the night.
Luke Combs and his wife looked like country royalty on the red carpet.
Nicole Combs and Luke Combs at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
The "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma" singer walked the red carpet in burgundy trousers, a floral-print blazer, and a black satin button-up. He completed the look with cowboy boots and a red watch.
His outfit perfectly complemented the one worn by his wife. Nicole Combs, who is pregnant with their third child, wore a strapless, floor-length gown.
The form-fitting piece had floral cups, a plunging neckline, and all-over sequins that matched her glowing jewelry.
Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley wore opposite styles.
Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
On their own, each star looked great. Cyrus wore baggy black trousers, cowboy boots, a satin blazer, a matching shirt, sunglasses, and a few rings.
Hurley wore a red evening gown with a deep V-neckline, all-over sparkles, and a thigh-high slit. It was designed by Alberto Audenino.
Together, though, the outfits clashed. The couple looked like they were attending different events.
Lainey Wilson took her signature style to a new level.
Lainey Wilson at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
She posed on the red carpet in a stunning Reem Acra set. It featured an ocean-blue catsuit with a plunging V-neckline, a satin waistband, and sparkle embellishments.
The garment also had a teal cape attached at the shoulders, which matched her tall cowboy hat.
Wilson completed the fun and slightly daring look with pointed pumps and diamond earrings.
One of her stage looks, however, completely missed the mark.
Lainey Wilson onstage at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Seth Herald/Reuters
As host of the CMA Awards, Wilson made numerous outfit changes throughout the night.
One included a long-sleeved, camouflage dress with a floor-length, pleated skirt. The outfit also included a long brown belt, leather gloves, and a cowboy hat.
The outfit's country vibes were strong, but it ultimately looked more like a costume than a high-fashion piece.
Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter from The War and Treaty were perfectly coordinated.
Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Trotter Jr. posed in black slacks, leather dress shoes, a black cowboy hat, a matching T-shirt, and a suede jacket embellished with white rose appliqués.
Trotter, on the other hand, wore a strapless midi dress that hugged her body and flared with tulle at the knees. She paired it with black heels, lace gloves, statement earrings, and a cowboy hat.
Their outfits matched, honored famous country styles, and still showed their unique fashion tastes.
There were too many mismatched colors between Morgane Stapleton and Chris Stapleton.
Morgane Stapleton and Chris Stapleton at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
The country star kept his outfit simple. He wore dark pants and a blazer, a navy satin shirt, brown cowboy boots, and a light cowboy hat with a turquoise stone in the center.
Morgane Stapleton, on the other hand, wore a plum-colored midi dress covered in sparkles. She also donned a silver necklace and black pumps with hot-pink flower embellishments.
Both Stapletons looked great, but it would've been nice to see some color coordination between them. A turquoise accessory on Morgane Stapleton would have worked, or a plum brooch for her husband.
Shaboozey elevated blue jeans with classic Western wear.
Shaboozey at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Shaboozey hit the red carpet in light-wash jeans, a white tank top, and a statement jacket made from black suede and rhinestone appliqués.
The latter piece matched his steel-toed cowboy boots, while his cream-colored cowboy hat added just the right amount of contrast.
The outfit was simple but effective.
Riley Green's suit would have been better for an office event.
Riley Green at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
The country musician wore a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, dark brown dress shoes, a white button-down shirt, and a green-and-brown tie.
He also wore a herringbone suit in gray, which unfortunately looked too corporate for a celebratory night of music.
Kelsea Ballerini was a vision in red.
Kelsea Ballerini at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
She wore a strapless Christian Siriano design made from sheer tulle. The fabric wrapped around her body and created a wavy neckline that highlighted her rosy makeup.
The dress was unique, fun, and just daring enough to make you look twice.
Megan Moroney seemed overwhelmed by her dramatic gown.
Megan Moroney at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
She arrived at the CMA Awards wearing a strapless gown made from black satin and rows of silver rhinestones.
The dress was pretty, but it was overshadowed by her velvet cape and matching gloves. The outfit would have been more glamorous without the latter accessories.
Each member of Old Dominion rocked their own version of a classic suit.
Old Dominion at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Their outfits included blazers made from velvet and satin, a turtleneck top, skinny trousers, white button-downs, and more.
Each member looked sharp on their own, and together, the band was a fashion force.
In my opinion, Quoddy Head in Maine is one of the best US state parks to visit.
Emily Hart
After visiting all 50 states, some of my favorite places to explore are state parks.
I think Dead Horse Point State Park deserves just as much recognition as Utah's national parks.
I also love traveling to Anza-Borrego Desert in California and Ecola State Park in Oregon.
National parks are often celebrated as "America's Best Idea," safeguarding the country's most breathtaking and unique landscapes.
Yet, even after exploring all 63 US national parks, some of my favorite places to explore are outside the National Park System.
State parks may not often enjoy the same level of recognition as their national counterparts, but many are equally — if not more — stunning.
After traveling to all 50 states and visiting hundreds of state parks, these are the ones that left the greatest impression on me.
Hawaii's 'Akaka Falls State Park is a must-visit.
MNStudio/Shutterstock
The Big Island of Hawaii is home to the gorgeous 'Akaka Falls State Park. Named for the dramatic 442-foot 'Akaka Falls waterfall, the park is a must-visit in the area.
The small park packs a big punch, with a short trail through lush tropical greenery leading to the picturesque falls.
Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah is near two popular national parks.
Emily Hart
Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah is less than 30 miles from Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. However, in my opinion, it doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
The park is home to an overlook with a breathtaking view of the Colorado River, which sits 2,000 feet below the rim.
Hike, bike, or camp at this International Dark Sky Park for dramatic views of the river and the surrounding canyons.
Anza-Borrego Desert is California's biggest state park.
Sumiko Scott/Getty Images
California is an outdoor-lovers paradise, with nine major national parks (the most of any US state) and 280 state-park units. However, its largest state park is one you may not have heard of: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
The 600,000-acre park in Southern California, famed for its wildflower blooms, has a mix of desert landscapes, rugged mountains, palm oases, and sweeping vistas.
After you're done exploring the park, head to the nearby Galleta Meadows to find 130 large metal sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda.
Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire is home to gorgeous views.
Emily Hart
Franconia Notch State Park is in the heart of the White Mountains, with scenic drives, challenging hikes, and gorgeous photo opportunities.
I love hiking through the popular Flume Gorge, a natural chasm that extends 800 feet, with boardwalks snaking through granite cliffs, moss-covered walls, and cascading waterfalls.
I recommend visiting in the fall to hike the popular Artist's Bluff Trail and enjoy the vibrant fall foliage.
Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is truly incredible.
Madeleine Deaton/Shutterstock
In my opinion, Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is the very definition of "otherworldly." It's located about an hour northeast of Las Vegas and is Nevada's oldest and largest state park.
Valley of Fire, named for its stunning red-sandstone formations, is an amazing destination for a scenic drive, gorgeous photo opportunities, hiking, and camping.
Visiting Oregon's Ecola State Park feels like stepping into a fairytale.
Emily Hart
The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite places in the country, and Ecola State Park is a big reason I love the area so much.
The coastal park offers some of the most iconic views of the rugged Oregon coastline, including Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock.
Driving into this park, which is surrounded by temperate rainforest, feels like being transported into a fairytale.
For a low-key day, I recommend visiting the beach or picnicking in the park. If you're in the mood to hike, some of my favorite trails include Clatsop Loop and Indian Beach.
Maine's Quoddy Head State Park is home to the easternmost point of the contiguous US.
Emily Hart
I've visited all 50 states, but Maine is one of my favorite places to travel to. I particularly love the DownEast area of coastal communities, where Quoddy Head State Park is located.
The park is home to the iconic West Quoddy Head Light, which is the easternmost point of the contiguous US.
I recommend spending time hiking along the Coastal Trail and keeping a lookout for whales.
This story was originally published on January 29, 2025, and most recently updated on November 20, 2025.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump have had a tumultuous relationship over the years.
The two traded barbs during Trump's first term but became political allies during the 2024 election.
After a public fallout, Musk and Trump's feud appears to be thawing.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump appear to be back on after an on-again, off-again relationship over the years.
The world's richest person and the two-time president of the United States weren't always close, but became singularpolitical allies, with Musk calling himself "first buddy" following Trump's 2024victory and donating more than $200 million toward pro-Trump super PACs.
At the beginning of Trump's second term, Musk was frequently seen on the president's side and served as the de facto head of theWhite House DOGE office.
In June 2025, Trump and Musk's relationship blew up after Musk criticized Trump's signature "Big Beautiful Bill." Musk even threatened to start his own political party. Trump threatened to "destroy" Musk's companies.
Tensions have cooled since then. Musk and Trump shook hands at Charlie Cook's memorial service in September, a reunion that Musk and the White House proudly shared on social media.In October 2025, Trump said he now had a "good" relationship with Musk.
"I like Elon, I've always liked him," Trump said.
Here's how the two billionaires reached this point.
November 2016: Musk says Trump is 'not the right guy' for the job
"I feel a bit stronger that he is not the right guy. He doesn't seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States," Musk said.
The billionaire added that Hillary Clinton's economic and environmental policies were the "right ones."
December 2016: Musk appointed to Trump's advisory councils
Donald Trump on Tuesday escalated his feud with Elon Musk in a series of Truth Social posts belittling the billionaire.
Evan Vucci/AP Photo
After he won the presidency, Trump appointed Musk to two economic advisory councils, along with other business leaders like then Uber CEO Travis Kalanick.
Musk received criticism for working with the controversial president, but he defended his choice by saying he was using the position to lobby for better environmental and immigration policies.
"You have to give him credit," the former president said, referring to Tesla becoming more valuable than Ford and General Motors. "He's also doing the rockets. He likes rockets. And he's doing good at rockets too, by the way."
Trump called Musk "one of our great geniuses" and likened him to Thomas Edison.
May 2020: Trump backs up Musk in feud with California's COVID-19 rules
Elon Musk meets Donald Trump at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S. May 30, 2020.
REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
As the pandemic gripped the US in early 2020, Musk clashed with California public-health officials who forced Tesla to temporarily shut down its factory there. Trump voiced his support for Musk.
"California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW," Trump tweeted in May 2020. "It can be done Fast & Safely!"
"Thank you!" Musk replied.
May 2022: Musk says he would reinstate Trump's Twitter account
Musk called the ban a "morally bad decision" and "foolish to the extreme" in an interview with the Financial Times. Twitter kicked Trump off its platform following the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
The Tesla billionaire has called himself a "free speech absolutist," and one of his key goals for taking Twitter private was to loosen content moderation.
July 2022: Trump calls Musk a 'bullshit artist'
Former US President Donald Trump speaks during a "Save America" in Anchorage, Alaska on July 9, 2022
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
In July 2022, Trump took aim at Musk, saying the businessman voted for him but later denied it.
"You know [Musk] said the other day 'Oh, I've never voted for a Republican,'" Trump said during a Saturday rally in Anchorage, Alaska. "I said 'I didn't know that.' He told me he voted for me. So he's another bullshit artist."
Days later, Musk tweeted that Trump's claim was "not true."
July 2022: Musk says Trump shouldn't run again
Elon Musk co-founded PayPal after his startup X.com merged with Peter Thiel's Confinity.
"I don't hate the man, but it's time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset. Dems should also call off the attack – don't make it so that Trump's only way to survive is to regain the Presidency," he tweeted.
He continued: "Do we really want a bull in a china shop situation every single day!? Also, I think the legal maximum age for start of Presidential term should be 69." Trump is 76 years old.
July 2022: Trump lashes out
Former President Donald Trump gives the keynote address at the Faith and Freedom Coalition during their annual conference on June 17, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seth Herald/Getty Images
Soon after, Trump went on the offensive, posting a lengthy attack on Musk on Truth Social.
"When Elon Musk came to the White House asking me for help on all of his many subsidized projects, whether it's electric cars that don't drive long enough, driverless cars that crash, or rocketships to nowhere, without which subsidies he'd be worthless, and telling me how he was a big Trump fan and Republican, I could have said, 'drop to your knees and beg,' and he would have done it," Trump said in a post that criticized two of Musk's ventures, Tesla and the rocket company SpaceX.
"Lmaooo," Musk responded on Twitter.
October 2022: Trump cheers Musk's Twitter deal but says he won't return
Following Musk's official purchase of Twitter in October 2022, Trump applauded the deal.
"I am very happy that Twitter is now in sane hands, and will no longer be run by Radical Left Lunatics and Maniacs that truly hate our country," he said. He added that he likes Truth Social better than other platforms, echoing comments from earlier this year in which he ruled out a return to Twitter.
Musk later joked about the potential of welcoming the former president back to his newly acquired platform.
"If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if Trump is coming back on this platform, Twitter would be minting money!," the Tesla CEO tweeted in October 2022.
May 2023: Musk hosts Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' glitchy debut
Musk and other right-leaning voices in Silicon Valley initially supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis ended 2022 as Trump's best-positioned primary challenger. In November 2022, as DeSantis was skyrocketing to acclaim, Musk said he would endorse him. In March 2023, after enduring Trump's attacks for months, DeSantis prepared to make history by formally announcing his candidacy in an interview on Twitter.
The initial few minutes were a glitchy disaster. Trump and his allies ruthlessly mocked DeSantis' "Space" with Musk and venture capitalist David Sachs. DeSantis' interview later proceeded, but his campaign was dogged for days with negative headlines.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk looks into his phone as his livestreams a visit to the US-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas.
John Moore/Getty Images
September 2023: A Trump-style border wall is needed, Musk says
Musk live-streamed a visit to the US-Mexico border on Twitter, which he had rebranded as "X." Musk offered his support for one of Trump's signature immigration policies.
"We actually do need a wall and we need to require people to have some shred of evidence to claim asylum to enter, as everyone is doing that," Musk wrote on X. "It's a hack that you can literally Google to know exactly what to say! Will find out more when I visit Eagle Pass maybe as soon as tomorrow."
March 2024: Trump tries to woo Musk, but the billionaire says he won't give him money.
Trump tried to woo Musk during a meeting at the former president's Mar-a-Lago resort. According to The New York Times, Trump met with Musk and a few other GOP megadonors when the former president's campaign was particularly cash-strapped. After the Times published its report, Musk said he would not be "donating money to either candidate for US President."
July 2024: Musk endorses Trump after the former president is shot
Musk said he "fully endorsed" Trump after the former president was shot during a political rally ahead of the Republican National Convention. Musk's endorsement marked a major turning point in his yearslong political evolution from an Obama voter. Days later, it would come to light that Musk pressed Trump to select Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate.
Trump announced Vance as his vice presidential pick at the Republican National Convention.
The ticket, Musk wrote on X, "resounds with victory."
August 2024: Trump joins Musk for a highly anticipated interview
Trump, who ended the Republican National Convention primed for victory, stumbled after Biden abruptly dropped out of the 2024 race. He and his allies have struggled to attack Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic presidential nominee.
Amid Harris' early media blitz, Trump joined Musk on a two-hour livestream on X that garnered an audience of over 1 million listeners. The conversation covered topics ranging from a retelling of Trump's assassination attempt to illegal immigration to Musk's potential role with a government efficiency commission.
In August, Trump began to suggest that he "certainly would" consider adding Musk to his Cabinet or an advisory role. The Tesla CEO responded by tweeting an AI-generated photo of himself on a podium emblazoned with the acronym "D.O.G.E"—Department of Government Efficiency.
"I am willing to serve," he wrote above the image.
September 2024: Musk says he's ready to serve if Trump gives him an advisory role
In September 2024, Trump softened the possibility that Musk might join his Cabinet suggestion of Musk joining his Cabinet. However, he also said that Musk could "consult with the country" and help give "some very good ideas."
Musk later expressed enthusiasm about the news.
"I can't wait. There is a lot of waste and needless regulation in government that needs to go," he wrote on X.
He later added that he "looked forward to serving" the country and would be willing to do with without any pay, title, or recognition.
October 2024: Musk speaks at Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania
Elon Musk spoke at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Musk joined Trump onstage during the former president's rally, hosted on October 5 in the same location where Trump survived an assassination attempt in July 2024. Musk sported an all-black "Make America Great Again" cap and briefly addressed the crowd, saying that voter turnout for Trump this year was essential or "this will be the last election."
"President Trump must win to preserve the Constitution," Musk said. "He must win to preserve democracy in America."
The next day, Musk's America PAC announced that it would offer $47 to each person who refers registered voters residing in swing states to sign a petition "in support for the First and Second Amendments."
By October, the PAC had reportedly already spent over $80 million on the election, with over $8.2 million spread across 18 competitive House races for the GOP.
The Tesla CEO later told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that he might face "vengeance" if Trump loses the election.
November 2024: Trump wins the presidency and names Musk his administration
President-elect Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have been nearly inseparable since the election, going to social and political events together.
Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Musk was by Trump's side on election night at Mar-a-Lago, helping celebrate his victory.
Nearly a week after his 2024 presidential election win, Trump announced that Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy were chosen to lead a newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (or DOGE, as Musk liked to call it, in reference to the meme-inspired cryptocurrency Dogecoin).
"Together, these two wonderful Americans will pay the way for my Administration to dismantle the Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies," Trump said in a statement.
Outside of administrative duties,Musk's presence at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club was so constant that Trump joked he couldn't "get rid of him."
The pair's close relationship grew into a more personal friendship. Musk was seen attending Trump's Thanksgiving dinner and on the golf course with Trump and his grandchildren, where Kai Trump said he achieved "uncle status."
December 2024: Trump reaffirms he will be the next President, not Musk
Trump dismissed concerns that Musk would be running the country, adding in a barb that the billionaire couldn't even be in charge if he wanted to, since he was born in South Africa.
"No, he's not going to be president, that I can tell you," Trump said in December 2024. "And I'm safe. You know why? He can't be? He wasn't born in this country."
Trump's comments came after Musk flexed his influence to help shut down a bipartisan emergency spending bill earlier that month. Some Republicans questioned why Trump hadn't been more active in derailing the bill, and Democrats baited the President-elect on social media with posts about Musk "calling the shots" and taking on the role of a "shadow president.
January 2025: Musk and fellow billionaires celebrate Trump's inauguration
Elon Musk spoke onstage during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Trump was sworn into office on January 20. Several tech leaders were in attendance, including Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and Google's Sundar Pichai. The "first buddy" was also front and center for Trump's inauguration.
Musk took the stage to celebrate at an inauguration event at the Capital One Arena, where he sparked accusations over a gesture he made that some said resembled a Nazi salute. Musk denied the allegations.
"Hopefully, people realize I'm not a Nazi. Just to be clear, I'm not a Nazi," he said during an interview with Joe Rogan.
February 2025: The White House says Musk isn't running DOGE
Elon Musk is undoubtedly the face of DOGE. It remains clear who exactly is running it.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Though Musk quickly became the face of the DOGE effort, White House court filings said he had "no actual or formal authority to make government decisions himself."
In the February 2025 filing, Musk was described as a senior advisor to Trump with "no greater authority than other senior White House advisors." Officials also called him a "special government employee."
Trump told reporters they can call Musk "whatever you want."
The White House later named Amy Gleason, who previously worked for US Digital Service, as the acting DOGE administrator.
March 2025: Trump buys a Tesla and calls out protesters
Trump and Musk sit inside a red Tesla Model S in front of the White House.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Musk's companies struggled to escape the almost daily DOGE-related news cycles.
In March, Trump stepped in to defend Musk's electric car company, with Teslas on the South Lawn of the White House. Trump later wrote that he'd purchased a Tesla to show support for Musk.
"The Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World's great automakers, and Elon's 'baby,' in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for," he wrote on Truth Social.
April 2025: Musk announces he's stepping back from DOGE
Elon Musk said DOGE isn't going anywhere and may run through the end of Trump's term in 2028.
Samuel Corum via Getty Images
Three months into DOGE's mission to reshape the federal workforce, Musk announced that he would be stepping back from the effort. He broke the news during an underwhelming Tesla earnings call, where earnings per share were down 71% year over year.
"Starting next month, I will be allocating far more of my time to Tesla," Musk said during the call. He added that "the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency" had been completed.
At the time, Musk said he would keep spending one or two days each week on governmental duties, so long as Trump wanted him to do so.
May 2025: Musk says he'll be spending less on politics, criticizes the Republican agenda, and announces he's leaving government for good
Elon Musk gave a video interview at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday.
Bloomberg
By May 2025, Musk started to step back from his overall political activity. The world's richest person also said he had "done enough" in terms of political contributions.
Musk told a reporter that he "probably did spend a bit too much time on politics," and that he'd "reduced that significantly in recent weeks."
His retreat didn't last long. Musk took a decidedly more critical tone regarding the overall Republican agenda. In an interview with CBS in late May, he said he wasn't pleased with Trump and House Republicans' "big beautiful" spending bill.
"I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decrease it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," Musk said.
On May 28, 2025, Musk cut ties with DOGE and the Trump administration. Under federal law, special government employees can't serve more than 130 days a year. Musk left shortly before that deadline.
June 2025: Musk and Trump escalate attacks, after Tesla CEO delivers sharp rebuke against the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Musk spoke out against Trump's spending bill.
ALLISON ROBBERT/AFP via Getty Images
Days after stepping away from his job in the White House, Musk delivered his harshest criticism yet of the GOP spending proposal called the "Big Beautiful Bill."
"I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore," Musk wrote on X on June 3. "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."
Musk began to dig up old tweets from Trump, including one where the president said in 2013, "I cannot believe the Republicans are extending the debt ceiling—I am a Republican & I am embarrassed!"
Musk quote-tweeted it with the message, "Wise words," taking a dig at Trump's very different stance on the debt ceiling today.
Trump first shot back with a softer/more diplomatic response, saying that the CEO and he "had a great relationship," but he wasn't sure if it would continue.
The tone soon took a sharp turn after Trump threatened on the same day to terminate the federal contracts that Musk's companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, rely on, and Musk began to take credit for Trump's 2024 electoral victory.
In response to Trump's threat to cancel the government contracts, Musk said on X that he'd immediately decommission SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, which provides NASA transport to and from the International Space Station.
Trump and Musk continued their back-and-forth throughout the month.
"He's a smart guy. And he actually went and campaigned with me and this and that," Trump told Fox News in late June. "But he got a little bit upset, and that wasn't appropriate."
"They will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth," Musk wrote on X.
July 2025: Trump threatens Musk but later says he wants his companies to do well
Trump discusses Elon Musk outside the White House.
Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images
Trump responded on July 1 on Truth Social, suggesting that DOGE could be turned on its former chief.
"Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE," he wrote.
Musk followed up with more posts on X proclaiming his opposition to the spending bill.
Trump responded on Truth Social that he was "saddened" to see Musk go "completely 'off the rails,'" essentially becoming a "TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks." Trump added that third political parties have never succeeded.
Late in the month, Trump said that even though his signature domestic plan slashes EV subsidies, he's not out to hurt Musk's bottom line.
"Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elon's companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large-scale subsidies he receives from the U.S. Government," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "This is not so! I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!"
Trump's statement came a day after the White House appeared to suggest that federal agencies shouldn't contract with Musk's xAI.
September 2025: Trump and Musk reunite to remember a conservative icon
Trump and Musk reunited at Charlie Kirk's memorial service that was held at the Arizona Cardinal's stadium in Arizona.
Ross D. Franklin/AP
Trump and Musk were seen for the first time since their public falling out at the memorial service for conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and a host of other top White House officials joined together in Arizona to pay tribute to Kirk, who was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Musk and the White House later posted photos of the meet-up on X.
Trump said that Musk came over "to say hello."
"I thought it was nice, he came over, we had a little conversation," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after the memorial service. "We had a very good relationship but it was nice that he came over. "
Musk had previously said that the White House had invited him to an exclusive dinner for tech CEOs but was unable to attend.
October 2025: Trump gives a relationship status update
Trump said he and Musk had a "good" relationship and called their brief feud "a stupid moment."
"He had a bad spell, he had a bad period. He had a bad moment," Trump told reporters when asked about their relationship. "It was a stupid moment in his life, very stupid. I'm sure he'd tell you that. But I like Elon, and I suspect I always will."
The Tesla CEO still has beefs elsewhere. In late October, Musk called Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy a "dummy" amid a spat over who would lead NASA.
November 2025: Musk attended a White House dinner
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salma and Elon Musk at the US-Saudi Investment Forum.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Trump invited Musk to attend a dinner at the White House with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in November. The event marks Musk's first public appearance at the White House since stepping back from the DOGE office in May 2025.
The guest list for the dinner included prominent CEOs such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Musk shared a photo of the event on X, which included himself, Trump, the crown prince, and Huang.
"I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world," Musk wrote.
One day after the dinner, Trump joked about Musk in a speech at the US-Saudi Investment Forum.
"You're so lucky I'm with you, Elon. I'll tell you. Has he ever thanked me properly?" Trump said.
Blackwattle portfolio managers, Tim Riordan and Michael Teran, reckon Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) is the lithium star of the ASX.
In their latest bulletin, Riordan and Teran said the market’s largest pure-play lithium share has “material upside” ahead.
Let’s hear more from them.
ASX lithium shares on a roll lately
ASX lithium shares have been outperforming due to rising commodity prices.
Several ASX lithium shares have set new 52-week highs, including Pilbara Minerals, which soared to $4.26 per share this week.
Riordan and Teran said Pilbara Minerals was among the best performers within their Mid-Cap Quality Fund last month.
The Pilbara Minerals share price ripped 31% in October alone.
The managers said:
PLS rallied 31% in October, as PLS delivered an exceptional quarterly production and lithium prices rallied ~18% in October, as the supply / demand dynamic becomes more balanced.
PLS is the 100% owner-operator of relatively low-cost, long-life spodumene mines. PLS also has a strong net cash balance sheet, which provides flexibility and a competitive advantage to indebted peers.
Lithium commodity prices have lifted significantly over the past month.
While lithium prices have been in a multi-year bear market, prices appear to have bottomed out in recent months; supply is now constrained by uneconomical prices but at the same time demand continues to grow healthily.
Lithium prices will continue to be volatile but if demand remains strong, we expect further recovery in lithium prices over 2026.
We continue to see material upside for PLS as an ‘improving quality’ business and view PLS as the highest quality, lithium miner on the ASX.
Pilbara Minerals reported a 2% increase in spodumene production and a 20% increase in realised pricing.
This led to a 30% spike in revenue to $251 million.
The lithium miner also reduced its unit operating cost by 13%, enhancing cash margins.
Riordan and Teran said:
PLS is finally seeing the benefits from the P1000 expansion, and cements PLS’s position as the best-in-class lithium spodumene operator.
PLS is extremely well placed to benefit from any further recovery in lithium prices, with strong operations and significant production growth optionality, allowing for continued shareholder value creation through the cycle.
ASX lithium shares are benefiting from rising lithium prices, driven by strong demand for the metal to power batteries and support new infrastructure, as well as new government support for the electric vehicle industry in China.
Pilbara Minerals share price snapshot
The Pilbara Minerals share price is up 91.32% in the year to date compared to a 4.82% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).
The ASX lithium share closed trading at $4.19 on Thursday, up 5.28%.
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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 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.
