Vancouver, British Columbia – July 21, 2026 - TheNewswire – Generation Uranium Inc. (TSXV:GEN, OTCQB:GENRF, FRA:W85) (the “Company” or “Generation”) is pleased to see Atha Energy’s success in exploration on the Angilak project located just south of the Company’s Yath Project as reported in their press release July 8, 2026. Atha is running 3 drill rigs on the Angiak Project with a reported budget of 20,000m of drilling in 2026.
Atha’s LAC50 NW relates to Generation’s Yath Project in two ways:
The discovery demonstrates the continued mineralized nature of the LAC50 trend with a 4km west jump out to the NW for a new uranium discovery. The associated geophysical conductor can be seen to cross into the Yath Project a further 3km to the North West.
The concurrent gravity high continues ~1km north to the Yath Project border where historical uranium mineralization has been observed and is currently being investigated by the Generation field geologists and prospectors.
(see map below or online at: https://generationuranium.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/yath.png)
While geophysical conductors and the margins of gravity highs do not explain all of the uranium exploration targets on the Yath project, they do focus targeting in about 50% of them in the central portion of the claims.
CEO Michael Collins comments, “Atha’s success at LAC50NW was expected by our geology team at Generation as we have been integrating regional uranium trends and occurrences within our own exploration model. While our 2026 exploration plan was already targeting the LAC 50 trend as it crosses onto Generation ground and the northern extension of the Gravity high, (which we also see as a greenstone belt margin), Atha’s successes validates theses targets and moves them up the priority list for our geologist who are currently in the field picking drill targets.”
Michael also noted, “Every discovery drill hole that Atha reports refines our exploration model and will improve our success rate as we move to get drills turning on the Yath Uranium Project.”
Generation’s Field program is currently underway on the Yath Project where are geologists are integrating historic exploration results derived from assessment reports, integrating ExpertGeophysics MMT conductors and identifying related structures in the field to constrain historic targets as well as defining new targets.
Click Image To View Full Size*The registered gravity and conductor map is drawn from Atha Energy’s July 9th press release. The company notes that exploration success at an adjacent project is not necessarily an indicator of the potential of the Yath Project.
Qualified Person
Michael Collins, P. Geo., President, CEO and Director of Generation Uranium, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43‑101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects), has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.
About Generation Uranium
Generation Uranium is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing high‑quality uranium assets in premier jurisdictions. Its flagship Yath Project is located in Nunavut’s Angilak district, one of Canada’s most active and rapidly emerging uranium camps. Historic work has reported with historic results surface samples up to 9.8% U₃O₈ and 1.0 m at 0.224% U₃O₈ from 25.5 m in drillhole BOG-8-80.
With a growing portfolio of high‑priority targets in a well‑understood uranium district, Generation Uranium is well positioned to make discoveries that contribute meaningfully to the future global supply of clean nuclear energy.
The historic exploration results disclosed in this news release, including surface samples and drill intersection results from the Yath Project, are derived from assessment reports detailing historic work conducted by various exploration companies active on the project, primarily between 1980 and 2013. Mr. Collins, as qualified person, has not verified the historic data disclosed in this news release and such results should not be relied on.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release.
Uranium Outlook 2026
The uranium market in 2026 continues to strengthen, supported by a widening structural supply deficit and accelerating global demand. Spot prices surpassed US$100/lb early in the year as mine production struggles to keep pace with reactor requirements. Demand growth is being driven by the rapid expansion of AI‑powered data centers, alongside significant increases in nuclear generation capacity in China, India, and the United States. Long‑term contract prices have now moved above spot, reflecting a healthy and sustained trend as utilities secure supply in an increasingly competitive environment.
A comprehensive sector report2 released by Shaw and Partners in February 2026 forecasts the potential for a multi‑year uranium price spike toward US$200/lb. The report highlights tightening fuel contracting cycles, accelerating nuclear demand, and persistent supply shortfalls as the foundation for a powerful re‑rating across the uranium sector.
The report also underscores a growing disconnect between uranium supply and long‑term reactor demand. Global nuclear capacity currently consumes approximately 180 million pounds (Mlb) of U₃O₈ annually, while existing mine production delivers only about 150 Mlb. According to the World Nuclear Association’s reference scenario3, global nuclear capacity could expand significantly by 2040, pushing annual uranium consumption toward 390 Mlb.
Shaw and Partners’ modelling further indicates:
New mine supply requirements this decade could exceed 350 Mlb, once depletion of existing operations is included.
Structural supply deficits could surpass 200 Mlb per year in the coming decades unless new large‑scale uranium projects are brought into production.
Overall, the uranium market is expected to remain tight, with low inventories and rising demand driving utilities toward increasingly aggressive long‑term contracting strategies. This environment continues to strengthen the outlook for exploration‑stage companies positioned in proven and emerging uranium districts.
Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) closed at $2.90 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.69% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.19% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.59%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.05%.
The stock of lithium producer has fallen by 32.49% in the past month, lagging the Basic Materials sector's loss of 9.42% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.
Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Lithium Americas Corp. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of -$0.04, marking a 33.33% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.14 per share and a revenue of $0 million, representing changes of +69.57% and 0%, respectively, from the prior year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained steady. Lithium Americas Corp. presently features a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 201, positioning it in the bottom 19% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow LAC in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $3.32, moving -6.74% from the previous trading session. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.42%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.29%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.29%.
The lithium producer's shares have seen a decrease of 19.27% over the last month, not keeping up with the Basic Materials sector's loss of 4.07% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.2%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Lithium Americas Corp. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of -$0.04, marking a 33.33% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of -$0.14 per share and a revenue of $0 million, indicating changes of +69.57% and 0%, respectively, from the former year.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. At present, Lithium Americas Corp. boasts a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 181, this industry ranks in the bottom 27% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $LAC #Nevada--Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC) (“Lithium Americas” or the “Company”) has published its annual environmental, social, governance and safety (“ESG-S”) report (“Report”) for the period January 1 to December 31, 2025. The Report provides an overview of the Company's performance in key areas, including health and safety, environmental responsibility, community and Indigenous engagement, corporate governance and safeguarding our people, ass.
In the latest close session, Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) was down 5.06% at $3.94. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.1% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.35%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.43%.
The stock of lithium producer has fallen by 16.83% in the past month, lagging the Basic Materials sector's loss of 3.56% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.34%.
The upcoming earnings release of Lithium Americas Corp. will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be -$0.04, reflecting a 33.33% increase from the same quarter last year.
For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of -$0.14 per share and a revenue of $0 million, signifying shifts of +69.57% and 0%, respectively, from the last year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 9.91% upward. Right now, Lithium Americas Corp. possesses a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 154, finds itself in the bottom 37% echelons of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC) (“Lithium Americas” or the “Company”) announced the results from its annual meeting of shareholders held on June 22, 2026 (the “Meeting”).
Each of the following seven nominees was elected as a director of the Company:
Director Nominees
Votes For
Votes Withheld
Kelvin Dushnisky
78,321,795 (93.95%)
5,047,673 (6.05%)
Michael Brown
73,559,448 (88.23%)
9,810,019 (11.77%)
Fabiana Chubbs
80,442,320 (96.49%)
2,927,150 (3.51%)
Jonathan Evans
81,721,583 (98.02%)
1,647,887 (1.98%)
Dr. Yuan Gao
61,992,086 (74.36%)
21,377,382 (25.64%)
Philip Montgomery
74,004,451 (88.77%)
9,365,016 (11.23%)
Clayton Walker
72,899,178 (87.44%)
10,470,291 (12.56%)
Final voting results on all matters voted on at the Meeting will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov) and posted to the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.lithiumamericas.com.
ABOUT LITHIUM AMERICAS
Lithium Americas is building Thacker Pass located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada. Phase 1 is designed for nominal production capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year of battery-quality lithium carbonate, and mechanical completion is targeted for late 2027. Thacker Pass hosts the largest known measured lithium resource (Measured and Indicated) and reserve (Proven and Probable) in the world and is owned by a joint venture between Lithium Americas (holding a 62% interest), and General Motors Holdings LLC (holding a 38% interest). Lithium Americas’ shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LAC. To learn more, visit www.lithiumamericas.com or follow @LithiumAmericas on social media.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “FLS”). FLS can often be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “designed,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “target,” “will” and similar expressions. FLS in this news release includes statements regarding the design and production capacity of Phase 1 of Thacker Pass, the targeted timing for mechanical completion and mineral resource and reserve estimates.
FLS is based on certain assumptions, including that the Company will complete Phase 1 construction on schedule and within budget, that required permits and approvals will be maintained, that mineral resource and reserve estimates remain accurate, that financing will continue to be available on acceptable terms, and that general market and economic conditions will not materially deteriorate. FLS involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including the risks described in the Company’s continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on FLS, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any FLS except as required by applicable securities legislation.
UUUU stock is climbing. See the chart and price action here. The deal is the latest federal push to build a domestic critical minerals supply chain independent of China.
The loan remains conditional, subject to further due diligence, finalization of agreements and customary closing conditions.
Energy Fuels stock shot higher on the announcement, touching $18 before the opening bell and trading at $17.93 at the time of publication on Thursday.
Here are five rare earth and critical minerals stocks with U.S. government ties to watch in the wake of the announcement.
MP Materials – MP The DoD also locked in a 10-year offtake agreement for rare earth magnets and set a price floor for rare earth elements — a direct hedge against Chinese market flooding.
USA Rare Earth – USARUSA Rare Earth is developing a mine in Texas and a magnet plant in Oklahoma, with production targeted for the first half of 2026.
Critical Metals – CRMLThe company also executed a 50/50 joint venture term sheet with Romania in December 2025 for an integrated mine-to-processing supply chain.
Perpetua Resources- PPTA Perpetua Resources Corp. (NASDAQ:PPTA) secured a $2.9 billion, 13-year loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank in May for its Stibnite gold project in Idaho — the only planned domestic source of antimony.
Antimony is critical for munitions, semiconductors, and solar panels. The Pentagon has separately backed the project.
Lithium Americas – LACThe TakeawayThe Pentagon's latest deal with Energy Fuels highlights a clear pattern: the U.S. government is taking equity stakes, issuing loans and guaranteeing offtake agreements to build critical mineral supply chains at home.
Investors should watch for more developments as the U.S. government’s support of the rare earths sector continues.
Photo: Shutterstock
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Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) closed at $3.79 in the latest trading session, marking a -2.82% move from the prior day. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.4%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.11%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.73%.
The lithium producer's shares have seen a decrease of 22.93% over the last month, not keeping up with the Basic Materials sector's loss of 14.76% and the S&P 500's loss of 7.34%.
The upcoming earnings release of Lithium Americas Corp. will be of great interest to investors. The company is expected to report EPS of -$0.07, down 40% from the prior-year quarter.
Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of -$0.45 per share and revenue of $0 million, indicating changes of +2.17% and 0%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 4.91% downward. Currently, Lithium Americas Corp. is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 81, which puts it in the top 34% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.
In the latest close session, Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) was down 2.04% at $4.09. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.62%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.58%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.83%.
Shares of the lithium producer witnessed a loss of 11.09% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Basic Materials sector with its gain of 1.87%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.8%.
Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Lithium Americas Corp. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at -$0.07, signifying a 40.00% drop compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.3 per share and a revenue of $0 million, representing changes of +34.78% and 0%, respectively, from the prior year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 30.01% higher. Lithium Americas Corp. is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 160, positioning it in the bottom 35% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.
Shares of Lithium Americas Corp. (TSE:LAC – Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Hold” from the seven analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$7.00.
A number of brokerages have weighed in on LAC. TD Securities raised Lithium Americas to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. National Bank Financial reduced their price target on shares of Lithium Americas from C$10.00 to C$7.50 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 19th.
View Our Latest Research Report on LAC
Lithium Americas Price Performance Shares of TSE:LAC opened at C$5.63 on Monday. Lithium Americas has a fifty-two week low of C$3.40 and a fifty-two week high of C$14.75. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of C$6.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$7.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 50.27, a quick ratio of 52.06 and a current ratio of 5.16. The firm has a market cap of C$1.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.26 and a beta of 1.26.
About Lithium Americas (Get Free Report)
Lithium Americas is developing three lithium production assets, two brine resources located in northwestern Argentina and a clay resource in Nevada, U.S. While the company has no current lithium production, we expect the first Argentina resource, Cauchari-Olaroz, to enter production in late 2022. We expect the Nevada project, Thacker Pass, to enter production in the middle of the 2020s and the second brine resource, Pastos Grandes, to enter production in the late-2020s. Lithium Americas plans for all three resources to be fully integrated, selling into the lithium chemical market.
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USAR stock is up. See the chart and the price action here. USA Rare Earth’s $2.8 Billion Brazil BetThe deal calls for $300 million in cash plus 126.85 million newly issued USAR shares.
CEO Barbara Humpton hit CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Monday morning to pitch the deal as a step-change in breaking China’s chokehold on the rare earth supply chain.
“The world has become too dependent on a single source and it’s high time to break that dependency,” Humpton said, calling Pela Ema a “one-of-a-kind asset," per CNBC.
Crucially, Serra Verde already carries a 15-year, 100% offtake agreement with a U.S. government-backed special purpose vehicle that includes guaranteed price floors on all four magnetic elements.
Management is guiding to $550 million to $650 million of run-rate EBITDA from Serra Verde by year-end 2027, scaling to roughly $1.8 billion in combined EBITDA by 2030.
Wedbush Joins The PartyAdding fuel, Wedbush analyst Sam Brandeis initiated coverage on both USAR and MP Materials with Outperform ratings Monday — a bullish double-tap that helped extend the sector rally.
Brandeis slapped a $29 price target on USAR (before the Serra Verde news) — implying roughly 45% upside from Friday’s $19.95 close — citing the company’s heavy rare earth mine-to-magnet platform anchored by the largest HREE deposit, according to MarketWatch.
For MP Materials, Wedbush set a $90 target, branding the company “America’s designated rare earth national champion,” according to Investing.
The firm highlighted MP’s vertical integration across the Mountain Pass mine and its Independence magnet facility in Fort Worth as the most underappreciated dimension of the bull case, with Mountain Pass standing as the lowest-cost producer of rare earth concentrate outside China.
Photo: Shutterstock
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Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) closed at $4.98 in the latest trading session, marking a +2.89% move from the prior day. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.24% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.01%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.26%.
Prior to today's trading, shares of the lithium producer had gained 30.46% outpaced the Basic Materials sector's gain of 6.38% and the S&P 500's gain of 6.42%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Lithium Americas Corp. in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of -$0.07, marking a 40% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.3 per share and revenue of $0 million, which would represent changes of +34.78% and 0%, respectively, from the prior year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 30.01% higher within the past month. Right now, Lithium Americas Corp. possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 146, positioning it in the bottom 41% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow LAC in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
Government intervention in the market isn’t new, but the scale and scope of recent U.S. investments into strategic industries has few modern parallels. From semiconductors to rare earth minerals to defense systems, the Trump administration has directed billions into companies tied to national security and supply chain independence. Some of those bets are already paying off. Others, not so much.
That raises a natural question: when the government backs a stock and it still underperforms, is that a red flag — or a buying opportunity? Let’s take a closer look, because one name stands out for all the wrong reasons: Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC).
How Trump’s Strategic Investments Are Performing Let’s start with the scoreboard. These investments were disclosed through Defense Dept. awards, Energy Dept. funding releases, and company SEC filings. The goal was clear: rebuild domestic capacity in areas the U.S. can’t afford to outsource.
Here’s how the major names stack up:
Company Announcement Date Gov’t. Investment Stake/Structure Return Since Investment MP Materials (NYSE:MP) July 10, 2025 ~$400M Equity + contracts +102.2% Intel (NASDAQ:INTC | INTC Price Prediction) August 22, 2025 ~$8.9B (CHIPS Act grants/loans) Equity, incentives, + subsidies +251.2% Lithium Americas October 1, 2025 ~$2.3B Equity + loan support -18.7% Trilogy Metals (NYSEAMEX:TMQ) October 6, 2025 ~$35.6M Equity + project financing +96.6% L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) January 13, 2026 ~$1B Defense procurement -6.5% USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ:USAR) January 26, 2026 ~$1.6B Equity/private placement -11.7% Returns calculated from closing price on day before investment announcement date.
Here’s what the numbers tell us: Intel is the clear winner so far, returning over 251%, with MP Materials doubling in value and Trilogy Metals nearly so. The others have all generated negative returns, but Lithium Americas has been the worst performer, losing nearly one-fifth of its value since the government investment.
That’s not just underperformance — it’s an outlier. While the Trump administration’s portfolio is trouncing the S&P 500 overall, the losers are notable.
Why Lithium Americas Fell Behind Lithium Americas is developing the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada, one of the largest known lithium deposits in the U.S.. Given how critical lithium is to EV batteries, the federal government took notice — the Energy Dept. committed roughly $650 million in loan support to help accelerate domestic production and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.
That’s a meaningful vote of confidence. So why has the stock fallen nearly 19% since the announcement? The short answer is that good projects and good stocks aren’t always the same thing, at least not at the same time.
Thacker Pass is still in development, which means the company isn’t generating meaningful revenue yet. Investors are essentially being asked to pay today for cash flows that won’t materialize for years. That’s not unusual for mining projects of this scale, but markets are impatient — and the longer the timeline stretches, the more that future value gets discounted in today’s share price.
Making matters worse, large mining projects almost always face cost pressures, and even a modest 10% to 15% increase in capital spending can significantly dent a valuation model. Lithium Americas has already faced questions about project costs and timelines, and that uncertainty has a way of showing up in the stock price.
Then there’s the commodity itself. Lithium prices dropped sharply from their 2022 peaks, which reduces the profitability assumptions analysts plug into their models — even for a mine that isn’t producing yet. It’s a double blow: the production is delayed, and when it does arrive, the pricing environment may be less favorable than once hoped. Yet prices are rebounding significantly in early 2026.
Compare that to peers like MP Materials, which is already producing and generating revenue and has gained 18% over the same period, and the contrast becomes clear. Scale cuts both ways — bigger potential upside, but significantly more risk in the meantime.
Is This a Buying Opportunity? So is the selloff a buying opportunity? That depends entirely on your time horizon and risk tolerance.
The optimistic case is genuine. The U.S. still needs domestic lithium regardless of where prices sit today, EV adoption continues to grow, and a $650 million government loan isn’t something to dismiss — it meaningfully reduces the financing risk that typically haunts projects of this size. Thacker Pass remains one of the most strategically important lithium assets in the country.
The cautious case is equally real. Without cash flow, the entire valuation rests on successful future execution. Commodity price swings can rapidly change the economics, and any further delays push returns even further into the future.
Key Takeaway The core story at Lithium Americas isn’t broken — it’s simply unfinished. For aggressive investors comfortable with long development timelines, it represents a high-upside bet on U.S. lithium independence. For more conservative investors, companies already generating revenue may offer better risk-adjusted returns right now.
Either way, the market is waiting for proof, and until Thacker Pass starts producing, the stock will likely continue to reflect that uncertainty.
The move follows a sharp reversal—turning a ‘sell-the-news’ dip into a momentum-driven recovery.
LAC: From Groundbreaking To Price ActionChart created using Benzinga Pro
The stock initially slipped after breaking ground at Thacker Pass—classic ‘buy the rumor, sell the news.’ But sentiment flipped fast.
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives’ price target for LAC at $8, points to significant upside—and renewed focus on lithium as a U.S. strategic asset—helped drive a double-digit surge.
Now, the narrative is catching up with the chart.
LAC Technical Setup Is Getting CleanThe structure has improved quickly. Price has reclaimed short-term moving averages and is now pressing against resistance around $5.25.
Momentum indicators are rising but not stretched, and volume has picked up—suggesting real participation behind the move.
This is what early-stage breakouts tend to look like.
$5.25: Why This Level MattersThe $5.25 zone is doing the heavy lifting.
A clean break above it—especially on strong volume—could open a path toward the next psychological level near $6.00. If it fails to break, the stock likely consolidates before another attempt.
Either way, the compression here is the story.
More Than Just A TradeThere's a bigger layer underneath.
Lithium Americas has been tied to the Trump administration’s efforts to secure domestic supply chains, with past interest from policymakers adding a national security angle to the stock. That narrative doesn't move charts on its own—but when it aligns with price action, it tends to amplify moves.
Right now, that alignment is starting to show.
Image via Shutterstock
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Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $4.92, moving -6.29% from the previous trading session. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.49%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.05%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.9%.
The lithium producer's shares have seen an increase of 38.52% over the last month, surpassing the Basic Materials sector's gain of 7.09% and the S&P 500's gain of 12.8%.
The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Lithium Americas Corp. in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is expected to report EPS of -$0.07, down 40% from the prior-year quarter.
LAC's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of -$0.3 per share and revenue of $0 million. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +34.78% and 0%, respectively.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.
Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 33.29% higher. Lithium Americas Corp. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 178, positioning it in the bottom 28% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$2.47▼
$10.52Price Target$5.56
An unusual surge in bullish options activity for Lithium Americas NYSE: LAC suggests institutional capital is positioning for a significant upside repricing, looking past near-term operational headwinds. On April 28, call option volume soared 197% above the daily average, with over 62,000 contracts changing hands. This aggressive derivatives positioning materializes even as Lithium Americas navigates the financial pressures of a recent earnings miss and a newly activated equity dilution program, signaling that sophisticated investors are focused on a more powerful, structural catalyst.
The market is beginning to digest a fundamental shift in Lithium Americas' risk profile. Recent SEC filings revealed that the U.S. government is not just a lender but a direct equity partner in Lithium Americas' future, a development that re-frames the investment thesis from a speculative mining venture to a quasi-sovereign strategic asset.
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The Ace in the Hole: DOE's 5% Stake Changes EverythingThe most critical, and perhaps underappreciated, catalyst is the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) direct investment in Lithium Americas. An SEC filing from Jan. 30, 2026, disclosed the issuance of warrants to the DOE, granting it the right to purchase a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas at a nominal exercise price of 1 cent per share. Concurrently, the DOE secured a 5% economic stake in the Thacker Pass joint venture itself.
This arrangement effectively makes the U.S. government a key stakeholder, aligning federal interests with the successful execution of the Thacker Pass project. This sovereign backing complements the previously announced $2.23 billion DOE loan facility and the $625 million joint venture with General Motors NYSE: GM.
The combination of federal and corporate support elevates Thacker Pass from a simple mining asset to a cornerstone of America's domestic electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. For investors, this substantially mitigates long-term political and regulatory risk, providing a structural floor for the asset's valuation.
Despite the robust long-term outlook, investors must weigh significant near-term financial pressures that could induce volatility. The path to production requires navigating a period of peak capital deployment and potential share dilution.
The $250 Million Dilution QuestionAccording to a Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2026, Lithium Americas activated a $250 million At-The-Market (ATM) equity program. This facility allows Lithium Americas to sell shares directly into the market to fund ongoing development, potentially creating an overhang on the stock price. While a necessary tool for financing, the ATM program introduces near-term dilution risk. This headwind makes the concurrent spike in bullish call volume particularly noteworthy, as it suggests options traders are anticipating a catalyst powerful enough to overwhelm the technical pressure from equity issuance.
Peak Spending, Peak Risk: The Billion-Dollar BuildoutLithium Americas is entering its most capital-intensive phase. Management has guided for fiscal year 2026 capital expenditures (CapEx) at the Thacker Pass project to fall between $1.3 billion and $1.6 billion. This spending is critical to achieving mechanical completion, which is targeted for late 2027. This period of high cash burn represents peak execution risk. Any project delays or further cost inflation could strain Lithium Americas's liquidity, making the timely drawdown of the DOE loan and capital injections from the GM joint venture essential for maintaining momentum.
The divergence between near-term risks and long-term potential is clearly reflected in institutional trading patterns. Large, well-capitalized funds appear to be accumulating shares, looking through the current phase of high spending and dilution toward the de-risked, federally backed production asset.
The Institutional Seal of ApprovalOver the last 12 months, institutional inflows have dwarfed outflows, totaling $183.13 million in buying versus just $44.22 million in selling. The most recent quarter saw significant accumulation from major asset managers. VanEck Associates expanded its position by 20.8% to nearly 17.5 million shares. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake by 35.8%, while Legal & General Group Plc increased its holdings by over 200%. This pattern of accumulation indicates that institutional capital is endorsing the long-term strategic value of the Thacker Pass asset, undeterred by the short-term financial complexities.
Decoding the 62,000-Contract SignalThe 197% surge in call option volume is a powerful indicator of speculative conviction. Such concentrated activity often precedes a significant corporate announcement or a shift in market sentiment. With short interest over 7% of the public float, any sharp upward price movement could trigger a feedback loop of short covering. Traders are closely watching the $5.50 strike price. A decisive break above this level, especially on high volume, could act as a technical trigger, potentially forcing dealers to hedge their positions and accelerating the upward momentum.
A New Breed of National AssetThe current market for Lithium Americas presents a classic conflict between short-term uncertainty and long-term strategic value. Lithium Americas' recent earnings miss and ongoing CapEx burn are tangible risks that justify caution. Analyst ratings reflect this split: Wedbush set a bullish $8 price target, while Scotiabank lowered its target to $5, citing dilution concerns.
However, the U.S. government's entry as a direct equity partner fundamentally alters the risk-reward calculation. This sovereign backstop provides a rare layer of security in the mining sector. For investors with a longer time horizon, the current share price may offer an entry point to a strategically vital, de-risked asset essential to the future of North American energy independence. Investors might consider the heavy institutional buying and anomalous options activity as signs that the market is beginning to price in this new reality.
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In an exclusive email response to Benzinga, Tim Crowley, senior vice president, Government and External Affairs at Lithium Americas, described the coming stretch as "milestone-dense.” He sees activity ramping across logistics, infrastructure, and early commissioning.
• Lithium Americas stock is trading in a tight range. Where are LAC shares going?
A Timeline Investors Can TrackThe first half of 2026 will hinge on deliveries, Crowley said. Lithium Americas will bring major long-lead equipment and materials to both the Thacker Pass site and the Winnemucca fabrication yard, marking a key step in scaling construction.
At the same time, modular assembly is progressing. The company has already delivered the first of nearly 100 pipe rack modules, and expects to bring in the rest by mid-year.
From there, execution tightens into a clear sequence.
Lithium Americas is targeting commissioning of the high-voltage power line in the second quarter, Crowley said. They expect to complete core concrete work in the third quarter, he added. And by the fourth quarter, the company plans to begin early commissioning of individual processing plants.
From Construction To OperationEach of these milestones represents, in Crowley's words, a "meaningful step" toward transforming Thacker Pass from a construction project into an operating mine.
That progression matters for investors. As large-scale projects move from groundwork to commissioning, uncertainty tends to fall — and visibility improves.
With over 1,000 workers already on site and peak construction expected to reach 1,800, Lithium Americas is pushing toward mechanical completion in late 2027.
If execution holds, 2026 may be the year the project starts to look real — not just planned.
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In an exclusive email interaction with Benzinga, Tim Crowley, SVP, Government and External Affairs at Lithium Americas, framed lithium as far more than an EV input. It has "emerged as a cornerstone of our national security, energy independence, and economic competitiveness”—a positioning that aligns closely with the Donald Trump-era push to localize critical mineral supply chains.
That shift is key. While EV demand ebbs and flows, national policy priorities tend to stick—and increasingly point toward domestic sourcing.
Crowley emphasized that Lithium Americas is working "in partnership with our federal, state, and local leaders" to build a U.S.-based lithium supply chain designed to "support high-quality American jobs." The message is clear: this is no longer just a commodity story—it's a strategic one.
Policy Tailwinds Meet ExecutionThat policy backdrop is converging with execution on the ground.
As the company transitions from developer to builder, investor interest is picking up. Crowley noted a "meaningful uptick in institutional engagement," driven by tangible progress rather than long-dated projections.
Detailed engineering is complete. Financing is secured. And perhaps most critically, Thacker Pass remains "on schedule and on budget" for mechanical completion in late 2027.
That combination—policy alignment plus execution visibility—changes the lens through which the stock is viewed.
Beyond The EV NarrativeThe bigger takeaway is that Lithium Americas may be decoupling from the EV cycle narrative.
Instead, it's positioning itself at the center of a broader U.S. push to secure critical mineral supply chains. If that trend continues, lithium demand may increasingly be driven not just by autos—but by national strategy.
And that's a story with far longer legs.
Image via Shutterstock
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In the latest close session, Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) was down 2.98% at $5.54. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.41%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 1.13%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.19%.
Heading into today, shares of the lithium producer had gained 41.34% over the past month, outpacing the Basic Materials sector's loss of 0.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 10.02%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Lithium Americas Corp. in its upcoming release. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of -$0.07, showcasing a 40% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.3 per share and revenue of $0 million, which would represent changes of +34.78% and 0%, respectively, from the prior year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 33.29% higher within the past month. At present, Lithium Americas Corp. boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 174, positioning it in the bottom 29% of all 250+ industries.
The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC) (“Lithium Americas” or the “Company”) announced the appointment of Clayton Walker as an independent member of its Board of Directors (the “Board”) effective immediately.
Mr. Walker has over 25 years of experience leading global mining companies, most recently as former Chief Growth and Development Officer at Rio Tinto where he was responsible for the overall strategic direction and execution of the Copper Growth Portfolio. From 2021-2025, he served as Chief Operating Officer for Rio Tinto’s Copper product group, where he led global teams focused on growth and optimization across a world-class copper portfolio. His responsibilities included oversight of major operations and projects across the Americas, including Rio Tinto Kennecott in Utah and Resolution Copper in Arizona. From 2016-2021, he served as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Iron Ore Company of Canada. Prior to that, he spent 15 years in various management roles at Rio Tinto. Mr. Walker holds a Master of Business Administration degree as well as a Bachelor of Science, Metallurgical Engineering degree from the University of Utah.
Kelvin Dushnisky, Executive Chair of the Board, commented: “On behalf of the Board and executive team, I am very pleased to welcome Clayton Walker to the Board. His executive leadership, senior operating experience and technical knowledge, together with his understanding of the U.S. regulatory landscape, will be instrumental as we advance Thacker Pass to production and drive long-term value for our stakeholders.”
ABOUT LITHIUM AMERICAS
Lithium Americas is building Thacker Pass located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada. Phase 1 is designed for nominal production capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year of battery-quality lithium carbonate, and mechanical completion is targeted for late 2027. Thacker Pass hosts the largest known measured lithium resource (Measured and Indicated) and reserve (Proven and Probable) in the world and is owned by a JV between Lithium Americas (holding a 62% interest), and General Motors Holdings LLC (“GM”) (holding a 38% interest). Project financing for Phase 1 includes a $2.23 billion loan from the U.S. DOE and strategic investments from GM and Orion Resource Partners LP. The DOE holds warrants to purchase common shares of the Company for a 5% equity stake and JV warrants to purchase a 5% non-voting, non-transferable equity interest in the JV. Lithium Americas’ shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LAC. To learn more, visit www.lithiumamericas.com or follow @LithiumAmericas on social media.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “FLS”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are FLS and can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words, such as “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “predict,” “proposes,” “potential,” “target,” “implement,” “schedule,” “forecast,” “intend,” “would,” “could,” “might,” “should,” “believe” and similar terminology, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. FLS in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the expected contributions of Mr. Walker following his appointment; statements related to Thacker Pass, including the capacity of Phase 1, targeted mechanical completion, development plans, and project financing; and other statements regarding management’s beliefs, plans, estimates, and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance, or expectations that are not historical facts.
FLS involves known and unknown risks, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially. FLS reflects the Company’s current views about future events that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Accordingly, there can be no certainty that they will accurately reflect actual results. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such FLS are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that these assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information, and that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose, including investment purposes. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any FLS as a result of the risk factors set out in the Company’s continuous disclosure documents available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Readers are further cautioned to review the full description of risks, uncertainties and management’s assumptions in the aforementioned documents and other disclosure documents available on EDGAR and SEDAR+.
The FLS contained in this news release is expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. All FLS in this news release speaks as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any FLS, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
In the latest close session, Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) was down 3.8% at $5.57. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.16%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.11%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.71%.
The lithium producer's stock has climbed by 32.19% in the past month, exceeding the Basic Materials sector's gain of 2.13% and the S&P 500's gain of 8.81%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Lithium Americas Corp. in its upcoming release. On that day, Lithium Americas Corp. is projected to report earnings of -$0.07 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 40%.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.3 per share and a revenue of $0 million, representing changes of +34.78% and 0%, respectively, from the prior year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. At present, Lithium Americas Corp. boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 166, placing it within the bottom 32% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC) (“Lithium Americas” or the “Company”) announced that it has filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which includes the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements (“Financials”) for the three months ended March 31, 2026 (“Q1 2026”), and provided an update on its Thacker Pass lithium project in Humboldt County, Nevada (“Thacker Pass” or the “Project”).
Jonathan Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lithium Americas said, “Construction at Thacker Pass is accelerating toward mechanical completion in late 2027. There are now over 1,300 workers on site as of mid-May and over 2,000 expected at peak construction. In 2025, we emphasized de-risking project execution and made strategic decisions that have enabled us to focus on execution in 2026 – detailed engineering is almost complete, finances have been secured and global supply chain challenges are being well managed.”
Mr. Evans added, “At a moment when resilient domestic supply chains are more critical than ever, lithium stands out as a strategic resource underpinning both national security and a reliable energy future. We are grateful for the strong partnerships and support from leaders at the federal and state levels. Recent visits to Thacker Pass by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and the U.S. Department of Energy, underscore a shared commitment to strengthening American supply chains, advancing energy independence and creating meaningful American jobs.”
Q1 2026 AND SUBSEQUENT TO Q1 2026 HIGHLIGHTS
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately $1.2 billion total cash and restricted cash, including $529 million at the Thacker Pass joint venture (“JV”) level. On January 26, 2026, the Company completed an at-the-market (“ATM”) equity program established on November 13, 2025 (the “November 2025 ATM Program”). The Company issued and sold an aggregate total of 43.3 million common shares at an average price of $5.78 per share pursuant to the November 2025 ATM Program, for aggregate net proceeds of $246.7 million after sales agent’s commission and other expenses. Of these amounts, during Q1 2026, the Company issued and sold 32.5 million common shares at an average price of $5.92 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $189.7 million after sales agent commission and other expenses. On February 24, 2026, the Company received its second advance on the U.S. Department of Energy (the “DOE”) loan (“DOE Loan”) of $432 million. On March 19, 2026, the Company entered into an ATM equity program, pursuant to which the Company may sell its common shares, no par value, up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $250 million (the “March 2026 ATM Program”). Use of net proceeds for the March 2026 ATM Program includes general corporate purposes, which may include funding of corporate and project overhead expenses, financing of capital expenditures, repayment of indebtedness and additions to working capital. As of March 31, 2026, the Company did not issue or sell any common shares nor receive any net proceeds pursuant to the March 2026 ATM Program. Subsequent to March 31, 2026, the Company issued and sold an aggregate total of 2.3 million common shares at an average price of $5.20 per share pursuant to the March 2026 ATM Program, for aggregate net proceeds of $11.2 million after sales agent commission and other expenses. As of May 13, 2026, the Company had 351,062,478 shares issued and outstanding. On January 30, 2026 (the “Issuance Date”), pursuant to the omnibus waiver, consent and amendment (as amended, the “OWCA”) entered into by the Company and the DOE on October 7, 2025, the Company issued to the DOE a warrant to purchase up to 18,268,687 common shares, which was equal to 5% of the Company’s outstanding total shares as of the Issuance Date, at an exercise price of $0.01 per share (the “LAC Warrant”), exercisable for ten years from the Issuance Date, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and other terms set forth in the LAC Warrant. Additionally, the JV issued to the DOE a warrant to purchase 8,656,509,695 non-voting units of the JV, which was equal to a 5% economic interest in the JV as of the Issuance Date, at an exercise price of $0.0001 per unit (the “JV Warrant”), exercisable for ten years from the Issuance Date, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and other terms set forth in the JV Warrant. The Company continues to progress major construction of the processing plant at Thacker Pass Phase 1, targeting mechanical completion in late 2027. As of March 31, 2026: A total of 2.43 million workhours completed at Thacker Pass without a serious injury or lost-time incident, and a total recordable incident frequency rate of 0.25. A total of $1.3 billion of construction capital costs and other project-related costs have been capitalized, of which $1.1 billion is part of the total capital expenditure (“Capex”) estimate of $2.93 billion per the Company’s Technical Report entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Thacker Pass Project Humboldt County, Nevada, USA,” effective December 31, 2024 (“Technical Report”). The Company continues to target a total capex range of $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion for Thacker Pass Phase 1 for fiscal year 2026. See the Capital Expenditure and 2026 Capex Guidance section below for more details. Detailed engineering design completed surpassed 95%, while procurement was over 70% complete, including the shipment of major plant materials and equipment. There were approximately 1,065 personnel on site, expected to increase to over 2,000 in the second half of 2026. There were over 1,000 workers residing at the Company’s all-inclusive housing facility for construction workers in Winnemucca (the “Workforce Hub” or “WFH”). Long-lead equipment has been arriving to either Thacker Pass or the fabrication yard in Winnemucca, including the 115KV Main Transformer, Auxiliary Boiler, Air Cooled Heat Exchangers, Fin Fan Cooler, Duplex Stack and Bicarbonate Reactors. Additional long-lead items that have started their delivery to site include the Thickener Steel and Shell Plates, Filter Presses, Steam Turbine Generator and SS Converter. Outstanding long-lead items are expected to be delivered throughout 2026, along with other equipment and construction materials. Over 75% of the structural steel for Thacker Pass, which is sourced from the United Arab Emirates, is in transit or has arrived on site at Thacker Pass or the laydown yard in Winnemucca. The Company and Bechtel have worked with the steel supplier to attempt to limit the effects of the Middle East conflict, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, to minimize impacts on the fabrication and shipment of steel to Thacker Pass. Predominantly, the Company has successfully re-routed steel through the Port of Jeddah. Development milestones achieved to date at Thacker Pass include: The first cable pulls on the module pipe racks commenced in March 2026. Structural steel at the Filter Building progresses, with the second floor being installed. Installation of key equipment commenced at the following facilities: Bicarbonate Reactors for the Lithium Carbonate Crystallizer, Pillers for Magnesium Sulfate, Air Compressors and Conveyor Tail Pulley’s for the Filter Building, Thickener Steel and Shell Plants in the Countercurrent Decantation and Run-of-Mine areas, and Fin Fan Coolers and SS Converter for the Sulfuric Acid Plant. Given the advanced level of detailed engineering, the Company has commenced a definitive capital estimate, targeting completion in the second half of 2026. Advanced levels of engineering and procurement is expected to enable the team to estimate remaining quantities and materials with higher confidence. The Company will use current data to assess remaining labor needs and productivity rates for the estimate and will incorporate recent unexpected developments including the implications of tariffs, the Middle East conflict impacts, fuel price increases and other inflationary increases that were not included in the total Capex estimate of $2.93 billion per the Company’s Technical Report. The total Capex estimate of $2.93 billion did not include any exposure to tariffs. The Company estimates the total potential exposure to tariffs for Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs to be approximately $80 million to $120 million, the majority of which is expected to be incurred during 2026. Work to enhance reliability for grid power from the local electric utility cooperative, by upgrading six regional substations and switching stations, was completed in March 2026, ahead of schedule. Construction at the Company’s Transload Terminal (“TLT”) west of Winnemucca commenced in March 2026, with completion targeted in 2027 to align with start up at Thacker Pass. The TLT is approximately 60 miles from Thacker Pass, adjacent to the rail line, and is intended to support operations by serving as a critical logistics hub for the Project’s reagents. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND 2026 CAPEX GUIDANCE
As of March 31, 2026, a total of $1.3 billion of construction capital costs and other project-related costs have been capitalized, of which $1.1 billion is part of the total Capex estimate of $2.93 billion per the Company’s Technical Report. The Company continues to target a total Capex range of $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion for Thacker Pass Phase 1 for fiscal year 2026.
The table below summarizes Capex during the quarter ended March 31, 2026, cumulative Capex to March 31, 2026, as well as the Company’s 2026 Capex guidance.
(US$)
For the quarter
ended March 31, 2026
Cumulative to
March 31, 2026
Fiscal Year 2026
Capex Guidance
Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs included in the total $2.93 billion Capex estimate(1)(2)
$275.5 million
$1,138.1 million
$1.2 - $1.5 billion
Other capitalized development costs for Thacker Pass(3)
$8.3 million
$101.4 million
$30 - $40 million
Capitalized interest, including the Orion Note and DOE Loan
$10.7 million
$37.7 million
$45 - $55 million
Total
$294.5 million
$1,277.2 million
$1.3 - $1.6 billion
Capex Notes:
(1)
Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs cumulative to March 31, 2026 and those estimated for fiscal year 2026 do not include $14.1 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of community contributions that are required to be expensed under U.S. GAAP, though these were included in the $2.93 billion Capex estimate per the Company’s Technical Report.
(2)
Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs as of March 31, 2026, and those estimated for 2026, include actual tariffs incurred (through March 31, 2026) and estimated tariff exposure, primarily for equipment and construction materials sourced from Canada, China, India, UAE, Turkey and the European Union. The Company has been working toward limiting the effect of any potential tariffs on its construction supply chain, with approximately 75% of the total capital project cost structure related to labor, contractors and other services not expected to be directly affected by any potential tariffs. The Company continues to closely monitor potential tariff exposure; however, changes in tariffs and trade restrictions can be announced with little or no advance notice.
(3)
Other capitalized development costs are required to be capitalized under U.S. GAAP, though these were not included in $2.93 billion Capex estimate per the Company’s Technical Report.
FINANCIALS
Selected consolidated financial information is presented as follows:
(in US$ million except per share information)
Three months ended March 31,
2026
2025
$
$
Operating expenses
11.1
6.5
Net income (loss)
4.6
(11.5
)
Net loss per share – basic and diluted - attributable to common stockholders
0.00
0.05
(in US$ millions)
As at March 31, 2026
As at December 31, 2025
$
$
Cash and restricted cash
1,207.6
905.6
Total assets
3,112.7
2,579.0
Total long-term liabilities
1,071.1
815.6
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, net income increased to $4.6 million from a net loss of $11.5 million in the comparable year period, primarily due to a gain on the fair value of the embedded derivative associated with the senior unsecured convertible notes with an aggregate principal amount of $195.0 million (the “Notes”) with fund entities managed by Orion Resource Partners LP (collectively, “Orion”). This non-cash, fair value gain on the embedded derivative primarily reflects the impact of a decrease in the Company’s share price from $4.36 at December 31, 2025 to $3.95 at March 31, 2026. Other income also increased, primarily driven by higher interest income due to higher balances in interest generating bank accounts, driven largely by proceeds from the ATM programs executed during the year ended December 31, 2025, as well as the quarter ended March 31, 2026. The impact of these items was partially offset by an increase in general and administration expenses, due to increased hiring, share-based compensation, community investment and regulatory and professional fees to support increased activities related to the Company’s operations.
At March 31, 2026, total assets increased from December 31, 2025, as a result of cash raised as part of the Company’s ATM equity programs as well as restricted cash received from the Company’s second draw on the DOE Loan. Total assets also increased as a result of additions to mineral properties, plant and equipment from the continued development of Thacker Pass.
At March 31, 2026, the increase in total long-term liabilities was mainly attributable to a $351.9 million increase in the DOE Loan ($432.0 million related to the second advance and interest costs of $6.6 million, net of $86.7 million amortized deferred financing costs). This was partly offset by a $10.6 million reduction in the Orion Notes and an $83.8 million decrease in the LAC Warrant obligation ($88.8 million fair value of the LAC Warrant reclassified to equity on January 30, 2026 partly offset by $5.0 million loss recognized for the fair value increase in the LAC Warrant from December 31, 2026 to January 30, 2026).
This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, available on the Company’s issuer profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website at www.lithiumamericas.com.
ABOUT LITHIUM AMERICAS
Lithium Americas is building Thacker Pass located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada. Phase 1 is designed for nominal production capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year of battery-quality lithium carbonate, and mechanical completion is targeted for late 2027. Thacker Pass hosts the largest known measured lithium resource (Measured and Indicated) and reserve (Proven and Probable) in the world and is owned by a JV between Lithium Americas (holding a 62% interest), and General Motors Holdings LLC (“GM”) (holding a 38% interest). Project financing for Phase 1 includes a $2.23 billion loan from the U.S. DOE and strategic investments from GM and Orion. The DOE holds the LAC Warrant to purchase common shares equivalent to a 5% equity stake of the Company as of the Issuance Date and the JV Warrant to purchase a non-voting, non-transferable equity interest in the JV equivalent to a 5% interest as of the Issuance Date. Lithium Americas’ shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LAC. To learn more, visit www.lithiumamericas.com or follow @LithiumAmericas on social media.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Rene LeBlanc, PhD, SME, Vice President, Commercial and Product Strategy of the Company, and a “qualified person” as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements” (“FLS”)). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are FLS and can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words, such as “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “predict,” “proposes,” “potential,” “target,” “implement,” “schedule,” “forecast,” “intend,” “would,” “could,” “might,” “should,” “believe” and similar terminology, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. FLS in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements relating to the anticipated sources and uses of funds to complete project financing; statements relating to the JV and the DOE Loan, the strategic investment from Orion for the development and construction of the Thacker Pass, the LAC Warrant and the JV Warrant, including statements regarding satisfaction of draw down conditions on the DOE Loan expectations about the extent to which the JV Transaction, the DOE Loan, including any amendments thereto, the investment from Orion, the LAC Warrant, the JV Warrant and cash on hand would fund the development and construction of Thacker Pass on schedule or at all; project de-risking initiatives and the extent to which work to date has de-risked project execution; the expected operations, financial results and condition of the Company; expectations related to the construction build, job creation and nameplate capacity of Thacker Pass as well as other statements with respect to the Company’s future objectives and strategies to achieve these objectives, including the future prospects of the Company; the estimated cash flow, capitalization and adequacy thereof for the Company; the estimated costs of the development of Thacker Pass, including timing, progress, approach, continuity or change in plans, construction, commissioning, expected milestones, anticipated production and results thereof and expansion plans; cost and expected benefits of the transloading terminal; cost and expected benefit of the limestone quarry; anticipated timing to resolve, and the expected outcome of, any complaints or claims made or that could be made concerning the permitting process in the U.S. for Thacker Pass; the timely completion of environmental reviews and related consultations, and receipt or issuance of permits and approvals, in the U.S. for the Company’s development and resultant operations; capital expenditures and programs; estimates, and any change in estimates, of the mineral resources and mineral reserves at Thacker Pass; development of mineral resources and mineral reserves; the realization of mineral resources and mineral reserves estimates, including whether certain mineral resources will ever be developed into mineral reserves, and information and underlying assumptions related thereto; government regulation of mining operations and treatment under governmental and taxation regimes; the future price of commodities, including lithium; the creation of a battery supply chain in the U.S. to support the electric vehicle market; the timing and amount of future production, currency exchange and interest rates; the Company’s ability to raise capital; expected expenditures to be made by the Company; statements relating to revised capital cost estimates; ability to produce high purity battery grade lithium products; settlement of agreements related to the operation and sale of mineral production as well as contracts in respect of operations and inputs required in the course of production; the timing, cost, quantity, capacity and product quality of production at Thacker Pass; successful development of Thacker Pass, including successful results from the Company’s testing facility and third-party tests related thereto; statements with respect to the expected economics of Thacker Pass, including capital costs, operating costs, sustaining capital requirements, after tax net present value and internal rate of return, pricing assumptions, payback period, sensitivity analyses, net cash flows and life of mine; anticipated job creation of the workforce hub; the expectation that the National Construction Agreement (Project Labor Agreement) with North America’s Building Trades Unions for construction of Phase 1 of Thacker Pass will minimize construction risk, ensure availability of skilled labor, address the challenges associated with Thacker Pass’s remote location and be effective in prioritizing employment of local and regional skilled craft workers, including members of underrepresented communities; overarching accessibility to a productive workforce; the expected workforce development training program being prepared with Great Basin College; the Company’s commitment to sustainable development, limiting the environmental impact at Thacker Pass and plans for phased reclamation during the life of mine including use benefits of growth media; ability to achieve capital cost efficiencies; anticipated use of any future proceeds and earnings related to Thacker Pass; as well as other statements with respect to management’s beliefs, plans, estimates and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts.
FLS involves known and unknown risks, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially. FLS reflects the Company’s current views about future events, and while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Accordingly, there can be no certainty that they will accurately reflect actual results. Assumptions and other factors upon which such FLS is based include, without limitation: expectations regarding Phase 2 of Thacker Pass, including financing, and the absence of material adverse events affecting the Company during this time; the ability of the Company to perform conditions and meet expectations regarding the Company’s financial resources and future prospects; the ability to meet future objectives, priorities and anticipated milestones; a cordial business relationship between the Company and third-party strategic and contractual partners; the risk of general business and economic uncertainties and adverse market conditions; confidence that development, construction and operations at Thacker Pass will proceed as anticipated, including the impact of potential supply chain disturbances including but not limited to product availability, customs delays and potential shipping disruptions, especially with respect to steel, and the availability of equipment, labor and facilities necessary to complete development and construction of Thacker Pass and produce battery grade lithium; unforeseen technological, equipment and engineering problems; changes in general economic and geopolitical conditions, including as a result of regulatory changes by the current U.S. presidential administration, higher interest rates, the rate of inflation, a potential economic recession, ongoing conflict in the Middle East and potential changes in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs and the resulting consequences on, among other things, the extractive resource industry, the green energy transition and the electric vehicle market; uncertainties inherent to the feasibility studies and mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; the mine processing facilities, based on the results of the testing facility and third-party tests, performing as expected; the ability of the Company to secure sufficient additional financing, advance and develop the Project, and to produce battery grade lithium; the respective benefits and impacts of Thacker Pass when production operations commence; settlement of agreements related to the operation and sale of mineral production as well as contracts in respect of operations and inputs required in the course of production; the Company’s ability to operate in a safe and effective manner, and without material adverse impact from the effects of climate change or severe weather conditions; reliability of technical data; uncertainties relating to receiving and maintaining mining, exploration, environmental and other permits or approvals in Nevada; demand for lithium, including that such demand is supported by growth in the electric vehicle market, lithium-ion battery market and battery energy storage system market; current technological trends; the impact of increasing competition in the lithium business, and the Company’s competitive position in the industry; continuing support of local communities and the Fort McDermitt Paiute and the Shoshone Tribe in relation to Thacker Pass, and continuing constructive engagement with these and other stakeholders, including any expected benefits of such engagement; risks related to cost, funding and regulatory authorizations to develop a workforce housing facility; the stable and supportive legislative, regulatory and community environment in the jurisdictions where the Company operates; impacts of inflation, deflation, currency exchange rates, interest rates and other general economic and stock market conditions; the impact of unknown financial contingencies, including litigation costs, environmental compliance costs and costs associated with the impacts of climate change, on the Company’s operations; increased attention to environmental, social, governance and safety and sustainability-related matters; risks related to the Company’s public statements with respect to such matters that may be subject to heightened scrutiny from public and governmental authorities related to the risk of potential “greenwashing,” (i.e., misleading information or false claims overstating potential sustainability-related benefits); risks that the Company may face regarding potentially conflicting initiatives from certain U.S. state or other governments; estimates of and unpredictable changes to the market prices for lithium products; development and construction costs for Thacker Pass, and costs for any additional exploration work at the Project; estimates of mineral resources and mineral reserves, including whether mineral resources not included in mineral reserves will be further developed into mineral reserves; some of the modifying factors used to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves may change materially, and could materially impact the mineral reserve estimate; reliability of technical data; anticipated timing and results of exploration, development and construction activities, including the impact of ongoing supply chain disruptions and availability of equipment and supplies on such timing; timely responses from governmental agencies responsible for reviewing and considering the Company’s permitting activities at Thacker Pass; availability of technology, including low carbon energy sources and water rights, on acceptable terms to advance Thacker Pass; government regulation of mining operations and mergers and acquisitions activity, and treatment under governmental, regulatory and taxation regimes; ability to realize expected benefits from investments in or partnerships with third parties; accuracy of development budgets and construction estimates; that the Company will meet its future objectives and priorities; the ability to satisfy production and lithium-recovery targets; that the Company will have access to adequate capital to fund its future projects and plans; that such future projects and plans will proceed as anticipated; compliance by joint venture partners, DOE and Orion with terms of agreements; the lack of any material disputes or disagreements between joint venture partners; the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; as well as assumptions concerning general economic and industry growth rates, commodity prices, resource estimates, currency exchange and interest rates and competitive conditions. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such FLS are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that these assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that FLS will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information, and that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose, including investment purposes. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any FLS as a result of the risk factors described under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and elsewhere throughout that report, and in the Company’s other continuous disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All FLS contained in this news release are expressly qualified by the risk factors set out in the aforementioned documents. Readers are further cautioned to review the full description of risks, uncertainties and management’s assumptions in the aforementioned documents and other disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ and on EDGAR. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any FLS, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC) (“Lithium Americas” or the “Company”) announced that it has filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which includes the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements (“Financials”) for the three months ended March 31, 2026 (“Q1 2026”), and provided an update on its Thacker Pass lithium project in Humboldt County, Nevada (“Thacker Pass” or the “Project”).
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260514324830/en/
Ironworkers installing structural steel on the second level of the Filter Building.
Jonathan Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lithium Americas said, “Construction at Thacker Pass is accelerating toward mechanical completion in late 2027. There are now over 1,300 workers on site as of mid-May and over 2,000 expected at peak construction. In 2025, we emphasized de-risking project execution and made strategic decisions that have enabled us to focus on execution in 2026 – detailed engineering is almost complete, finances have been secured and global supply chain challenges are being well managed.”
Mr. Evans added, “At a moment when resilient domestic supply chains are more critical than ever, lithium stands out as a strategic resource underpinning both national security and a reliable energy future. We are grateful for the strong partnerships and support from leaders at the federal and state levels. Recent visits to Thacker Pass by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and the U.S. Department of Energy, underscore a shared commitment to strengthening American supply chains, advancing energy independence and creating meaningful American jobs.”
Q1 2026 AND SUBSEQUENT TO Q1 2026 HIGHLIGHTS
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately $1.2 billion total cash and restricted cash, including $529 million at the Thacker Pass joint venture (“JV”) level. On January 26, 2026, the Company completed an at-the-market (“ATM”) equity program established on November 13, 2025 (the “November 2025 ATM Program”). The Company issued and sold an aggregate total of 43.3 million common shares at an average price of $5.78 per share pursuant to the November 2025 ATM Program, for aggregate net proceeds of $246.7 million after sales agent’s commission and other expenses. Of these amounts, during Q1 2026, the Company issued and sold 32.5 million common shares at an average price of $5.92 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $189.7 million after sales agent commission and other expenses. On February 24, 2026, the Company received its second advance on the U.S. Department of Energy (the “DOE”) loan (“DOE Loan”) of $432 million. On March 19, 2026, the Company entered into an ATM equity program, pursuant to which the Company may sell its common shares, no par value, up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $250 million (the “March 2026 ATM Program”). Use of net proceeds for the March 2026 ATM Program includes general corporate purposes, which may include funding of corporate and project overhead expenses, financing of capital expenditures, repayment of indebtedness and additions to working capital. As of March 31, 2026, the Company did not issue or sell any common shares nor receive any net proceeds pursuant to the March 2026 ATM Program. Subsequent to March 31, 2026, the Company issued and sold an aggregate total of 2.3 million common shares at an average price of $5.20 per share pursuant to the March 2026 ATM Program, for aggregate net proceeds of $11.2 million after sales agent commission and other expenses. As of May 13, 2026, the Company had 351,062,478 shares issued and outstanding. On January 30, 2026 (the “Issuance Date”), pursuant to the omnibus waiver, consent and amendment (as amended, the “OWCA”) entered into by the Company and the DOE on October 7, 2025, the Company issued to the DOE a warrant to purchase up to 18,268,687 common shares, which was equal to 5% of the Company’s outstanding total shares as of the Issuance Date, at an exercise price of $0.01 per share (the “LAC Warrant”), exercisable for ten years from the Issuance Date, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and other terms set forth in the LAC Warrant. Additionally, the JV issued to the DOE a warrant to purchase 8,656,509,695 non-voting units of the JV, which was equal to a 5% economic interest in the JV as of the Issuance Date, at an exercise price of $0.0001 per unit (the “JV Warrant”), exercisable for ten years from the Issuance Date, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and other terms set forth in the JV Warrant. The Company continues to progress major construction of the processing plant at Thacker Pass Phase 1, targeting mechanical completion in late 2027. As of March 31, 2026: A total of 2.43 million workhours completed at Thacker Pass without a serious injury or lost-time incident, and a total recordable incident frequency rate of 0.25. A total of $1.3 billion of construction capital costs and other project-related costs have been capitalized, of which $1.1 billion is part of the total capital expenditure (“Capex”) estimate of $2.93 billion per the Company’s Technical Report entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Thacker Pass Project Humboldt County, Nevada, USA,” effective December 31, 2024 (“Technical Report”). The Company continues to target a total capex range of $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion for Thacker Pass Phase 1 for fiscal year 2026. See the Capital Expenditure and 2026 Capex Guidance section below for more details. Detailed engineering design completed surpassed 95%, while procurement was over 70% complete, including the shipment of major plant materials and equipment. There were approximately 1,065 personnel on site, expected to increase to over 2,000 in the second half of 2026. There were over 1,000 workers residing at the Company’s all-inclusive housing facility for construction workers in Winnemucca (the “Workforce Hub” or “WFH”). Long-lead equipment has been arriving to either Thacker Pass or the fabrication yard in Winnemucca, including the 115KV Main Transformer, Auxiliary Boiler, Air Cooled Heat Exchangers, Fin Fan Cooler, Duplex Stack and Bicarbonate Reactors. Additional long-lead items that have started their delivery to site include the Thickener Steel and Shell Plates, Filter Presses, Steam Turbine Generator and SS Converter. Outstanding long-lead items are expected to be delivered throughout 2026, along with other equipment and construction materials. Over 75% of the structural steel for Thacker Pass, which is sourced from the United Arab Emirates, is in transit or has arrived on site at Thacker Pass or the laydown yard in Winnemucca. The Company and Bechtel have worked with the steel supplier to attempt to limit the effects of the Middle East conflict, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, to minimize impacts on the fabrication and shipment of steel to Thacker Pass. Predominantly, the Company has successfully re-routed steel through the Port of Jeddah. Development milestones achieved to date at Thacker Pass include: The first cable pulls on the module pipe racks commenced in March 2026. Structural steel at the Filter Building progresses, with the second floor being installed. Installation of key equipment commenced at the following facilities: Bicarbonate Reactors for the Lithium Carbonate Crystallizer, Pillers for Magnesium Sulfate, Air Compressors and Conveyor Tail Pulley’s for the Filter Building, Thickener Steel and Shell Plants in the Countercurrent Decantation and Run-of-Mine areas, and Fin Fan Coolers and SS Converter for the Sulfuric Acid Plant. Given the advanced level of detailed engineering, the Company has commenced a definitive capital estimate, targeting completion in the second half of 2026. Advanced levels of engineering and procurement is expected to enable the team to estimate remaining quantities and materials with higher confidence. The Company will use current data to assess remaining labor needs and productivity rates for the estimate and will incorporate recent unexpected developments including the implications of tariffs, the Middle East conflict impacts, fuel price increases and other inflationary increases that were not included in the total Capex estimate of $2.93 billion per the Company’s Technical Report. The total Capex estimate of $2.93 billion did not include any exposure to tariffs. The Company estimates the total potential exposure to tariffs for Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs to be approximately $80 million to $120 million, the majority of which is expected to be incurred during 2026. Work to enhance reliability for grid power from the local electric utility cooperative, by upgrading six regional substations and switching stations, was completed in March 2026, ahead of schedule. Construction at the Company’s Transload Terminal (“TLT”) west of Winnemucca commenced in March 2026, with completion targeted in 2027 to align with start up at Thacker Pass. The TLT is approximately 60 miles from Thacker Pass, adjacent to the rail line, and is intended to support operations by serving as a critical logistics hub for the Project’s reagents. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND 2026 CAPEX GUIDANCE
As of March 31, 2026, a total of $1.3 billion of construction capital costs and other project-related costs have been capitalized, of which $1.1 billion is part of the total Capex estimate of $2.93 billion per the Company’s Technical Report. The Company continues to target a total Capex range of $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion for Thacker Pass Phase 1 for fiscal year 2026.
The table below summarizes Capex during the quarter ended March 31, 2026, cumulative Capex to March 31, 2026, as well as the Company’s 2026 Capex guidance.
(US$)
For the quarter
ended March 31, 2026
Cumulative to
March 31, 2026
Fiscal Year 2026
Capex Guidance
Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs included in the total $2.93 billion Capex estimate(1)(2)
$275.5 million
$1,138.1 million
$1.2 - $1.5 billion
Other capitalized development costs for Thacker Pass(3)
$8.3 million
$101.4 million
$30 - $40 million
Capitalized interest, including the Orion Note and DOE Loan
$10.7 million
$37.7 million
$45 - $55 million
Total
$294.5 million
$1,277.2 million
$1.3 - $1.6 billion
Capex Notes:
(1)
Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs cumulative to March 31, 2026 and those estimated for fiscal year 2026 do not include $14.1 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of community contributions that are required to be expensed under U.S. GAAP, though these were included in the $2.93 billion Capex estimate per the Company’s Technical Report.
(2)
Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs as of March 31, 2026, and those estimated for 2026, include actual tariffs incurred (through March 31, 2026) and estimated tariff exposure, primarily for equipment and construction materials sourced from Canada, China, India, UAE, Turkey and the European Union. The Company has been working toward limiting the effect of any potential tariffs on its construction supply chain, with approximately 75% of the total capital project cost structure related to labor, contractors and other services not expected to be directly affected by any potential tariffs. The Company continues to closely monitor potential tariff exposure; however, changes in tariffs and trade restrictions can be announced with little or no advance notice.
(3)
Other capitalized development costs are required to be capitalized under U.S. GAAP, though these were not included in $2.93 billion Capex estimate per the Company’s Technical Report.
FINANCIALS
Selected consolidated financial information is presented as follows:
(in US$ million except per share information)
Three months ended March 31,
2026
2025
$
$
Operating expenses
11.1
6.5
Net income (loss)
4.6
(11.5
)
Net loss per share – basic and diluted - attributable to common stockholders
0.00
0.05
(in US$ millions)
As at March 31, 2026
As at December 31, 2025
$
$
Cash and restricted cash
1,207.6
905.6
Total assets
3,112.7
2,579.0
Total long-term liabilities
1,071.1
815.6
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, net income increased to $4.6 million from a net loss of $11.5 million in the comparable year period, primarily due to a gain on the fair value of the embedded derivative associated with the senior unsecured convertible notes with an aggregate principal amount of $195.0 million (the “Notes”) with fund entities managed by Orion Resource Partners LP (collectively, “Orion”). This non-cash, fair value gain on the embedded derivative primarily reflects the impact of a decrease in the Company’s share price from $4.36 at December 31, 2025 to $3.95 at March 31, 2026. Other income also increased, primarily driven by higher interest income due to higher balances in interest generating bank accounts, driven largely by proceeds from the ATM programs executed during the year ended December 31, 2025, as well as the quarter ended March 31, 2026. The impact of these items was partially offset by an increase in general and administration expenses, due to increased hiring, share-based compensation, community investment and regulatory and professional fees to support increased activities related to the Company’s operations.
At March 31, 2026, total assets increased from December 31, 2025, as a result of cash raised as part of the Company’s ATM equity programs as well as restricted cash received from the Company’s second draw on the DOE Loan. Total assets also increased as a result of additions to mineral properties, plant and equipment from the continued development of Thacker Pass.
At March 31, 2026, the increase in total long-term liabilities was mainly attributable to a $351.9 million increase in the DOE Loan ($432.0 million related to the second advance and interest costs of $6.6 million, net of $86.7 million amortized deferred financing costs). This was partly offset by a $10.6 million reduction in the Orion Notes and an $83.8 million decrease in the LAC Warrant obligation ($88.8 million fair value of the LAC Warrant reclassified to equity on January 30, 2026 partly offset by $5.0 million loss recognized for the fair value increase in the LAC Warrant from December 31, 2026 to January 30, 2026).
This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, available on the Company’s issuer profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website at www.lithiumamericas.com.
ABOUT LITHIUM AMERICAS
Lithium Americas is building Thacker Pass located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada. Phase 1 is designed for nominal production capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year of battery-quality lithium carbonate, and mechanical completion is targeted for late 2027. Thacker Pass hosts the largest known measured lithium resource (Measured and Indicated) and reserve (Proven and Probable) in the world and is owned by a JV between Lithium Americas (holding a 62% interest), and General Motors Holdings LLC (“GM”) (holding a 38% interest). Project financing for Phase 1 includes a $2.23 billion loan from the U.S. DOE and strategic investments from GM and Orion. The DOE holds the LAC Warrant to purchase common shares equivalent to a 5% equity stake of the Company as of the Issuance Date and the JV Warrant to purchase a non-voting, non-transferable equity interest in the JV equivalent to a 5% interest as of the Issuance Date. Lithium Americas’ shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LAC. To learn more, visit www.lithiumamericas.com or follow @LithiumAmericas on social media.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Rene LeBlanc, PhD, SME, Vice President, Commercial and Product Strategy of the Company, and a “qualified person” as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements” (“FLS”)). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are FLS and can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words, such as “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “predict,” “proposes,” “potential,” “target,” “implement,” “schedule,” “forecast,” “intend,” “would,” “could,” “might,” “should,” “believe” and similar terminology, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. FLS in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements relating to the anticipated sources and uses of funds to complete project financing; statements relating to the JV and the DOE Loan, the strategic investment from Orion for the development and construction of the Thacker Pass, the LAC Warrant and the JV Warrant, including statements regarding satisfaction of draw down conditions on the DOE Loan expectations about the extent to which the JV Transaction, the DOE Loan, including any amendments thereto, the investment from Orion, the LAC Warrant, the JV Warrant and cash on hand would fund the development and construction of Thacker Pass on schedule or at all; project de-risking initiatives and the extent to which work to date has de-risked project execution; the expected operations, financial results and condition of the Company; expectations related to the construction build, job creation and nameplate capacity of Thacker Pass as well as other statements with respect to the Company’s future objectives and strategies to achieve these objectives, including the future prospects of the Company; the estimated cash flow, capitalization and adequacy thereof for the Company; the estimated costs of the development of Thacker Pass, including timing, progress, approach, continuity or change in plans, construction, commissioning, expected milestones, anticipated production and results thereof and expansion plans; cost and expected benefits of the transloading terminal; cost and expected benefit of the limestone quarry; anticipated timing to resolve, and the expected outcome of, any complaints or claims made or that could be made concerning the permitting process in the U.S. for Thacker Pass; the timely completion of environmental reviews and related consultations, and receipt or issuance of permits and approvals, in the U.S. for the Company’s development and resultant operations; capital expenditures and programs; estimates, and any change in estimates, of the mineral resources and mineral reserves at Thacker Pass; development of mineral resources and mineral reserves; the realization of mineral resources and mineral reserves estimates, including whether certain mineral resources will ever be developed into mineral reserves, and information and underlying assumptions related thereto; government regulation of mining operations and treatment under governmental and taxation regimes; the future price of commodities, including lithium; the creation of a battery supply chain in the U.S. to support the electric vehicle market; the timing and amount of future production, currency exchange and interest rates; the Company’s ability to raise capital; expected expenditures to be made by the Company; statements relating to revised capital cost estimates; ability to produce high purity battery grade lithium products; settlement of agreements related to the operation and sale of mineral production as well as contracts in respect of operations and inputs required in the course of production; the timing, cost, quantity, capacity and product quality of production at Thacker Pass; successful development of Thacker Pass, including successful results from the Company’s testing facility and third-party tests related thereto; statements with respect to the expected economics of Thacker Pass, including capital costs, operating costs, sustaining capital requirements, after tax net present value and internal rate of return, pricing assumptions, payback period, sensitivity analyses, net cash flows and life of mine; anticipated job creation of the workforce hub; the expectation that the National Construction Agreement (Project Labor Agreement) with North America’s Building Trades Unions for construction of Phase 1 of Thacker Pass will minimize construction risk, ensure availability of skilled labor, address the challenges associated with Thacker Pass’s remote location and be effective in prioritizing employment of local and regional skilled craft workers, including members of underrepresented communities; overarching accessibility to a productive workforce; the expected workforce development training program being prepared with Great Basin College; the Company’s commitment to sustainable development, limiting the environmental impact at Thacker Pass and plans for phased reclamation during the life of mine including use benefits of growth media; ability to achieve capital cost efficiencies; anticipated use of any future proceeds and earnings related to Thacker Pass; as well as other statements with respect to management’s beliefs, plans, estimates and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts.
FLS involves known and unknown risks, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially. FLS reflects the Company’s current views about future events, and while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Accordingly, there can be no certainty that they will accurately reflect actual results. Assumptions and other factors upon which such FLS is based include, without limitation: expectations regarding Phase 2 of Thacker Pass, including financing, and the absence of material adverse events affecting the Company during this time; the ability of the Company to perform conditions and meet expectations regarding the Company’s financial resources and future prospects; the ability to meet future objectives, priorities and anticipated milestones; a cordial business relationship between the Company and third-party strategic and contractual partners; the risk of general business and economic uncertainties and adverse market conditions; confidence that development, construction and operations at Thacker Pass will proceed as anticipated, including the impact of potential supply chain disturbances including but not limited to product availability, customs delays and potential shipping disruptions, especially with respect to steel, and the availability of equipment, labor and facilities necessary to complete development and construction of Thacker Pass and produce battery grade lithium; unforeseen technological, equipment and engineering problems; changes in general economic and geopolitical conditions, including as a result of regulatory changes by the current U.S. presidential administration, higher interest rates, the rate of inflation, a potential economic recession, ongoing conflict in the Middle East and potential changes in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs and the resulting consequences on, among other things, the extractive resource industry, the green energy transition and the electric vehicle market; uncertainties inherent to the feasibility studies and mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; the mine processing facilities, based on the results of the testing facility and third-party tests, performing as expected; the ability of the Company to secure sufficient additional financing, advance and develop the Project, and to produce battery grade lithium; the respective benefits and impacts of Thacker Pass when production operations commence; settlement of agreements related to the operation and sale of mineral production as well as contracts in respect of operations and inputs required in the course of production; the Company’s ability to operate in a safe and effective manner, and without material adverse impact from the effects of climate change or severe weather conditions; reliability of technical data; uncertainties relating to receiving and maintaining mining, exploration, environmental and other permits or approvals in Nevada; demand for lithium, including that such demand is supported by growth in the electric vehicle market, lithium-ion battery market and battery energy storage system market; current technological trends; the impact of increasing competition in the lithium business, and the Company’s competitive position in the industry; continuing support of local communities and the Fort McDermitt Paiute and the Shoshone Tribe in relation to Thacker Pass, and continuing constructive engagement with these and other stakeholders, including any expected benefits of such engagement; risks related to cost, funding and regulatory authorizations to develop a workforce housing facility; the stable and supportive legislative, regulatory and community environment in the jurisdictions where the Company operates; impacts of inflation, deflation, currency exchange rates, interest rates and other general economic and stock market conditions; the impact of unknown financial contingencies, including litigation costs, environmental compliance costs and costs associated with the impacts of climate change, on the Company’s operations; increased attention to environmental, social, governance and safety and sustainability-related matters; risks related to the Company’s public statements with respect to such matters that may be subject to heightened scrutiny from public and governmental authorities related to the risk of potential “greenwashing,” (i.e., misleading information or false claims overstating potential sustainability-related benefits); risks that the Company may face regarding potentially conflicting initiatives from certain U.S. state or other governments; estimates of and unpredictable changes to the market prices for lithium products; development and construction costs for Thacker Pass, and costs for any additional exploration work at the Project; estimates of mineral resources and mineral reserves, including whether mineral resources not included in mineral reserves will be further developed into mineral reserves; some of the modifying factors used to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves may change materially, and could materially impact the mineral reserve estimate; reliability of technical data; anticipated timing and results of exploration, development and construction activities, including the impact of ongoing supply chain disruptions and availability of equipment and supplies on such timing; timely responses from governmental agencies responsible for reviewing and considering the Company’s permitting activities at Thacker Pass; availability of technology, including low carbon energy sources and water rights, on acceptable terms to advance Thacker Pass; government regulation of mining operations and mergers and acquisitions activity, and treatment under governmental, regulatory and taxation regimes; ability to realize expected benefits from investments in or partnerships with third parties; accuracy of development budgets and construction estimates; that the Company will meet its future objectives and priorities; the ability to satisfy production and lithium-recovery targets; that the Company will have access to adequate capital to fund its future projects and plans; that such future projects and plans will proceed as anticipated; compliance by joint venture partners, DOE and Orion with terms of agreements; the lack of any material disputes or disagreements between joint venture partners; the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; as well as assumptions concerning general economic and industry growth rates, commodity prices, resource estimates, currency exchange and interest rates and competitive conditions. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such FLS are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that these assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that FLS will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information, and that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose, including investment purposes. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any FLS as a result of the risk factors described under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and elsewhere throughout that report, and in the Company’s other continuous disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All FLS contained in this news release are expressly qualified by the risk factors set out in the aforementioned documents. Readers are further cautioned to review the full description of risks, uncertainties and management’s assumptions in the aforementioned documents and other disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ and on EDGAR. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any FLS, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260514324830/en/
Lithium Americas Corp. remains a Sell; Thacker Pass progress lowers execution risk but doesn't improve equity risk/reward. LAC capex pressures intensify with $1.3–1.6 billion needed in 2026 and potential tariff exposure of $80–120 million. ATM share issuances dilute common equity, signaling investors are primarily funding the project rather than capturing upside.
Information in Investor’s Business Daily is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, recommendation, solicitation, or rating to buy or sell securities. The information has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but we make no guarantee as to its accuracy, timeliness, or suitability, including with respect to information that appears in closed captioning. Historical investment performances are no indication or guarantee of future success or performance. Authors/presenters may own the stocks they discuss. We make no representations or warranties regarding the advisability of investing in any particular securities or utilizing any specific investment strategies. Information is subject to change without notice. For information on use of our services, please see our Terms of Use.
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An updated edition of the April 22, 2026, article.
The global automotive industry is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in its history, fueled by the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and advances in autonomous vehicle (AV) driving technology. As battery technology improves, driving ranges increase and charging networks become more widespread, EVs are becoming a practical choice for a growing number of consumers. At the same time, high fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict are strengthening the economic case for electric cars.
For much of the past decade, Tesla (TSLA - Free Report) was viewed as the undisputed leader in the EV market. However, the competitive landscape has changed significantly. Chinese automakers, led by BYD, have emerged as formidable competitors, while established global automakers are investing billions of dollars to accelerate their own electrification strategies. Meanwhile, a wave of new EV-focused companies is entering the market, intensifying competition and giving consumers more choices than ever before.
The shift toward electric mobility continues to gain momentum globally. Per International Energy Agency, EV sales rose 20% year over year to surpass 20 million units in 2025, accounting for roughly one in every four new vehicles sold worldwide. Global EV sales are projected to reach 23 million units in 2026, representing approximately 28% of all new vehicle sales. Europe is expected to be one of the fastest-growing regions, where nearly one-third of new cars sold could be electric by 2026. China, already the world's largest EV market, is also expected to see continued growth, with electric vehicles approaching 60% of total vehicle sales.
Beyond electrification, autonomous driving is emerging as the industry's next major growth opportunity. Advances in artificial intelligence, sensors, cameras, and vehicle connectivity are steadily improving the capabilities of self-driving systems. The global autonomous vehicle market, valued at $3.36 trillion in 2025, is expected to reach $4.44 trillion in 2026 and $41.75 trillion by 2034, at a compound annual growth rate of 32.3% during 2026-2034, according to Fortune Business Insights. Companies like Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Waymo and Baidu (BIDU - Free Report) are key players in this space.
For investors, EVs and AVs represent a strong long-term opportunity. They combine growth, innovation and rising demand. Our Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving Screen highlights companies positioned to benefit from these trends, including NIO Inc. (NIO - Free Report) , WeRide Inc. (WRD - Free Report) , Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) and ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (CHPT - Free Report) .
Ready to uncover more transformative thematic investment ideas? Explore 37 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and discover your next big opportunity.
4 Stocks to Buy
NIO: The companyappears to be entering a more promising phase of its growth story, supported by accelerating vehicle deliveries, a broader product portfolio and improving operational discipline. The Chinese EV maker has regained momentum in recent quarters as demand for its vehicles strengthens and newer models gain traction in the market.
A key driver of this growth is NIO's expanding lineup. At the premium end, the recently launched ES9 is expected to further strengthen NIO's position. The model builds on the success of ES8, which has consistently been one of the best-selling vehicles in China's high-end automotive segment. The company’s sub-brands, Onvo and Firefly, are helping it target different customer segments and price points, broadening its addressable market.
Beyond top-line growth, NIO is becoming a more efficient business. Management has been implementing a more decentralized operating structure aimed at improving cost controls and capital allocation. These efforts are already showing up in improving vehicle margins. More importantly, the company reported its first-ever quarterly profit in the fourth quarter of 2025, a milestone that suggests its long-standing path toward profitability is finally becoming more visible.
NIO's battery-swapping ecosystem remains one of its biggest competitive advantages. With nearly 4,000 battery swap stations and an extensive charging network, the company offers a level of convenience that few rivals can match. NIO is also working to monetize its advanced driver assistance technologies through subscription-based services. If successful, this could create a recurring, higher-margin revenue stream and reduce the company's dependence on vehicle sales alone, providing another avenue for long-term growth.NIO currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
WeRide: It is emerging as one of the most advanced and globally diversified players in the autonomous driving industry. WeRide has already deployed autonomous vehicles in more than 40 cities across 12 countries, giving it an early lead in commercial operations. Through its WeRide One system, the company offers solutions ranging from Level 2 to Level 4 autonomy, serving mobility, public transportation, logistics and sanitation markets. This diversified approach allows WeRide to participate in multiple growth opportunities as autonomous technology gains wider adoption.
The company is also making steady progress in commercializing its technology. In China, WeRide operates Level 4 robotaxis in Shanghai through partnerships with Chery Group and Jinjiang Taxi, connecting major transportation hubs and popular destinations. Internationally, its Robobus service is already operating in locations such as Singapore, Paris and Riyadh, demonstrating the growing real-world use of autonomous transportation for last-mile mobility.
What sets WeRide apart is the breadth of its global footprint. The company is the only autonomous driving technology provider with permits across eight markets, including China, the United States and several countries in Europe and the Middle East. It continues to expand its European presence through projects in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain and Slovakia. Notably, its partnership with Uber to launch Spain's first commercial robotaxi service later this year marks another important step toward broader commercialization.
As AVs move closer to mainstream adoption, WeRide's combination of early-mover advantage, regulatory approvals and expanding commercial deployments positions it to benefit from one of the most significant technological shifts reshaping the transportation industry. WRD currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Lithium Americas: The company offers investors a way to gain exposure to one of the most important materials underpinning the future of EVs. As EV adoption continues to grow, demand for lithium—which is a key component of batteries— is expected to rise steadily over the coming years.
At the center of Lithium Americas' growth story is the Thacker Pass project in Nevada, which hosts the largest known lithium resource in the United States. The project is strategically important because it can help reduce the country's reliance on imported lithium while supporting the expansion of domestic battery manufacturing. Once fully operational, Thacker Pass is expected to produce up to 40,000 tons of lithium carbonate annually, enough to supply batteries for roughly 800,000 electric vehicles.
The project is advancing steadily toward production. Phase 1 remains on track, with mechanical completion of the processing plant expected by late 2027 and commercial ramp-up planned through 2028. Importantly, the project has secured substantial financial and strategic support. A $2.23 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy provides funding visibility. General Motors has committed to offtake agreements covering up to 100% of Phase 1 production and a significant portion of future Phase 2 output.
The scale of Thacker Pass is particularly noteworthy. Phase 1 alone is expected to expand current U.S. lithium production capacity by roughly seven times, highlighting the project's potential impact on the domestic supply chain. Lithium Americas’ large-scale resource base, government backing and clear production roadmap position the company to benefit from rising demand for battery materials in the years ahead. LAC currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
ChargePoint: While much of the attention in the EV industry is focused on vehicle manufacturers, ChargePoint is building the infrastructure that makes widespread EV adoption possible. The company has built one of the largest EV charging ecosystems in the world, connecting drivers to more than 1.4 million public and private charging ports globally. Its managed network includes roughly 400,000 charging ports, including more than 41,000 DC fast chargers, with a growing presence across Europe.
ChargePoint continues to strengthen its competitive position through innovation and strategic partnerships. The company recently introduced Express Solo, a high-powered charging solution capable of delivering up to 600 kW to a single vehicle, helping address consumer demand for faster charging. It is also expanding into new use cases through partnerships such as its agreement with OBE Power to deploy approximately 2,500 charging ports at multifamily residential properties. In addition, ChargePoint secured one of its largest transit fleet orders to date, supplying charging solutions for Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus electrification program.
Beyond expanding its footprint, ChargePoint is increasingly focused on improving the economics of its business. Rising platform engagement is helping drive monetization opportunities, while stronger cost controls and better supply-chain execution are improving network reliability and deployment efficiency.
As EV adoption accelerates globally, ChargePoint's extensive charging network, technology leadership and growing recurring revenue opportunities position it to benefit from the long-term expansion of the electric mobility ecosystem. CHPT currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
