This “electric metal” has ignited a major trade war. The United States is locked in a high-stakes battle with China for control over the global lithium supply chain. Recognizing the critical importance of this mineral for the future of clean energy and national security… The U.S. is making bold moves to secure its own lithium resources and reduce reliance on Chinese imports. One of the top Lithium research services, Benchmark Intelligence said… “The U.S. realized, recently, that it lost control of the lithium supply chain to China… Washington is now trying to “get back on track.” The International Energy Agency is sounding the alarm too… Citing Lithium as its highest supply and geopolitical risk. | | China’s supremacy over lithium is no accident… The country has promoted, subsidized and engineered “insidious control” over global lithium supply, according to The Atlantic Council. The USA is countering with aggressive measures in the Inflation Reduction Act. It tackles China's critical minerals dominance with EV tax incentives, requiring North American sourcing. The aggressive timeline may prove challenging for U.S. and European companies to meet while adhering to strict regulations. But it also means that North American companies will be looking for easy-access to domestic sources of lithium. That’s where LiFT Power Corp (LIFT: TSXV and LIFFF: US OTC) makes a STRONG case… If you’re interested in the lithium markets, pay attention. **DISSEMINATED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES ON BEHALF OF LIFT POWER CORP** Li-FT Power Corp. (US OTC: LIFFF | TSXV: LIFT) __________________________________________ | | **PLEASE READ FULL DISCLOSURES/DISCLAIMER** | | | FULL DISCLOSURE: I (Marin Katusa) and other members of Katusa Research have bought Li-FT Power shares in the open market (I purchased over $1,000,000 worth of stock). I may increase my position in the future. This is a highly speculative stock that comes with significant investment risk. If this bothers you, do not invest. | | Let’s get right into it… Right now, the global lithium supply chain is effectively controlled by just two countries: China and Chile. They’re both extremely unpredictable. One country nationalized any new lithium supply last year, and the other (China) is actively threatening to cut it off for geopolitical leverage. And China is winning the Resource Wars right now. The United States is On Notice It must either procure domestic lithium and domestic lithium processing, or it will not be able to produce EVs and decarbonize its economy. The U.S. effort to bring lithium production back to North America has created an incredible investment opportunity. Allies can both help fix the lithium deficit it is barreling toward—and make a mint in the meantime. And Canada, with a few giant lithium deposits, is in first position to provide billions of dollars of lithium to the United States. We’ve identified what we believe is one of the best deposits in North America. | | And the company that owns this project has a lot going for it. 8 Reasons and Catalysts to Put Li-FT Power on Your Radar | | #1: Potential for a Massive & High Grade Lithium Resource Li-FT Power’s Yellowknife project is expected to exceed 50 million tonnes of lithium-bearing ore. That would make it one of the largest development-stage lithium projects in North America. A resource above 100 million tonnes of lithium-bearing ore would put it solidly on the radar of mainstream investors and majors, and could trade at a premium to its peers. #2: Highly Attractive Valuation vs. Peers Few analysts cover Li-FT Power, and no resource estimate has been completed—so this company just isn’t on the radar of most investors. As a result, our analysis indicates that it is currently trading at a significant discount to its peers. | | | Rick Disclosure: This chart is based on internal Katusa Research analysis ONLY. | | Its massive size and development potential are likely to draw attention from major producers, EV manufacturers, and even foreign governments. The immediate M&A potential could drive a significant stock re-rating. #3: The Right Entry Point: The Way of the Alligator requires patiently waiting while prices come to you. After a huge run-up in 2022, lithium prices corrected nearly 80% in 2023/24—and with them, so did lithium company valuations. It’s taken a year of waiting, but Li-FT Power has finally entered my buy range. The long-term case for lithium is obvious. If you are following EVs, or renewable energy, or decarbonization, you know we are going to need a lot more lithium production. A year ago, this company was financed by some of the largest lithium investors in the world at $14 per share before a single drill hole turned (because of the historical information on the project). Today, the company has drilled over $25 million worth of drilling hitting high-grade lithium and the stock is trading at an attractive valuation. This is a classic example of a high-value, beaten-down stock that is ready to run at the slightest pickup in lithium prices or good news. #4: Ultra-High Profit Margin Production Our internal analysis projects production costs of $600/tonne. At current depressed lithium prices, that yields profit margins comparable to open-pit gold mines (53% spodumene vs. 55% gold, using today’s prices). Using the 2023 average spodumene price, Li-FT could generate margins of 80%+. Every major mining CEO in the world would want to get in on that action. #5: Lots of Skin in the Game Founders, management, and directors own 55% of shares. They are extremely incentivized to bring this project to profitable development. Outside of the founders, the cost base of major investors is 100-300% above current prices. Meanwhile a selloff has continued—even despite excellent drill results, and a pending resource estimate any week now. The tight share structure and low price makes this a very tightly wound spring. Li-FT Power Has Major Catalysts on the Horizon Major Catalyst #1: Resource Estimate Release Completion and release of the upcoming resource estimate set to indicate a resource with the potential to get to over 50 million tonnes of lithium-bearing ore. That would likely provide a substantial boost to Li-FT’s valuation. Major Catalyst #2: Lithium Price Recovery Falling interest rates in ’24 should incentivize new EV manufacturing, fanning the flames of lithium. A rebound in lithium prices would likely increase the value of lithium in the ground, while also incentivizing M&A. Major Catalyst #3: M&A Accelerating in Safe Jurisdictions High prices and the prospect of a long-term shortage have fueled an international race to control lithium resources. In the past 12 months, there has been a frenzy of successful (and unsuccessful) investments and takeover attempts of developers by major lithium producers: - Pilbara Minerals just acquired Latin Resources for over $500 million
- ExxonMobil announced it intended to become a major lithium supplier.
- Gina Rinehart, Wealthiest person in Australian and an Australian iron ore and steel tycoon worth more than $20B, dove headfirst into lithium with major M&A activity.
- A $4.2B takeover of a lithium miner was shut down because the premium wasn’t high enough.
- In total, there have been 150 different M&A transactions globally in lithium, valued at over $10B.
I believe we will see more of these big power moves in the coming years as lithium deposits in safe jurisdictions become increasingly critical power sources for the free world. I wouldn’t have Li-FT Power in my portfolio unless I thought it was an excellent M&A target. Keep in mind, all of the M&A above happened while the price of lithium was falling off a cliff. What’s going to happen when prices start to rise? | | Regards, Marin Katusa and the KR Special Situations Team P.S. We want you to be one of the first to know about this special opportunity—especially before any of the catalysts bump the stock higher. Click here to read the report now. | | | |
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