Tearsheet

Lithium Americas (LAC)


Market Price (12/18/2025): $4.665 | Market Cap: $1.1 Bil
Sector: Materials | Industry: Diversified Metals & Mining

Lithium Americas (LAC)


Market Price (12/18/2025): $4.665
Market Cap: $1.1 Bil
Sector: Materials
Industry: Diversified Metals & Mining

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Battery Technology & Metals, Renewable Energy Transition, and Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving. Themes include Advanced Battery Components, Show more.
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -71%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -149%
Very low revenue
Rev LTMTotal Revenue or Sales, Last Twelve Months is 0
1  Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 12%
Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -34 Mil
2   Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -26%
3   High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 128%
4   Key risks
LAC key risks include [1] aggressive shareholder dilution from its pre-revenue capital needs, Show more.
0 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Battery Technology & Metals, Renewable Energy Transition, and Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving. Themes include Advanced Battery Components, Show more.
1 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -71%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -149%
2 Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 12%
3 Very low revenue
Rev LTMTotal Revenue or Sales, Last Twelve Months is 0
4 Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -34 Mil
5 Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -26%
6 High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 128%
7 Key risks
LAC key risks include [1] aggressive shareholder dilution from its pre-revenue capital needs, Show more.

Valuation, Metrics & Events

LAC Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

Below are the key points explaining significant movements in Lithium Americas (LAC) stock during the approximate period from August 31, 2025, to December 18, 2025. The company experienced substantial positive momentum during this timeframe, contributing to its year-to-date performance of approximately 53.67%.

1. Significant Department of Energy (DOE) Loan for Thacker Pass. A major factor was the agreement in principle with the U.S. Department of Energy to receive the first draw of $435 million on a previously announced $2.26 billion loan. This financing is crucial for the development of the Thacker Pass lithium project.

2. Strategic Partnership and Government Equity Stake. Lithium Americas solidified its strategic position through its partnership with General Motors (GM) and the DOE. The DOE is taking a 5% equity stake in the company through warrants, reinforcing its role in the U.S. critical minerals supply chain.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
LAC Return296%132%-35%-66%-54%61%51%
Peers Return22%630%19%-22%-47%84%705%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%14%108%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
LAC Win Rate83%50%42%25%42%58% 
Peers Win Rate42%44%48%42%44%56% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%73% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
LAC Max Drawdown-32%-4%-36%-69%-67%-21% 
Peers Max Drawdown-32%-6%-37%-38%-60%-36% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: ALB, SGML, SLI, CMP.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/17/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventLACS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-85.8%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven602.6%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-63.4%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven173.4%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven129 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-64.5%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven181.9%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven597 days120 days

Compare to WRN, XPL, CRML, NEXM, TECK


In The Past

Lithium Americas's stock fell -85.8% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 11/29/2021. A -85.8% loss requires a 602.6% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Lithium Americas (LAC)

Better Bets than Lithium Americas (LAC)

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to LAC. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
DD_11212025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11212025DDDuPont de NemoursDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
5.5%5.5%-0.2%
CF_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025CFCF IndustriesMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
-1.3%-1.3%-3.1%
HL_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025HLHecla MiningQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
42.2%42.2%0.0%
CDE_11072025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11072025CDECoeur MiningDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
15.0%15.0%-5.7%
ATR_10312025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy10312025ATRAptarGroupDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
5.9%5.9%-2.5%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
DD_11212025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11212025DDDuPont de NemoursDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
5.5%5.5%-0.2%
CF_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025CFCF IndustriesMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
-1.3%-1.3%-3.1%
HL_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025HLHecla MiningQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
42.2%42.2%0.0%
CDE_11072025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11072025CDECoeur MiningDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
15.0%15.0%-5.7%
ATR_10312025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy10312025ATRAptarGroupDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
5.9%5.9%-2.5%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Lithium Americas

Peers to compare with:

Financials

LACALBSGMLSLICMPMedian
NameLithium .AlbemarleSigma Li.Standard.Compass . 
Mkt Price4.61134.7110.684.7618.9510.68
Mkt Cap1.115.90.70.70.80.8
Rev LTM04,94613501,244135
Op Inc LTM-3419-12-2079-12
FCF LTM-647121-38-20128-20
FCF 3Y Avg-335-281-50-43-7-50
CFO LTM-55904-20-18198-18
CFO 3Y Avg-381,291-14-18106-14

Growth & Margins

LACALBSGMLSLICMPMedian
NameLithium .AlbemarleSigma Li.Standard.Compass . 
Rev Chg LTM--23.9%-7.2%-11.3%-7.2%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg-6.2%--0.3%3.2%
Rev Chg Q--3.5%36.6%-9.0%9.0%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM--0.9%6.0%-1.5%1.5%
Op Mgn LTM-0.4%-8.9%-6.4%0.4%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg--1.3%-32.3%-6.5%-1.3%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM-5.0%5.7%-1.9%5.0%
CFO/Rev LTM-18.3%-15.0%-15.9%15.9%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg-17.1%-15.6%-8.7%8.7%
FCF/Rev LTM-2.4%-28.6%-10.3%2.4%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg--4.9%-50.5%--0.9%-4.9%

Valuation

LACALBSGMLSLICMPMedian
NameLithium .AlbemarleSigma Li.Standard.Compass . 
Mkt Cap1.115.90.70.70.80.8
P/S-1.95.3-0.61.9
P/EBIT-4.52,260.0---1,127.8
P/E-4.5-451.0-22.6-39.3-10.1-22.6
P/CFO-19.910.6-35.3-39.24.1-19.9
Total Yield-22.0%1.8%-4.4%-2.5%-9.9%-4.4%
Dividend Yield0.0%2.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-28.9%-3.1%----16.0%
D/E0.40.4---0.4
Net D/E0.00.2---0.1

Returns

LACALBSGMLSLICMPMedian
NameLithium .AlbemarleSigma Li.Standard.Compass . 
1M Rtn-3.4%14.8%33.2%38.4%10.4%14.8%
3M Rtn41.4%68.6%83.8%63.6%5.7%63.6%
6M Rtn74.0%128.7%116.2%145.4%-2.2%116.2%
12M Rtn47.3%41.0%-7.6%235.2%48.2%47.3%
3Y Rtn-79.8%-42.0%-64.2%36.4%-54.0%-54.0%
1M Excs Rtn-4.1%14.1%32.4%37.6%9.6%14.1%
3M Excs Rtn41.8%65.6%78.4%59.5%3.4%59.5%
6M Excs Rtn61.6%116.3%103.8%133.0%-14.6%103.8%
12M Excs Rtn30.8%27.3%-21.7%210.5%34.0%30.8%
3Y Excs Rtn-148.9%-114.0%-134.7%-41.8%-124.1%-124.1%

Financials

Segment Financials

Assets by Segment

$ Mil20242023
Single Segment44028
Total44028


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11282025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity27,897,209
Short Interest: % Change Since 111520259.5%
Average Daily Volume18,112,017
Days-to-Cover Short Interest1.54
Basic Shares Quantity238,701,000
Short % of Basic Shares11.7%

Earnings Returns History

Expand for More

 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
11/13/2025-5.5%5.1%-1.0%
8/14/2025-3.1%-7.5%-3.1%
3/28/2025-5.9%-5.9%-1.7%
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive010
# Negative323
Median Positive 5.1% 
Median Negative-5.5%-6.7%-1.7%
Max Positive 5.1% 
Max Negative-5.9%-7.5%-3.1%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251113202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025814202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025515202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024328202510-K 12/31/2024
9302024110720246-K 9/30/2024
630202481420246-K 6/30/2024
331202451320246-K 3/31/2024
12312023318202420-F 12/31/2023
9302023111320236-K 9/30/2023
6302023100420236-K 6/30/2023
12312022822202320FR12B 12/31/2022