Sturdy demand coupled with increased lithium costs allowed top-producing miner Livent (NYSE:LTHM) to put up a 124 p.c enhance in its year-on-year income within the third quarter.
Livent operates its lithium enterprise within the Salar del Hombre Muerto in Argentina, the place it has been extracting lithium for greater than 20 years. The lithium carbonate produced serves because the feedstock for Livent’s downstream lithium hydroxide manufacturing. Livent can also be presently producing certified battery-grade lithium hydroxide in each the US and China.
Livent’s third quarter income hit US$231.6 million, up 6 p.c from the earlier quarter. In the meantime, the corporate’s adjusted EBITDA got here in at US$110.8 million, 17 p.c increased than the prior quarter.
“Lithium demand has remained strong regardless of some near-term provide chain disruptions and international macro issues,” mentioned CEO Paul Graves in an announcement on Tuesday (November 1). “Revealed lithium costs moved increased within the third quarter amid continued favorable market situations. Livent achieved increased realized costs and delivered elevated volumes to prospects.”
Final 12 months, lithium costs climbed on the again of sturdy demand from the electrical car business. By the top of Q3 of this 12 months, costs had elevated greater than 123 p.c, in keeping with Benchmark Mineral Intelligence information.
Even so, the Philadelphia-based firm has revised its adjusted EBITDA to be within the vary of US$350 million to US$370 million, reducing the highest finish of its expectations by US$5 million. The corporate additionally trimmed its forecast income to a span of US$815 million to US$845 million for 2022, in comparison with earlier steerage of US$800 million to US$860 million.
Following the discharge of its third quarter outcomes, Livent’s share value fell nearly 9 p.c.
When it comes to its ongoing expansions, the corporate mentioned it stays on monitor to ship all beforehand introduced capability expansions.
The primary 10,000 metric ton (MT) enlargement of lithium carbonate capability in Argentina is anticipated to be mechanically full by the top of 2022, and in manufacturing by 2023’s first quarter. Following on from that, the corporate mentioned it’s set so as to add the subsequent 10,000 MT of lithium carbonate capability in Argentina by the top of 2023.
Lithium hydroxide capability can also be forecast to extend, and the miner has began work at a China-based location so as to add a further 15,000 MT of lithium hydroxide capability by the top of 2023.
Moreover, the corporate’s 5,000 MT lithium hydroxide enlargement at Bessemer Metropolis was mechanically accomplished within the third quarter, and Livent has begun working with prospects to provide and qualify merchandise.
In Quebec, Livent owns 50 p.c of Nemaska, which is anticipated to have 34,000 MT of battery-grade lithium hydroxide nameplate capability and over 30 years of mine life. The primary “significant” manufacturing from the venture is on monitor for 2026.
Supported by favorable lithium market situations, the corporate’s share value is up greater than 18 p.c year-to-date. Different US, Canadian and Australianlithium shares have additionally seen year-to-date positive factors.
As of 9:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday (November 2), shares of Livent have been buying and selling at US$28.51.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Priscila Barrera, maintain no direct funding curiosity in any firm talked about on this article.
