The Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX: WPL) share price is lifting in intraday trade, up 1.7% to $19.59 per share.

That will come as welcome news to investors who’ve watched the Woodside share price drop by 11.22% over the past month.

What’s driving investor interest?

Woodside’s share price looks to be potentially impacted from 2 fronts today.

Firstly, energy prices continued to edge higher over the past 24 hours.

West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.5% overnight, currently trading at US$73.22 (AU$98.95) per barrel. Just over 3 weeks ago, on 20 August, that same barrel was selling for US$65.18, or 12% below the current price.

This trend has helped place all but 1 of the 10 shares listed in the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) in the green today. Overall, the ASX 200 Energy index is up 1.13% at time of writing, compared to a more muted gain of 0.09% on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

The second factor that could be impacting the Woodside share price today is some news, reported by the Australian:

Hong Kong-based investor CKI is understood to have bowed out of the competition for a $US3bn stake in the Pluto Train 2 development in Western Australia. Bids are understood to have landed with owner Woodside Petroleum during the week starting August 30.

CKI was reportedly concerned it might not be granted Australian government approval. The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) has been subjecting international investors – especially those linked with China – to greater scrutiny before approving investments in critical infrastructure assets.

The Pluto Train 2, located in Western Australia, would certainly qualify as a critical infrastructure asset. On completion, it will process gas from the offshore Scarborough gas field.

With CKI bowing out of the bidding, the Australian noted that the remaining contenders are Brookfield and Global Infrastructure Partners as well as IFM and APA.

Woodside share price snapshot

Year-to-date, the Woodside share price is down 14%. That compares to a gain of 11% posted by the ASX 200.

Over the past 5 day, its shares are flat.

The post Why the Woodside (ASX:WPL) share price is gaining today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 energy and materials shares are leading the market on Monday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• September is not being kind to the Woodside (ASX:WPL) share price
• How have ASX energy shares performed during the August 2021 earnings season?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

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 Bruce Jackson.

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The Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price is bouncing higher on Monday after hovering around 1-month lows of $2.

At the time of writing, shares in the lithium producer are up 6.34% to $2.18.

Pilbara Minerals share price rallies on record lithium prices

Lithium spot prices have continued to climb despite the Pilbara Minerals share price trading sideways since mid-August.

According to S&P Global, lithium hydroxide prices have continued to strengthen, marking an all-time high of US$20,000 metric tonne (mt) on 8 September.

“China domestic lithium carbonate prices have surged over 50% from the start of August — rising to Yuan 140,000/mt Sept. 8 from Yuan 91,500/mt Aug. 2.”

The report highlighted a bullish landscape for lithium in China, citing “… there is also very limited spot availability of cargoes, a Chinese trader said. Sellers are likely to continue raising offers for any spot cargoes, given the higher prices for lithium carbonate and spodumene as feedstock” the source added.

“Previously, the surge in prices in June was fueled by strong spot demand from Japan and South Korea on lower allocation of term contract supply volumes” another producer said.

Top things off with a bullish broker note

The Motley Fool reported this morning bullish commentary for the Pilbara Minerals share price from Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG).

Its analysts retained an outperform rating with a $2.70 target price for the lithium miner’s shares.

This was backed by its positive view for the lithium market and Pilbara Minerals’ growing production capabilities.

The broker pointed to the ramp up of its Pilgan and Ngungaju operations as major growth drivers with the ability to “support a seven-year production growth rate of around 20% per annum”.

In terms of recent production, Pilbara Minerals produced 281,098 dry metric tonnes (dmt) in FY21. And forecasts FY22 production to ramp up between 460,000 to 510,000 dmt.

The post Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) share price up 6% on Monday as lithium prices hit record high appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 energy and materials shares are leading the market on Monday
• Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) share price lifts following bullish broker note
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Here are the 3 heaviest traded ASX 200 shares this Friday
• Here are the 3 heaviest trading ASX 200 shares on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor Kerry Sun 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 Bruce Jackson.

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The AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) share price is setting new 52-week lows on Monday despite signing a new gas sales arrangement with Cooper Energy Ltd. (ASX: COE).

At the time of writing, shares in the energy company are down 1.06% to $6.04. However, the AGL share price clocked in its unceremonious 52-week low milestone at $5.97 apiece just after midday today. The lacklustre performance puts the AGL share price at a loss of 50.25% year to date.

New gas deal fails to ignite AGL share price

AGL investors are facing yet another disappointing share price move on Monday. Unfortunately, the market has not met AGL’s latest announcement with enthusiasm.

According to the release, Cooper Energy and AGL have entered into a new Otway Basin gas sales agreement (GSA) for all developed and uncontracted volumes. The new agreement covers output from Cooper Energy’s Casino, Henry, and Netherby wells in the Otway Basin.

Under the agreement, pricing will be consistent with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) July 2021 gas inquiry interim report range of $6 to $8 per gigajoule for contract gas supply.

Additionally, the existing Sole GSA has been amended. As a result, the annual contract quantity has been reduced from 12 petajoules to 6 petajoules worth of gas supply per year (1 million gigajoules in 1 petajoule). At the same time, the agreement will extend a further 2 years. This takes it out to 31 December 2030 under the new terms. Unfortunately, the increased visibility hasn’t done much for the AGL share price today.

Importantly, the amendments made to the Sole GSA allow the energy company to increase the annual quantity by a maximum of 6 petajoules per year. However, the ceiling on these annual increases is capped at 30 petajoules. Meanwhile, pricing and other terms have remained unchanged.

Both the new and amended gas agreements will come into effect from 1 January 2022.

Despite the changes, AGL Energy remains Cooper Energy’s largest customer by annual contracted gas volume. Following behind is Energy Australia with 5 petajoules per year, and Alinta Energy with 2 petajoules.

Cooper Energy’s perspective

Commenting on the new gas sale arrangements, Cooper Energy managing director David Maxwell said:

We are pleased to be working closely with AGL and look forward to ongoing collaboration. The new gas sale arrangements are a further illustration of Cooper Energy taking decisive action to increase certainty and position the company for further growth.

The gas company also narrowed its sales volume guidance for FY22 on the back of the announcement. Originally, FY22 guidance was for 3.7 to 4.3 million barrels of oil equivalent. Now, the company expects somewhere between 3.7 million and 4.1 million barrels of oil equivalent.

AGL share price snapshot

The AGL Energy share price has been a major underperformer on the Australian indices this year, having posted a loss of 49.2% since 1 January. This extends the loss over the last 12 months to 58.88%. In the past month alone, AGL shares have slipped a further 18% into the red.

AGL Energy has a market capitalisation of about $3.78 billion, and has 623 million shares on issue.

The post AGL (ASX:AGL) share price slumps despite new gas agreement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How have ASX energy shares performed during the August 2021 earnings season?
• September hasn’t been a great month so far for the AGL (ASX:AGL) share price
• AGL (ASX:AGL) share price falls amid fresh climate credentials pressure
• The AGL (ASX:AGL) share price is down 16% in a month. Here’s why
• AGL Energy (ASX:AGL) share price hits 19-year low

Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler 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 Bruce Jackson.

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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a pretty slow start to the trading week this Monday. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up a sluggish 0.04% so far to 7,409 points. Arguably, one ASX sector is holding back the markets today. That would be ASX tech shares.

Even though many ASX shares are rising today, tech shares are proving to be a big drag on the overall market. While the ASX 200 is up today, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) has gone backwards, down 0.5% at the time of writing to 3,139 points.

So let’s go through some of the All Technology Index’s major holdings.

The largest ASX tech share is presently Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT). And Afterpay shares are helping to lead the ASX tech losses this Monday with the buy now, pay later (BNPL) company down a nasty 2.4% to $123.43 a share so far.

Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) is the second-largest share in the All Tech Index and it’s made up some ground to be down 0.17% so far today at $150.46 a share. Earlier, it was trading for $147.81.

Seek Limited (ASX: SEK) is next up and it too is in the red today, down 0.78% to $31.80 a share.

Faring worse is Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) which has lost a hefty 2.3% and now sits at $9.75 a share.

Appen’s fellow WAAAXer Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) is doing a little better, only down 0.47% to $31.56.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) is travelling similarly though, down 2.04% to $7.01 a share.

But WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), another WAAAXer, is bucking the trend and is up 0.84% at $49.35 a share.

Why are ASX tech shares falling today?

It’s not exactly clear why most ASX tech shares are falling today. One possible explanation could be provided by what happened on the US markets late last week. On Friday night (our time), the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ: .IXIC) took a pretty big hit, falling by 0.87%.

This was sparked by many of the Nasdaq’s largest holdings, which are all massive tech giants like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) and the FAANG stocks, taking a beating. This negative sentiment from America often flows over to the ASX so that could be behind today’s weakness in the tech sector.

The post ASX 200 tech shares are dragging the market on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) share price dragged lower by downgrade
• ASX 200 energy and materials shares are leading the market on Monday
• ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: Sydney Airport jumps, Qantas falls
• Zip (ASX:Z1P) share price continues slide, down 13% in a month. What’s happening?
• Afterpay (ASX:APT) shares are up 900% since the crash. These experts still think they’re worth holding

Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO, Altium, Appen Ltd, Microsoft, WiseTech Global, Xero, and ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO, Altium, Appen Ltd, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended SEEK Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fought back from a weak start and is pushing higher. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.2% to 7,420 points.

Four ASX shares that are climbing more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are charging higher:

Energy Resources of Australia Limited (ASX: ERA)

The Energy Resources of Australia share price is rocketing 29% higher to 42.5 cents. Investors have been buying the mineral exploration company’s shares due to its exposure to the hottest commodity of the moment – uranium. Last week the spot uranium price hit a seven-year high after some rampant buying activity.

Incitec Pivot Ltd (ASX: IPL)

The Incitec Pivot price is up 2% to $2.78. This follows the release of an update on the specialist chemicals company’s Waggaman ammonia plant in Louisiana. According to the release, the plant was not materially damaged by Hurricane Ida. And while it is expected to be out of action for four weeks as power is restored to the area, this was a better-than-feared outcome. Management estimates that the disruption will hit its earnings by US$28 million before tax.

Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (ASX: SYD)

The Sydney Airport share price is up 4.5% to $8.36. This follows the receipt of a revised indicative, conditional, and non-binding proposal from the Sydney Aviation Alliance. According to the release, the Sydney Aviation Alliance has proposed to acquire the airport operator for $8.75 cash per share. This represents a 9.4% premium to its last close price, which has been enough for it to be granted due diligence.

Talga Group Ltd (ASX: TLG)

The Talga share price is up 8.5% to $1.52. This morning the battery anode and advanced materials company announced that it has extended and expanded its memorandum of understanding with global technology leader ABB. The agreement now includes mine electrification plans.

The post Why Energy Resources of Australia, Incitec Pivot, Sydney Airport, & Talga are rising appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Sydney Airport share price soars 5% on latest takeover news
• ASX uranium shares are booming double digits across the board on Monday. Here’s why.
• Which ASX shares are the top movers in the ASX 300 today?
• ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: Sydney Airport jumps, Qantas falls
• Sydney Airport (ASX:SYD) share price on watch after new takeover approach

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Bruce Jackson.

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The Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) share price has surged to an all-time high today.

Shares in the Aussie resources company have stormed more than 4% higher in today’s session.

Let’s take a look at what’s been propelling the Iluka share price lately.  

What’s fuelling the Iluka share price?

Iluka hasn’t released any price-sensitive news that could explain today’s bullish price action.

However, the company’s share price has been the beneficiary of a surge in demand for its core products.

Late last month, Iluka highlighted this increasing demand in its half-year report for FY21.

Highlights from the company’s half-year report included;

• Mineral sands revenue up 61% on 1H20 figures to $735.6 million
• Underlying Group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) climbed 37% to $308.2 million
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) up 14% to $129.0 million
• A 288% increase in free cash flow to $179.3 million
• Reinstated interim dividend of 12 cents a share

In the report, Iluka’s management noted the zirconia market had rebounded to pre-pandemic production levels.

The report cited an increase in Chinese tile products for the elevated levels of demand with titanium sales also rising on supply concerns.

For the first half, mineral sands sales volumes surged to 177 kilotonnes (kt) with weighted average prices edging higher.

In addition, the Aussie mineral sands company has also expanded its production of rare-earth elements.

Iluka is set to spend $35 million to boost its Eneabb project in WA. The project aims to source rare-earth products from waste stockpiles from its mineral sands mining.

Snapshot of the Iluka share price

Since the start of the year, shares in Iluka have soared almost 59% higher.

By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has only managed to claw 12% higher in 2021.

Despite reinstating its interim dividend, Iluka did not provide guidance for the full year.

The company noted that its focus remains on inventory and balance sheet management as well as progressing key projects on schedule.

At the time of writing, shares in Iluka are trading up 3% for the day at $10.30.

Earlier, shares in the mineral sands miner were up more than 4% after hitting an intraday and record high of $10.47.

The post The Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU) share price just hit an all-time high. Here’s why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares on Thursday
• Iluka (ASX:ILU) share price slumps 6% on FY21 results
• Iluka (ASX:ILU) share price on watch as interim dividend returns

Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

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The National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) share price is underperforming other ASX big bank shares after it got hit by a broker downgrade.

The NAB share price tumbled 0.8% to $28.21 during lunch time trade when the S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) gained 0.2%.

NAB is the worst performer among the big four ASX banks. The Australia and New Zealand Banking GrpLtd (ASX: ANZ) share price advanced 0.3% to $27.65.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price was largely flat.

NAB share price hit by broker downgrade

What is probably weighing on the NAB share price is Credit Suisse decision to cut its recommendation on the bank to “neutral” from “outperform”.

“NAB has rallied 5% over reporting season and is up 64% on a year rolling basis. The most of its peers,” said the broker.

“It is now trading at 14.9x and has been consistently trading at parity with the sector a position not held for over a decade.”

Good news already in the NAB share price

There is good reason why the NAB share price is back in favour with investors. Operationally, it seems to have regained its mojo.

Nonetheless, the bank shares are trading close to Credit Suisse’s 12-month price target of $28.50 a share. That means it’s no longer a value buy.

ASX bank shares running ahead of fundamentals

In fact, stretched valuations apply to the whole sector, added Credit Suisse. This is why the broker is urging a more cautious approach to ASX bank shares.

“The major banks are now trading on 15.2x 1-year forward PE versus a 4-year average of 12.8x and a 10-year average of 12.4x,” said Credit Suisse.

“While we think the sector provides stable earnings, incremental upside from here appears less than recent history and even though there is still further reserve releases and capital management to come much appears to be in market forecasts.”

The best ASX bank shares to buy now

But don’t take the NAB share price downgrade as a bad omen for all ASX bank shares.

There is only one bank that the broker reckons is worth buying in this current environment. That bank is the Westpac share price and Credit Suisse describes it as its top pick “warts and all”.

“We acknowledge the challenges facing WBC but see a pathway to recovery that the market has yet to embrace,” explained the broker.

“Near term expense and margin pressures are likely to be offset by capital management before a clearer trajectory to emerge next year. WBC is trading on a 12% discount to the sector.”

Credit Suisse’s 12-month price target on Westpac is $28 a share.

The post National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) share price dragged lower by downgrade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 energy and materials shares are leading the market on Monday
• CBA (ASX:CBA) share price lower amid crypto defamation lawsuit
• ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: Sydney Airport jumps, Qantas falls
• ANZ (ASX:ANZ) share price edging higher amid lending blitz
• It’s been a rollercoaster for the Westpac (ASX:WBC) share price over the last 6 months

Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares of Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank Limited, and Westpac Banking Corporation. 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 Bruce Jackson.

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Shares in Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX) are rocketing to a multi-year high today. The lift comes despite no news out of the nuclear energy and semiconductor company since late last month.

At the time of writing, the Silex share price is up 16.98% trading at $1.86 apiece, after touching a high of $1.95 in early afternoon trade. In comparison, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up 0.36% to 7,733 points.

What’s driving Silex shares higher?

Investors are buying up Silex shares as the uranium sector heats up, with peer companies also enjoying strong gains.

In its 30 August release, Silex advised it completed a key milestone in the Zero-Spin Silicon (ZS-Si) Project.

ZS-Si is a key enabling material for the next generation of processor chips to power silicon quantum computers.

The recently constructed prototype demonstration facility started operations with initial testing for the production of ZS-Si underway. This marks the fourth major accomplishment in the project for the company.

Silex now plans to conduct silicon enrichment tests, focussing on process characterisation, optimisation and efficiency improvements in the coming months.

Once the ZS-Si finalises the second stage, production is expected to be ramped up by the end of 2021.

A third stage, involving industrial-scale process verification will follow producing initial commercial quantities of ZS-Si commencing in late 2022.

What does this mean?

Current methods for the production of enriched silicon are limited and costly with only a few kilograms produced annually.

If the ZS-Si Project is successful, it could potentially enable Australia to establish itself as a world leader in ZS-Si production. In addition, this would create a new value-added export market.

Demand for ZS-Si as silicon-based quantum computer is anticipated to gain traction globally over the next decade.

The project is supported by collaboration partners, Silicon Quantum Computing and the University of New South Wales. Funding comes from the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects.

Silex share price summary

In the past 12 months, the Silex share price has produced returns of around 220%, and has doubled in value year-to-date. Compared to this time last month, the share price has moved 80% higher.

Silex presides a market capitalisation of about $309.9 million, and has 173 million shares on issue.

The post The Silex (ASX:SLX) share price surged 20% to a 6-year high on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The Silex (ASX:SLX) share price rocketed 24% on Thursday

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 Bruce Jackson.

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The Firefinch Ltd (ASX: FFX) share price has soared into the green during afternoon trade on Monday as the company released its results for the half-year ended 30 June 2021.

Firefinch shares are now exchanging hands at 71.5 cents apiece, a 16% gain from the open.

Let’s investigate a little further.

Firefinch share price gains on mixed half year results

The company’s net loss for the half-year grew to $6.28 million from $1.07 million the half-year prior, whereas cash and cash equivalents were $58.5 million for the six months ended 30 June. That was well up on the $891,000 in 2020.

Firefinch also increased the mineral resource and ore reserves at its Morila Gold project. The new production profile at the site now demonstrates a capacity of “up to 200,000 ounces per annum during the initial 7 year reserve life”, as per the company’s release.

Firefinch also realised gold production of 22,525 ounces for the half-year in line with guidance of 21,000-23,500 ounces.

In addition to this progress, the company also gave updates on its binding term sheet with a subsidiary of Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co.

The two have entered into a 50:50 incorporated joint venture (JV) to “develop and operate” the Goulamina Lithium project. In return for Gangfeng’s investment(s) into the JV, it will earn a “50% interest” in the project.

Jiangxi Ganfeng is the “world’s largest lithium producer by production capacity”, as per the company’s announcement.

For context, Firefinch intends to “demerge the Goulamina Lithium project into a separate ASX-listed lithium focused entity” to be called “Leo Lithium Limited“.

The timing of the demerger all depends on the final investment decision of the JV company and the company seeking shareholder approval for the JV in 2022.

What did management say?

Regarding the Goulamina mine demerger, it stated:

On implementation of the demerger, Firefinch shareholders will receive a pro-rata entitlement of shares in Leo Lithium by way of an in-specie distribution (at no cost). It is also currently intended that Leo Lithium will raise additional capital via an entitlement offer to existing shareholders in parallel with its application for listing. The entitlement ratio, the pricing and quantum of the entitlement offer will be determined closer to the demerger.

Firefinch share price snapshot

The Firefinch share price has posted a year to date return of 297%, extending the outsized gain of 346% over the past 12 months.

The results have far outpaced the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)’s climb of about 25% over the past year.

The post Firefinch (ASX:FFX) share price leaps 16% on half-year results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• American Pacific Borates (ASX:ABR) share price leaps 18% on lithium update
• Macquarie (ASX:MQG) share price struggles amid broker sell rating
• ASX 200 energy and materials shares are leading the market on Monday
• Up another 13%, the Paladin Energy (ASX:PDN) share price keeps on rallying. Here’s why.
• Online share trading platform Stake offers $3 ASX trades

The author Zach Bristow has no positions 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 Bruce Jackson.

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The American Pacific Borates Ltd (ASX: ABR) share price has bounded into the green during afternoon trade on Monday.

American Pacific shares are now exchanging hands up 17.96% at $1.66 apiece. This comes after the company made a key announcement regarding its integrated Boron facility in California.

Let’s investigate further.

But first – a quick recap on American Pacific Borates

American Pacific Borates is on the trail to become a “fully integrated producer of Boron specialty products and advanced materials”. Boron is a key component in the transition to renewable energy, as it can store both chemical and electrical energy.

The company’s major focus is on its 100% owned Fort Cady Boron facility in California, US.

At the time of writing, American Pacific Borates has a market capitalisation of $550 million.

What’s up with the miner’s share price today?

The company advised it is “exploring partner options” for “potential bi-product lithium production” at the site.

American Pacific announced it wants to exploit the current high prices that lithium is fetching in the markets as much as possible. They said this is one way to do it.

Aside from this, the company explained that the “improving economics” of other adjacent segments to lithium, such as direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies, is another compelling reason to “consider partner options” for its “bi-product lithium stream”.

It stated that DLE technologies are “quickly improving to a point” where extracting lithium waste from the facility’s waste stream “could be economic”.

Regarding further ways to exploit its lithium waste stream, it said:

Importantly, there is also an opportunity to use the lithium produced to enhance some boron speciality applications currently under consideration including LiBor salts for lithium-ion batteries.

What’s more, the company’s decision-making here is supported by US Government policy, as per the release.

American Pacific Borates share price snapshot

The American Pacific Borates share price has had a choppy year so far. Year to date, American Pacific Borates shares have returned 10.66%.

Despite this, it has gained 107.5% over the last 12 months. And the miner’s shares are 13% in the green over the last month.

These returns have outpaced the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)’s climb of around 25% over the past year.

The post American Pacific Borates (ASX:ABR) share price leaps 18% on lithium update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• ASX 200 energy and materials shares are leading the market on Monday
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The author Zach Bristow has no positions 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 Bruce Jackson.

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